The San Francisco call., 1897-11-24
HammOnd'S Proof of
Captain Lovering's
Barbarity.
Tells How the Officer Prodded
Him With the Point of
His Sword.
Marks Of Brutality That the PerSa-
cuted Soldier VIII Bear to His
Grave.
Special Dispatch to THE CALL

CHICAGO, Nov. 23-Private Charles
Hammond was the principal witness in
the Lowering court-martial to-day and
prov himself entirely capable Of holding
his own with the attorneys who are actin &
for Captain Loverng. He gave damagin :
evidence against Lowering and could not
be made to contradict himself on the
stand, nor was lie at any time confused by
the sharp cross-eIaminatlon to which he
wa- subjected.
Questions relating to his personal his
tory before he entered the army he quietly
refused TO answer because as he said.
"tbey have no bearing on this case"
Hammond in his evidence nearly oubled
the number of sword thrusts mentioned
by preceding witnesses and then proved
his evidence by showing the scars.
Judge Advocate Hunters first question
to Hammond was;
Have the articles of war ever been read
in your presence"
YES L have heard them," replied Ham
mond.
Nv at orders did you receive on the
morning OF October 8? And relate what
followed, " was the next question.
II was told that l was wanted at the
sum mary courtroom; but | said that
would not go, and after that message had
been repeated 10 Captain Lowering he
came to my cell and told met to get out
and walk. He gave the order, 'Yank that
man OUT when l again refused, and when
| was part out OF the cell door he prod ed
me twice with his sword and hen stepped
past me into the cell and kicked me in
the shoulders. lie then stepped over me
as ] lay on the floor and gave me two more
prods IN the left side. He also gave me
another order to walk, but | did not an.
swer. Then the rope was tied upon my
feet, and | was dragged over the Gu bs,
sidewalks. and road and uD and down
steps until | reached the courtroom in the
adjntants office"
when you refused to walk 10 he
court did any one ask you for your rea-
sons?" was the next question Of The
court.
Members of the guard Asked me-" re-
piled Hammond, land | told them l
thought l ought to be tried for the first
offense before was tried for the second.
The hrst offense was that of leaving my
barracks at Plattsburg, N. Y, without
leave.'
IL mas been SAID that while you were
being dragged an order for double time
was given. Is that true?' asked Colonel
Hunter.
Yes, sir" said Hammond. Captain
Lowering told the men to double time,
but they were unable to comply with the
order"
The witness was then given to Attorney
Blair tor rcross-eXaminatlOn.
You had been working from the time
you reported at this post on September 29
up to October g." said the attorney.
Now. why was it that you changed your
mind about work about the latter date2''
Il had been waiting for a trial, and
! thought II was about time / had ii" said
Hammond.
The attorney then endeavored to bring
out the alleged fact that Hammond joined
the armv to escape arrest for shooting a
man In Michigan, but the witness refused
to answer. The attorney also tried to
ascertain the different points visited by
hammond after he left the barracks al
Plattsburg, n. 7. The witness refused to
answer these questions. saying: Il came
here and gave myself up before the end o1
ten days, that is enough"
"Y ou say you were stabbed six times, y
was the attorneys next rem ark. Were
those stabs mere pin scratche, or are you
SCARED for iife?''
Il will bear the marks to my grave,
replied Hammond.