Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-14

Boxall of Company X, was the man he
arrested. The men who were riotous be-
longed TO the Third Virginia.
Being cross-examined, witness said ne
could not state positively what time ne
reached the Virginia camp. but It was
within fifteen minutes OF o'clock. He
went directly from the hospital ground
to the camp He t1psiced at the latter
place a great lack OF men, The number
present was remarkably less than usual
He heard yelling In the woods. He didn't
notice any particular disorder in camp
when he got there. He did not think the
camp was quieter than usual.
Witness was pressed hard on the appa-
rent inconsistency Of his answer with
MS former statement that he noticed par
ticularly the absence OF men from the
camp.
II Will state here" he said. 1T went to
the Virginia camp. not knowing to what
regiment the enlisted man who had the
fight with the teamster belonged He
didn't know OF the rush Of men to the
woods. He was the first officer from head
quarters to leave the scene OF the dis
turbance. The negro teamster who was
being chased by the soldiers. belonged TO
witness department. Pressed as to the
conduct of the men in the camp, witness
ticed nothing striking until later on.
Asked whether anything occurred to fix
his attention, he replied that his attention
was otherwise directed: at that time there
was no disturbance at the chief surgeons
tent. He had been on the scene OF action
about ten minutes before he met General
Butler. He was then on his way to head
quarters. There were knots of men col
lecting and much shouting. The noise
seemed to be derisive of the guard from
the Pennsylvania Regiment, which had
arrived on the grounds.
THE SHOUTING INCIDENT.
This shouting in the Virginia regiment
increased greatly when the Connecticut
regiment appeared.
Was the shouting you first heard in
the Virginia encampment or the hospital
grounds? asked counsel.
Witness replied: "In the encampment."
Did you not say that before you met
General Butler you saw nothing unusual
In the Virginia encampment?
Witness went into an elaborate expla-
nation, reiterating his former statements.
He went with General Butler to the Vir
ginia lines about fifteen minutes after his
first appearance on the grounds The
Connecticut regiment then arrived.
Asked whether the regiment was not
greeted with cheers, he said ne should
not so characterize the noise he heard.
His impression was that the regiment
was jeered at and his impression was
made stronger by the treatment he him
self was subjected 10 later on at the
hands of the men. The whole action was
that of a mob of men, who only gave
way when forced to do so. He didn't
think the men were attempting TO break
out of their lines. They could easily
have done So
Asked what the men were doing that
they had to be driven back, witness said
they were hooting and yelling and not
returning to obey roll-call. The behavior
of the men was sufficient to have war
ranted the crowds being dispersed
and the men sent to their companies.
He believed he saw at least seyenty-five
men in the hospital grounds. Witness
did not think the sounding of the long
roll was calculated to disturb properly
disciplined troops. In the hospital
grounds he spoke to three or four squads.
The whole character of the men of the
Third and their manner was rebellious.
He could cite no other instance than the
one mentioned above where a specific act
of discourtesy was shown to an officer.
Mr.. Hamilton asked witness whether
he had not INDUCED in good deal Of
profane language on the night in ques-
! ton. The recorder objected to the ques-
tion. on the grounds that Captain
Brooks's conduct was not under investi-
| cation.
Mr. Hamilton replied that he had asked
| the question because he wanted to show
that the one specific case Of insurbordina-
ton was provoked by the language of the
| officer
| The president Of the court remarked
that one breach OF discipline did not
| warrant another
The court was then cleared. and after
a brief conference 1t was decided TO
admit the question. The answer was
not very lucid. Night extended from 6
p. NJ. to A. NJ, witness said. and he
would like to have the time limited.
| Counsel said they had been talking only
about the visit of Captain Brooks TO the
Virginia encampment. and the time was
already specified. Witness then denied
that he used any bad language. He had
been most careful not to curse in the
presence of soldiers throughout his seven
teen years of service. Pressed upon the
point. he said: 81 did not use any pro-
fame language that a soldier of the Vir-
ginia Regiment could have heard" Be-
yond this he would say nothing.
MAJOR BUFFERS STORY.
Major NJ. c. Butler, son Of General But.
Ter, ordnance officer of the division, was
the next witness. He said ne was al
Headquarters when message came for &
guard to be sent to the hospital grounds
He was ordered to go TO Colonel Male
and report that there seemed TO be some
trouble with his regiment, and reques
him to take steps to suppress 1t. Major
Wright met him and told him of the diff
Guilty between the negro and the white
man and of the subsequent chase. HI
also said he had telephoned for regi
ment. Witness arrived at Colonel Males
tent and reported the disorder. Colone
Male was at supper. He seemed TO b'
very much surprised. Witness reported
the message of the division commander
and Colonel Nalle replied that he woulC
look into the matter at once, and sent FOL
the officer of the day. There seemed L
be some slight confusion in the camp al
witness rode TO Colonel Males tent. Mel
were standing about talking excitedly, bu
| there was no disorder He was in HI
| office at headquarters when the report
| the disorder came.
Under cross-examination, Major Butte
said this all took place between Z and
| o'clock. He had some conversation witt
Colonel Male. He did not remember
! having stated TO that officer that he woulC
| 90 70 headquarters and relieve the Gene
RAILS mind of all anxiety. He did sa,
something equivalent to that. however
! He expected to find riot in progress
and told Colonel Male so. He did not
however. find any such condition existing
| a., III. a. a nnasfiOn nut nv General But