The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1888-02-19
CIVIL STRIFE IN THE R N
RIVAL FACTIONS OF SOLDIERS FACE TO
FACE IN A JUsTICEtS OUR

TatbA N n OCSIlChrc SVOhAs
Did Sergeant browne or Davies Island Ii.
bel Private sheridan OF wiliett's foint .
-Hrowne Refuses to Swear that he Him.
self IL Net n rerJurer. or to Tell How
Macy Other Names he has Gone Under.
A court room full Of soldiers was presided
over by Judge 7. O. Mackenzie at milestone,
l.. l., yesterday. Col. Frederick E. Trotter, Of
the Fourteenth Regiment, United States Army,
stationed at David's Island, and delegations OF
officers and men from that post and from VIII
let's Point made up the crowd, and Sergeant
Harry Browne Of Company A, David's Island.
was examined on a charge Of malicious libel
on Private Frank Sheridan Of Willett's Point.
The alleged libel consisted In this communi-
cation. which appeared on Nov. 81, 1887:
To THE EpiroR OF THE HERALD: Having read a letter In
your paper Of Nov. IS, 1881, written by one sheridan of
winett's Point, I would say in reply that the above.
named party came to David's Island in tho latter part Of
March. 1887. While stationed here ho was continually
in trouble. spending q large portion OF the time In the
guard house. n punishment he Justly deserved. What
sounds worse to an American than tn stand BY and have
q foreigner talk unexpectedly Of this country. especial.
ly ono who deserted the army OF his own country. and
then had to seek protection in the American service'
SERGEANT llAREr BuowSx, Co. A. Davld's Island.
This letter was an answer to q prior commu-
nication from Sheridan. in which he said.
among other things. speaking on the subject Of
assertions from the army: 1T is tho best men
who desert-men whose courageous disposition
win not allow them to submit to the most grind
Brown was re%presented BY his superior Off
Ger. Col. Tro,ter. while CounsellorL L. W. Ensign
man. with n ,scanty, sandy moustache and hair
and az tn Ss same noM Ra siat hs sal at " %i Mss 70 P ySaIs 9 ba;
had formerly been at David's Island. He ad-
ibras itm hasi nlio been n Tin In the the guard us,Ida ho g, ssa about
fusinG 70 drill. For what reason he was locked
at the post were spent In CONFERENCE.-THE"
AT This Browne and his friends smiled broad
ly,, while Sheridan's allies scowled..
SERGEANT browne took the stand In his own
n foasi @itb he L b II q handsome fellow Of I twenty,
fRure-a typical soldier.
81 certainly wrote the article" ho said. land
vice t. 70 wi WHICH | belong. 1t was in reply to an
corporal FaN Of t Snsslaad i p Sa s1f Sim; f IN o Taea l T Hs
was IN TIE guard house twice to my knowledge;
me- my p pnawi hsSf t. es Tno e s'nis%aD 9sts IN sb, wjthS%s
article are absolutely false"
Sergeant Browne said that his letter was
false accusation against the service.
Of a Mh Ion y soiJ T r. t. i i did you believe the truth
II did" was the emphatic reply.
On nross-eHaminatton Browne said he had
been SIX years in the army. and had been In
the service before he enlisted at David's Island.
cru!t.
Now" asked Counsellor Ensign. did you
not then pcrIuIe yourself by, making affidavit
Il decline to answer: il 1 did Would have to
disclose private matters which I wish to con-
cen,;, not, however, because Of disgrace"
the Sheridan crowd at this answer. Instructed
said:
Il decline to answer because It would do
grade me. | was never dishonorably dis
charged. nor did l ever tell Boyle So"
What other name have you than Browne ?"
fhss. too, 1 decline to answer for the same
Sergeant Dominick McGrath Of Company d,
David's Island. was Missed by sheridan's
friends until the stone mason's mallet, which |
did duty ms n gavel, fell upon the desk and tho
Judgo threatened to clear the room. McGrath
said be had Sheridan under his command four
Justly confined in the guard house twice.
The statements in Brownies letter were true
Private George Raymond ,swore that he
Island. and from April 10. 1887. until
he was transferred he was n very worthless
Previous to that his cond9ct, had
Is TIL juno l was bad.
Judge Mckennn decided that prima facie
case nad Deen made out and held Browne In
$3.50 for the Grand Jury, Bail WAS furnished
would apply for a change Of venue to West.
chester county in case Browne is indicted.
Browne says that a Board OF Inquiry was ap-
pointed to Investigate this very charge, and he
lonorably acquitted of all blame.