Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-07-20
The Testimony Closed.

was called to the stand on cross examination
by Gen Mitchell. The questions by ten
Mitchell related in the main to minor de-
tails of Col Lynehs management of his COM
manh on different occasions AID were, in
some respects a partial duplication of points
slresdy gone over at the FIRST hearing. They
had reference To Col. LyLch's orders. the
manner they were executed and carried out
and if he was in every instance particular to
know If they had been executed.
As 20 the times when guards were inspect
ed Col Lynch said he made il a point to
personally visit his lines TO see that guards
were in ard if the guards were efficient. He
had not Intentionally, AS previously stated,
neglected any known duty or failed 10 report
TO his superior officers in proper form. When
serving under Gen. J. Marshall Brown
he had made his communications
in the same manner as he had done TO Gen
Mitchell, and the, had always been received
and acknow ledged. Gen. Mitchell said he
desired to ascertain Col. Lynch's manner of
trsnsscting the business of his command
aud asked, Who do you understand laws
down rules for the camp?" To this Col
Lynch replied, The brigade commander g"
There was some difficulty in getting supplies
the first days of the muster, and it was very
hard to absolutely live up TO the exact discip-
line, but no intention Of insuhordinstion or
disobey ing orders was ever present in Col
Lynch's mind. He was included on the sick
list, but not 80 reported by name in the sur
geon's report Many questions were asked
and answered relative TO the inspection of
companies and srsensls Col. Lynch stated
tina, he had inspected four or FIVE arsenals
outside of Portland, and had not been paid
for services, only for expenses. If an
officer visited an armory under orders he
could draw pay, but otherwise not. Col.
IL neh admitted that he had once struck a
man in the face who was engaged in making
rumpus and noise in the camp because he
wanted it stopped. The man did not kno~
who he was when he struck him.
Much time was spent by Gen. Mitchell in
cross examination of Col. Lynch in regard
to his action during the escort duty to the
Commander in Chief but nothing was
brought out by it. different from that given
by Col Lynch in the former hearing. The
rules Of military etiquette in regard to the
authority Of an officer in command of an
escort were chiefly discussed and long time
was taken up in their explanation as bearing
upon this part of Col. Lynch's conduct, but
it was mainly a repetition of former testi-
mony.
Gen. Sprague was called to the stand by
Gen. Mitchell upon some points as to the
condition of the weather on the evening of
the last day of the muster; the persons
present at headquarters when the firing was
heard in the camps, and points Of discipline
when he was on Gen. Browns staff No new
facts were obtained.
Gen. Mitchell then took the stand. He
put into the case sections 633 to Ga of the
Revised Statutes; with parts of the militia
law of the State relating to the case; also
sections from Military Law by Rolin A. Ives,
edition of 1873 He explained the bear
ing of these several sections upon the case.
showing that an officer who disobeys an
order does 80 at his peril.
Gen Mitchell then gave his statement
upon the several points involved He had
sent peremptory orders to the colonel of the
First Regiment for the sink to be ready, and
the brigade quartermsster had orders to leave
the picks and supplies at each regimental
headquarters. He related the incid. Mt: con-
nected with the escort and parade and felt
sure he did not misunderstand
Col Lynch when he heard him
make an nngentlemanly remark.
Col. Lynch had placed his regiment twice
Hc ehDuail Hd't PiaSci 'foi-
Lynch had never offered him any explanation
of his conduct, from that ay to this and in
the matter of drill it vas his duty to see that
the orders were obeyed. He had no recol-
lection Of Col. Lynch asking him permission
to go down town and stay till 2 o'c.ock
Capt. Plummer, DIR Thayer. Maj Plaisted
and Capt Paul we're present at Headquarters
when the firing was going on He sent
messenger to Col. Lynch to say that any man
who ras firing off cartridges would be made
an example of. He went TO Col. Lyneh's
quarters and reported that no one was there.
He was anxious for fear the men might FIRE
ball cartridge and do injury. Had Col.
Lynch been sick it was not necessary for him
to be on duly. He had visited guards
every night of muster but first ard last !;
and on Thursday night failed to find the
commanding officer Of the First Regiment on
duty.
A few questions we're asked Gen. Mitchell.
on cross examination, which SI9sed the after
noon session ~