Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-10-23
TELLS HIS STORY.
Private Charles Hammond Describes the
Alleged Brutal Treatment He Was Sub


Alleged Brutal Treatment He Was Sub
jected to.
Chicago, October 22-Private Char
les Hammand, United States army,
gaunt and thin and showing plainly
the effects of his fourteen days confine-
ment on bread and water diet in the
guard house at Fort Sheridan, appear
ed before court of his superior officers
to-day and told them of the circum-
stances of his disobedience of the orders
of Capt. Lowering, and Of the subse-
quent and drastic measures taken by
that official to enforce his commands.
But few spectators were present to
witness the opening of the court of in
quiry proceedings as the officers at the
time of converting were engaged in the
regular drill on the parade grounds.
Reporters chiefly constituted the audi
ence when the court was opened.
When Private Hammond was usher
ed into the presence of the court two
small holes in the back of his jacket
were visible reminders of the alleged
dragging on the the morning of Octo-
Der 8. Under oath he testified as fol-
lows:
"On Friday 1 refused to go to work
and was ordered from the guard room
into cell. Saturday at 8: 80 was told
that 1 would have to appear before a
summary court. told the officer of the
guard that if he wanted me he must
carry me there. Capt. Lowering came
there with two members of the guard,
the order was given to the sentries to
step in and drag me out so that my
back would strike on the door sill.
"The sentries took hold of me and
threw me to the floor and l was dragg-
ed out. Sergeant Barnard tried to hold
me down onto the sill so that my back
would be scraped. l was dragged to
the guard room outside and as l went
through the door Capt Lowering put
his heel over my head and threatened
to stab me in the face. Then l was
allowed to walk back to my cell. Lated
Capt. Lowering returned to my cell with
four centres and gave the order, go
in and jerk that man out The door
was unlocked and two sentries stepped
in and threw me. Capt Lowering
kicked me in the side while I was down
four times with his foot and as l went
over the sill again he gave me violent
kick in the shoulder He slapped me
over the right side to the left, and
prodded me twice more with his foot
and gave me three more violent kicks
about the shoulders. During this
scene he cursed me constantly, using
the vilest kind of oaths as he sneered,
Now will you get up? Will you walk
now?" Lowering then ordered a rope
and gave orders to have my feet
crossed and tied at the ankles. l
placed my hands behind my head, then
Lowering and the sentries began to drag
me. He prodded me in the right hand
with his sword and then in the Shout
der. 1 was dragged to the guard room
and out to the porch with one hard
jerk"
The testimony Of both the princi-
pals in the case was taken, as was also
that of one witness, Lieut. Bernard,
and the statements of each corrobor-
ated in the main the evidence of 9TH
ers.
1t was shown that Hammond was
dragged from the guard house over
macadamiZed roads, up and down stair
ways, all the way to the room where
the summary court was sitting. 1t
also was shown that Captain Lover
ing did swear at, kick and use his
sword upon the stubborn prisoner.
Captain Lowering asserted that his ac-
lions toward Hammond were in fur
therance of the maintenance of good
discipline. and admitted practically ali
alleged against him by Hammond.
The latter said that he refused to ap-
pear before the court because he ex-
pected punishment when he returned
to his own post, and did not consider
that the Fort Sheridan court had anv
rip fr-xr