The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-11-23

CHICAGO, Nov. 22,-captain Leonard
A. Lowering, os the Fourth infantry, at
Fort Sheridan. appeared before court
martial at that post to-day to stand
trial on the charge of conduct preju-
diclaI TO good order and military dis
cipline." The specific charge is causing
Private Hammond TO be dragged over
the ground by the heels from the guard
house to the Office of the regimental
adjutant, after Hammond had refused
TO walk.
The court was an hour late In con-
vening because Of delay in the arrival
OF Brigadier General Wade. the presid-
ing officer A cold wind from the
northwest blew across the parade
grounds and Private Hammond, who
stood without an overcoat on the porch
of the officers club, where the court
was held, under the guard OF three sol
dlers wrapped In army ulsters, shiy-
cred while his teeth chattered and his
face turned blue from the cold, The
four men stood in the falling snow for
almost an hour, the guards with their
bayonets leyeled toward the prisoner.
until Lieutenant Williams, who had
been notified OF the delay, took pity on
Hammond and ordered him back to the
guard house.
Hammond was thin and pale and his
appearance Indicated that his impris-
onment had told on his health. His
army oyercoat was at Plaasburg. n.
Y. where he left it when he absented
himself without leave, and there was
=. IL kaw
The first witness was Lieutenant
John j. Bernard, the officer OF the guard
on the day Hammond was dragged.
He testified that he ordered Hammond
to appear before the summary court
and that the latter refused to so. He
exhausted all means to get the private
to go before the court. and these being
unayailing, he reported the matter to
Captain Lowering, who was officer of
the day.
"Dld you hear Captain Lowering use
oaths In language TO the prisoner?
Judge Advocate Hunter asked in ques-
tioning Lieutenant Bernard.
II heard him say 'D-n you, come
out" was the answer.
The lieutenant was unable to state
positively to the court whether Lover
ing Kicked or stabbed the prisoner.
Corporal New, who was corporal Of
the day on October Q, but who has since
been reduced to the rank Of private.
was the next witness called and stated
that Lowering, as officer OF the day
sent three men TO Hammond's cell with
orders to prod him with the bayonets
II he would not walk.
"He said he would die before he
would walk" said New, and then /
saw Lowering kick him twice and prod
him with his sword"
"How much force did the officer use?"
asked the Judge advocate.
"He kicked him pretty hard: so hard,
at least, that Hammond felt 1t and rub
bed his side" was the answer
How hard did Lowering prod the
prisoner with his sword?" was the next
question.
"The sword must have passed
through Hammonds clothing" said
Private New, "for he cried Don't do
that When the prisoner had been
dragged down the guard house steps l
saw Lowering prod I'm again. That
time II was in the hand and saw the
blood trickle from the wound"
Sergeant Bralnard was called and
gave minute description of how Ham
mond was dragged feet first over the
sill Of his cell, then down the guard
house stone steps, hundred yards
along the walk, down over the curb,
up again to the walk, down again and
across the road. over the opposite curb,
up the steps to d company's quarters,
then down over the curbs and finally
up the steps to the adJutant's office.
"How did Hammond look when he
arrived at the court?" asked Colonel
Hunter.
"Hc was crying when the rope was
taken from his feet" answered the cor
poral. His pants were worn through
10 the skin and when returned with
him to the guard house he showed me
the cuts made by Captain Loverlng's
sword. They were all bleeding and
were deep"
Corporal Ward was the last witness,
and his evidence corroborated that OF
Corporal New.
An adjournment was taken TO 10
o'clock Tomorrow morning,