Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-31
several times referred to it in profane and
vulgar language,

seVeral tlWes reIerFeQ 10 IL IN prOIane anu
vulgar language.
The surgeons watched him closely and.
being punished for Is minutes, he horrifed
all present by asking for chew of tobacco
The officer Of the day held the plug of chew
ing tobacco close to Iams' mouth while he
bit off liberal chew. He then squirted
the juice in front of him. He also swal-
lowed some and when be had been up Just
Is minutes he became deathly sick and was
cut down. He was greatly distressed by
swallowing the tobacco and for q time he
was unable to speak after being taken down.
Didn't Hang the Thirty Minutes.
He had been sentenced to hang for 80
minutes The Surgeon, however, has au-
thority to mitigate any military sentence,
so Iams was taken to the guardhouse adj
joining, where he was kept, until early the
next morning. Lieutenant Colonel Streator
and Colonel Hawkins remained alone, each
in his own quarters, while the punishment
was being inflicted.
Colonel Streator at once prepared q writ
ten report of the offense committed by Iams,
his effort to have the young soldier retract
and the punishment inflicted upon him.
This was sent to Colonel Hawkins, where it
was approved and was transmitted to Major
General Snowden. The last named ap-
proved and returned the report with the
written Recommendation that Iams be
dismissed in disgrace and drummed
out of camp The order to drum
out of camp in disgrace in the judgment of
the commanding officers carried with it the
shaving Of half the head and the shifting of
the military uniform to citizens Dress
Shaving tho Private's Head.
Iams submitted to the changing OF
his dress, but when the barber
was called on Sunday morning to shave one
side of head he protested vigorously. The
barber, a colored man, was frightened as
badly as was the victim, but the order to
completed Iams was supplied with Scent
straw hat which almost covered his head
and before he had been taken from the
guard house the entire Provisional Brigade
had been drawn up in solid column in front
Of the brigade headquarters, and then the
unfortunate was marched along the line
from one end to the other
He was halted in the center of the col
umn, while the story Of his offense and
punishment was read, which concluded with
General Snowden's sentence. Then the
bands of the Fourth and Tenth regiments
struck up ''The Rogue's March" which, by
the way, is probably the most narrowing
and distressing piece of music ever
rounded by double guard with
bayonets fixed Iams stood out 20 pacee
from the brigade of soldiers, and when the
command to move was given the prisoner,
the guard and the command marched off on
the most doleful mission ever inflicted upon
a body of soldiers.
Tho Officers Actually wept.
IT talked with Colonel Hawkins just before
the brigade to move. He was
visibly agitated, and suppressed his emo
tions with. an effort Lieutenant Colonel
Streator, brawny lawyer of mental and
physical force, was unable to keep back
tears from his eyes, and many of the staff
officers actually cried when the procession
started.
Iams, the victim upon whom disgrace and
ignominy was being heaped, seemed to be
the coolest and most unconcernej OF the
], 800 soldiers present. He insisted upon
chatting with the guards, but at no time did
be receive any reply. He looked anxiously
at his own company in the column, but re-
ceived not even q glance Of sympathy.
The New York Herald has printed the
letter from General Snowden:
HOMESTEAD, PA, July 27.
To the Editor Of the Herald
In view Of your letter OF the oath inst,
1 write to say that Private Iams was sus-
pended by the thumbs without my knowl-
edge or concurrence. have had no occa-
sion officially to express approval or dis
approval Of 1t, and I havo not done so. A
report OF the circumstances, alter they
occurred, was made to me, and ! was
asked what disposition would be
made Of the man. when I ordered: "Dis-
charge him from the service in disgrace:
drum him out of camp, aud send him home"
on Will observe that the manner of send.
ing him OF, outside Of drumming out is not
prescribed. have authority suInmartly
% discharge enlisted men, but no disquali-
ication follows. Soberminded people will
'emember that the punishment inflicted
vas in the face of revolution, treason and
lnarchy.
Very respectfully,
ar GEORGE 3. SNowDEN.
Colonel Hawkins said yesterday: "Lieu-
enant Colonel Streator had the authority
o punish any soldier in his command and
eport the punishment to his superiors
Ifterward.
streator's Term Of Onice Expired.
Lieutenant Colonel Streator's commission
xpired to-day. An election to fill his posi-
lon will be held in Pittsburg August 8. |
The Captains and Lieutenants Of the Tenth |
are tho only ones who can vote
o fill the Office. Lieutenant Streator will |
ave no opposition for reelection.
"He will get every vote in his COM
nand, Colonel Hawkins said last night
such an election would be accepted by Lieu
enant Colonel Streator as q vindication
rom military standpoint, at least