The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1895-03-06
CHAPTER vII.-CoNr1NuED.


The proceedings of court-martial
are always tedious, and the details in
the case of Private Brown will not be
here given. Every whit of available eTi-
dence was produced both by the prosecu-
tion and defense, the lieutenant's words
to Brown were testified to by the stable
attaches who heard them, and the ac-
cused was permitted to make state
ment of the affair. His manly bearing
and straightforward testimony coupled
with his eloquent speech and gentle
manly attitude throughout the trial,
made a great impression ON the judges,
and won for him many an approving
glance from the dignifed 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-lnartial
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 a
marked characteristic of Col. Sanford's
nature, asserted itself while he had
the findings of the court under con-
sideration. 1t 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, 80 warmly approved the pun
ishment that the lieutenant had re-
ceived that the commander gave the
matter great deal of thought. He
had not by any means forgotten Van
devers treatment of old Sergt. Bar
rett, and when at last the findingN 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 court-martial 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
o 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 VIII.
When Brown was released from con-
Rrement he went at once to his quar-
ters, and was accorded warm welcome
by his comrades. He took 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 came up, and re-
spectfully saluting the captain and re-
moving his cap he said:
II am instructed, sir, TO report to you
for duty" .
81 am glad oft, Brown" the captain
replied. II am gfatifed that. the re-
suit Of your rash act has not proyed,so
serious as l had feared. / know that
you viii kindly receive some edTics
from me, for assure you feel more
than ordinary interest In your VOL
fare.p
.'SAell retire, captAinP" asked Mrs.
Colby.
''No, my dear, wish you to remain.
I am not going TO reprove Private
Brown very severely, nor In the least
humiliate him. I 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 I
shall not inquire into, you are placed
in position far beneath the'stStion In
life In which you are fitted by educa-
ton and training to hold an honored
place. You no doubtat timesl 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
Sneu& think l understand and be-
iieye I can fully appreciate your feel