Wichita eagle., 1889-07-27
AN ARMY SCANDAL.
The Court-martial of Colonel O. A. Fletcher
at Fort Omaha.

OMAHA, Neb., July 26.-This morning at
10 O'Clock the court-martial appointed to
determine whether Colonel G. A. Fletcher
had transgressed the regulations of the
army, met at Fort Omaha. Owing to the
prominence of Colonel Fletcher and
the sensational character OF the
charges preferred, this is one
of the most interesting trials that
has taken place in the army for many
years. Arranged about a long table in the
order of their rank, in full dress uniforms,
with aiguillettes looped over their breasts
and the insignia of their rank emblazoned
in the knots upon their shoulders, with
Captain Charles Porter, of the Eighth in
fantry presiding as Judge advocate,
were Colonel August V. kantz, Eighth
infantry; Colonel Mathew NJ. Blunt, Six
teenth Infantry; Colonel Henry K. Miner,
Sixteenth infantry; Colonel Joseph G. Til
ford Ninth cavalry; Lieutenant Colonel
Robert H. Of1iey, Seventeenth infantry.
Lieutenant Colonel John \. Spoland,
Twenty first infantry; Lieutenant Colonel
Alfred 7. Smith, Eighth infantry; Lieu
tenanc Colonel Charles N. Terrlll, pay de,
partment: Major Dallas Bache, medical
department; Major John W. Barriger, sub
sistence department; Major Albert Hart
suff, medical department; Major James
+. Randlette, Ninth cavalry; Major Adna
K. Chatfee, Ninth cavalry.
The accused, Colonel Fletcher, sat at the
right OF the judge advocate general, TO-
gether with his counsel. After the mem
Ders OF the court had taken their seats
there was most impressive stiffness for
few minutes, broken only by the tread
of the sentinel at the entrance.
Colonel Fletcher lost himself In the
documents of accusation before him, the
members of the court gaZed penslyely out
of the windows, the reporters bent over
their tables, and the orderiles looked
Iongingly toward their company head
quarters where their comrades were loung-
ing.
Finally, Captain Porter arose and
called the court to order. The
Judge advocate then asked the &C
cused if he objected to any member OF
the court martial, and Colonel Fletcher
NO." the oath was duly ad-
ministered to the court.
The Judge advocate then read the charges
against Colonel Fletcher, which, IN brlef,
are as follows:
Charge first-Conduct unbecoming a
soldier and a gentleman.
Specification lin publicly charrg-
ing his wife with undue in
timacy with DR.. Henderson, as
sistant post surgeon, while he was at
tending the family professionally.
Specification 2-ln publicly charging
bis wife with committing adultery with
Captain G. A. Dempsey.
Specification 3-In lying, by denying
the charge to Captain Dempsey.
specialization 4-In perjury, by assert
ing before God that he had not circulated
these reports.
Specification 5-That he called together
The officers of his regiment and acknowl- |
edged that he had lied.
Charge second-That Colonel Fletcher, |
while commandment Of the post, ran away |
rom Surgeon Henderson, through the |
BACK door of his domicile, thereby expos |
ng himself to the ridicule Of the officers |
and men of the regiment.
Specification THAT while command |
mt of the post he allowed himself to be !
knocked down by Surgeon Henderson and
lid not exercise the dignity of his office by |
1lac ny the said Henderson under arrest"
After the reading of these charges
Colonel Fletcher was called upon TO
plead, and in an emphatic tone an
wered Not guilty. to each charge
md specification. The judge advocate
hen read a telegram he had received from
Mrs. Colonel Nc Garland, in which the lady
aid that, owing to the illness of her son,
he would be detained in Philadelphia I'M
il Friday, and could not reach here until
sunday He, therefore, asked an adjourn
nent until Monday morning. An ad-
ournment was then taken until Monday.