St. Paul daily globe., 1885-12-20
that he had better go without delay, other
wise he had but

A SHORT TIME TO LIVE.
-Four or five of them were irOned around
a jackstay with kind of handcuff that an
expert or an old offender could readily
spring and release himself. Coming on
deck about sunset found the mate putting
second pair on one OF my men who wore
Confederate uniform; OH asking an expla-
nation was informed that he had sprung
his irons and was walking off when he was
brought back. l denied him the luxury OF
second pair Of irons, and told the mate If
the man sprung his cuffs again and left sim
ply to shoot him. to which the mate as
sented. The man then said that yarn
rope would hold him, for he knew the re-
spect due to authority. He was informed
that in such case he was entirely safe from
harm for the present.
Within forty-eight hours we had passed
the gulf stream lying off Cape Hatteras.
and from that time on until we arrived at
Aspinwall had the baluiy weather which is
usually found at sea in that region. 1t the
passage east OF Cuba we were met by the
United States steamer Neptune. Com
these mail steamers and other vessels from
seizure by Confederate privateers. He ac-
cQmpanied lis from thence to Aspinwall
and guarded the wharf at that place to pre-
vent the desertion of my patriotic sailors,
composed principally of what might prop
erly be styled the trough and scruff" of all
creation, with, doubtless. some honorable
exceptions.
Capt. Sanford informed me that he did
not feel at liberty to send either marines or
officers with me to Panama; and, when the
cars moved on, Boatswain Bell and myself
were alone to prevent the desertion of a
gOodly number who could not but feel that
Ito have justice done them was in no de-
gree desirable. The train was special and
had no passengers other than myself and
command, with perhaps few exceptions.
The boatsWain sat at one end of the train
and at the other; on the steep grades
when the speed was slow a man from time
to time would jump off and
MAKE FOR THE BUSH,
receiving a parting salute from the revolver
of the boatswain or myself; and thus the
draft was lessened by some ten men.
Whether we killed or wounded any of them
I never learned.
Many more would doubtless have de-
serted had they not deferred their object
until reaching Panama. when, much to
their disgust. they found themselves in a
large building. with marines stationed at
all the exits, and tugs awaiting to transport
them on board of the Cyane. Capt. Law,
who was in the harbor and ordered to re-
ceive them.
When they were mustered around the
capstan, as is usual IN vessels of war in
making transfer of men. from time to
time l would call halt and give the char
aeter of the man, and occasionally say:
IF you have mutiny on board. shoot this
man, who has already forfeited his life,
and inquire about the man afterward. You
will find that you have made no mistake. "
l was informed afterward by Capt. Law
that he never had such obedient, respectful
men under his command as those / deliv-
cred over to him with the character plainly
stated in a number of individual cases.
statement of all the facts was given
the navy department on my return home in
the Ocean Queen, in report dated June s.,
which closed as follows:
II have been minute. perhaps tedious,
in furnishing such facts as appeared to have
even remote bearing upon the transactions
detailed. 1t anything should suggest itself
in forming an opinion | will be much
pleased to answer as definitely as may be
in my power
ANY INQUIRY OR DEMAND
VI GiiO uS PAL ILuCHG. IL, Ill Gu0 SUOu JuuS-
ment of the honorable secretary of the navy,
any doubt should exist In regard to the
propriety of my action in the occurrence Of
Sunday, May Is. or in connection Herewith,
/ have to request court OF inquiry"
Ten DAYS past and not even an acknowl-
edgment of the receipt of my report was
sent me by the department. then inclosed
a copy of the sworn statements. and in an
accompanying letter wrote: Il have to ask
that the department will prefer charges and
order court-martial upon me, taking the
most unfavorable view warranted by the
sworn statements which inclOse AS no
one in active life can escape from the malice
which from time.to time arises only from a
proper, not to say necessary, exercise of
authority, l think it due me that my con-
duct should be officially pronounced upon. ~
With the same disregard OF courtesy. it may
be said decency, the department deigned
not to inform me of the receipt of this
letter. Perhaps fortnight later gentleman
came to my residence and informed me
that he was the judge advocate of naval
court-martial and had very disagreeable
duty to perform-tlle presentation of charges
for my trial. l assured him there was
nothing dsagreeable about that.
Rear Admiral BreeSe was the president
of the court; he informed me that he had
orders to hold me in close confinement, and
was somewhat perturbed thereby. | re-
piled that | had been midshipman under
his command twenty-four years before; he
knew how far he could rely upon my word
would not venture any opinion in regard
to what be should do, but he could rely
upon my appearance-that he would not be
able to get rid of Inc until my trial was con-
cluded. At that time there were
TWO NAVAL COURTS-MARTIAL
in session; it was supposed if the depart
ment sent a case to the one it was equva-
lent to an acquittal; to the other, convic-
tion. appeared before the last named.
The head of the court was highly honor
able officer. as were several others. A
majority, however, were crooked sticks. +"
''black Sheep and imbeciles, one of whom
had the idea of the Dutch judge. who as
serted that when man was brought before
him he should be condemned. If he was
not culprit, he would not have been
brought before him. Every one against
whom the department preferred charges
was necessarily guilty.
When my trial was called, as required by
law, l was asked if | desired counsel. l
replied that l did not, except the advice
and assistance of Lieutenant-C Commander
James Parker Of the navy. This unheard
of action on my part greatly disturbed a
majority of the members of the court, and
it is wonder that was not assigned coun-
sci against my wish. Previous to my trial
an officer of high rank. under whom had
served, wished to know who intended to
employ as counsel, and added that should
have one of the ablest, as it was evident
H. Il ko
replied that l knew all the facts sur
rounding the attempted mutiny that were
shown in the sworn statements and would
appear in evidence. Had any other course
been pursued by me l would have been
cuIpable to degree After the trial was