The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-24
Who Was Dragged to the Fort Sher-
fdan GuardhOuse Because He Was
in a MutinOus Mood.
OF PARTICIPANTS
HAMMOND 10Th KICKED AND
STABBED BY THE OFFICER.
No Order Given to BayOnet the Pris-
Oner-The Soldiers Injuries Pain
full, but Not Serious.


CHICAGO, Oct. 23.-The military court Of
inquiry which has been investigating the
alleged brutal treatment of Private HAM
mond at Fort Sheridan on Oct 9 concluded
the taking of testimony this evening. To-
days testimony is yet to be tabulated. The
court will then write opinion on the case,
which will be sent to General Brooke COM
mandant of the Department of Missouri.
General Brooke will forward the report to
the War Department at Washington and it's
contents may possibly never become public
The testimony to-day corroborated reports
of the methods used in enforcing the pres
ence of the obstreperous prisoner before the
summary court on Oct. 9. Hammond's in
juries were, however. belttled by the Off
GERS who testified. Major Lippincott, post
surgeon, swore that the wounds were Of no
importance-mere abrasions. He had been
unable to find a sign of injury on the mans
body except a slight cut on the shoulder
and a similar wound on each leg. The pri-
Yates who testified were inclined to paint
the affair in as strong colors as could safely
be done.
Col Robert Hall, commandant of the post,
was almost the last witness called He said:
IF it was necessary to prod Hammond with
a sword or to kick him in order to compel
him to obey an order L regard it as perfectly
justifiable. There might come an occasion
when it would be necessary to run him
through with a bayonet. No man who has
the slightest idea of military discipline, or
what military discipline means, could for
moment unfavorably criticise Captain Low
ri11ers Sc Cd Of hi
then and l shall approve of them now"
BRAINARD'S TESTIMONY.
Sergeant Brainard who was in charge of
the guardhouse on the day of Ham
mond's mutiny, was the first witness to-day.
Sergeant Brainard is the man whom Ham
mond in his testimony accused of holding
his back down against the door sill as he
was being dragged out, so that Captain
Coverings command of "scrape him.
might be obeyed. The sergeant testified
that he had been ordered to take Hammond
to the summary court, and the prisoner re-
fused to move from his cell. II asked him
If he was sick" said the witness, land he
replied that he was not. Then L asked him
if it was simply a of won't walk and
he said that it was. Then l went away and
reported to Lieutenant Bernard the officer
of the guard, who put the same question to
the prisoner and received the same answer.
Captain Lowering, the officer of the day,
was notified, and | was sent to get rope.
Having to search for some time before 1
found one, saw nothing of what happened
until the party was ready to start for the
guardhouse. Then 1 stood the step and
watched them drag Hammond until they
disappeared behind the drill hall"
did Captain Lowering kick Hammond
or prod him with his sword?" asked Cap
tain Moon.
Il saw him make several attempts" re-
piled the witness.
How many times did Captain Lowering
kick the prisoner"
II saw him attempt to stab him in the
corridor of the guardhouse and also kick
at him at the head of the stairs. l heard
no vile language
Colonel Snyder then interposed and asked
the witness if he thought it was necessary
to convey Hammond to summary court
room in that manner.
II do" said Brainard, because he re-
fused to go and knew that force would be
used"
Brainard asked where Captain Low
ering stood when Hammond was being
dragged from the guardhouse, and
swered that he stood just outside the door,
also volunteering the information that as
the men passed the captain kicked at the
PROSTATE prisoner.
John Ward, acting corporal of the guard,
testified that he had seen Captain Lowering
kick Hammond twice and prod him with
his sword several times between the cell
door and the guardhouse. Sergeant Charles
Wooten, who has charge of the documents
and records, said: Il went to Hammond S
cell and ordered him to make ready to APP
pear before the court. He absolutely re-
fused. l talked with him ten minutes tell
ing him how foolish he was, and of the
trouble it would cause him. He would not
say a word, and finally lay down in a
ner, and l left him that way. Captain
Lowering then came to the guardhouse and
walked to the guardroom.
Did you give any order to bayonet the
prisoner" the witness was asked.
Did you kick him?'
mo; but threatened to several times"
Captain Lowering then asked permission
to interrogate the witness, and asked him
what he thought of the conduct of Ham
mOnd.
.'He was insolent and sulky," said
PRISONER WAS sULKY.
Then the captain asked if the prisoners
in his custody were all privates, and drew
forth the reply that there were others con-
fined there including post and garrison
prisoners locked up for petty offenses.
Colonel Snyder asked significantly, if the
witness did not know of other methods in
vogue to subdue unruly prisoners.
THE only other used at Fort Sheridan"
the witness said, was that of depriving
the subject of his good time special
privileges given him for good conduct"
Private Charles Waddell told the court
that after guard mount he was in the
guard room with other soldiers when they
heard the sound of scuffiing outside the
door Hammond was resisting the efforts
of Sergeant Brainard to drag him from his
cell. Captain Lowering standing close
by. Prick him up a little" Captain
Lowering said, according to the witness. At
this Hammond Strengthened and replied:
You can run that bayonet clear through
mo. but 1 will never walk to that court"
Il then helped tie his feet" the soldier
said, land while l was at work Captain
Lowering stabbed Hammond with his sword
At that Hammond said: Don't do that:
stop and after that did not see the cap
tain prod him any more in the guard
house"
Colonel Snyder asked if Captain Lowering
had kicked Hammond, and how hard the
kick had appeared to the witness.
He kicked him pretty hard" said Wad-
dell below the ribs and in the side. Then
he cut his hand with the sword so that it
bled."
Corporal Claude News. the orderly, who
walked behind the procession after it had
left the guardhouse, detailed the circum-
stances of the march, and said he had seen
Captain Lowering both kick and stab the
a= 10 VIZ Al he