Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-09-18
MARINE HARvEY,s CHARGES.
The Naval Court of Inquiry Exonerates
Capt. Pope Of the Marine Corps.

MAXINE hAhtEr'S ChAkOES.
The Naval Court of Inquiry Exoneratcs
Capt. Pope Of the Marine Corps.
The Secretary Of the Treasury has approved
the findings Of the court of inquiry, consisting
Of Capt. VIM. Whitehead and Commander Silas
Terry, U.S.N., Major McLane Tlton, US. c.,
and Capt d. P. Mannix, c., as judge
advocate, which recently assembled at the navy
yard in this city to make inquiry into the
charges preferred by c. A. Harvey, late a ma
rine private, in relation to his punishment at
the marine barracks in this city in March and
April last.
that Harvey was confined for thirty-three days
at the barracks in dungeon feet by feet in
size, with no opening but perforated iron
plate, admitting just sufficient light to distin-
guish day from night; that the floor of this
dungeon was always wet; that fire or warmth
was provided him. that nothing but one army
blanket was allowed him for bed and covering;
that by order of Capt. p. G. Pope, US. NJ. c.,
his overcoat was taken away from him and that
he was left clad only in undershirt, thin
blouse and an old pair of trousers; that water
was never supplied him with which to
wash even his hands and face during
the whole period of thirty-three DAYS;
irons locked upon his wrists and ankles when
he was confined were never removed for any
purpose during his confinement; that the irons
were rough and rusty and very tight, and wore
holes in his ankles to the bones and cut and
lacerated his wrists, and that the rust from the
iron poisoned his flesh and blood; that Capt.
Pope was mercilessly brutal in the matter of
punishment; that when Harveys mother called
at the barracks to see her son she was subjected
to rude treatment: that punishments such as
those above referred to were frequentlyiinf
at the barracks here, and that marines were MUIR
dered there by such punishments and were
buried within six hours and no investigation
ever had.
CONCLUSIONS OF THE COURT.
The court say they did not find a single one
Of the allegations confirmed by the evidence.
"Charles S. Harvey was lawfully confined by
sentence Of court martial in a cell constructed
In the barracks for the confinement of prison
ers. Its length is feet 10 inches; width, 4 feet
III inches; height, IL feet. 1t is sufficiently
lighted and ventilated. 1t is scrupulously clean
and free from vermin at all times. The floor
was dry and the cell was heated similarly to
the remainder Of the building occupied by
the guard A galvanized iron bucket with a
close cover was in the cell, and in addition the
evidence Is clear that Harvey was taken to the
sink twice each day, or oftener when necessity
demanded it. The bucket was emptied and
cleansed each morning and evening and at
other times as Harvey might ask. Ample OPP
portunity was allowed Harvey for washing and
bathing. The washing facilities of the post
are excellent; there are a number of standing
basins and three bath tubs with hot and cold
water. The evidence shows Harvey was taken
to the wash room every morning, his hand irons
removed, and he was allowed ample time to
wash himself. In addition he was ordered hot
bath every Sunday morning and at these times
all his irons were removed. He was ordered an
hours exercise in the guard room each morn
ing, at which time his ankle irons were re-
moved. The evidence shows the irons we're
clean and entirely free from rust; that they
did not wear holes in his ankles and did not cut
nor lacerate his wrists. The court could find
no evidence whatsoever that the irons poisoned
his flesh or blood; on the contrary, the evil
dence available to the court is overwhelmingly
against this allegation. Harvey was allowed
at night bed sack and pillow, as is provided for
the garrison, and had his overcoat at all times.
Drs. Hanford and PARROT of BROOKLYN,
MY, whose certificate appears in the
letter of complaint, did not obey the
summons of the court and their testimony
could not be taken; but the testimony of the
witnesses before the court emphatically con-
tradicted their statement IN every particular.
The evidence shows that Harvey is an in
temperate man. Medical Inspector Hoebling.
U.S.N, in charge of the naval hospital in whic b
Harvey was treated, testified his drinking Sc
riously interfered with the action of the medi-
cine given him. and that in consequence he
ordered him to be confined to his bed in order
to have the medicine act. He testified also
that Harvey was in good condition on leaving
the hospital on the 9th of May, at which time
he was discharged from the marine corps.
And also, that the medicine given would not
have produced the appearance alleged in the
letter OF complaint and testified to by W. w.
Harvey.
In regard to the visit made by Mrs. Harvey
to her son while he was in confinement the
evidence is positive that the account given in
the letter of complaint is utterly false in every
particular. The court is unable to find any
evidence whatever of the general allegations of
lnhuman and barbarous punishments or of bar
barrie and diabolical punishments inflicted by
Capt. Pope's orders or of his merciless brutal
ity in the matter of punishment. And the ale
cation that men may be murdered by the bar
barous punishment administered by Capt Pope
and their bodies buried in six hours without
any investigation is absurd and impossible
The letter of complaint is based upon the state
ments Of one man. Chas. S. Harvey who testi-
fes that Capt Pope never apused HIM nor
treated him unkindly.
The testimony of many witnesses shows
Capt. Pope 20 be a most humane and consci-
entous officer. He is active and Jealous in the
discharge of his duty, careful of the men
under his command very attentive to their
health and comfort. Every witness from the
garrison, or who had been under his command.
testifes to Capt. Pope's kindness and considera-
ton for his men. The court deems the allega-
tions in the letter of complaint to be a wicked
libel upon a most just, humane and conscien-
tious officer"