The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-24
DECLINES TO ANSWER QUESTIONS
NOT PERTINENT TO THE CASE.
Relates HIS Story in a StraightfOr-
ward Manner, and Exhibits Wounds
Made by the Captains sword.

the sharp rOSS-eXaInlnatlon TO Whlcn ne
was subjected. Questions relating to his
personal history before he entered the army
he quietly refused to answer, BECAUSE as
he said, they have no bearing on this
case Hammond, in his evidence, nearly
doubled the number of sword thrusts men,
toned 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, have heard them," replied Ham,
mond.
What orders did you receive on the
morning of Oct. 8, and relate what fol-
lowed?" was the next query.
81 was told that 1 was wanted at the
summary courtroom" said Hammond, ''but
l said that l would rot go, and after that
message had been repeated TO Captain
Lowering he came to my cell and told me
to get out and walk. He gave the order
'yank that man OUT when I again refused,
and when 1 was part way out of the cell
door he prodded me twice with his sword
and then stepped past me into the cell and
kicked me in the shoulders. He stepped
over me as 1 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 answer. Then the rope was tied upon
my feet and was dragged over the curbs,
sidewalks and road, and up and down steps
until reached the courtroom in the iadju-
tants office"
when you refused to walk to the court
did any one ask you for your reasons?" was
the next question of the court.
Members OF the guard asked me-" replied
Hammond, land 1 told them 1 thought 1
ought to be tried for the first .offense be-
fore 1 was tried for the second. The first
offense was that of leaving my barracks
at Plattsburg, N. Y, without leave"
1T has been said that while you were
being dragged an order for double time was
given. Is that true?" asked Colonel Hunter
Eyes, SIR" said Hammond. Captain
Lowering told the men to double time but
they were unable to comply with the or
der.''
CROSS examination.
The witness was then given to Attorney
Blair for cross-examination.
You had been working from the time
you reported at this post on Sept. 20 up to
Oct 81 said the attorney. Now, why was
it that you changed your mind about work
about the latter date?'
II had been waiting for a trial, and L
thought it was about time 1 had it," said
Hammond.
LET me see," next asked the attorney;
"you come from Michigan, do you not?'4
II refuse to answer"
do you know a man named Van Dorsten.
who lives in Michigan?"
This question Hammond also refused to
answer. Then followed a query about the
alleged shooting of Van Dorsten, and the
attorney followed it with the remark: "And
you joined the army to escape the warrants
which were issued for your arrest did you
not?'
Silence was the only reply the attorney
could gain for the last question and then
he went back to Hammonds departure from
Pattsburg barracks. Hammond admitted
that he left his post to attend business IN
Chicago, and was asked to state what route
he travelled on the journey.
Il came through Albany, Buffalo, Cincin-
natl and Chicago" said Hammond:
And from there to Pentwater"' added
what was the last town you stopped in
before Chicago?'''' asked Attorney Blair.
pullman, sir" said Hammond.
And the one before that was Pent-
water?" again added the attorney for the
defense. or soo,;, 20
saw whether l went to Pentwater or any
other place in Michigan and refuse TO an,
swer all such questions. came mere anu
gave myself up DeIore the emu Vi l0h oaJS'
ssYon saw YOU were stabbed six times
was the attorneys next remark. were
those stabs mere pin scratches or are you
SCARED for life
IT will bear the marks to my grave, re-
piled Hammond.
The attorney expressed a desire to see
the scars and Hammond barred his limbs
and exhibited four marks, two on each
thigh to the court. One of the other was
on his right hand ana q minor one Is Oh
the shoulder.
PRIVATE SNYDER'S EVIDENCE.
Private Snyder was called and told of
helping to drag the prisoner after the pro-
cession had gone one hundred yards and
assistance had been ordered. He said they
had been commanded to march in double
time and that the prisoner was covered
with dust and his clothes torn when the
summary court was reached.
.'Do you think there was any other way
in which Hammond could have been taken
to the court?' was asked by the judge adj
Eyes" said the witness, there was
cart, and l think this could easily have
been drafted into service"
Brigadier General Wade then asked if the
witness had ever seen prisoner taken to
court in cart. ...,.
usually quite so kind as that"
He was then excused and Lieutenant
Andrus, the prison officer, was called. His
Private Wadden was the first witness
to-day. He told of his being in
the guardroom on the morning of
oct s and of hearing the sound of a
struggle in the celroom. 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 Hammond
with your bayonet?" the judge advocate
asked.
Il received orders from the officer OF
the day, Captain Lowering, to fix my bayo-
net and to prod the prisoner. Before this
Hammond had been dragged back to his
cell and / went to him. told him my orders
and he replied that / could run my bayonet
through him; he did not propose to move
This was reported to Captain lowering
who told me to wait for moment and then
he sent Sergeant Brainerd for rope
What then did you do?' said the judge
advocate.
II put my bayonet to Hammond's side
and stood guard over him while Brainerd
went for the rope
Judge Advocate Hunter was curious to
know who tied Hammond'S feet together
and how the proceeding conducted, so
he inquired II the witness remembered any
of the circumstances.
"A noncomnissioned officer whose name
l don't remember tied Hammond's feet