The Washington times., 1905-11-12
BRANCH ISSUED
FIRST CHALLENGE
MeriWetheP Called him
Coward and Sneak,
MARTIAL TO FOLLOW
Inside History of Fist Fight Between
Midshipmen at Annapolis Ex-
planned by Bonaparte.

Secretary Bonaparte has written the /
following memorandum in the Branch !
case;
James r. Branch jr.. a midshipman
second class, at the United States Naval
Academy died about 10 o'clock q. H.
on November last. 4 board of ia
quest having been duly convened by
order Of Rear Admiral James II. Sands.
L s. n, superintendent of the Naval
Academy. and senior office. present, is
accordance with the provisions of arti-
cles IT75 and 1776 OF the United States
Navy Regulations. reported, under date
of November s. as follows:
The board, from a view of the body /
and from the evidence before ii, is Q. !
the opinion that AIidshipman James II. /
Branch. jr.. died from the effects of
injuries received in a fist fight with |
Midshipman Minor Meriwether, jr. This |
was rot oeeasioned by any act of duty
in which he was engaged
Report Was Approved.
This report was approved by the con-
vening officer. Prior to the death OF
Midshipman Branch a board Of investi-
CATION, appointed under the provisions
or article IVA of the United States Navy
Regulations, had investigated and re
attending the conflict referred to in the
hnding OF the board OF inquest. Briefly
stated. these circumstances were report
ed TO the board of investigation to be
as follows:
Some personal hostility had existed
for some time past between AIidshipmen
Branch and Meriwether. Aidshipman
Branch, in the discharge OF his duty in
-spected the quarters OF Midshipman
Meriwether. and is alleged TO have dis
covered there a suit of civilian clothes.
Possession OF clothing of this character
by midshipmen is a serious offensc
under the regulations OF the United
States Naval Academy. No report of
this alleged discovery. however. appears
TO have been made by Midshipman
Branch AIidshipman Meriwether sub
sequently visited the quarters Of Mid
shipman Branch and became engaged in
an angry alteration with the latter on
the subject Of his inspection OF Mid
shipman Meriwether's quarters
Insulted Branch
In the course OF this dispute AIidship-
man Meriwether is alleged TO have in
suited Midshipman Branch. applying 70
him the epithets sneak and coward.
After consultation with other midship-
men, Midshipman Branch challenged
AlIdshipman Meriwether 10 d fist fight
ana the latter accepted the challenge
The fight took place on the evening OF
Sunday, November 5. 1t lasted between
an hour and an hour and quarter. and
was finally declared to be a draw by The
referee. having been interrupted by rea-
son of The reported approach of one o
The officers
At the conclusion Of the encounter
M.dshipran Meriyyether appeared TO b.
the more seriously injured of the two
combatants. and wen. TO the hospital
while Midshipman Branch. whose in
juries seemed at first sight superficial
went 10 mis- quarters. By report made
10 the superintendent of the United
States Naval Academy by the senior
medical ofhcer. and also by the evi-
0ence taken by the board OF inquest, il
is indicated that AIidshipman Branch
received severe injuries to the brain as
the result either of blows on the heac
inflicted during the conflict. or OF falls
OF which several are said to have oc-
CURED, while il was in progress.
No Inquiry Court Needed.
The department sees no necessity fol
The appointment OF a court Of inquiry
in the premises. The facts developed
by the several reports submitted 70 it
ABOVE stated are @ttiiAC4C4A- ~ N~
tcrmine its action in the premises.
IN view of the foregoing facts,
court martial Is hereby ordered for IN
triai of Audshipman Minor MeriwetheI
IL. third class, on such charges as ma.
be preferred against him. and all paper
in the case are referred TO the judge ad
sooate general.
The department feels that II has
duty 10 discharge toward Midshipmal
aderiwethe-. I'm connection with IN
depiorable affair by reminding the pub
lie that ne has had no opportunity L
give his version OF the affair. and that
in view Of the very serious situation g.
which he is placed, ne VIII not hay
such an opportunity untll ne makes hi
defense before the court-martial q
hereby ordered. The department. there
fore. asks. as an act OF justice. sus
pension Of judgment respecting his cor
duct until ne has been heard in his ow
defense.