Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-16
COuRT-MaRTIAL IN SESSION.
The Case of Lieutenant Morton Col
oredD Is Partially Heard.

The general court-martial was In ses-
sion for several hours last night, the
whole time being consumed In hearing the
case OF First Lieutenant Abraham 5. Nor
ton. of tho First Battalion Of Infantry
(coloredD There was a full attendance Oh
officers and Colonel George wayne An
derson appeared for the prisoner. -.
The charges preferred by Captdih
Charles Il. Nicholas specihed that the pr,
soner had been absent fine months anu
five days from his post of duty; wltho .uo
good and sufficient excuse. When u.e
charges were read Colonel Anderson maue
a motion to exclude certain sectIols, p
cause the charge was covered IN dhOt,nri
SECTION. The court overruled the motoh.
Then the prisoner pleaded not guilty 10
all the charges and specifications.
Captain Nicholas said the charges WerS
correct He was sure that the ofhcer nau
been out Of the city. The order LOT tis
insnection was sent through the mails;
Trpon cross-eXamination the captain sdiI
that he supposed he had neglected MS
duty I'm allowing the LIEUTENANT 20 3e ~,
sent so long on one or the oates 4Io, ~.
Is charged with being absent the company
was in New York city attending the un-
yelling OF the Grant tomb. Inc queStloh
of Colonel Anderson to snow that aIliit nus
existed between the Captain ana INC
Lieutenant was ooJeettsu w. 10, S cnurt '''
CAPTAIN Nicholas, in answer 10 a ques
ton said mat Lieutenant Morton was
not placed under arrest by MIN, ana S Mas
not then under arrest to ms kho w Sd5r.
only once he had sent an oEueI ~
ton to attend drills. .,., IN .
Second Lieutenant L. J. Wycha was the
rext witness. He had been absent from
drills himself. but when he was pIertnn
the first lieutenant was apseno, ,,on
was absent at the annual inspectlon'
The witness was asked what sort OF
soldier Morton was, and the question was
objected 10, but Overruled. me dnsWe,
given was that Morton had Deen aOseh'
from drills ,ait tho
arrival of First Sergeant c. Il. steward
who had been sent for recoru-pooh'
Court convened when the soldier appeal
ed and Colonel Anderson stated that uu,
ring the recess a member or the court hdu
stated 10 him that he had not voted upon
one OF the questions, and the attorney
begged that all the members vote,
Caritain Woon said that he did NOT
| think the question should come up. ne re
said the vote should be as secret as II artd
| court was cleared. Major Christian salu
| he thought the matter was a renectlou
unon the court, and he thought the name
| OF the officer should be given. quite a NJ NJ.
/ tie discussion enSued, ana at Hrsl MaJot
| Simons ordered the court cleared, pu.
| Sanfain 8 Ienier arose and stated tnat
| he was the officer who had not voted. he
| said he was celebrating when the vote Oh
the court was announced. He incidentally
mentioned the fact that he had nor Voteu;
The matter once settled the cdSs 80
nroceeded with. Steward took the stand,
and had with him his roll-book. Morton
! had been absent on the dates chargea.
| THE witness said ne made straight marx
| against absentees. and no mark agalnS'
those present when he called the roIl
iIpin examination it was discovered thal
there were no MARKS oppos,mrs VIC &c 90 ~,
OF Morton In many places. Inc care ~
| the State was thus ended. .
Colonel Anderson stated that his wiz
nesses present were TO prove the animu'
against the prisoner but he was not az
lowed 10 nut the witnesses on the stahu
The attorney then said he would nave te
| have the official roll book or me company
| The court adjourned the case until FRIDAY
evening at s O'Clock, when the BOOK VII
be produced. 49, .. oo,oloo,
IN hear the charges against Private II. II
s3ihnrn Of Company A. and Musician X
| Il Dver OF the Drum corps.