The morning call., 1894-03-05
FOR HIS FRIEND.
Sergeant Dingle's Trial at
the Presidio.
SACRIFICED HIS SAVINGS
To Rescue Corporal Drewes From
Punishment.
HIS KINDNESS WAS A CRIME.
Court Martialed and Given a Heavy
Sentence. but General Ruger
Excused Tim.
HIS KINDNESS WAS A CRIME.

Presidio. has just passed through an ex-
perience that has taught him that exhibit
tions Of friendship often cost dearly and
in the army of the United States they can
be carried to such an extreme as to come
in conflict with the military code that regu-
lates all things.
The lesson he has learned was taught
him before general court-martial which
convened at the Preside pursuant to para
graph of special orders g. current series,
on Tuesday last, and at which he was
tried for conduct 10 the prejudice of good
order and military discipline AID in viola
tiOn of the sixty second article of war"
Major John A. Darling. Fifth Artillery,
is president of the cour-martial, and
Second Lieutenant John D. Wiley. Fifth
Artillery. is judge advocate. and with
these officials presiding Sergeant Dingler
was brought to trial.
The case grew out of the difficulties into
which Corporal Charles II. Drewes found
himself January II last when he en-
beZZed S1S1 81 from Second Lieutenant {.
2. Summerall, Fifth Artillery, in charge
of the post exchange On that day Lieu
tenant Summerall, being unable to leave
the post, gave 10 Corporal Drewes the
funds belonging to the exchange, amount
ing to 1856 81, with instructions that he
California Safe Deposit and Trust Com
pany to the credit of the exchange.
DreWeS took the money and lett the post
for this purpose, but on the way he met
companion and the two Lad drink. An
other followed until Drewes became in
toXlcated, and while in this condition went
out To see the town with the exchange
funds in his pocket. Not returning to the
post when he should Lieutenant Summer
all became alarmed and suspicious that ali
was not right, and the Police Department
was notified. After searching for whole
day the officers finally found the erring
corporal holding high carnival on the Bar
barry Coast. Fortunately for the bank &C.
count Of the post exchange he was caught
before all the money had been spent. In
his pocket he still had S773 60. the balance
having been spent 10 the carousal.
After his capture he as detained at the
Central police station until a guard ar
rived from The Preside TO escort him to
the guardhouse TO await trial. He was
consigned to a dark cell in the guard
house, where be remained for over three
weeks before the court-martial was held,
until at the instigatlon of the post surgeon.
who reported that the solitary cOufine-
ment was undermining his constitution, be
was released. In the recent presentation
of charges by Colonel Young against
Colonel William NJ. Graham, commander
OF the post, the treatment of Drewe5
formed an interesting chapter already
published in THE CALL.
The particular way in which Sergeant
Dinger WAS Interested In the Drewes
troubles, which resulted in his own trial
was in the capacity of friend. The two,
dulipg their stay at the post, had been
compani"ns Where one went the other
was always at his side. If perchance duty
kept one at the post the other would re-
main there also until both were free from
their labOrs and together they would sally
forth to enjoy their mutual pleasures. 1t
is not then to be wondered at that Ser
geant Dingier, when he learned that his
friend was in trouble. bethought himself
of some way to help him out.
Being Industrious, he had by careful
saving succeeded IN laying by for rainy
day little ne>tegg. In all it amounted to
about $500. Although man not given tn
squandrTing his earnings in enjoying the
luxuries of the wurld, he was willing to
give all his possessions to aid his friend.
Oh January Is, the day following the
return OF Corporal Drewes TO the post a
prisoner, Sergeant DIngler went to the ex-
change to ntercede with Lieutenant Sur
neral for his friend. He told the officer
that ne had with him at that time the
amount of Drewe's shortage (S1S1 94), and
that if be (SummeralD would agree not to
prefer charges against DreWeS for embeZ-
Element he would pay him the amount
The conversation between the two men
WAS of short duration. Sergeant Dingler
said: II have the money with me and
will pay on one conditon-that no COM
plant be made by you against Corporal
Drewes, ana no proceedings be taken
against him. and that the matter be
dropped entirely"
To this Lieutenant Summerall refused
TO listen. and told Sergeant Dingler that it
was his intention and duty to prefer
charges, and that he would do so. To this
Sergeant DingIer replied: "Wel, then
c nf
his shortage, for feel sure he will be con-
victed If be goes before court, and it is
too much to lose"
For this act OF friendship charges we're
preferred against Dingler by Lieutenant
Summerall. Att cOurt-martla he pleaded
not guilty, but the verdict was to the op-
poSite effect. The sentence OF the couT,
was that Dingler be reduced to the rank
of a private soldier and forfeit TO the
United States SO of his pay each month
for period of six months. In prunoune-
ing the sentence the court added: This
court is lenient on account of the extenu-
ating circums ances III the case and :he
excellent character OF the accused as shown
by the testimony"
Sergeant Dinger. however, will not have
his sentence put into execution. Briga-
dier-General Ruger to whom the sentence
was submitted, after reviewing the testi-
mony taken at the court-nlar tlal on Satur-
day afternoon issued an order releasing
DngleT from his sentence. The order
says: In consideration of the good char
acter of the accused and the mitigating
circumstances and the belief derived from
the testimony ana the circumstances re-
lating thereto, that he did not fully appre-
bend the nature of his act in reference 10
military discipline, the sentence Is re-
mitted."
Dfewes' case was tried week before
that OF Dingler. and he sentence passed
was hat he be dishOBorably discharged
from the service Of the United States. for
feiting all pay and allowances now due
him or to become due. and be imprisoned
at such place as the reviewing authority
might direct for period of three years.
General Ruger. after reviewing the case,
reduced the prison sentence o two years.
and as mllgated ordered its execution.
The military prison al Fort Leavenworth,
KaDs., he designated as the place of i'm
priso3ment The prisoner was yesterday
taken To AlcatraZ Island. where he will re-
main until further orders are given for his
removal TO Fort Leayenworth.
One of the seyerest features of his pun
ishment will be his separation from his
friend. Sergeant Dingler, who proved him.