Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-10-12
HAMILTON ON TRIAL
THE CAVALRY SERGEANT PLEADS
MITIGATING CIRCUMSTANCES.
QUITE A BREEZY COURT-MARTlAL.
The Conduct of Superior Officers
called In Qucstion-A Fighting
Troo,--Tbe Court Recommends
Other Cases 20 lie Tried.


Stuart Horse Guards. upon a charge OF
dIsobedience Of orders, permitting the
use Of the cavalry Armory for other
than military purposes, and for permit
ting a breach OF the peace to take place
there. was conducted at the Regimental
Armory last night before the general
court martial recently appointed by
Governor o'Ferrall.
The accused pleaded guilty TO the
charge and the specifications, but tried
10 show by several witnesses that there
were mitigating circumstances. In that
he was ignorant Of the gravity OF the
offence that his record as soldier was
unsullied hitherto. and that the exam
pie of his commanding officer, captain
T.. c. Euker. and the treatment ne re-
ceiyed at his hands were not calculated
20 inspire respect Sergeant Hamilton
was not represented by counsel. and he
brought out his points somewhat awk-
wardly. yet the trial was decidedly
breezy.
Captain Euker took the stand In re-
buttal. and made sweeping denial OF
the testimony introduced by the prisoner.
The court reached its verdict in execu-
tive session, and 1t will be sealed and
sent TO the Governor to-day.
CHARGES AGAINST NEGRO OFF,
GERS.
The court did not convene with military
promptness. The following membets were
present: Major W. r. Smons, presiding;
Captain r. VI. Wood, Judge advocate
Captain L. j. Euker, Captain G. y.
Shackelford, Captain w. s. p. Mayo.
Captain A S. Lanier, Lieutenant r. a.
Williams. and Captain Morgan X. Mills.
Major l.. Il. Christian was absent. Mr..
ID. a. Richie was present as recorder
and Sergeant-M Major Gibson, of the First
Regiment acted as sergeant-at-arms.
The attention Of the court was first &C.
oupied with a communication from the
Governor. TO the effect that when the
Inspector-General examined the band OF
the First Battalion (colored a man named
Benjamin answered to the name of
Gwathmey the latter being absent. 1t
was ascertained by the Inspector that a
man named James I.anghorne was re-
sponsiblc for this trick which had as its
object the increasing OF the percentage
Of the battalion. though it was carried
out with the due knowledge of the band
master. The court decided TO return the
papers TO the Acknowledgement with a
recommendation that charges be preferred
against Langhorne and the bandmaster
Captain Charles Nicholas, of Company
a. First Battalion Infantry (coloreD.
preferred charges in writing against
Lieutenant Abram L. Morton. for neg
lect of duty I'm being absent from drills |
since April /. 1897: in leaving the State
without permission. and i'm failing 10 re- |
port on his return TO the city on the |
5th ultimo. These charges were also re-
ferred to the Adjutant-General with a
recommendation that due cognizancs be |
taken Of them.
CASE OF SERGEANT HAMILTON.
After these matters had been disposed |
Of the Judge Advocate announced that |
he was ready TO proceed with the trial |
of Quartermaster- Sergeant Hamilton.
Captain Euker said as he had preferred |
the charges he would like TO retire from !
the court. 1t was suggested by other |
members that he should remain unless |
the prisoner objected. This, the prisoner |
did very promptly. when the order for |
the court-martial was read TO him. and |
he was asked whether he objeCNsd 10 the |
presence Of any of the members named |
thereon.
The charges were read. with the speci-
fications, and when the prisoner was
asked whether he was guilty or not he
created a mild sensation by pleading
guilty to the charge and to both specif-
cations, but he pleaded, also. extenu-
ating circumstances, and handed the
Judge Advocate list of witnesses he
wished summoned in support of his plea.
Trooper New. was the first witness
called. He testified that Hamilton did
open the Armory on the night of the
second Thursday in April, as charged,
and Troopers II. o. Butler and II. c. But
Ter fought there.
NOT THE FIRST FIGHT.
Sergeant Hamilton asked the witness
whether this was the first fight that had
taken place between members of the
troop, and he answered that Il was not
and that the last fight that had taken
place when the men wore their uniforms
was at a recent picnic. when the captain
of the troop and his brother who is
lieutenant. had words and passed blows.
Bugler Coleman. in reply to a question
from the defendant said he well remem-
bered an occasion when several members
of the troop were out one night with the
two of the men Quarreled.
and Captain Euker took the men
through bar-room on Broad street to
a place where they could settle their
differences without being disturbed.
Lieutenant o. +. Spott testified to the
prisoners excellent character and faith
fulness in the discharge Of his duties
Lieutenant Charles Euker was called, |
but was absent. through sickness. Cor
poral August Dietz spoke in highest
terms OF the character OF Sergeant Ham
ilton. When asked by the prisoner
he had ever seen him treat Cap
tain Euker with disrespect. ne replied
mot unless provoked"
When asked by the court what he meant
by being provoked. ne said there were
limits to the patience of every man, and
Captain Euker had sometimes touched
those limits in his treatment of his SUI
bordinate. When asked to be more spe-
,ific. he said the Captain had spoken
roughly TO the prisoner, and treated him
injustly, and then Sergeant Hamilton
rad retorted unexpectedly.
Sergeant j. T. Anderson. Jr said the
risoner bore the best OF records, and
'as regarded as one of the best men in
he troop. and his percentage had been
lvariably high. Trooper f. Il. Baptist
aid he remembered. on one occasion, ,
he accused rendered the keys OF the !
rmory to Captain Euker, who refused ,
lem, saying he did not mind the mere !
ding in there If the neighbors didn't.
CAPTAIN EUKER'S SIDE. /
Captain Euker. taking the stand. said +
nc Sergeant had rendered the keys 10 c
I'm several months ago. after he had ,
sed the Armory for a little evening '
arty with eight or ten members OF the :
oop The festivities were kept up un- !