The herald., 1897-11-24
THE WOUNDS BEAR LASTING
MARKS
Evidence Of Captain Lovering's Bru-
tality Committed in the Name
Of Military Discipline
Associated Press Special Wire.

OctODer Sth ana or nearing the sound OF
a struggle in the cell room. He said
he looked through the door and saw
Hammond being dragged by the arms
from his cell to the door, so he walked
into the cell room.
after you had gone into the cell room
did you receive orders to stab Hammond
with your bayonet?" the Judge Advo-
cate asked.
| II received orders from the officer of
the day, Captain Lowering, to fix my
bayonet and to prod the prisoner. Be
fore this, Hammond had been dragged
to his cell and went to him. told him
my orders, and he replied that could
run my bayonet through him, he did not
propose to move. This was reported to
Captain Lowering, who told me to wait
| for a moment and then he sent Sergeant
Brainerd for rope"
what then did you do?" asked the
Judge Advocate.
Il put my bayonet to Hammond's side
and stood guard over him while Brain
erd went for the rope"
Judge Advocate Hunter was curious
to know who tied Hammonds feet to-
gether and how the proceeding<vas con-
Quoted, so he inquired If the witness re-
membered anything Of the circum-
stances.
"a non-commissioned officer whose
name do not know tied the rope, while
sat on Hammond to keep him on the
ground" said Waddell.
"Were you present at the draggirg?"
"Yes," Waddell answered, Il helped
drag Hammond for twenty yards"
The first interruption occurred at this
point when a member of the court in
sisted that defendants counsel should
be sustained in his objection to the ques-
ton of whether Captain Lowering used
an oath in his command to Hammond.
II merely wanted to ascertain the state
OF Captain Coverings temper at the time
of the affair."" said Col. Hunter. So At
torney Blair announced that he would
withdraw the objection.
Col. Hunter was preparing to ask an
other question when he was interrupted
by Captain Hunter, his namesake OF
the Third Regiment.
II shall renew that objection" said
the Captain, as he Strengthened in his
chair. II fail to see that it makes ma
terial difference to this court or to the
accused whether he uses profane Ian
guage or not"
The Judge Advocate was apparently
surprised, for he looked up suddenly and
stared for an instant at Captain Hunter.
Then he smiled and remarked that in
that event he would not press the ques-
ton.
Waddell was then asked about Cap
tain Lovering's stabbing Hammond
with his own sword while on the way
from the guard house to the summary
court. The witness stated that Ham,
mond had been prodded both before and
after he left the guord house.
The presiding officer. General Wade.
here interrupted and asked in what part
of the body Hammond had been stabbed
while on his way. Waddell said that the
prisoner had been stabbed in the hand
Where was his hand?" said General
Wade.
His hands were crossed behind his
head to keep it from dragging on the
ground" said Waddell.
care you certain that the thrust was
made for the hand or was it for the
shoulder" asked General Wade.
II think Captain Lowering meant to
stab Hammond on the hands,
The witness thus gave the members
of the court the impression that Lover
ing had tried to make the prisoner un-
cross his hands so that his head would
drag on the ground. Private Waddell
was then excused.
Private Charles Hammond was the
principal witness today.
What orders did you receive on the
morning Of Oct. 9th, and relate what
followed" Hammond was asked.
Il was told that 1 was wanted at the
summary court room, but said that 1
would not go, and after that message had
been repeated to Capt. Lowering he came
to my cell and told me to get out and
walk. He gave the order, 'Yank that man
OUT when I again refused, and when
was part way out of the cell door he
prodded me twice with his sword, and
then stepped past me into the cell and
kicked me in the shoulders. He stepped
over me as lay on the floor and gave
me two more prods in the left side. He
also gave me another order to walk,
but did not answer. Then the rope
was tied upon my feet and was dragged
over the curbs, sidewalks and road and
up and down steps until reached the
court room in tn adjuULnt's Office"
when you refused to walk to the
court did anyone ask you for your rea-
sons?" was the next query Of the court.
Members tf the guard asked me-" re-
piled Hammond, land told them
thought I ought to be tried for the first
offense before was tried for the Sec
ond. The first offense was that Of leav-
ing my barracks at Plattsburg, N. Y,
without leave"
You say you were stabbed six times?"
was asked. WAS those stabs mere pin
scratches or are you SCARED for life?"
II will bear the marks to my grave"
replied Hammond.
The attorney for the captain expressed
a desire to see the scars, and Hammond
barred his limb and exhibited four marks.
two on each thigh, to the court. One Of
the others was on his right hand and
minor one is ON the shoulder.
Private Snyder was called and told Of
helping to drag the prisoner after the
procession had gone 100 yards and as
had been ordered. He said that