The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1899-01-27
GENERAL EAGAN In TEARS
AECITES Il SYMP1THETIC STORY
AT COURT MARTIAL,
Justification and Extre,ne provocution
HIS Defcnse-Rcndered Unfit for Duty
ny the Vicious Attacks Upon Him-Is
Poor Man,

~ the Vicious Attacks Upon Him-Is
Poor Man.
washington, Jan. 26.-The feature of
The proceedings before the Eagan court
martial to-day was the testimony, dra-
matte In many parts, in it's quiet inten-
sity of Commissary General Eagan
himself. Not more than fifteen or twen-
ty people outside Of the court and a
uozen or so newspaper correspondents
We're admitted to the trial room. Sew
eral witnesses preceded the chief figure
IN the trial. General Eagan listened
intently to the testimony of these wit
nesses and occasionally held brief whis-
pered consultations with his counsel.
lie was dressed in full uniform, without
sword and his ford face, white hair
and moustache and soldierly bearing
recalled to may the late General Sheri-
dan, to whom he bears a distinct re-
semblance. His call to the stand this
morning was something of a surprise
as it had been thought that if he testi-
fled at all it would be later. When
his name was called he rose, and stand
ing before the witness chair, raised his
right hand, took the oath administered
by the judge advocate and at first re-
lated his army career. AS he proceed
ed in his testimony it became apparent
that the line Of defense would be justl-
Hcation and extreme provocation, final
ly bringing on a serious nervous condl-
tion which rendered the witness unfit
for business and made him to a de-
gree irresponsible for his acts. 1t was
also made evident that the presidents
order of immunity would be relied on
as applicable to General Eagan's testi
mony before the war commission and
that therefore it would be claimed that
the court martial had no proper jurls
diction in the case. When General
Eagan began the story of General
Miles aspersions on him he raised his
voice somewhat and spoke with great
earnestness, though with perfect anun-
citation. In speaking of the criticisms
Of the newspapers, which he said had
been called forth by General Miles tes-
timony, his manner was intensely dra-
matte and impressive. His eyes hlled
with tears and his voice trembled and
the 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.
He said he entered the volunteer ar
INV IN 1861, and in 1866 was made Sec
md lieutenant in the regular army. lie
then briefly gave history of his mill
4arv career, which included several
campaigns against the Indians He re-
ceived a wound in the Modoc war for
which he received a brevet. During
the war with Spain he had been in his
Office every day with one exception and
had worked early and late He mad
given his testimony before the commits
sion under oath, preferably so. He had
first read General Miles statement in
the Washington papers. For long
time he feared that he might not be
called before the commission, but ne
finally received a summons to appear.
Even then he was not fully prepared,
as his statement necessarily involved
the preparation of records. etc.
He had held a conversation with the
secretary Of war, in the course OF
which he told the secretary that he de-
sired to defend himself by bringing pro-
ceedings against General Miles, but was
told that the immunity granted by the
rresident would prevent any such ac-
lion. Witness accepted this as the fact,
but he did not think that this immunity
covered the newspaper interview In
which General Miles had by Inference
declared him to be a murderer for gain.
witness said he became greatly excit-
ed. This statement Of General Miles,
In the opinion of thu witness, had taken
away his (Eagan's) character. He could
not proceed against General Miles in
the courts or otherwise, and he felt
that he might better be dead in the gut
ter
Here it was that General Eagans |
ewes filled with tears, his voice trem-
bled and he spoke very feelingly. His |
honor as soldier, he continued, had |
been attacked, and a soldiers honor |
should be as sacred as the honor of a |
woman. He had kept his sorrow to |
himself. He had kept away from the !
clubs, and very soon he found he could
not sleep. He felt that the people of |
this country had come to believe that |
he was dishonest man. but am
honest now" said the general with
feeling. land I believe that no one who
knows me will believe that L am dis
honest man. My record is clean, my |
uniform is unsullied, but l have been
slandered and wronged"
In answer to a question by his coun-
eel as to whether he had received any
benefit for any contract he had made,
General Eagan said with great feelings:
s.No, on my honor and before my God,
not one cents profit gain did receive,
and vet my office has disbursed $19,O0O,-
boo, and / am now poor man, so poor
that ] have not now sufficient money
with which to pay your fee"
AS he Hagam understood public SEN
timent, the public believed him to be a
murderer and for gain, and he was
greatly racked in body and brain in
He was goaded to death,
and was very glad of a chance to APP
near before the commission and through
them 10000, 900 of people in the defence
Of his honor.
During this imprisoned and Impress
I've recital each member of the court lis
tened intently to every word spoken,
and every eye was fastened upon the
speaker. The incident was dramatic in
the extreme. The witness spoke of his
and physical condition between
-. +;,,,o Goparal Milas gave his teStj- |