The herald., 1897-11-23
To Sustain the Dignity of
the Court
CAPTAIN L0vERING'S TRIAL
FOR ALLEGED BRUTALITY TO
HAMMOND
Judge Advocate Hunter Shows a Dis.
position to sift the Matter to
o.. the Bottom
Associated Press Special Wire.


Associated Press Special Wire.
CHICAGO, Nov 22.-The courtmartial
of Captain Leonard A. Lowering began
at Fort Sheridan today. The court will
try to ascertain whether Captain Lover
ing did anything "prejudicial to good
order and military discipline" when he
ordered that Private Charles Hammond
should be dragged by the heels to a sum-
mary court for trial.
In view OF the fact that the recent
court Of inquiry was not long In consid-
ering the evidence pro and con it seems
to be the general opinion that this trial
board Of officers will push its work and
seal up its verdict inside of three days.
Colonel j. A. Hunter, who Is stationed
at Fort Smelling, near st. Paul, Minn.,
will act as Judge advocate Of the court.
He has been at Sheridan for two days
looking over the ground and checking
up witnesses.
The president Of the court is Brigadier
General J. F. Wacc, commanding the De-
partment Of Dakota. The other mem-
bers Of the court In order Of rank are:
Colonel A. L. Arnold, First Cavalry
Lieutenant Colonel J. T. Haskell, Sew
enteenth Infantry; Lieutenant Colonel
A. L. Chaffee, Third Cavalry; Major w.
F. Randolph, Third Artillery; Major
w. A. Rafferty,, Second Cavalry; Major
c. w. Miner. Sixth Infantry; Major
Forse, First Cavalry; Major w. e. Cas-
key, Twentieth Infantry; Captain C.
S. Roberts, Seventeenth Infantry; Cap
tain ]. +. Stretch, Tenth Infantry: Cap
tain T. T. Fox. First Cavalry. and Cap
tain G. X. Hunton. Third Cavalry.
After short session it was announced
that the hearing would be open to the
public Then the reading Of the formal
call began.
Private Hammond was not allowed
seat in the court room, but waited in his
cell until it was time for him to testify.
Before the call was read, Captain Lover
ing entered the room in uniform, but
with an empty sword scabbard dangling
from his belt, in Difference to the rule
that no officer under arrest may wear
side arms. He was accompanied by his
two attorneys, Frank P. Blair and MUIR
ray Nelson The members Of the court
were all in full dress uniform.
The formalities over. the Judge advo-
cate called as the first witness Lieuten-
ant John J. Bernard, officer Of the guard.
on October 9th, the day upon which
Hammond was dragged from the guard
house to the summary court.
Judge Advocate Hunter, in his exami-
nation of this witness, showed his inten-
ton to go into the minute details Of the
affair. Lieutenant Bernard was ques-
toned on circumstances which seemed
of minor Importance, but few facts were
| hat nt do 1rs-o
through the officers testimony at the
court of inquiry. He testified that he
ordered Hammond to appear before the
summary court, and that the latter re-
fused to go. He exhausted all means
to get the private to go before the
court, and, 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-
tioning Lieutenant Bernard. IT heard
him say Damn you, come OUT" was the
answer.
Corporal New, who was coporal of tho
day on October 18th, but who has since
been reduced to the rank Of private.
was the next witness called, and stated
that Lowering, as officer of the day, sent
three men to Hammond's cell with or
ders to prod him with the bayonets IL he
would not walk "He said he would die
before he would walk" said New, land
then saw Lowering kick him twice and
prod him with his sword. He kicked
him pretty hard, so hard, at least, that
Hammond fell and rubbed his side"
When the prisoner had been dragged
down the guard house steps saw Low
ering prod him again. That time 1t was
in the hand. and saw blood trickle from
the wound"
Sergeant Brainard was called, and
gave minute description of how Ham
mond was dragged feet first over the sill
Of his cell. then down the guard house
steps, hundred yards along the walk.
down over the curb and up again to the
walk, down and across the road, over the
opposite curb, up the steps to Company
DIS quarters, then down over the
curbs, and finally up the steps to the
adjutant's office.
How did Hammond look when he ar
rived at the court?" asked Colonel Hun.
ter
He was crying when the rope was
taken from his feet" answered the COR
poral. His pants were torn through to
the skin. and when returned with him
to the guard house he showed me the
cuts made by Captain Lovertng's sword.
They were all bleeding, and were deep"
Corporal Ward was the last witness.
and his evidence corroborated that os
Corporal New An adjournment was
then taken to 10 o'clock tomorrow morn-
ing.
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