Evening journal., 1897-11-23
'THE'HAMMOND CASE
Captain Lowering on Trial Fol-
Gross Cruelty.
HE BRUTALLY TREATED A PRIVATE.
Caused a Deserter TO he Dragged by ths
Heels From 0uardhouse to Court.
Kicked and Prodded with
BoyOupta.
Bayonets.

NAAAO4AAOs ANONs -os--'dlidil AaeNi-
ard A. Lowering of the Fourth infantry
stationed at Fort Sheridan, appeared
before a court martial at that post yes
terday afternoon to stand trial on the
charge of conduct prejudiclal Go good
order and military discipline"
The specific charge is causing Pri-
vate Hammond to be dragged over the
ground by the heels from the guard
house to the office OF the reglmental
adjutant after Hammond had refused
to walk. The court was an hour late
In convening because Of a delay in the
arrival of Brigadier General Wade, the
presiding officer
cold wind from the northwest blew
across the parade grounds. and Private
Hammond. who stood without an over
coat on the porch of the officers club
where the court was held. under guard
OF three soldiers wrapped In heavy
army ulsters. shivered. while his teeth
chartered and his face turned blue from
the cold. The four men stood In the
falling snow for almost an hour until
Lieutenant Williams, who had been mo-
titled Of the delay. took pity on Ham
mond and ordered him back to the
guardhouse. Hammond was thin and
Hciit anu HIS appearance llNitdAth AhhA
his Imprisonment had told on his
health. His army overcoat was at
PIattshurg ~ y, where he left IL when
he absented himself without leave, and
there was none for him at Fort Sheri-
dan.
The first witness was Lieutenant
John. ]. Bernard. the officer Of the
guard on the day Hammond was drag
- a...It 1. To-.
mond to appear before the summary
court and that the latter refused to
60 He exhausted all means TO get
the private TO go before the court. and
this being unavailing. he reported the
matter TO Captain Lowering who was
officer of the day.
did you hear Captain Lowering use
oaths in his language to the prisoner"
Judge Advocate Hunter asked in ques-
tionlng Lieutenant Bernard.
Il heard him say D. you, come
out was the answer.
The Lieutenant was unable 10 state
positively to the court whether Lover
ing kicked or stabbed the prisoner.
Private New. who was corporal OF the
day on oct. Q, but who has since been
reduced 10 the rank OF a 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 bayonets II he would not
walk
"He said he would die before he walk
ed " said New. "and then / saw Lover
ing kick him twice and prod him with
his sword"
How much force did the officer use2''
asked the judge advocate.
"He kicked him pretty hard, so hard
at least that Hammond felt It and
rubbed his side, =" was the answer.
"Tiow hard did Lowering prod the
prisoner with his sword?" was the next
question.
"The sword must have passed through
Hammond's clothing" said Private
New, for he cried, Don't do thatl'
When the prisoner had been dragged
down the guardhouse steps. ! saw Low
erlng prod him again This time II
was in the hand. and 1 saw the blood
triclSle from the wound"
Sergeant Barnard was called and
gave a minute description OF how Ham
mond was dragged feet first over the
sill of his cell then down the stone
steps 100 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 ID
company's quarters, then down over the
curb and finally up the steps TO the
adjutant's Office
How did Hammond look when he ar
rived at the court?" asked Colonel
Hunter
"He was crying when the rope was
taken from his feet" answered the cor
poral. His pants were worn through
to the skin. and when / returned with
him TO the guardhouse he showed me
the cuts made by Captain Coverings
sword. They were all bleeding and
deep"
Corporal Ward was then sworn, and