The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1895-05-30

dence was produced both by the prosecu-
tion and defense. the lieutenant's words
I 70 Brown were testified to by the stable
attaches who heard them. and the ac-
cused was permitted TO make q state
ment of the affair. His manly bearing
and straightforward testimony coupled
with his eloquent speech and gentle
manly attitude throughout the trial,
MADE great impression on the judges.
! and won for him many an approving
I glance from the dignifed officers who
composed the court Capt. Colby was
summoned TO testify TO the previous
{ character Of the accused. ard he grew
almost eloquent in his coiNmendation
of Browns soldierly conduct since he
Joined the troop.
The findings of the cou-t-martial
were daily made out, and sent to the
commander of the post for his APP
proval Brown was found guilty Of
striking an officer, there was reference
% 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
---NNANs ASST NtAA Ak~tAA NAllAt ne nAu
the findings of the court under con-
sidera ton. 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 tho enforce
ment of his strict ideas 81 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 colonel's
presence, and Alice, after speaking of
Nandever's attitude toward herself
and of the views she had heard him
express regarding the men of the
ranks, so warmly approved the pun
ishInent that the lieutenant had re-
ce.ved that the commander gave the
matter great deal of thought. He
had not by any means forgotten Van
dever's treatment Of old Sergt. Bar
rett and when at last the findings of
the court-martial We're 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. II troop, Sixth
cavalry, charged with committing an
assault on the person of Second
Lieutenant Alfred Talbot Vandever,
Z troop, Sixth cavalry. are approved.
In consideration OF the aggrayatinc
provocation which led TO the assault
and OF the blameless previous record as
a soldier of said Private Richard
Brown, twenty-nine DAYS of the sem
70 Il.
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-
6nement 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-
spectfuliy soluting 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 gratified that the re-
suit of your rash act has not proved so
serious as had feared l know that /
you will kindly receive some advice |
from me, for assure you feel more
than ordinary interest in your well !
fare"
shall l retire, captain?" asked Mrs. /
Colby.
NO, my dear, / wish You TO remain. /
| am not going 10 reprove Private
Brown very severely, nor in the least
humiliate him. just wish to say this.
Brown. You are not an ordinary sol
der. Your demeanor, your language,
your every act indicates that through
some chain of circumstances, which / /
shall not inquire into, You are pls ID /
in a position far beneath the station in
life in which you are fitted by educa-
tion and training 10 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 matter OF course, awake in
your sensitive nature a spirit of resent
ment l think understand and / be-
lieve can fully appreciate your feel
ings in the recent trouble You had
with a superior officer Your sense Of
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 al the stables were
witnesses to your alteration with
Lieut.. Vaudever, and would have testi-
Ted 10 that officers action toward you
in an official inquiry, and had You qui-
>tly submitted 10 his trec.,-e2; ard
the matter 10 myself as your
troop commander, Z thorough investi-
cation would have followed, and full
Justice would have been done YOU
la-e but this advice 10 offer you.
Brown. While you remain in the ranks ,
7ou must never lose sight of Your po-
itiou. and must submit to Rnnoyances
y hich YOU would resent in civil life. !
Always keep in mind the fact tha, the
iumblest private in the ranks has '
lights which his officers are bound 10
'espect, and that redress for his wrongs I
; provided for by the rules and reCu-
ations governing military discipline. ,
H.. &. -