Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-01-27
EACAN IS DRAMA Tic.
He TeStifes Tearfu||y Before Court
That is Trying Him.
.ClA| MS JUSTIFICATION
Says He Was Driven Almost to DiStraC-
tiOn by MilGS'S Charges.
A SERIOUS NERVOUS CONDITION
IL Rendered Him Unfit for Business.
and Made Him to u Certain Extent
lie Might az Well lie Dead.

WASHINGTON. January 2G.-The fea-
ture Of the proceedings before the Eagan
court-martial to-day was the testimony.
dramatic in many parts, of Commissary-
General Eagan himself. Not more than
fifteen or twenty people outside Of the
court and a dozen or so newspaper cor
respondents were admitted to the trial
room.
Several witnesses preceded the chief
figure in the trial. General Eagan lis
tended intently to the testimony Of these
witnesses, and occasionally held brief
whispered conferences with his counsel
He was dressed ln fun uniform. without
sword and his fiorid face. white hair,
and moustache and soldierly bearing re-
called to many the late General Sheridan,
to whom he bears distinct resemblance.
His call to the stand this morning was
something of a surprise. as IT had been
thought that 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
administered by the judge advocate, and
M first related his army career. As ne
proceeded in his testimony it became ap-
parent that the line Of defence would be
Justification and extreme proyocation'
finally bringing on a serious nervous con-
ditiOn. which rendered tine witness unit
or business. and made him TO a degree ir-
responsible for his acts. The Presidents
order OF immunity. IL was also made evil
dent. would be relied ON as applicable 70
General Eagans testimony before the
War Commission, and that. therefore. the
court-martial had no proper jurisdiction
of the ease.
MILES'S ASPERSIONS.
When General Eagan began the story
of General Miles's aspersious on him ne
raised his voice somewhat and spoke with
great earuestness. though with perfect
enunciation.
I'm speaking Of the criticisms Of the
newspapers. which. be- said had been call
ed forth by General Alues's testimony, his
manner was intensely dramatic and I'M
rressive His eyes allied with tears and
his voice trembled. aud the impression he
left with many was decidedly favorable.
After the court adjourned several mem-
bers shook his hand. and in friendly
way asked after his health.
When the court assembled to-day
Edsc-Advocate Davis stated that he
wished 10 submit formally the testimony
of General Miles. ae read Yesterday. as
am exhibit in this trial aud with this
statement he said the prosecution rested
It's case.
Mr. Wor-hingtou. counsel for General |
E1can. read several exhibits I'm connec- !
tiou with the ties imony read mt yester- |
DAYS session of tho court These in |
cluled the correspondence between Gene /
raj Miles and General Eagau. through the /
Adiutaut-Geueral I'm which the latter /
asked as to whether the interview pub |
ushed iu n New York newspaper IN which +
General Miles is alleged 90 have severely |
criticised the COmmissary-G De- |
partmeut. was authoritative.
WITNESSES FOR DEFENCE
The witnesses for the defence who pre- |
c-adcd General Eagan on the stand, We're |
colonel W l.. Alexander United States !
army. of the Subsistence Department; |
Colonel George B Davis. assistant 10 /
Commissary-Geue Eagan; Miss Millard. !
General Eagau's stenographcr and Mr.. /
Rodgers. clerk I'm the office Of the Com
mies1rv-General. They testified that Gen
er.d Eagan had been labOriug under /
great mental strain ever since General |
Miles appeared before the War lnVest-
eating Commission. Colonel Davis said
that as time went on his excitement in
creased 20 such an extent that ne ala |
not. and apparently could not, attend
10 the routine duties OF his Office Later
ON General Eagan reached such 4 state
tbat he could not attend 70 any business.
The dav before General Eagan appeared
before the commission he read his state
n,spt over 10 the witness. who urged him
10 modify it somewhat but he would not
listen and walking up and down the
room. said he would not change word
of IL. He was then in a very nervous
state.
EAGAN'S TESTIMONY.
General Eagan followed Mr.. Rodgers
During the war with Spain he said. he
had been In his office every day. with
one exception, and had worked early and
late He mad given his testimony before
the commission under oath preferably /
so,. lie had read General Aiies's state
ment in the Washington papers. For
long time he feared that he might not ,
be called before the 0mnission, but ne (
finally received q summons 10 attend
Even then he was not fully prepared, as
his statement necessarily involved the
preparation Of records, etc. He had held
a conversation with the Secretary Of War
IN the course Of which he told the Sec
retary that he desired 20 defend himself
bv bringing proceedings against General
Miles. but was told that the immunity
granted by the President would prevent
any such action. Witness accepted this as
a fact but he did not think that his
immunity covered the newspaper inter-
view. In which General Miles had by
Inference declared him no be q murderer
for gain. Witness said he became greatly
excited.
MIGHT BETTER BE DEAD"
This statement Of General Ailes's. in
the opinion Of the witness. had taken
away his Eagan'D character. He could
not proceed against General Miles In the
courts or otherwise. and he felt that he
Nigh. better be dead in the gutter His
honor as q soldier he continued had
5een attacked. and soldiers honor
should be as sacred as the honor Of a
woman. He had kept his SORROWS 10 him
self: he rad kept away from the clubs.
aud very soon he found that he could
rot steep He felt that the people OF this
country had come 10 believe that he was
q dishonest man. But | am an honest
man" said the General. with feeling !
"and / believe that no one who knows
me Will believe that | am dishonest
man. Ny record * clean; my uniform Is
unsnllie7. but [ have been slandered and
wronged."
no PROFITS FROM CONTRACTS.
T. answer 10 a question by his counsel
as 10 whether he had ever received any
berent from any contract he had made.
c.ne~,l Eacan said, with great feeling:
~, "a, nv honor and before my God.
not one-cent's ploAt or gain did | ever
receira and yet my office has disbursed
I a a