Mower County transcript., 1895-01-02

Will LIS cAO1ueut speech anu RenClo-
manly attitude throughout the trial,
made great impression on the judges,
and won for him many an approving
glance from the dignified officers who
composed the court. Capt Colby was
summoned to testify to the previous
character of the accused, and he grew
almost eloquent in his commendation
of Browns soldierly conduct since he
Joined the troop.
The findings of the court-martial
were duly made out, and sent to the
commander of the post for his ap-
proval. Brown was found guilty of
striking an officer, there was reference
to aggravating circumstances, and his
punishment was fixed at thirty days
confinement in the post guard house.
That love of justice, which was
marked characteristic Of Col. Sanford's
nature, asserted itself while he had
the findings of the court under con-
sideration. It is true that some out
side influences had been at work, but it
must not be assumed that they could
sway the stern old man in the enforce
ment of his strict ideas of military dis
cipline. Capt. Colby had taken the
liberty to tell of the faithful service of
the private soldier, and several officers
of the post had freely. aired their
views of Browns action in the colonels
presence, and Alice, after speaking of
Vandever's attitude toward herself
and of the views she had heard him
express regarding the men of the
ranks, so warmly approved the pun:
ishment that the lieutenant had re-
eeived that the commander gave the
matter great deal of thought. He
bad not by any means forgotten Van
dever's treatment of old Sergt. Bar
rett, and when at last the findings of
the court-martial were published, they
bore this Endorsement over the sigma
ture of the post commander: .
''The findings and sentence of the
special courtrmartial in the case of
Private Richard Brown, B troop, Sixth
cavalry, charged with committing an
assault on the person of Second
Lieutenant Alfred Talbot Vandever,
B troop, Sixth cavalry, are approved.
In consideration of the aggravating
provocation which led to the assault
and of the blameless previous record as
q soldier of said Private Richard
Brown, twenty-nine days of the SEN
,tence are hereby revoked, and after
one days confinement in the post
= guardhouse said Private Richard
Brown will be released and will report
to the commander OF his troop for duty"
CHAPTER VII.
When Brown was released from con.
hnement he went at once to his quar-
by his comrades. He took a bath and
changed his clothing, for the guard
houses of frontier military posts are
not noted for cleanliness, and then
went to report for duty to his troop
commander. Capt: and Mrs. Colby
were sitting on the porch Of their
quarters when he carne up, and re-
spectfully saluting the captain and re-
moving his cap he said:
II am instructed, sir, to report to you
for duty"
II am glad of it, Brown the captain
replied. Il am gratifed that the re-
suit of your rash act has not proved SO
serious as had feared. I know that
you will kindly receive some advice
from me, for 1 assure you feel more
~ than ordinary interest in your well
fare.''
Shall retire, captain?" asked Mrs.
j. Colby. ...
''No, my dear, wish you to remain.
am not going to reprove Private
Brown very severely, nor in the least
humiliate him. Il just wish to say this,
Brown. You are not an ordinary SOL
.dier. Your demeanor, your language,
your every act indicates that through
some chain of circumstances, which /
shall not inquire into, you are placed
life in which you are fitted by .educa-
tion and training TO hold an, honored
place. You no doubt at times deeply
feel the chains of servitude which
bind you, and unpleasant experiences
which an. ordinary soldier would ac-
cept as a matter of course, awake in
your sensitive nature spirit of resent
,ment. think understand and be-
Heve l can fully appreciate your feel
: ings in the recent trouble you had
with 2 superior officer. Your sense OF
manhood revolted at the unwarranted
abuse heaped upon you, and in your
rage you lost sight of your army rank
and assaulted him. That was very un-
wise. The men at ]. the stables were
witnesses to your altercation with
Lieut.. Vandever, and would have testi-
fed to that officers action toward you
il an official inquiry, and had you gut
etly submitted to his treatment and
reported the matter to myself as your
troop commanders q thorough investi-
CATION would have followed, and full
justice would have been done you. I
have but this advice 70 offer you,
4 Brown, While you remain in the ranks
4 you must never loss sight of your po-
sition, aa,d must 90 blnit Is annoyances
hich: yon nnald resent 81 civil lie: