The Elbert County tribune., 1899-08-03
Fun at Court Martial.

A court-martlal Is one OF the most
solemn OF all military affairs. and II is
rare that its solemnity is disturbed
II Is. moreover. a dull and generally
uninterestlng performance. full OF red
tape and time-consumlng formalltics.
When. therefore. something occurs to
break the monotony OF question and
answer, the relief is all the more well
come.
On one occasion some visitors to a
certain post desired to see n trial which
was to take place, and at the appointed
time they appeared In the courtroom.
The case was an ordinary one. A sol
dier had created disturbance in bar
racks and had struck another. The
victim Of the assault was on the stand.
He was an old lrlshman. very blunt
and direct in his testimony.
The judge advocate drew from him
his version OF the affair. and proceeded
to further enlighten himself and the
court with regard to the exact nature
of the assault. which. II seemed. had
been Il most scientific and tactical op-
Grafton. as the enemy's flank had been
routed by a vigorous attack from the
rear. So when the Judge advocate
asked; And. now. Casey, where did
he hit your" The court thrilled with
horror and the ladies didn't seem just
at ease. But Casey was equal to the
emergency Sure. sor. he hit me on
the bunk"
Some years ago a cadet was on trial
at West Point for violation of the
Devils Article" or (Which Is the same
thing) the sixty-second Article OF War.
The charge was Conduct TO the preju-
dice of good order and military disci-
pline," and the specifications alleged
that said So-andSo bad exploded a
bomb in the Fort Clinton ditch near
camp. This at or near West Point.
N. Y, on or about certain date. The
trial proceeded smoothly. and the Judge
advocate had succeeded In proving the
names and rank OF several witnesses.
and the fact that they were acquainted
with the accused, but nothing more,
when he finally called In his star wit
ness and swore him in with confident
and almost triumphant air. The pre-
llminary questions were put and an
swered and recorded In the proceed
ings. and the Judge advocate settled
down to business.
Where were you on the night OF
Aug. III"
In my tent. sir. from taps till
reveille."
Where is your tent7"
"on the north side OF "A Company
street"
Near Fort Clinton dltch?"
Yes. SIR"
did you hear any loud noise before
daylight OF the date mentioned?"
"Yes, sir"
What kind OF noise was IT."
''It sounded like an explosion"
"Ahi Where did tho explosion seem
to be7"
Near the western end OF the ditch.
SIR"
The court began to take great inter-
est in the witness. and several mem
bers whispered together earnestly. The
Judge advocate smiled gently and pro-
ceeded.
What effect did the explosion
have?r
1T aroused every one in camp. sir"
rs there any one whom you suspect
Of causing III"
Yes. SIR"
The Judge advocate leaned forward
and asked impressively; Now. jung
ing from the character OF the sound.
its location. Its effects and attending
circumstances. what. in your opinion.
was its cause7"
The witness thought deeply for few
seconds and solemnIy replied; "Judg-
ing from the character Of the sound.
Its location. Its effects and attending
circumstances. 1t Is my opinion, sir, or
rather my conviction. as there Is no
reason for doubt in the matter, that 1t
was the reveille gun. and that 1t was
fired by the corporal OF the guard.
heard no ether explosion"