The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-01-27
EbcAN SHOWS MUCH FEELING.
TEARS GATHERED IN HIS EYES AS
HE GAVE TESTIMONY.

-. That He Had Been Charged
nah Being a Murderer for Gain,
aud Determined to Defend HIM
.,s-Neyer Made "a Cent Out of a
c.,tract. and Is "a Poor Man To-
s.v-Iaboring Under Great Ex-
citement
washington Jan. 26.-The feature of the
,,,osAdings before the Eagan court-mar-
,ior to-day was the testimony, dramatic
IN many parts in its quiet integrity, of
conrn,ssary General Eagan himself
Not more than fifteen or twenty people
outside of the court, and dozen or so
newspaper correspondents, were admitted
10 the trial rooms.
Several Witnesses preceded the chief fig
ure in the trial. Gen. Eagan listened in
tently to the testimony of these witnesses
and occasionally held brief whispered con
ferences with his counsel. He was dressed
in fun uniform without sword, his fiorid
face white hair and moustache, and SOL
dierly bearing, recalled to many the late
Gen. Sheridan, to whom he bears a dis
tinct resemblance.
His call TO the stand this morning was
something of a surprise, as it had been
thought if he testified at all, it would be
later. When his name was called he arose
and standing before the witness chair,
raised his right hand, took the oath ad-
mlnistered by the Judge advocate, and at
first related his army career
As he proceeded in his testimony 1t be-
came apparent that the line of defense
would be Justification and extreme provo
cation, finally bringing on a serious ner-
yous condition which rendered the witness
unfit for business and made him to a de-
gree irresponsible for his acts. The Presi-
dents order of immunity, it was also made
evident would be relied upon as applica-
bic 10 Gen, Eagan's testimony before the
war commission, and that therefore the
court-martiaI had no proper jurisdiction
Of the case.
His Eyes FILLED With Tears.
When Cen Eagan began the story of
Gen. Miles aspersions on him, he raised
MS voice somewhat and spoke with great
earnestness though with perfect enuneia-
ton. In speaking of the criticisms of the
newspapers which, he said, had been
called forth by Gen. Miles testimony. his
manner was intensely dramatic and i'm
pressiVe His eyes filled with tears and
MS voice lrembled, and the impression
ne left with many was decidedly favor
able After the court adjourned several
members shook his hand and In a friend
" Way asked after his health.
When the court assembled TODAY Judee
ADVOCATE Davis hot H.
suomt formally the testimony of Gen.
Mics as read yesterday, as an exhibit in
'hs trial, and with this statement. he
sdla the prosecution rested its case,
Mt Worthington, counsel for Gen.
Easdh read several exhibits in connection
WI! WI! the testimony reported at yesterdays
session OF the court. These included the
Col4espondence between Gen. Miles and
zen Eagan, through the ad1utant general.
~ "hlcn the latter asked as to whether
1le interview published In a New York
newspaper in which Gen. Miles is alleged
- nave severely criticised the comnissary
e'Ne'ai department, was authoritative.
Under Great Mental Strain.
Extracts from the alleged interview
were also read. and submitted as a mari
OF the record = P'i
- -ie witnesses for the defense who pre-
~ ~ cen Eagan on the stand were Col.
- alexander U. S. A., of the subsis-
- department; Col. George b. Davis
sis'SLl VI .Il TO Commissary General Eagan:
5s 4iIard Gen. Eagan's stenogra Dher
,'' -fiF' Rodgers, a clerk in the office Of
t Contnlssary general. They testified
10 zen Eagan had been laboring under
Sd7 eleat mental strain ever since Gen.
90 appeared before the war inyesti
eauug commission
evoj..-dEls laws said that as time went on his
49, liieht increased TO such an extent
no. ',e uid not, and, apparently could
ofioa "U 10 the routine duties of his
Later on, Gen Eagan reached
sueh state that he could not attend -
Duslness the day before Gen. .Fagan
dSPiTafed before the commission he read
s s,alement over to the witnesses who
~, nm 10 modify it somewhat. but he
don, i'o' hsten and walking up and
q -, ''e room said he would not change
nervous state.
i'ok Away His Character.
Cen Eagan followed Mr. Roa,,.rs nv
ins NE war with Spain he said he Ia
en IN his Office every dav with ono ~
II P'lon and had worked early and late
cor,,,l' lu gwen his testimony before the
baa ''1'ssloh under oath-preferably so. He
tba ~ read Gen Miles statement in
'e washington papers.
not ong time he feared that he might
bl IT, called before the commission b,t
W. n ,naly received a summons to annear
his .ten ne was not fully prepared. as
prera,a.e teeiaent necessarily involved the
He aHot Of records, etc.
81 sns mad held a conversation with tbe
he t-5, I1l9iy OF War; in the course of which
d. lne secretary that he desired To
againet i,inselt n by bringing proceedings
imn,tr't.De'h yen Miles, but was told that the
p-,'''y granted by the President would
cef',5 any such action. Witness ac-
this i,,, u4l9 as fact but he did moi think
ter,.ila. unity covered the newsnaner in
ierar.' " which Gen. Miles had bv in
for re., 0''iared him to be a murdered
ci.a Is witness said he became erea,,,, -,
,5c o.. laIs statement of GEN NILS IA
aws,. l'O'on of the witness. had tal,a,,
10, , '''S Eagan) character. He cn,,id
count. 'ea against Gen. Miles in tho
mlsbt (. o,aerw.se, and he felt thar he
'7'ler dead in the gutter.
r, he Honor of a soldier.
had i'1 t,loaor noaor as a soldier. he cont,,,,.,
s6o,53 attacked ana a soIdier,. ,t.' l,eu,