The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-17
Lincoln Conspiracy and
It's ConSpiratorSasasasa:
copyrighted 1902 by The Baltimore Americana


post some time In May, 1867. and assumed
command. He was strict disciplinarian.
and caused the officers to stand up to the
required regulations guiding the army He
was not only strict as to the enlisted men,
but likewise to the officers, causing each TO
perform regularly his required duties. He
was not only soldier. but also a gentle
man of noble type. honorable and humane
His treatment both of us and Grenfell was
very kind. He was tie same to each and
all who conformed to the rules laid down,
Furnishing no one through hatred or preju-
dice.
AN ACT OF VIOLENCE.
Any violation of the rules was severely
punished, no matter by whom, he being no
respecter of persons. During the period OF
his command, which was of short dura-
ton, everything progressed most favorably
In the garrison. only one case calling for
stringent measures to be resorted to.
George T. Jackson, assistant military
storekeeper. was assaulted by a prisoner
named James Orr. Orr was one of the
gang of a working party at that time un-
loading lumber from a schooner lying at
the wharf. 1t was hot, as was the general
case the island, but the men well
as the soldiers had performed the task
faithfully.
Jackson happened to run upon Orr whilst
seated upon pile of lumber, resting HIM
self. In a gruff and commanding voice he
ordered him to work again, at the same
time telling him that he would report him
to the provost marshal. To say that he
would report him was equivalent to saying
Ia fa1
night after working hard during the day,
which fact was known to Orr from past ex-
perience. and as it was his fate to be pun
ished, he determined to work very easy at
his assigned task.
AS ordered, he proceeded to his work as
usual, no doubt studying out some mode of
procedure to avenge himself upon Jackson.
AS Jackson was called away some time
afterwards to execute some order, Orr had
matured his plan. On his return towards
the boat Jackson was met by Orr, who
stated that there was an officer DESTROYS
of seeing him back of the stable. Jackson
started to see the person, Orr following
close behind him. He turned upon Jackson
finally. infiicting a severe wound upon
his face with penknife in his hand.
ONE GUILTY: ALL PUNISHED.
Jackson fled toward headquarters, the
blood gushing from the wound inflicted at
the hands of Orr and reported the occur
renee to the commanding officer. The af-
fair created intense commotion and Orr was
Immediately arrested by the guard and con-
fined. No doubt Orr fully intended to kill
him, as he struck the blow, and deserved
due punishment for the crime. Yet / could
not feel that for his offense every other
man confined should have been made to
suffer. About a month after the occur
renee Major George p. Andrews arrived and
assumed command of the post. The facts
in the Orr case were communicated to him,
whereupon he issued the following post
order, making every mans life inse-
cuer; in fact, empowering any ill-minded
sentinel to take ones life. 1 furnish here
with an extract or copy of the order as
promulgated, and through which one man
lost his life:
Headquarters Fort Jefferson, Fla,
June H. 1867
Special Order No. IS.
Extract.
3. The attention of the officers of the
post is called to the fact that atrocious
grimes have been committed by prisoners
at this post, who seem to think that they
cannot be reached by the law. In future
every sentinel must use his bayonet and
cartridge, and sentinel who faithfully
tries to do his duty shall ever see the in
SIDE or the guardhouse If prisoner re-
fuses to obey orders the sentinel must shoot
hirn and then use his bayonet, at the same
time calling for the guard. The RESPONSE
bility for obedience to this order will be
borne by the commanding officer.
by order Major George p. Andrews.
Commanding als Post: pA,u pornrp
First 1t. Fifth Arty. Post Adjutant.'
LIFE WAS HELD CHEAP.
After the issuing of Special Order No. IS
a man had to be very particular and care
full, as his tenure of life hung upon slender
threads. The sentinel held within his hands
the life of every individual over whom he
stood guard. To crafty his own feeling of
hatred or revenge he was invested with the
power TO kill his victim, under cover of
faithful execution of his duty, assigning
cause for his deed a refusal on the part of
the victim to comply with orders given.
Neither in a civilized or uncivilized country
did there emanate such an atrocious order
sanctioning murder.
1t was a stigma and disgrace upon the
Nation which they represented. l do not
attach any blame to Major Andrews in the
matter for, from what heard him remark
on one occasion, of which will speak here
after, he received his orders from higher
source, from Edwin NJ. Stanton, secretary
of war. Punishment of severity soon be-
came the order of the day. Trivial offenses
were soon punished by the carrying of a 12S-
pound cannon ball from one place to an
other and back again, through which many
men became injured.
1 will not state the remark Major An
drews made. which gives the authority for
the issuance of the infamous order hereto
fore alluded to. l was on my way to head
quarters one afternoon, and as turned to
go up the path leading to the barracks 1
came in contact with soldier named Fish
er, of Company |, who was straining and
tugging to raise 12S-pound ball upon his
shoulder, a sentinel with loaded musket
standing over him. As / neared him Major
Andrews turned from the garden and, ap-
preaching Fisher who as yet had been I'M
successful in raising the ponderous shot
upon his shoulder, commanded that he
should carry the shot, instructing the senti-
mel at the same time to shoot and bayonet
him If Fisher failed to comply with the
order
HIGHER AUTHORITY"
He informed the sentinel that he would
protect him in the premises, for, said he.
81 am supported by a higher authority,
Edwin n. Stanton, secretary of war"
Fisher replied TO the commanding officer
that it was very hard to be shot down and
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