The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-11-25
TIE SWAIN COURT IN SESSION.
The Gray and Grizzed Warriors Composing
the COurt-Martial.


both ends of a long table. In the center sits
short, thck-set man, considerably bald with
white hair, mustache and side-whiskers of the
Burnside" cut His round face has the ruddy
glow of health, and there is kindly, mellow
look in those eyes that once sparkled in the ex-
element of battle. He is dressed in the full
uniform of his high rank. A broad yellow sash
extends across his breast and over his left Shout
der, and around his waist is buckled belt from
which depends highly ornamented sword in its
brightly-polshed scabbard. AS president of the
court he is the personifcation of quiet dignity.
That is Major general J. M Schofield, who led
the old Twenty third Army corps through large
part of its honorable career, and as commander
of all the Union forces at Franklin fought that
important battle, upon which depended the fate
of Nashville, with such brilliant success. Gen
eral Schofed was one Of the brave and efficient
leaders of the Union army. trusted by his supe-
riors and beloved by his soldiers. He became a
major general of volunteers in 1862 He gradu
ated from West Point and entered the army as
second lieutenant of the Second Artillery in 1858.
In 1861 he was a captain From this grade he
mounted at single bound to the full rank
Of brigadlergeneral in the regular army,
without stopping at any of the intermediate
grades His commission dated from Nov 30
1864, in recognition of his great services at
Franklin. He became a major general in 1869.
His present command is the department of the
Missouri At his right side sits Brigadier general
Nelson A. Miles. He is one of the youngest
members of the court. The years and the hard
service through which he has passed, both dur
ing and since the war, have dealt kindly with
him. Tall, well-built, ruddy of face with dark
hair and mustache, he seems ideal soldier.
ANITA fha x-o1tt too
in 1861. He was commissioned captain in the
Twenty second Massachusetts Infantry, and in
1862, feutenant-colonel Of the Sixty first New
York. BY gallant and meritorious services, he
rose to rigadier general of volunteers in 1864,
and major-general year later. After the war
he entered the regular army as colonel of the
Fortieth United States Infantry, and was made
brigadiergeneral in 1880. General Miles has
earned brilliant reputation since the war by
his successful campaigns against the Indians.
he has seen much arduous service on the from
tier His post of duty is in the far Northwest
he being in command of the department of
the Columbia. General Miies's wife is a daugh-
ter of the late Judge Sherman, of Cleveland.
AT the left of Gen. Schofeld is the third in
rank-Brig gen. Samuel B. Holabird quarter
master general of the army. He is a large fine
looking man, with full, round face and a
broad, white forehead that extends over the top
Of his head. His badness seems little prema-
ture, but the deficiency is fully made up on his
face He has luXuriant full beard aud mus
tache that just begin to show the touch of frost.
he q West Pointer, having graduated in lS4G.
from the State of Connecticut During the war
he was on staff duty, as major and aide-de-camp.
lie entered the quarternasters department and
attained his present rank in 1883 when Gen.
MclgS was retired Second on the right is Brig
gen. Robert Murray. surgeon general of the
army. He is the eldest member of the court.
His scanty hair and short beard are very white,
and he wears old-fashioned spectacles. Gen.
Murray entered the army as assistant surgeon
from Maryland in 1876 He was signally eff
fcient and faithful during the war, and rose
gradually to his present rank. He will soon be
retired at the prescribed limit of age Ga.
At General Hoabirds left sits one who will
be remembe red by the old boys of the Army of
the Cumberland. 1t is Brig-gen. John New
ton, now chief of engineers He commanded
the Second division of the Fourth corps during
the greater part of the Atlanta cam paign. He is
much more fleshy now than when he ate hard
tack ard -" bacon [ mean, and "slept in tho
leaves He is below medium heightand stoutly
built His hair is cut short and stubby gray
beard struggles for existence. His face is so full
that smile almost closes his eyes When he
puts off his uniform and the dignity of the court
he is exceedingly pleasant and genial. General
Newton is regular" having entered the en-
gineers from West Point i'll 1912. He was pro-
NOTED to captain in 1856. During the war he
served with distinguished gallantry as bragader-
general and major general. He commanded q
division of the old Sixth corps, Army of the Pc
tomac and succeeded to the command of the
subsequently he was transferred to the army of
the Cumberland. In the regular army he rose
to be colonel of engineers and attained great
fame by reason OF his opera tons at He'll Gate
New York harbor in clearing the channel A
few months ago he was promoted to his present
rank on the retirement of General H. G. Wright
Of the six co.onels the one best known to the
veterans of the West is Luther P. Bradley. of
the Thirteenth infantry. He entered the service
in 1861 lieutenant-coonel of the Fifty first
Illinois, and rose to the well-merted rank of
brigadier- general. After the death of General
Harker, who was killed at Kennesaw, June 81
1864, General Bradley commanded the Third
brigade, Second division, Fourth corps, with
marked ability and bravery He bears the scars
of three wounds. Two of these he received at
Chickamauga, and he carries bullet in one of
his arms as a memento of the brisk engagement
at Spring Hill, Tenn, the day before the battle
of Franklin. At the close of the war he was
commissioned Northumberland of the Twenty
seventh United States infantry, and now col
Onel of the Thirteenth. He is thorough and
accomplished soldier Since the war he has
been duty in the West. l had not seen him
for nearly twenty years until day or two ago,
but recognized him in a moment He has changed
but little, except in the whitening of his hair
and mustache. Colonel Bradley's wife is one of
the King family at Akron. OF the other COL
onels r. B. Ayers, of the Second artillery
and H. M. Black, of the Twenty third infantry,
are West Pointers. Ayers was famous during the
war artillery officer, and later as a division
commander in the Sixth corps He is one of the
fnest-looking members of the court--tall and
straight, his hair and heavy side whiskers dashed
with gray Colonel Black commanded the Sixth
California regiment during the war. Colonel C.
H. Smith, of the Nineteenth Infantry, entered
the volunteer service from Maine; Colonel G. L.
Andrews Twenty fifth Insanity from Missouri
and Colonel G. r. Brooke, Third Infantry from
Pennsylvania AS whole the officers compos-
ing the court are as fine body of men as one
could wish to see. Brigadier- general d. G.
Swain, judge acknowledgement of the army, is
best known to the people of the country by rea
son of the intimate personal relations he sus
the latter's nomination for President until his
death. Swain was his trusted confidential
friend, was with him almost constantly during
his long confinement, and was at his side at the
last moment "Oh, Swami" were the last
words that escaped the lips of the dying Presi
dent as the fatal narnyYsm came nnon him.