The record-union., 1897-11-23
TRIAL OF CAPTAIN LOWERING.
OPENED BEFORE
THE MILITARY COURT.
One Witness Testifies to the Drag
ging Of Private Hammond
With a Rope.

CHICAGO, Nov. 22.-The court mar
tial of Captain Leonard A. Lowering
began at Fort Sheridan to-day The
court will try to ascertain whether
Lowering did anything "prejudicial to
good order and military discipline, -
when he ordered that Private Charles
Hammond should be dragged by the
heels to summary court for trial. In
view of the fact that the recent court
of inquiry was not long in considering
the evidence, pro and con, it seems to
be the general opinion that this Trial
Board of Officers will push it's work and
seal up it's verdict inside of three days.
Colonel J. A. Hunter, who is sta
toned 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 Brig
adier-General J. F. Wade, command
ing the Department of Dakota.
After a short session it was announc-
ed that the hearing would be open to
the public Then the reading of the
formal call began.
Private Hammond was not allowed a
seat in the courtroom, but waited in his
cell until it was time for him to testify.
Before the call was read Captain Low
ering entered the room in uniform, but
with an empty sword scabbard dang
ling 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 2. Blair
and Murray Nelson.
The members of the court We're all in
full dress uniform.
The formalities over, the Judge Ad-
vocate called as the first witness Lieu
tenant 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 exam
fnation of this witness, showed his in
tention to GO into the minute details of
the affair. Lieutenant Bernard was
questioned on circumstances which
sened of minor Importance. But few
facts were brought out that were not
n,sde known through the officers testi-
mony at the court of inquiry
CORPORAL New, who was Corporal or
the day on October 9th, but who mas
since been reduced to the rank OF q
n,.;vate was the next witness called.
and stated that Lowering, as officer of
the day. sent three men to Hammond
cell with orders to prod him with the
bayonets If he would not walk. He
said he would die before he would
walk" said New, "and / then saw
Iovering 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
euarahouse steps I saw Lowering prod
him again. That time it was in tie
hand and I saw blood trickle from the
wound
Sergeant Brainerd was called, and
gave minute description of how Ham
roond was dragged feet first over the
sill Of his cell. then down the guard
house stone steps, a hundred yards
along the walk, down the curb, and up
again to the walk, down and across
the road. over the opposite curb, up the
steps to d Company's quarters, then
down over the curbs, and finally up the
steps to the Adjutant's office.
Corporal Ward was the last witness.
and his evidence corroborated that of
Corporal New.
An adjournment was then taken to
10 o'clock tomorrow morning.