The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-07-10
COLONEL LYNCH UNDER HEAVY FIRE.
The First Regiments Commander
Firmly Holds His Own.
His Testimony unshaken by Gen.
Mitcheil's cross-ExamInation.
The Hearing Adjourned Until Friday,
July 9th.
[spscial to the Press. ]

| of Col. Lynch was continued today, evidence
for the colonel being introduced and putting
his side in new light. The first witness
called was Brigade Surgeon Thayer of Wat
erville. He heard Maj. Lunt return from
the field saying Col. Lynch would not obey
orders On the last night of the encamp-
ment he went to the headquarters of:the First
Regiment between II and 12 The colonel
was not in; only an orderly who said the COL
onel was down town. r The camp was full of
noise and confusion and they made every ef-
fort possible to secure order.
Major Plaisted recalled, stated that on the
last night of the encampment there was no
guard in the camp of the First Regiment on
Friday night up to two O'Clock when he
left
Gen. Mitchell desired to introduce evidence
to show that the brigade inspector was re-
ceived in an unmilitary manner when he WIS.,
tied Col. Lynch under orders. Mr.. Brad
bury objected to the introduction Of this evil
dence. He held that Col. Lynch was not on
duty in Portland at the time although he
understood the colonel would not recognise
the inspector.
Maj. Plaisted continued: 81 think it was
two weeks ago yesterday when l went to
inspect Co. B.. in Portland with the inspec-
tor general After entering the armory Col.
salute him but he did not respond and took
no notice of me while / was there-abOut
an hour-but instead remained seated a por-
tion of the time and criticised me, although
/ could not understand what he said.
81 did not hear Col. .Lynch's reply to Adju-
tant Lunt on the field. His conduct in camp
was common talk, although could specify
no particular one who criticised him. Col.
Lynch and had no personal trouble that l
ever knew Of. Col. Lynch when inspector
general inspected my company in Wateryille
and criticized it. / did make remark in the
armory Of Co. K. First Regiment, that Col.
Lynch having criticised the company to
which belonged, now had an opportunity
animus against the colonel but make the
structures printed in the report because that
officer wilfully disobeyed orders; any other
oflcer would have received similar usage.
spoke to Col. Lynch after his first refusal to
form his line and he said to me as to Major
Lunt, The right got left'."
John +. Kelley, Quartermaster of the Sec
ond Regiment, testified that the sinks of his
regiment at the last encampment were dug.
Thursday afternoon, Immediately after din
ner There were six picks and spades brought
over and left with Col Brett. Quartermas-
ter Barrows, of the First Regiment, came
down and wanted to help dig the sink, and
gave him permission. Both regiments used
the sink in common after it was dug.
General Sprague.
Adjutant General Sprague was called, and
said: 81 was in camp last year as quarter
master general. 1 know that picks and
spades were purchased, but the adjutant
general refused to pay for them, and Gen.
Mitchell purchased the Implements, but he
has been reimbursed since became adju-
tant general. noticed there was confusion,
and when Col. Lynch escorted the governor
to camp at the last day on dress parade,
there was long distance betwe en- the two
Major Lunt and Col. Lynch. know that
Friday night you made request that the
best OF order be preserved. About IL o'clock
went over to the camp of the First Regi-
ment because of the noise and firing of
blank cartridges. Col. Lynch was not at his
headquarters.
"The delay in making out the First Regi-
ment reports during the encampment was
partly occasioned by a defect in the blanks,
and was obliged to go over and straighten
them out. Once stopped two hours"
A number of officers of the First Regiment
testified that they did not hear Major Lunt
give any order whatever. They testified to
Lynch's good character, and said that at no
time during the encampment, did they see
him under the influence of liquor.
Col. Lynch.
Immediately after dinner Col. Lynch took
the stand and answered at length the
charges, his explanations being similar to
those published. He acknowledged deliver
ing the wrong orders on dress parade, but it
was simply mistake. He did not move his
n md dxrho tIn
effect of the parade. He was not intoxicated.
He never had taken stimulants. except under
charge Of the surgeon. Had performed every
tour of duty except once, when it was not
his fault. He was very sick. yet performed
his duty to assist Col. Mitchell. Due dill
gence was used forwarding his reports. 1t
was due to the neglect of the officers that the
returns were not forwarded-not his. In re-
gard to going on dress parade mounted, he
simply sat on his horse and gave his men
orders to move from the streets and after
wards rode to brigade headquarters, dis
mounted and Joined his command. lie de-
MED insubordination. The taking away of
the pay. Of company clerks accounted for
much Of the neglect in sending forward re-
ports.
Gen. Mitchell then questioned Col Lynch
upon several points in his reply to charges,
as follows:
'Do you think it allowable for an officer to
have intercourse with his superior througha a
subordinate?"
'Yes, if he sends his orders properly, with
the compliments of tie officer. 1t was per-
fectly right for the Quartermaster to convey
any order to y0u or any OF my stall officers
II chose to send them. l think l conf0rmed
70 the practice and custom Of the service in
, ~ Col Lynch, did you go to see if the sink
II did, and told the quartermaster to OBJ
tain the things. if possible, to complete it."
do you remember orders given the last
night in camp, in regard to extra exertions
to maintain order and discipline?'
Il do, and had guards placed at every
point After taps the ground is in charge Of
the officer of the day."
Did you know that on Friday night the
guards were all taken OFF,"
II did not. This is the first time have
had any knowledge of it. l do not remem-
ber of ever taking the guards off unless to
relieve somebody"
"What were the hours of the reception to
the g0vernor?"
81 think from to 1880 p m. Lights were
right"
''I am not certain. I do not remember"
DO you remember when you left brigade
headquarters to 90 to your own quarters?"
Yes; went to see that the boys were In
bed before going down town."
"Did you go down directly"
mo. went to your headquarters first and
reported to you"
"Who was presentr
"No one but yourself"
81 don't remember OF seeing you that
night. You say that you were sick and not
able to do skirmish drill and yet were able
to go down town and stay till o'clock in
the morning~
81 was sick and weak. You knew it and
said you were sorry. that you knew had
become worn out and ny voice was gone
You wanted me to do skirmish drill and |
said, General excuse me- and you did. !"
"When was this talk?"
"At the close of the dress parade near
brigade headquarters at the Governors re-
ception."
"On the Friday, on dress parade, did YOU
not turn your person round away from me?"
"No sir, did not. You remarked to me
that you yourself made mistake
When the cross-examination reached this
point, there was consultation among the
officers of the board as to continuance or
adjournment.
Gen. Mitchell had asked nearly all the
questions In cross oss-examination which he
wished to, but he wanted Col. Plaisted put
on the stand again. He had hoped to get
through at this sitting, but several members