Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-05-05
McCALLA'S DEFENSE.
He ResOrted to Extreme Measures to
Maintain Discipline.

Commander b. Fl. McCalla was the last wit
ness for the defense before the court-martial
Saturday. He was first questioned concerning
his threats to kill Seamans Apprentice Louis
Meyer at Mozambique.
Meyer was reported to me-" said Capt Nc
Calla because he had refused TO 90 into a
coal bunker to help shovel out the coal after
the fire, and for his disrespectful language to
the officer at the time l began to tell Meyer
that he had committed serious offense, when
he began to smile at me. l told him not to be
dsrespectful to me, and 1 told him he lied
when he denied it. Then he began to smile at
a group of sailors who stood by. Then sent
for my sword and said to the man:
damn you, I'll kill you and make an exam
pie of you
This said" continued the captain.
calmly, mot because | intended to kill him.
but for the benefit of the men who were stand
ing by.
Concerning the articles of war. I never
heard them all read. l know of no purpose on
my part IN not reading the rules once month.
l simply forgot 1t.
Coming to the Walker incident next. Capt
McCalla said that he noticed spirit of dscon-
tent and unwiilingness to obey orders quickly
for some time before the vessel arrived at
Christiana
Now, state all that occurred on the evening
IL,
Il had been away all that day from the ship
on visit, and i'll the early evening 1 brought
aboard the American consul at the port with
party of friends. to inspect the ENTERPRISE
Ihey were all out OF the ship by 10 o'clock. and
soon after turned in. Shortly after IL o clock
was awakened by hearing the noise of shout
ing. l went to the door OF my cabin in my pa
jamas and ordered the noise to be stopped AS
1T still continued l went on deck and found
Walker i'll irons in the hands of the master At
Ea cta
Walker and said quietly. stop this noise He
wanted to explain, but told him it wasn't the
time. A number of the sailors stood near and
ordered them to turn into their hammocks
They did so reluctantly, and then Walker be-
gan his cursing and swearing
NO 1ankee---canm make me stop, yelled
Walker. L have never reconstructed. aud I'm
rebel at heart. My brother fell on the right
side, and am all for the south
HEROIC TREATMENT.
Then returned to the room for nv sword,
as | was impressed by the actions of the men.
and felt that some extraordinary action was
necessary. Walker didn't stop his shouting.
and l ordered him gagged with a bayonet.
This had no effect upon him. a.. d then / ordered
a bucket of water to be brought [ threw il
over him myself, as | wanted to take the entire
responsibility. He kept saying: DO it again
you - - and | told HIM i'll the same voice
that am using now that | would cut him
i
to do it. Then | struck him II wrist blow re-
luctantly. had no resentment against Walker
but felt 1t was necessary, not so much on ac-
count of Walker himself, but for its effect on
the men forward who were watching. Walker
was partially stunned and it was nv purpose
to stun HIM. ! ordered the master-at-arms to
put dry clothes on him, and he became pro-
fame again. But the rest of the crew were all
below now. and thought nothing more was
necessary than to have wooden gag put into
hlG (lF.a ID. l.. 4
taken out u few hours later when he promised
to be quiet.
Capt. McCalla said he was impressed at one
time that the sailors forward would attempt to
make u forced rescue of Walker and he felt that
the occasion was one beyond the control of the
officer OF the deck and that the commanders
presence was necessary.
Il had no feeling against Walker when |
struck him, but / wanted to subdue him and
show the crew that a man could not success
fully defy me. thought it all over in the few
minutes had, and felt it was the only thing |
could do. | knew the use of the gag was going
beyond the regulations, but thought that ex-
traordInary means were absolutely necessary
Walker was III IA straightjacket for Il number of
nights after he left the sick bay but it was for
the purpose of keeping liquor from him and to
protect him from himself. If these unusual
means had not been taken it might have meant
the loss of life later"
Did You govern the ship in accordance with
the regulations" asked Mr.. Menzies
= Il dd. said the captain. emphatically, sal
though resOrted to extraordinary means at
Christana, and did fail to read the articles Of
war once n month"
Il want to state" said the witness in con-
Guiding, that 1t was my fault that no entry
was made i'll the log Of the Walker affair L
should have had the whole incident carefully
recorded III detail i'll the log and the careless
omission of the full circumstances has reacted
Oh me since"
While he was testifying Capt. McCalla sat
with folded arms and rarely raised his eyes
from the table before him. The twelve officers
of the court watched the captain narrowly and
mony.