The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-01-27

WASHINGTON Jan. ss-Commissary
General Eagan was a witness before the
courE-martiai today. and with deep feeling
gave testimony IN his own behalf During
his recital. which was irnpassioned and i'm
rressiye, and more than once rose to dra-
matte heights. each member OF the court
listened intently to every word spoken by
the comnaissary general and every eye was
fastened on him. Not mare than nfseen
or twenty people outside OF the court and
a dozen or SO newspaper correspondents
were admitted TO the trial rooms.
Several witnesses preceded the chief fig
ure In the trial.
Extreme ProvOcation His Defense,
Gen. Eagan listened intentfy 10 the testi-
mony of these witnesses. and occasionally
held brief whispered conferences with his
counsel He was dressed In full uniform.
without sword. and his norId face, white
hair and mustaohe and soldlerly bearing
recalled 10 many the late Gen. Sheridan
10 whom he bears distinct resemblance
His call TO the stand this morning was
something OF a surprise. as IL had been
thought II he testified at all 1t would be
later. When his name was called he rose,
and standing before the witness chair
raised his right hand. took the oath ad-
mtnissered by the judge advocate and at
nrst related his army career. As he pro-
cecded in his testimony 1t became apparent
that the line Of defense would be justifica-
tion and extreme provo.oAtion. finally bring
ing on a serious nervous condition which
rendered the witness UNI. for business and
made him to a degree irresponsible for his
acts. The presidents order OF immunity,
II was also made evident. would be relied
on as applicable to Gen Eagan's testimony
before the war commission, and tina. the
court-martial had no proper Jurisdiction
OF the case
When Gen. Eagan began the story
OF Gen. Miles, aspers!on on him. he raised
his voice somewhat and spoke with great
earnestness. though with perfect enuncsa-
tIon. In speaking OF the criticisms Of the
newspapers which he said. had been called
forth by Gen Miles testimony, his manner
was intensely dramatic ard impressive
His eyes filled with tears and his voice
,rembled. and ihe impression he left with
many was decidedly favorable. After the
court adjourned several members shook his
hand and In a friendly way asked after
his health.
Handled MiiIions. Hat II Peor.
In answer TO question By worthington
his counsel. as to whether he had ever
received any benefi, from any contract he
had made. Eagan said with great feel
Ing:
mo, on my honor and before my God
not one cents profit gain did / ever re-
eeiye. and yet my office has aisbursed
Sla"o. Ha and / am now poor SO pocr
have not now sufficient money with which
90 pay your fee"
Gen Eagan said he hat; tried 10 bring
proceedings against Gen. Miles. but Sec
rctary AIger had told him that the i'm.
mun'ty granted witnesses before the com
mission prevented THIS Witness accept
ea this fact but he did not think
this immunity covered newspaper inter-
views in which Gen. Miles rad oy infer
snee declared him 10 he q murderer for
gain
A. witness said this he became greatly
excited.
This statement OF Gen Miles. In the
opinion or witness. had taken away hts
tEsagau'Sl character. lie could net pro-
eee3 against Miles sn the courts Or other
wise He felt he might better be dead IN
the gutter.
Tears ia His Eyes.
ka@AF3S = eyes EitesE ~ifn tears He Test
tAat the people ~ this country had come
10 believe be waS dishonest man.
'sFsut an1 an honest man" said the
general, VIII feeling. and believe TO
one who kaows me viii believe I ara a
dishonest man. NJ record IS clean. nay
Uniforra is gHsuglted hus have been
slas5srsi and wysnxe1."
woy;hiaStsa tAea read large number
ef newspaper clippings asgloancsax Eag gan.
wsrth3usseH also read several sxhie!ss in
connection WITH the testimony read al yes
,ereays session CO fae court
Miles Testimony Excited Him.
Gel. W l. siexanasr. =. s A 81 The
subsistence department. was called nv ths
aefenss. He saw G4E- Eagan an ;he mora
snE os she day the latter gave saa tssss-
ssany before the wsr investigating c0r-
rsSssaa. Ge2- Esgan. &c sad. showed
Signs &C great excitement File manner was
50 exceptional shat ne tsiexAnserp asked
Col Davis ~ tse eonrsssesry 3spa snaent
~so ~ss prssras. whether Gen. Eagzn was
net s.
Cot T. - Davis assistant te EAgam
~&. fA~ rex: witness. He sAs tn EaSszss
e~1ce the Day Mites gave Ass testimony e<-
se-e tss war investigating commission, ard
az saess rs EaEaa save tee rsshsss@es sgase-
s7s%s: Il ssss testimony Ae teca ire gsx4sazs-