The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-01-27
GEN. EAGAN|S DEFENSE.
Dramatic Scene Enacted Before the
Court-Martial When Accused
Took the Stand.

COuTC-Martlal When Accused
Took the Stand.
DECLARES HIS HONESTY WITH TEARS.
Witnesses Tell of the Excited State
Worked Up by Miles Testimony
and Newspaper Charges = Had
Hoped to Bring Civil Suit.
Washington, Jan. 26. When the
Eagan court-martial reassembled
Thursday Judge Advocate Davis stated
that he wished to formally submit the
testimony of Gen. Miles as read Wednes-
day, as an exhibit in this trial, and with
this statement, he said, the prosecu-
tion rested its case.
Mr.. Worthington, counsel for Gen.
Fagan, read several exhibits in connec-
tion with the testimony read at Wednes-
days session of the court. These in
cluded the spondence between
Gen. Miles and Gen. Eagan. through
the adjutant general, in which the
latter asked as to whether the inter-
view published in New York news
paper, in which Gen. Miles is ALE ed
to have severely criticised the commAs :,
sary generals department, was au-
thoritative. Extracts from the alleged
interview were also read and submitted
as part of the record.
Col. Alexander TestiHes.
COL W. L. Alexander, u. S. A., of the
subsistence department, was the first
witness called by the defense. He said
he returned to Washington from ia
maica on the morning of the day Gen.
Eagan gave his testimony before the
war investigating commission. Gen.
Eagan, he said, was hastily going over
papers in connection with his testi-
mony, and showed signs of great ex-
citement. Gen. Eagan nervously ham
died the papers and witness had rarely
seen man in such nervous condition.
HIS manner was SO exceptional that
he asked Col. Davis, of the commissary
department, who was present, whether
the general was not i'll. He had been
intimately connected with Gen. Eagan,
but never before had he seen him in
such a condition. Gen. Merritt asked
the witness whether to his KNOWLEDGE
Gen. Eagan had consulted anyone as
to the substance of his testimony to
be presented to the commission Col.
Alexander answered that so far as he
knaw Con Eomo,, H.,
Says Engan Was Excited.
Col. George b. Davis, assistant to
Commissary Gen. Eagan, was the next
witness. He testified that he had been
very closely associated with Gen. Eagan
during the last several months. He
was in the office the day Gen. Miles
gave his testimony before the war COM
mission, and as soon as Gen. Eagan
saw the published statement of his tes-
timony he became considerably ex-
cited and had written to Gen. Miles ask
Ing as to the truth of an interview
published with Gen. Miles. AS time
went on his excitement increased to
such an extent that he did not and APP
parently could not attend to the routine
duties of his office. Later on Gen.
Eagan reached such a state that he
could not attend to any business. The
day before Gen. Eagan appeared be-
fore. the commission, he read his state
ment over to the witness, who urged
him to modify 1t somewhat, but he
would not listen, and, walking up and
down the room, said he would not
change word Of it. He was then in
o very nervous state. Newspaper clip
pings were constantly being received
criticising Gen. Eagan, and these great
ly increased his excitement. Some of
these clippings carried the idea that
Gen. Eagan was murderer, and that
he had acted corruptly in sending unfit
food to the army.
Gen. Eagan had told the witness that
he was prevented from proceeding in
military fashion against Gen. Miles by
the presidents order of immunity to
witnesses, but that he hoped to be
| able to proceed in the matter in the
civil courts.
Has stenographer ON the stand.
Miss Millard, Gen. Eagan's stenog-
rapher, was then called. She had taken
nearly all of the generals dictation
since September Is last, and testified
that she took the dictation of the gem
erals statement before the war in
| vestigating commission. From the
time Gen. Miles gave his testimony be-
fore the commission Gen. Eagan was
greatly excited, and while he was die
| tatinp his statement he xyalkad +ba
floor in an excited state. The witness
thought that the general had never
been able to read the statement
through as whole from the time it
was begun until it was read to the
commission.
Testimony of His Clerk.
Mr.. Rodgers, clerk in the Office of
commissary general, was the next wit
ness. Witness thought that Gen.
Eagan had come TO believe that pub
lie sentiment was strong against him,
md that the nuhlic had acceptedNCo,