The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-09-13
THE COURT OF INQUIRY.
The Testimony of Sergeant Seel-
horst and Capt. c. C. Cain.

The court of inquiry resumed their labors at
brigade headquarters last evening.
The first witness examined WAS Sergeant
W. J. Seelhorst. sergeant OF the Fifth Company
Orleans Artillery. / vas at Camp Schwartz on
Saturday the seventh instant had charge Of
the dancing platform and the bridge leading to
the platform. had five or six men under my
command. I was on special duty. 1 received
written orders from Capt Sambola. I had
written instructions to keep the platform and
bridge quiet, and 10 arrest any body disturbing
II arrested Private Welsh; that IS, caused bis
arrest. I arrested him for disturbing. the
peace arrested him under standing orders
He offered no e n aas cha .oa ae R1cg
prisoner was brought to the police station: /
delivered the prisoner to the police on the plat
form | delivt red the man to the civil author
ill., u.s. did not arrest him as sergeant but for
= I did NOT say anything particular to the police
t Tee poles officer to return with me- 70 Cart.
Bamhoa as did not wish to take It upon NY
self to make a charge. He returned with me.
I made no charge. The police did not ask
under ,what charge the prisoner was arrested
| don't know whether, any Charge was made
ri ained In the station don't know exactly.
:, Col Bachemin demanded OF Capt. sambola
the release Of the prisoner; Capt =. told him
orders, Dol. bachemin then gave the ,nt order to
o B5es he and ambess
Of BATTERY % fail out. So did Capt. sambola
order his men to fall out. The balances OF the
an ss the g%es hey WITH
the guns, bayonets fixed. When they returned
Col. Bachemin ordered the men to take the
prisoner out of the station.
The police had been politely requested to re-
lease the man by an order Of the officer OF the
day. Capt. WITT taken BY me TO the police ste
| did not know that the station was used as a
bn s Ensw tat mas usaa as
ment with the police for the prisoners deten-
ton, Isimply knew OF one guard-house. which
/ only had one command. That was to cause
the arrest of any one disturbing the pence On
the platform; He WELSH wa, arrested under
Witt and ana samboia Ia several times. did not
know whether any Of these gentlemen were
under the influence OF liquor.
Capt. Sambola pulled off his coat and kept
and said be could rot release the prisoner as a
military officer. but would rs assistant re-
corder OF the Second District.
CAPT. G. 9. CAIN.
Battery A, Orleans Artillery. was not on duty at
Camp Schwartz. have acted as officer or the
day on two occasions. was ordered TO go out
r. camp. and preserve order. have caused the
arrest nf men In my regiment. placed one of
tomary to have our prisoners put in the guard
house OF tho camp. The prisoner placed In the
guard house was released By my order. M,
Was at Camp bchwa tz on Sunday evening. the
seventh instant.
Col. Bachemin gave the first order for tho re-
lease Of the prisoner. The order was directed
to police officer. The order Of release was
not nneyed. The fficer replied that he reeog-
1ized no authority but that OF bis sergeant. He
did not recognizes military authority.
Col. BacheTin turne d to Capt. Witt and said
i comm andyou to release that prisoner Capt.
Witt order ed his mon t. tall in. Col. Baobemin
WAS not In command of the camp TO my know-
edge. When Capt. Wilz ordered his men 70 fell
In saw there was about to DO @ conflict OF
authority. I ordered two Of my men who were
In the ranks to fall out.
The 40 dieis fell In and went to camp. got
arms and returned 10 the station. Some one IN
the party remarked It's al right. captain, he Ia
out There was no volley Of musketry fred in
Ihs car.
Sergeant Graham rendered the use OF the sta
ion to me for the better protection of our rifles.
but never MS a guard house.