Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-10-25
THE TUNNEL INVESTIGATION.
Of the Court OF Inquiry ~ ths
War Department To-day.

By virtue Of the order issued m the 18th inst by
the President . military coui 4 inquiry met at
the War Department at noon to-day to examine
into the entire subject Of the lining OF the tunnel
extension OF the Washington aqueduct, for the
purpose OF fixing the responsibility for the charac-
Ter OF the work executed. The court, as an
nounced In THE STAR the day the
order was issued, is composed OF
Brig.-G Thos. H. Ruger, Col VIM. p. Craighill,
Corps OF Engineers; Col Henry c. Hodges, deputy
quartermaster-general, with First Lieut.. Edward
after considering the matter decided TO give TO
the court the use Of a large room In the Depart
ment building on the second door of the west
Of The chief clerk This room was in use
the meeting place Of the board Of business meth
Is In command OF the Department OF Dakota, with
neaoquarters at st. Paul, Mimi, arrived In the
ys sois morning. followed closely py Col
although stationed at Baltimore, did not
reach the city until about IL o'clock and the hour
Oh converting was consequently set at IL O'Clock.
Lieut.. Davis was early on the field, arranging de-
TAILS lor the sessions OF the court and consulting
Win Gen Kruger, who reported at the Department
II O'Clock all OF the members Of the court had ar
rived, and held consultation In their retiring
ROOM TO the south Of the courtroom
THE COURT IN SESSION.
"A 40" huAuutcS ditcT uOOu Tie uOoE OpcueO duu
the four Officers clad In ful-dress uniform, entered
the courtroom and seated themselves around a
large table, Proceedings were begun by Lieu
tenant Davis calling the roll and reading the
omciai order converting the court Gen. Ruger
then handed over document 10 the recorder, which
on being read, proved to be a notification from
Secretary Endicott to Lieut.-Col. Hodges inform
Ing him OF bis promotion to the rank Of colonel,
Occasloned by the retirement OF Col Rufus c.
Saxton. The members OF the court were then
sworn by the recorder to 1mpartialy consider the
evidence submitted. and Gen. Ruger. In turn, ad-
mlnistered the oath TO the recorder to the same
enect, after which the court withdrew for another
consultation.
ADJOURNED TILL TOMORROW.
The court were invisible until about IL As, when
they reappeared through the doorway. AS soon
tones In regard TO the matter OF adjournment, 1t
being finally decided 10 adjourn until 10 O'Clock
tomorrow morning, when the work Of the actual
T Investigation WI begin in open session
quarters where they paid their respects to
Gen: Schoneld, afterward calling on the Secretary
Oh war. Beyond the court, the recorder, the
stenographer, Mr.. Pechin, the reporters and the
messenger Nhese constituting the machinery of
the investigation) the courtroom was practically
sulting, Capt Sears, Of the Chief Of Engineers
ONCE, appeared, and tried to see some one, but
was headed on by the vigllant messenger. He
R. Ross Perry, the attorney for Beckwith &
Quackenoush, entered. After the court had ad-
JOurned ne had conversation with the recorder
In regard 10 the hours OF meeting.
THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT.
General Ruger is a very military looking man,
with blonde moustache. His hair is somewhat
gray and his face shows slight signs OF warfare
he Is oy far the youngest appearing oflcer at the
court, although he holds the highest rank. He is
regarded as peculiarly fitted for the duty OF In
Vestlgatng the construction or the tunnel having
served In the engineer corps before the war; He
lett the Army and engaged in business after few
years, and at the outbreak Of the rebellion was
given position Of high rank.
Colonel Cralghiu looks to be a man OF
about nfty-f1ve or sixty years, and
wears military moustache and imperial
winch are almost white His eyes have keen in
curing look, and he follows every word uttered
with the closest attention. Col. Hodges is small
man, with full gray beard, clipped rather close,
after the custom OF Gen. Sherman. He seems
10 De man OF very mild manners
and Is courteous in every action. Lieut.. Davis is
or course, the youngest member OF the court. He
has been stationed SO long In this city that he is
well known here. All OF the members OF the court
wear badges OF Grape upon their left arms in re-.
spect 10 the memory OF General Sheridan.