New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-07
SLEEPY VOLUNTEERS PLACED on TRIAL

oxr rupows HIMSELF on THE MERCY OF THE
cor-nr-porH LIKELY TO BE SENTENCED
The sergeant and the corporal of the guard In
rho Qualifications at Fort Hancock on SANDY HOOK,
who fell asleep at their posts on the morning OK
Memorial Day were court-martalled yesterday.
They belong TO the Sd New-Jersey Volunteers IouI
battalions OF which were detailed TO this Important
post a fortnight ago. The defences at Fort Han
cock are the most important Of those projecting
this city from the invasion OF Spanish foes. ana
the utmost vigilance s supposed 10 be exercised IN
guarding all that pertains to the fort When the
trained artillerymen stationed there were Sent
South General Frank ordered a GARRISON OF the
New-Jersey State troops from Camp voorhees,, az
Sea G,rt. 70 form the infantry garrison in con-
junction with the trained artiNerymen remaining
TO man the guns and have charge OF the electric
wires connecting with the submarine defences or
the channels leading into the Lower Bay.
The court-martial. which convened yesterday IN
Fort Hancock was the first which has met 10 try
volunteer soldiers any such serious charge since
the mastering out of troops in 1850 The OFFENCE
for which the men were arraigned is violation OF
the sixty-second article OF war. and for this the
thirty ninth article provides maximum penalty or
death and lesser degrees OF punishment In the
discretion OF the observation-disclosures Ben
jamin p Holmes OF the Sd New-Jersey presided.
and the judge-advocate Lieutenant Thomas
Rdgaway OF the Regular Army All the thirteen
members OF the court were In full uniform. The
two prisoners arraigned Sergeant Willard
c. wiseman. OF Company A. and Corporal Robert
G Bed.e OF Company C. The former is jewel!er
at Asbury Park. and the latter printer Key
port. Each is under thirty years old
On the night of Sunday. May 90 five men were
put guard under Sergeant Wseman and Corporal
Bedle The former stationed at the gun-lift
where the big i2-nch cannon, with the extreme
trained upon any hostile craft approaching. He
the tent in charge, with sentries patrolling
olrr Red 70
which is in communication with the searchlights.
the batteries OF rapdhre guns and the mine cham
Artillery. Battery L. made his rounds Si5 a. m.
he found both Sergeant Wiseman and Corporal
the trial yesterday Sergeant Wssman wa:
himself upon the mercy OF the court. He said that
he had been sick and had been taking quinins and
Corporal Bedle pleaded not guilty and put In the
Sm e Sn Hs D as s Rsss
he went to the tent where the telephone s sta
al s ia m s fana yns on vice s oand
on his back. with his arms under his head l,, Ho
rS him and sO mo r and saed he bis
In sha SsHS he not
at the teiephcns There was in the tent SO
he lay down He said he felt Captain Mcclellan
touch his feet and did not hear his approach over
After hearing the testimony the court went into
h ssasnse To be THIS viii be- rec
ported to General Frank. who can mitigate the
peadeS guilty he VIII probably receive as light
BsGe wss ss
he will be adjudged guilty and will receive severe
This case is regarded by the entire volunteer
rmy OF 125.000 men as test, and upon the result
@ be re among the
subject to the same regulations as the Regular
made known in orders Of the Department Of the
East