The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-11-07
MILTTARY MEANNESs.
Investigation Of the Charges Against the
Ninth Massachusetts,

RICHMOND, VA, November 0.-Malor IL.
R. Sargent and Captain Arthur Lincoln
and D. 7, Dolan, constituting commits.
sion sent by the Adiutant General of
Massachusetts, to investigate the conduct OF
the Ninth Massachusetts, Regiment, while
en- route to Yorktown, resumed their Court
Of Inquiry in the Mayors Office yesterday,
About twenty witnesses have been examin-
ed, making fifty or sixty in all, The testi-
mony was damaging to the Massachusetts
troops,
Several misses testified that soldiers made
indecent proposals TO them,
An ex.detectiYe officer testified that his
daughter was slapped and knocked down
by a soldier, and had her hat thrown into
the street, and young lady accompany
ing her was kissed by one OF the soldiers.
The gentleman looked for tho soldier who
had so grossly insulted his daughter, but
could not find him,
A'lady, school teacher, testified that rs
she was driving in her buggy, group OF
three soldiers stopped her horse and beat
the animal over the head.
A negro girl testified that soldiers stopped
her in the street and Rugged and kissed
her.
A well.known merchant testified to the
bad conduct on Main street, OF q group
headed by soldier wearing the stripes OF
non'coinmissioned officer.
Members OF the Ninth Massachusetts
Regiment were easily distinguished by
their peculiar uniform, and particularly by
leather leggins.
Witnesses gave their evidence under oath
and then signed itaiter II was written down
by Captain Lincoln.
Captain Dolan acted in the investigation
as counsel to the Ninth Regiment, to which
he belongs. The other two officers belong
to the staff OF Brigadier Generals.
All witnesses having testified, the Com
mission visited Libby Prison to investigate
the damage alleged to have been done that
property by members Of the regiment
II had been reported, and generally be-
lieved, that Massachusetts, soldiers had
wrecked street car, but the car.driver
testified to-day that they only kicked their
feet through the windows. 1t is in evi-
dence that the soldiers snatched baskets
and buckets from girls and women; took
teams from their drivers; injured real
estate, and committed many other acts OF
deyiltry.
4 reporter this evening called upon the
Military Commission now here investigate
ing the alleged misconduct Of the Ninth
Massachusetts, Regiment, for the purpose
OF obtaining informtiOn relative to the
proceedings and conclusions OF said Com
mission, but was informed nothing could
be had, inasmuCl as the investigation had
not been. concluded, the Commission hav-
ing to stop at Washington and other points
North, to make further inquiries. They
deemed II would be unwise to give out any
information In connection with the In
vestigation before its conclusion.
The testimony, as reported by reliable
persons who heard most Of 1t, is much
more disgusting and damaging than even
anticipated by previous representations.
The officers composing the Commission
have shown every disposition to make
their investigation as full and MS searching
as possible, and theirreport fthe evidence,
II published, will doubtless show they
have faithfully discharged their unpleasant
duty.