The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-07-24
CRUEL PUNISHMENT.

EnllSted Men BTutnlly Treated by an
Army OAiCOr-A Court Martial to bO
Held,
WASHINGTON. D, O., July 23.-Further
facts were brought to light yesterday re-.
lating to the case OF Captain Mackay, OF
the army, who, as stated, is now under
going trial at Fort Reno, Oklahoma, on
charges ofhaving inflicted cruel punish'
ment on enlisted men under his COM
mand. These new facts make the case
moro serious, It now appears that two
men were maltreated by Captain Mac
kay. One was recruit Is years old,
aud the other was soldier aged 20,
who had served several years in the
ranks.
The oaenses which the men commit.
tod and which brought down the wrath
OF their commander were not serious
and consisted only OF minor iniractions
OF discipline, principally neglect to per-
form certain fatigue duty. Upon OBJ
serving tho mems neglect Captain MRc'
kay ordered them bound and hung up
by the wrists. AtldaVlts relating to
the circumstances OF the case show that
tho recruit was left hanging about 80
minutes, while the older soldier was
suspended for nearly six hours. There
is conflict in the testimony as TO
whether the mems feet we're clear from
the ground at the time OF their suspen'
sion, but there seems little doubt that
such was the case Tor short perlods ut
least.
When taken down from their elevated
positions the men were thrown into an
adjacent water hole partly to revive and
also apparently as further punish
ment. The men have since stated in
answer to official inquiries that they
suffered no great bodily injury. They
admit, however, that some pain was felt
and that their mental suffering was OK
treme. Their self respect, that essen-
tial element in q good soldier, seems to
have been completely shattered. 1t was
by nero accident that tho war depart
ment became aware OF Captain Mackay's
cruelty to his subordinates
Shortly after the captains return
from pursuit Of CARA and his band.
during which expedition the men were
maltreated, a Pittsburg newspaper con-
tanned q letter from man In New
Mexico, urging young men Of that city
not to enlist in tho army. The letter
stated that men in the military service
were treated as brutes, and cited tho ex-
perience OF tho two men under Captain
Mackay as proof OF the charge. A per.
sonal friend Of President Cleveland read
tho letter and forwarded 1t to Washing
ton, asking il in these days OF enlight.
enment soldiers were subjected to In
dignities and barbarous treatment. The
President transmitted the newspaper
clipping and his friends letters to Sec
retary Lamont.
An official investigation was imme.
diately ordered, and soon afterward the
evidence obtained being so clearly
against Captain Mackay, GenerahScho.
field ordered his trial by court martial
without delay. The men upon whom
the punishment was inflicted made no
report or complaint of their treatment.
1t is said at the war department that
Captain Mackay when questioned by
the department about his conduct nd.
mitted that he had resorted to unusual
measures to enforce discipline, and ex-
pressed his regret at having done so.
His ofense was OF such serious
character, however, that II could not be
condoned. In talking with your re.
porter to-day about the case high
army official said: II regard the matter
as one of great seriousness, both from a
material and moral point Of view.
From all can learn Captain Mackay is
clearly guilty Of having inflicted upon
two soldiers cruel punishment equally
unwarrantable aud unnecessary. In
doing so he defed law and army regula-
tions. He also forgot his obligations as
an officer in the army.
II know that voice the sentiment Of
the military service when l say that no
officer who goes to the extreme that
Captain Mackay did 10 ct to command
men. I went through the war Of the
rebellion and saw considerable active
service. l never saw cruelty imposed
as punishment, nor did I see an occa.
sion when Its inhiction was admissible
or necessary. The day for treating col.
diers as brutes 10 gone.
''In this enlightened age enlisted men
arc properly regarded as intelligent,
self-respecting beings who deserve and
expect fair, square treatment from their
superiors. Captain Mackay's un-officer
like conduct iS reprehensiblo from every
point of view. II the charges against.
him are sustained he will doubtless bo
dismissed from the service" \