The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-11-25
HAMMOND NOT BADLY HURT.
POST SURGEON TEsTIFIEs AT THE
COURT MARTIAL.

No Bruises worth Mention Found By
the Phy sIcian--The COmmandant OF
the Fort TestIRes That He Cons
mended Capt. lowering For His
Course In Dragging the Soldiers Il;
COurt-Capt. Lowering Claims ths
Exaggerated in the Reports Cons
eerninG IL.
Chicago, Nov. 2l.-The hearing of the
court martial at Fort Sheridan began to-
day with the testimony of the last witt
ness for the prosecution, Post Surgeon
Henry Lippincott. The surgeon said he
had been called professionally to attend
Hammond. He found no bruises TO speak
of, but the wounds, he said, could have
beeen caused by the use of a sword.
The Judge advocate suggested that the
court go over the route traversed by Ham,
mond when he was dragged to the sum-
mary court, and here the prosecution rest
ed.
Attorney Blair. for Capt. Lowering, pre-
sented several letters in favor of Capt.
Lowering and Col Hall. the commandant,
at Fort Sheridan was called.
what report did Capt Lowering make
to you in regard to the AFFAIR."" asked At
torney Blair.
"He told me Of Hammond's refusal to
appear before the court in obedience TO
my order, and said he had dragged him
from the guard house with rope. I COM
mended him highly for his action but cau-
toned him to remove the rope from the
prisoners feet before he appeared In court.
l commended his action, and especially
because l was informed that the prisoner
had dehed FIVE prison officers In success.
sion"
Col. Hunter here lnterposed question:
col, Hail." he said, III a report had been
made TO you that Hammond had refused
to walk to the summary court would you
have ordered him dragged?"
"Well. not specifically" said the col-
onel, but l would have ased force"
sergt. Wooden. one of the prison officers,
gave some new information by making a
statement that before Capt. Lowering or
dered Hammond dragged, he himself had
dragged the prisoner around the guard
house by the heels.
Then Capt Lowering took the stand in
his pwIl behalf. He was very nervous and
bluudered several times while going.
through the formalities preceding his ex-
animation.
us this testimony thus far given before
this court correct2' asked his attorney.
at Is substantially correct" answered
Capt. Lowering, "only the amount of force
used has been exaggerated. / stirred
Hammond with my sword, but only with
a small fraction of my strength. I did
not hurt him. l kicked him to make him
open his eyes"
Col Hunter asked Capt Lowering VIZ
he had not reported to his commanding
officer the prisoners refusal to go to the
court, postponing action until he received
orders from Col. Hall.
Il should have been ashamed" said
Capt. Lowering. ITO have reported to any
person that / allowed prisoner to get
the better Of me-"
Gould you not secure a wagonT' con-
tnued the judge advocate.
II would not have done so under any
circumstances" answered Capt. Lowering.
1T would have been a bad example for
the men,"
After Capt. Lowering had told Of his
twenty-five years service in the United
States army without ever having been
court mart!aled, he was excused, and the
taking of testimony was over.
Attorney Blair then made his closing
address.