Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-07-07
PURELY ACCIDENTAL
COL. ROSS COMMENT ON SHAM
BATTLE INCIDENT.
Father Of Injured Boy Demanded an
Investigation in Communication
to the Commissioners.

Mr.. Thomas ]. Shannon of the pension
office recently called upon the Commits
sioners for an investigation of the wound
ing of his son, Orderly Sergeant Chester
A. Shannon of Company E. High School
Cadets in the sham battle on the White
Lot. Mr.. Shannon said his son was most
seriously injured in the face and neck, the
wounding being no sham. but a reality
The cadet received the contents Of a gun
In the hands of fellow cadet in the rear
of the firing line, according to the state
ment of his father.
MY boy went immediately to the Emer-
gency Hospital" Mr.. Shannon wrote
.where he was under treatment for an
hour or more Returning home, his fright
full condition was a shock to his mother
and me- That his eyeSight was not de-
stroyed is indeed a miracle, and the physl-
clans say it was a very narrow escape from
the destruction of the ear drum. AS yet
do not want to make any charges, but do
most earnestly request that you cause
most rigid and searching investigation to
be made relative to this matter. The re-
suits of the injury 1 cannot foresee, but he
may be distigured for life. We do not feel
that we can rest the case on simple ex-
plantations. 1t is too serious for that. l am
informed the cadets were not sufficiently
drilled in the matter of a sham battle to be
permitted the use of guns with explosives
in such reckless manner as was noticed by
the onlookers at this battle.
without sufficient and proper drilling
and training 1t Is to our mind crtminally
reckless to permit these young men (boys)
to take such terrible risks to life and limb
l therefore request that the investigation
be made by disinterested persons, to the
end that We may know who is responsible"
Col Ross Statement.
The Commissioners ordered an investiga-
ton through the regular channels and will
acquaint Mr.. Shannon with the result. The
papers We're forwarded to the board Of
education and by that body referred to the
committee on military affairs. The COM
mittee called upon Col. Burton r. Ross,
military instructor of the high schools, for
report.
The wounding of Cadet Shannon" says
Col Ross, was accident pure and
simple. Positive and emphatic instructions
were given to the commanding officers Of
the forces in attack and defense to eXer-
else the greatest care and precaution while
upon the firing line to avoid accident.
have had before me the lieutenant colonel
of the regiment. together with the major
of the 1st Battalion, who were in command
of the line of defense They assert positive
ly that to the best of their ability instruc-
lions given were carried out.
THE captain of Sergt. Shannons COM
pany was most positive and careful in see
ing that the lines of his company-where
Cadet Shannon was placed-were regular,
to avoid any possible accident 1t seems
from the statement of Cadet Shannon him
self that when the third change of front
made he found himself with the flag
Slightly in advance of the line, and that
cadet of his own company fired his rifle
Just he turned to retreat said cadet fir
ing standing, which was violation Of the
instructions given, for the firing should
have been lying down.
II have interviewed Cadet Shannon upon
this subject and he, together with his cap
TAIN the major of the LIST Battalion and the
lieutenant colonel. acknowledges it to have
been simply an accident.
1.-The military Instructor had taken the
greatest care to avoid just what happened
but often the enthusiasm of youth will get
beyond positive instruction. The disability
of Cadet Shannon, am happy to say, was
temporary, and today he is about well
as ever