The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-11-24
PRIVATE HAMMOND
he Tells His Story of Lover
ing's Sword ThruStS.
He EXHIBITS THE SCARS
NEARLY DOUBLE AS MANY AS
ALREADY TESTIFIED TO.
TIED BY THE LEGS AND DRAGGED
Lowering Ordered Double Quick Hammond
Refused to Walk Because He Thought
he Should be Tried First For
His First Offense.
His First 0ffense.

he ohould be lrled FIRST For
His First 0ffense.
Chicago, ILL.,, Nov. 23.-Private Chas.
Hammond was the principal witness in
the Lowering court martial to-day and
proved himself entirely capable of hold
ing his own with the attorneys who are
acting for Captain Lowering. He gave
damaging evidence against Lowering and
could not be made to contradict himself
on the stand, nor was he at any time
confused by the sharp cross-examina.
ton to which he was subjected.
Questions relating to his personal his
tory before he entered the army, he
quietly refused to answer, because, as
he said, they have no bearing on this
case"
Hammond, in his evidence, nearly
doubled the number of swords thrusts
mentioned by preceding witnesses, and
then proved his evidence by showing
the scars.
Judge Advocate Hunters first ques-
tion to Hammond was:
Have the articles of war ever been
read in your presence?
Yes, l have heard them," replied
Hammond
What orders did you receive on the
morning of October 9th, and relate what
followed" was the next query.
Il was told that | was wanted at
the summary court room, but l said that
would not go, and after that message
had been repeated to Capt. Lowering he
came to my cell and told me to get ont
and walk. He gave the order, 'yank
that man ont, when | again refused to
90, and as | 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 tho
shoulders. He stepped over me as l
lay on the floor and gave me two more
prOds in the left side. He again ordered
me to walk, but did not answer. Then
the rope was tied to my feet and l was
dragged over the curbs, sidewalks and
road and up and down steps until I
reached the court room in the adjutant's
Office
when you refused to walk to the
court, did any one ask you for your
reasons" was the next question of the
court.
members of the guard asked me-"
replied Hammond, "and 1 told them I
thought | ought to be tried for the first
offense before l was tried for the
second. The first offense was that OF
leaving my barracks at Plattsburg, N.
y, without leave"
'It has been said that while you were
being dragged, an order for double time
was given. Is that trueY asked Col.
Hunter.
Yes, sir" said Hammond; Captain
Lowering told the man to double time
but they were unable to comply with the
order"
The witness was then given to Attor-
ney Blair for cross examination.
Hammond refused to answer a num-
Der of questions that he claimed had no
bearing on the case.
You say you were stabbed six
times," was one OF the attorneys ques-
tons. "Where those stains mere pin
scratches or were you scared for lifeT
II will bear the marks to my grave.
replied Hammond, &
The attorney expressed a desire TO see
the scars, and Hammond barred his
limbs and exhibited four marks, two
on each thigh, to the court. One Of the
others was on his right hand and q
minor one on the shoulder.
Private Synder was called and told OF
hSlplhS W uIdS IuS pTISOueT 0IleT IQ6
procession had gone 100 yards and as
sistance had been ordered. He said
they had been commanded to march ia
double time and that the prisoner was
covered with dust and his clothes torn
when the summary court was reached,
DO you think there was any other
way in which Hammond could have been
taken to the court?" was asked by the
judge advocate,
YES" said the witness, ''there was
cart, and 1 think this could easily have
been drafted into service"
Brigadier General Wade then asked r
the witness had ever seen prisoner
taken to court in a cart.
NO." Synder answered, "they are not
usually quite so kind as that"
lie was then excused and Lieutenant
Andrus, the prison officer, was called.
His evidence was not important.
The prosecution has but one more
witness to call, Post Surgeon Lippin-
colt, and then the attorneys for the
defense will be given precedence. Can
tain Lowering is expected to take the
stand and has two witnesses, Whiting
and Sippe, both OF whom are general
ronyicts in confinement at the post
prison.