Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-10-25
FOR DlsCIPIINE's SAKE.
That e Capt. Coverings Excuse for lIl.ireat.
meni OF Private Hammond.

Chicago, Oct N.-The question of
holding session of the Fort Sheridan
court Of inquiry on Sunday was unde:
consideration, Saturday, by the officers
who constitute that body. Twenty
witnesses remain yet to be examined,
some Of whose testimony is expected 70
be Of most important nature, and
while there Is no particular occasion
Tor hurry, Col. Snyder and Capt. Moon
would like to finish the investigation
and submit their report to the war de-
partment. 1t2
Scrgt. Brainard, who was in charge
of the guardhouse on the day of Priv.
Hammond's mutiny, was the first wit
ness at Saturdays session.
i Sergeant Brainard is the man who,
in his testimony, Hammond accused of
2 holding his back down against the door
sill as he was being dragged out, so
that Capt. Coverings command OF
"scrape him" might be obeyed.
The sergeant testified that he had
been ordered to take Hammond to the
summary court, and the prisoner re-
fused to move from his cell.
Il asked him If he was SICK" said
the witness. land he replied that he
was not. Then 1 asked him if it was
simply case of won't walk and he
said it was. Capt. Lowering, the OFF,
Ger of the day, was notified and l was
sent to get rope"
Did Capt. Lowering kick Hammond
or prod him with his sword?" asked
Capt. Moon.
IT saw him make several attempts"
replied the witness.
How many times did Capt. Lover
ing kick the prisoner"
81 saw him attempt to stab him in
the corridor of the guard house ana
also kick him at the head Of the stairs
I heard no vile language"
Brainard was asked where Capt.
Lowering stood when Hammond was
being dragged from the guard house
and answered that he stood just out
side the door, also volunteering the in
formation that as the men passed tna
captain kicked the PROSTATE prisone,
Corporal J. Ward, acting corporal OF
the guard, testified that he saw Capt
Lowering kick Hammond twice, and
prod him with his sword several time.
between the cell door and the guard
house.
Sergeant Charles Wooten, who has
charge of the documents and records
pertaining to the guard house, said:
81 went to Hammond's cell and or.
dered him to make ready to appear be
fore the court. He refused. I told hin
how foolish he was, and of the troubl,
1t would cause him. He would not Say
a word, and finally lay down in a cor
ner, and I left him that way. Capt
Lowering then came to the guard hous
and walked to the guard room.''
did you give any order to bayone
the prisoner" was asked of the wit
ness.
NO"
did you kick him."
mo. but I threatened to severa
times"
Captain Lowering then asked permits
sion to interrogate the witness, an
asked him what he thought of Ham
mond's conduct.
a,"He was insolent and sulky," sal
Wooten.
Colonel Snyder asked significantly
the witness did not know of othe
methods in vogue to subdue unrul
prisoners. The only one used at Fol
of depriving the subject of the "goo
time" or special privileges given hi,
for good conduct.
Private Charles Waddell told tn
court that after guard mount he wa
in the guard room with other soldier
when they heard the sound of scuff1in
outside the door Hammond was r,
ssting the efforts of Sergt. Braina1
4 L..
ering was standing close by. "Pric
him up little" Capt. Lowering sal
according to the witness. At thi
Hammond Strengthened up and r,
piled: You can run that bayonet Gle,
through me, but I will never walk
that court
i then helped to tie his feet" sa