The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-09-02
DIDN'T DELAY CARTER CASE.
Army officials Give n Schedule to
show Prompt Action.
From the New York Sun.

From the New York Sun.
Washington, Aug. 30.--Army officers are
indignant over the reports published yes
terday and to-day suggesting that the
engineer department was delinquent in
bringing Capt. Carter before a courtmar-
tial and endeavored to save him from
prosecution. Such reports are declared 10
he unqualifedly false The following state
ment from official sources shows
how rapidly the chief of en-
gineers worked to bring about
not only an investigation of the charges
against Capt Carter, but alzo 10 secure his
trial and conviction:
July 20, 1S97-Capt. Gillette relieved Capt.
Carter of his duties at Savannah, Ga.
Aug. 12.-Capt. Gillette telegraphed that
no would like to see the chief of engineers
on matters of greatest Importance con-
corning Cumberland sound
Aug. 12.-Chief of engineers authorized
Capt. Gillette, by letter, to come to Wash
ing on if he considered it imperatively ne
cessary.
Aug. 14.-Capt. Gillette personally laid
before the chief of engineers charges of
irregularities against Capt. Carter in the
conduct of his work The chief of engin-
GERS directed Capt. Gillette to submit re-
port in writing, after he had satisfied him
self that he was JUSTIFIED by the facts in
presenting it.
Aug. 19-Capt. Gillette submitted re-
port in writing, making charges of irreg-
ularities.
Aug. 21.-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 en-
gineers was directed to proceed at once to
Savannah, Ga, to make a thorough inves-
tgaton of the matter; the chief of engin-
GERS at once personally notified the acting
Of "A IF no
Sept. 7.-Col. Hams placed a written re-
port in the hands of the chief of engin-
GERS, unfavorable to Capt. Carter.
Sept. 7.-Chief of engineers, accompan-
led by Col. Hams. called in person on
the Secretary of War and laid the case
before him.
Sept 7.-Chief of engineers cabled Capt
Carter at London. by authority of the Sec
rotary of War, directing his presence in
Washington at once.
Sept. 9.-Chief of engineers wrote to
Capt Carter that the Secretary of War
directed Capt. Carter to report to the Chief
of Engineers Immediately.
Sept. 10.-Chief of engineers communi-
Gated 20 Capt. Carter, in writing, a copy
of Capt. Giilete's charges.
Sept. 10.-By direction of the Secretary
of War a conference was held with the
judge advocate general in reference TO
the preparation of the charges and speci-
ficaHons.
Sept. bly, direction of the Secretary
of War board of engineer officers con-
vened at Savannah, Ga, to examine into
the works of improvement in the Savannah
district
Nov. 13.-Board of engineer officers sub
mitted a report recommending that Capt.
Carter be tried by courtmartial. The
port was accompanied by several hundred
enclosures and showed a most exhaustive
investigation. 1t took the chief of en-
gineers the better part of two days, read
ing past midnight. to peruse the report
Nov 15.-Chief of engineers submitted
the report of the board of engineer Off
GERS to the Secretary of War recommend
ing a reference of the papers to a law
officer of the government for careful eX-
animation and il in his opinion the state
ments justified it, the preparation of
charges and specifications. Owing to the
illness of the judge advocate general, GER
tain suggestions were made in reference
to the officer of the judge advocate gen.
erals department to be selected for this
work.
Dec. 2-Adjutant generals office APP
pointed a general courtmartial to meet at
Savannah on Jan. 5, 1898, for the trial of
Capt. Carter. Date of converting was post
poned to Jan p, 1898.
Dec n.-War department referred
charges and specifications preferred
against Capt. Carter.
Dec 13.-Charges and specifications re-
turned for the action of the Secretary Of
War.
Dec 2O.-Copy of charges and specif-
cations transmitted to Capt. Carter with
request for Acknowledgement.
Dec. 22.-Chief of engineers directed Capt
Gillette to afford Col. Clous all possible
assistance in the matter of the trial of
Capt. Carter.
Jan. II, 139S.-Capt. Carter placed under
arrest by telegram from adjutant gener-
ais office with limits of Savannah, Ca
Jan. 12.-Courtmartiaf for trial Of Capt
Garter convesled at Savannah.
April 30.-Courtmartial adjourned. Dur
ing the trial the chief of engineers was
called upon to furnish original papers from
his office files bearing on the case; 10
send an employe 10 identify these papers
and to assist in securing attendance Of
officers on the corps of engineers as wit
nesses, both for the prosecution and de-
Tense. All Cf this was promptly done
May 13.-Secretary OF War extended lin
It of arrest of Caps, Carter to include the
city of New York Since adjournment of
the courtmartial the chief of engineers
has had no oflciai connection with the
trial Of Capt. Carter in any capacity. the
record of the proceedings has never been
referred to the chief Of engineers, ana
he has never seen or read such record
-S-Os-s--