The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1904-10-13
HITCH PLACED ON TRIAL
The "Statesboro" Courtmartiai Begins
at Savannah and Case Of the
Captain Is the First Called.

The courtmartial ordered by Cover.
nor Terrell to try Captain Robert N.
Hitch and other officers Of the Geor-
gia State Troops, on charges Of in
competency and dereliction Of duty il
connection with the Statesboro lynch.
ing and incineration of two negro pris-
oners, began it's sitting in Savannah
Monday morning. The proceedings
were open to the public.
The charges against Captain Hitch,
who was in command Of the troops at
Statesboro, were taken up first.
Colonel Toomer, of Waycross, repre-
senting Captain Hitch, moved that the
charges be Quashed On the ground OF
incompleteness, indirectness and irrei.
evancy, but the motion was denied.
Captain Hitch entered plea OF not
guilty to every charge. The names OF
some fifty witnesses were called, and
they were ordered sequestered.
Lieutenant Colonel Grayson testified
with respect to the orders under
which the militia went to Statesboro.
Lieutenant A. J. Fulton, who went
with the troops to Statesboro, testl-
fed that the orders to the men prior
to the attack on the militia were that
the soldiers were not to shoot even
if attacked, shot at and hit, without
specific orders from the commander.
Lieutenant Mcintyre was on the
stand in the afternoon. He stated that
one time he asked Captain Hitch for
permission to shoot, and it was denied
him. g
Lieutenant Mcintyre said that when
he importuned Captain Hitch to let
him follow the mob, and thai Ls1cer
refused, he stripped of his coat, de-
claring that he would belong to no
such organization, and told Captain
Hitch to accept his resignation.
Colonel Toemer asked Mcintyre if he
had not testified at the court OF tn>s
uuiry that Captain Hitch had said.
in answer to his request to let him
shoot, Jimmie, you can do as You
please" He answered in the afdrma.
tive.
Then, why do you change your tcs-
timony now?" "
Because" and the witness faced
the court, "I did not feel that was
compelled to tell it then; in fac.., 4
was trying to shield Captain Hitch as
we'll as I could. He was my superior
officer. But in a courtmartial 1t iss
different"
Mayor C. s. Johnson, Of Statesboro,
told of his efforts to pacify the CROWD.
Less than 100 men had taken actual
part in the rioting. In answer to ques.
tions by the court the witness thought
d messenger could have gotten
through the crowd to the Jail; in fact,
he thought he could have carried such
a message.
He was one of the committee who
sent a telegram to the governor to-
the effect that he thought there wonld
be a lynching after conviction. He
did not remember If he had coun-
municated his fears to Captain Hitch,
hut thought he must have done so. 3
DR.. Morrison, first lieutenant and as
sistant surgeon, was called.
He had sent telegram for Captain
Fitch. He had free access to the
crowd as he had on civilian clothes.
He first went to Judge DAILY abo,'s
asking for help and was referred to
Captain Hitch, who told him that 1t
was not needed. About thirty minutes
later he made the same round and
was told to call for help which he did,
by telegraph. The witness was stand,
ing not far from Captain Hitch when
the latter was seized and hustled into
! the crowd.
Lieutenant Cone was recalled. He
said nothing had been said to him
about loading and firing. AS the mob
crowded up the steps the soldiers start
! ed to use the bayonets as they were
driven up the stairs.
On one occasion he had seen Cap
tain Hitch stop Private Rogers from
using his bayonet when he was being
crowded on the stairs.
The force at the camp was entirely
available as reinforcements. Lieuten-
! ant Cone estimated that from fifty
! to seventy-five men took part in MOB
! violence and that not over 20o men
were with the prisoners.