The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-31
DIDN'TDELAY CARTER CASE.
ARMY OFFICIALS GIVE SCHEDULE
TO SNOW PROMPT ACTION.

ARMY OFFICIALS GIVE A SCHEDULH
TO SNOW PROMPT ACTION.
Engineer Corps Deny Reports of Drlatori-
ness-Dates That Prove That tho lnvesti-
cation was Begun and Finished with
Proper Despntoh-The Leading Dates.
WARRINGTON. Aug. 3o.-Army officers are
indignant over the reports published yesterday
and to-day suggesting that the Engineer
Department was elinquent In bringing Capt
Carter before a court martial and endeavorsd
to save him from prosecution. Such reports
are declared to be unQualihedly false The
following statement from official sources shows
how rapidly the Chief OF Engineers worked to
bring about not only an investigation OF the
charges against Capt Carter. but also to Sc
cure his trial and conviction:
July 20. 1997-Capt. Gillette relieved Capt
Carter OF his duties at Savannah. Ga.
Auo 12.-Capt. Gillette telegraphed that he
would like to see the Chief Of EnElneers on
matters OF greatest importance concerning
Cumberland Sound.
AUG. 12.-Chief OF Engineers authorized
Capt Gillette. by letter. to como to Washing
ton II he considered it imperatively necessary.
AUG 14.-Capt. Gillette person ally laid before
the Chief al Engineers charges OF irreRuari-
ties against Capt. Carter In the conduct OF his
work. The Chief OF Engineers directed Capt.
Gillette to submit report in writing. after he
had satisfied himself that he was justified BY
the facts In presenting 1t.
AUG. 19.-Capt Gillette submitted q report
in writing making charges Of Irregularities.
AUa. 2l.-Col p. c. Hams. Corps OF En-
gineers. Division Engineer s. e Division. was
called to Washington. and after a personal
conference with the Chief Of Engineers. was
directed to proceed at once to Savannah. Ga.
to make a thorough investigation OF the mat
ter: tho Chief Of Engineers at once personally
notified the Acting Secretary OF War OF the
case.
SEPT. 7.-Col. Hams placed q written report
In the hands OF the Chief Of Engineers. I'M
favorable to Capt. Carter.
SEPT. 7-Chiet OF Engineers. accom- panied
by Col. Hams. called in person on tho Secretary
OF War and laid the case before him.
SEPT. 7.-Chief OF Engineers cabled Capt
Carter at London. by authority OF the Secretary
OF War. directing his presence in Washington
at once.
SEPT e-Chlef OF Engineers wrote to Capt
Carter that the Secretary OF War directed Can't
Carter to report to the Chief Of Engineers i'm
mediately.
SEPT. 10-Chiei OF Engineers communicated
to Capt Carter. in writing. a copy OF Capt. Gil
lete's charges.
SEPT. 1o.-By direction OF the Secretary OF
War conference was held with the Judge
Advocate General In reference to the prepara-
ton OF the charges and specifications.
SEPT. 13.-By direction OF tho Secretary Of
War board Of engineer officers convened at
Savannah. Ga. to examine into the works Of
improvement In the Savannah district.
Nov 13.-Board OF engineer officers submit
ted a report recommending that Cant. Carter
be tried by COURT artial. The report was ac-
- hu H,,. Irnl IL, 4
showed a most exhaustive investigation. 1t
took tho Chief of Engineers the better part Of
two days. reading past midnight. to peruse the
report.
Nov. 15.-Chisf OF Engineers submitted the
report OF the Board OF Engineer Officers to the
Secretary OF War. recommend ding reference
OF the papers to a law officer Of the Govern emit
for careful exam nation, and II In his opinion
the statements justified 1t. the preparation OF
charges and specifications. Owing to the illness
OF the Judge Advocate General. certain sug-
gestions were made In reference to the officer
Of the Judge Advocate Generals department
to be selected for this work.
DEC. 2.-AdIutant GENERALS ONCE appointed
. general court to meet at Savannah
on Jan. S. 1898 for the trial OF Capt Carter.
Date OF converting was postponed to Jan. ~.
1893
DEC. 11.-War Department referred charges
and specifications preferred against Capt Car
ter.
DEC 13.-Charges and specifications return
cd for the action Of the Secretary OF War.
DEC. 20-Copy Of charges and specifications
transmitted to Capt Carter. with request for
acknowledgment.
DEC. 22.-Chief Of Engineers directed Capt.
Gillette to afford Col Clous all possible assist
anoe in the matter OF tho trial OF Capt. Carter.
JAN. IL. 1Sa8.-Capt Carter placed under ar
rest by telegram from AdJutant- Generals
once with limits of Savannah. Ga.
JAN. 12.-Court- artial for trial OF Capt
Carter convened at Savannah.
APRIL 3o.-Court martial adjourned. During
the trial the Chief OF Engineers was called
upon to furnish original papers from his office
files bearing on the case to send an employee
to identify these papers and to assist In secur-
ing attendance OF officers on the Corps OF Engi-
neers as witnesses. both for the prosecution
and defence. All Of this was promptly done
MAY 13.-Secretary Of War extended limit Of
arrest OF Capt Carter to include the City Of
New York. Since adjournment OF the court
martial tho Chief OF Engineers has had no
Official connection with tho trial OF Capt Car
ter In any capacity. the record OF the proceed
ings has never been referred to the Chief Of
Engineers. and he has never seen or read such
record.