The National tribune., 1899-11-09

eye wandered down to where Lieut..
McJimsey's air of sternness had given
way to visible unresD I'm tempted TO say
unpleasant things. Now, Judge-Advo-
cate, proceed"
The evidence in this case.D said Jieut
BowersoX. with the severity proper to a
vIndicator OF Justice. shows that ii was a
very flagrant breach of the essentials of
discipline, and deserves stern treatment
a man wearing the chevronS Of a Corporal,
nos. IN the preSenceOf a number of enlisted
men, behaved in the most unseeInly man.
ner, showed gross disobedience TO his sII-
perior officer, reviled him with opprobrious
eplthetS, threatened to strike him. and
actually did strike him. On the other hand
tahd the Lieutenants tone changed to that
oI M eouIlsei lor the defense), we all of us know
that the prisoner Is an excellent soldier Of
long service, that his influence has always
| been for the best, and that he was promoted
| TO corporal as an exceptional compliment
Tor his part in capturing a rebel flag at
IShlckamauga, where he was wounded and
LETT Tor dead on the field. 1t is for you,
gentlemen, TO take all these facts into CON
slderatlon, and determine how men of this
stamp should be dealt with for the best
interests of the service. The evidence
against hlm is in many respects conflicting,
and rests upon mere Judgment, in which the
best of us are liable to err will not detain
You farther, gentlemen"
| 1ou say this prisoner was promoted for
capturing rebel flag at Chickamauga?"
asked Nal Truax, who was perfectly aware
OF the fact, but wanted to emphasize it upon
the others.
| Yes" said Lieut.. Bowersox. only too
glad OF the opportunity. 81 saw it all.
Gallant thing as was ever done. Simply
magnificent Thrills me to think about it.
| tell you that fellows soldier all the way
| through.
That was before this Stiegermeyer fellow
and lot of other fellows (and again his
| eyes wandered carelessly down toward
Lieut.. McJlmsey) had even joined us. L
remember him also bringing up ammuni-
non to his regiment at Stone River He
IS one of those fellows that you can send
10 the rear, and always be sure that he'll
come back as fast as his feet can carry
MN don't want to influence any member
ol TINS court, but the evidence that We have
heard don't go an inch toward convincing
me tiiat ne was drunk, or struck at his
superior officer. There was some mistake,
always liable to excited men. Lieut. Nc
) Jlmsey, you are the junior officer present.
II is your night to speak and vote first. Let
us hear from you"
Ihe Lieutenant seemed TO have recovered
ms sternnesS, and his expression showed Il
determination to wreak exemplary punish
ment on the man who had so grievously
offended one Of his class.
1t is clear TO me, - he began in a hard, set
tone tone, that an example should be made
These low, brutal fellows,
When | lived in Chicago" broke in the
MAJOR. III a conversational tone, apparently
forgetful that he had called upon the Lieu
tenant to speak, but fixing a very piercing
blue eye upon him, i used to mix up a good
deal with the boys who hung around
saloon kept by ward politician. an un-
scrupulous, noisy, driving fellow named -
But excuse me, Lieutenant forgot for the
moment that L had called upon you to
speak"
The Lieutenant's face had undergone a
remarkable change, and as he sank back
IN his seat, be said in forced voice:
In consideration solely of the previous
excellent character of the prisoner, | vote
not guilty on all the charges and specifca-
tions, but with a distinct warning to the
man as to the future"
so do L." So do l." said the rest, one
after another, so quickly that it was almost
a chorus.
Judge-Advocate," said Mai. Truax,
when the General approves this finding,
and you communicate it to prisoner, whis.
per III his ear that if he ever strains us this
way again III take it upon myself to break
his fool neck. Let him look little out"
The next case l have is that of Serg't
Josiah klegg, implicated in the same
affair" said Lieut. Bowersox.
Since We have acquitted the principal, il
would be foolish to try the accessory" said
Maj. Iruax. Say the same thing to him.
Now, let's get down TO business. Bring in
that man that skulked when the boys were
going for that abatis. want to make an
example of him, for the good of the service"
(To be continued)