The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-27
GENERAL HLGER UNDER OATH
HIS TESTIMONY BEFORE THE WAR
INVESTIGATING COMMISSION.
Says He Was Never Directly or Indi~
rectIy Interested in Camps or
Supplies Furnished the Army.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-The feature OF
the proceedings before the Eagan court
martial to-day was the testimony, dramatic
in many parts, in its quiet intensity, of COM
missary General Eagan himself. Not more
than fifteen or twenty people, outside of
the court and dozen or so newspaper cor
respondents, were admitted to the trial
rooms. Several witnesses preceded the chief
figure in the trial General Eagan listened
intently to the testimony of these witnesses.
and occasionally held brief whispered con-
ferences with his counsel. He was dressed
in full uniform. without sword, and his forid
face, white hair and moustache, and sol
dierly bearing recalled to many the late
General Sheridan, to whom he bears 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 rose and standing before the witness
chair raised his right hand, took the oath
administered by the judge advocate and at
first related his army career. AS he pro-
ceeded in his testimony it became apparent
that the line of defense would be justihca-
tion and extreme provocaton, finally BRING
ing on q serious nervous condition which
rendered the witness unfit for business and
made him to a degree irresponsible for his
acts. The Presidents order of immunity, it
was also made evident, would be relied on
as applicable TO General Eagan's testimony
before the war commission and that, there
fore, the court-martial had no proper juriss
diction of the case. When General Eagan
began the story of General AIiles's asper-
sions on him he raised his voice somewhat
and spoke with great earnestnass, though
with perfect enunciation. In speaking of the
criticisms Of the newspapers, which, he said,
had been called forth by General Miles's
testimony, his manner was intensely dram
attic and impressive. His eyes filled with
tears and his voice trembled and the impress
sion he left with many was decidedly favor
able. After the court adjourned several
members shook his hand and in friendly
way asked after his health.
THE PROSECUTION RESTS.
When the court-martial reassembled to-
day Judge Advocate Davis stated that he
wished to submit formally the testimony OF
General Miles as read yesterday, as an ex-
hibit in this trial, and with this statement,
he said, the prosecution rested its case
Mr. Worthington, counsel for Gen. 9sagans
read several exhibits in connection witn- the
testimony read at yesterdays session Of the
court. These included the correspondence
between General Miles and General Eagan,
through the adjutant general in which the
latter asked as to whether the interview
published in a New York newspaper, in
which General Miles is alleged to
have severely criticised the commissary gem
erals department, was authoritative. Ex-
tracts from the alleged interviews were also
read and submitted as a part OF the record.
Colonel L. w. Alexander, u. S. A, Of the
subsistence department, was the first Wit
ness called by the defense. He said he re-
turned to Washington from Jamaica on the
morning Of the day General Eagan gave
committee. General Eagan, he said, was
hastily going over papers in connection with
his testimony and showed signs of great
excitement. General Eagan neryously
handled the papers, and witness had rare-
~ seen man in such nervous condition.
His manner was so exceptional that he
asked Colonel Davis, of the commissary de-
partment who was present, whether the
general was not i'll. He had been Intimately
connected with General Eagan, but never
before had he seen him in such condition.
General Merritt asked the witness whether
to his knowledge General Eagan had con-
suited anyone as TO the substance OF his
testimony to be presented TO the commls-
sion. Colonel Alexander answered that 50
far as he knew General Eagan had not.
COLONEL DAVIS'S TESTIMONY.
Colonel George b. Davis, assistant to
Commissary General Eagan. was the next
witness. He testified that he had been very
closely associated with General Eagan dur
ing the last several months. He was in the
office the day General Miles gave his testi-
mony before the war commission, and as
soon as General Eagan saw the published
statement OF his testimony he became con-
siderably excited and had written 10 General
Miles asking as to the truth Of an interview
published with General Miles. As time went
on his excitement increased to such an ex-
tent that he did not and apparently could
4faF sf4 nraA tn fn n
Later on General Eagan reached such q
state that he could not attend to any BUSH
ness. The day before General Eagan ap-
peared before the commission he read his
statement over TO the witness, who urged
him 20 modify IL somewhat but he would
not listen, and, walking UP and down the
room, said he would not change a word OF
it. He was then in a very nervous state.
Newspaper clippings were constantly i8ing
received cTiticising General Eagan and these
greatly increased his excitement some or
these clippings carried the idea that Gen.
Eagan was a murderer and that he had
acted corrupty in sending un1t food 10 tha
army. During these days the witness said
General Eagan was wholly united 70 per-
form the ordinary duties of his Office. Ip
10 this time the general had been hard
worker and never before had exhibited any
signs of nervous strain.
In answer TO a question, Colonel Davis
said that General Eagan's conduct Of his
office was perfectly honest. and he had al
ways had the good Of the soldier at heart.
more so, In fact than any other commits
sary general of whom he had ever known
or heard. The witness, again referring TO
General Eagan's testimony before the war
investigating commission, said that he had
not been consulted in its prepare ton, buE
at the generals request had supplied soma
of the records. General Eagan had told
the witness that he was prevented irons
proceeding in military fashion against Gen.
Miles by the Presidents order of immunity
To witnesses, but that he hoped 10 he abla
to proceed in the matter In the civil courts.
Miss Milard, General Eagan's stenogra-
pher, was then called. She had taken nearly
all Of the generals dictations since Sept~