The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-01-27
Change Ia Gen. Eagans Bearing and Speech
Shocked and Alarmed Him.
THIS WAS AFTER MILES INTERVIEW,
Sscrsisy Agsr TssiIilss That Eagan Said Ne
Wished to Prefer Charges Against Miles.
Presidents Promise Of immunity.


for many years the agent of the Asso-
ciated Press. He had known Gen.
Eagan for about As years. They were
intimate friends as boys and young
men, and the friendship never had been
interrupted, although they at times had
not seen each other for long intervals.
During the period between the time
Gen Miles gave his testimony before
the war investigating commission and
the day on which Gen. Eagan MADE ms
statement the witness saw him two or
three times. He then seemed careworn
and much preoccupied.
Mr.. Mckee said that the impression
Gen. Eagan then made upon him was
that he had become insane. Witness
always had found him very correct I'm
his bearing and speech. and on these
occasions his manner was SO different
that he was greatly shocked ana
alarmed and the conclusion witness
reached was that Gen. Eagan had lost
his mind. on one Of these occasions ne
expressed 10 Gen. Eagan his profound
regret that he had given utterance 10
the language used in his statement, and
reproved him mildly for not consulting
him about the matter. The general
had alleged that he had not felt at
liberty TO consult witness because he
knew OF the long existing friendship
between the family OF the witness and
the family of Gen. Miles, particularly
between Mrs. Mckee and Mrs, Miles.
and said he tEagan) did not feel at
liberty to bring witness into the con-
troversy.
Major s. O. Miles, the recorder OF
the war investigating commission was
called and in answer TO inquiries said
that so far as he knew the order of the
president granting immunity TO wit
nesses before that body had not been
reduced TO writing. At this point the
Judge advocate read the presidents ad-
dress on the assembling of the war in
vestigating commission, which, how
ever was unsigned. The witness was
asked whether any Instructions had
been given. He replied in the negative.
The witness was present at the meet
ing of the president and the members
OF the war investigating commission.
The witness said:
..The matter. OF immunity for wit
nesses came up--I think IL was called
up by Mr.. Dodge-and the president
said that witnesses who should appear
before the commission could do So
without any fear OF punishment or per
secution."
Russell A.Alger, the secretary Of war,
was next called To the witness stand. He
said that ne recalled a conversation he
had with Ger. .Eagan shortly after Gen.
Eagan came into his office in an excit-
ed state OF mind and said II was his
wish 10 prefer charges against Gen.
Miles for what he had said.
II told him." testified Secretary AL
ger. that under the presidents order
granting immunity 10 officers who tes-
titled before the commission he could
not do so.'
Gen. Alger was then excused. the
members OF the court rising To their
feet as he withdrew.
Col Alexander and Col. Davis We're
recalled, and said that never during
their acquaintance with the accused
had they known him To use such Ian
yuage as was used i'm his statement
before the war commission. DR.. VIII
liam +. Hopkins OF California and New
York, Gen. Eagan's son-in-law, was
called. He came To Washington after
Gen. Miles had given his testimony and
lived at the generals house. He said
he then observed that Gen. Eagan was
very restless and nervous and could not
eat normally or sleep normally. AT the
table he at times would stop eating and
apparently would lose himself I'm
thought. He was intensely nervous
and showed signs Of congestion Of GER
tain parts of the brain. Witness had
long talks with his wife about her
father and ne had told her that her
that they must be prepared for any
thing. Gen. Eagan's mind was nom
deceptive at this time. and the witness
believed that something very serious
might happen. Gen. Eagan, witness
added. was i'm a gloomy frame of mind
in consequence OF the things that had
been said about him. He felt that hls
honor was destroyed and that he did
not want 10 see people.
Gen. Eagan. witness further testified
did not want TO go into a street car
and was ashamed TO meet any one, and
keenly felt his disgrace. The general
felt that Gen. Miles had destroyed his
honor and that his life work was de
stroyed. In all the time the witness
had known Gen. Eagan he had not
known him To use such Language as
was used IN his statement.
Mrs Hopkins. the daughter of Gen
Eagan. was the next witness. Gen
Eagan's counsel explained that he call.
ed her against the wish OF her fathei
and husband only because her absenc,
from the trial might he remarked upon
She said her father came home one az
fernoon and, standing In the doorway
with a paper I'm his hands. exclaimed
Gen. Miles has crucified me-"
She could never forget that scene
and said that since that time her fathe
had been greatly changed man. W
could think OF nothing else nor talk q
anything else than that Cen. Miles ha'
ruined his life. He was from that tim
in an alarming condition and when Wit
ness was compelled To- go 20 New Gor
she had returned almost at once to hel
care for her father. The witness spok
wfth much feeling in regard 20 he
fathers changed condition aud Wa
GIven the closest attention OF the cour
Mr.. Worthington. at this point. rea
Gen. Eagan's military record from Oh
army register. and also read an intei
view with Gen. Miles printed IN a Ne
York newspaper soon aiter ne ha
.-~<,o bta statement before the va
~.s.s,,,ftce ri the conclusion of vhic
go defencr rested It's case.
A f.lo a rccess waE taken