The record-union., 1897-11-24
Members of the Company Tell Of the Treat
ment Of Private Hammond.
His Feet Tied Together and the
Victim Dragged by the Heels co
the Summary Court-Koom-
Hammond Also Relates His
Story of the Occurrence to the
Court.

CHICAGO. Nov. 23.-Private Wad-
dell was the first witness IN the LoN-
erins court-martial at Fort Sheridan
to-day.
He told of his being in the guardroom
October Sth, and of hearing the souao
of a struggle in the cellroom. He said
he looked through the door and saw
Hammond being dragged by the arms
from his cell to the door, so he walked
into the cellrOom
After you had gone into the cellroom
did you receive orders to stab Ham
mond with your bayonet?' the Judge
Advocate asked.
Il received orders from the officer OF
the day, Captain Lowering, to fix my
bayonet, and to prod the prisoner. Be
fore this Hammond had been dragged
back to his cell. and / went to him. L
told him my orders and he replied that
l could run my bayonet through him
he did not propose to move. This was
reported to Captain Lowering, who told
me 20 wait for moment, and then ne
sent Sergeant Brainerd for a rope
What then did you dor asked the
Judge Advocate.
Il put my bayonet to Hammond's side
and stood guard over him while Brain
erd went for a rope"
Judge Advocate Hunter was curious
to know who tied Hammond's feet to-
gether. and how the proceeding was
conducted so he inquired if the witness
remembered anything of the circum-
stances
"a n-commissioned officer whose
name l do not know tied the rope, while
l sat on Hammond to keep him on the
ground said Waddell.
Were you present at the dragging ?"
Yes" answered Waddell; Il helped
drag Hammond twenty yards"
The first interruption occurred at this
point. when a member of the court in
sisted that the defendants counsel
should be sustained in his objection to
the question of whether Captain Low
ering used an oath in his command to
Hammond.
II merely wanted to ascertain the
state of Captain Coverings temper at
the time of this affair" said Colonel
Hunter, so Attorney Blair announced
that he would withdraw the objection.
Colonel Hunter was preparing to ask
another question, when he was inter
rupted by Captain Hunter, his name
sake, of the Third Regiment.
II shall renew the objection" said
the Captain. as he Strengthened in his
chair. Il fail to see that it makes ma
terial difference TO this court or the ac-
cused whether he uses profane Ian
guage or not"
The Judge Advocate was apparently
he ~
and stared for an instant at Captain
Hunter Then he smiled and remarked
that in that event he would not press
the witness.
Waddell was then asked about Cap
tain Lovering's stabbing Hammond
with his own sword while on the way
from the guardhouse TO the summary
court. The witness stated that Ham
mond had been prodded both before
and after he left the guardhouse.
The presiding officer, General Wade.
here interrupted and asked in what
part of the body Hammond had been
stabbed while on his way. Waddell
said that the prisoner had been stabbed
in the hand.
Where was his hand?" said General
Wade
His hands We're crossed behind his
head TO keep 1t from dragging on the
ground" said Waddell
Are you certain that the thrust was
made for the hand, or was it for the
shoulder" asked General Wade
Il think Captain Lowering meant to
stab Hammond on the hand"
The witness thus gave the members
of the court the impression that Low
ering had tried to make the prisoner
uncross his hands so that his head
would drag on the ground. Private
Waddell was then excused.
Private Hammond was next called to
the witness stand.
What orders did you receive on the
morning of October 9th, and relate what
followed" Hammond was asked.
II was told that l was wanted at
the summary courtroom, but / said
that I would not go. and after that mes