Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-11-25
They were: l.. E. Scott, Charles ID.
Croker and Constant Revert
The Meriwether Court Martial.

The Meriwetber Court Martial.
Annapolis, Md, Nov. 25.-With the
testimony of first classman, taken late
Yesterday before the Meriwether court
martial, to the effect that the naval
academy authorities cannot well avoid
knowing that finish battles are fiequent-
ly fought between midshipmen, and
that, as a general thing, at least one
contestant goes to the hospital for re-
pairs and frequently both are "dry-
docked," it is learned from private
sources that at least two fights have
taken place since the converting of the
present court martial Wednesday.
The fights are said 10 have originated
in differences over testimony given be-
fore the court, but whether middies who
were witnesses or others taking only a
volunteer fighting interest were the prin-
cipals was not disclosed. One
midshipman made the statement that
there was battle under the code the
night young Branch was buried. Cap
tain Colvocoresses, commandant of the
midshipmen, declares he knows abso-
lutely nothing OF any fighting outside
the Branch Meriwether affair.
To show that fights usually result in
lasting friendship between the principals,
it is pointed out that Midshipman Ralph
Yeager, who accompanied Meriwether
on the visit to Branch that resulted in
the challenge, is the only man in the
Academy who ever knocked Meriwether
out. This was in Meriwether's first
fight, Yeager scoring the knock out in
the fifteenth round. The two later be-
came fast friends.
The session opened this morning with
the reading of yesterdays record. which
occupied an hour. Captain Mark read
a telegrame from acting Secretary of the
Navy Newberry, stating that Surgeon
Stokes had been detailed to assist the
Judge Advocate in the scientific aspect
of the case. The request for an autopsy,
Captain Mark said, had been wired to
the Navy Department.
Later Admiral Sands, uperlntendent
OF the Academy, received orders from
the Secretory of the Navy to have the
body of Midshipman Branch exhumed
and an autopsy performed. The autopsy
will take place this evening in the hos
pital. A number of naval surgeons will
participate, including those who oper-
ated on Branch and treated him after
the fight with Meriwether.
Midshipman CarsteiD, first class, was
called by the defense. He testified that
on the last day of the term last spring,
he encountered Meriwether crossing the
yard with several bundles. Carstein
questioned him, and Meriwether admit
ted having been in the town without per-
mission. ~ told Meriwether was
going to report him for 'frenching, Car
stein said. "Before | got the oppor-
tunity Midshipman Branch came to ME,
and asked if | was going to report Meri-
wether, and urged me to do so. He
kept nagging me about it until it almost
made me sick. >
In answer to a question, Carstein said
"Branch seemed to have deep seated
grudge against Meriwether. His con-
duct in furthering reports OF Meriwether' s
breaches of rules was most unusual. "
Carstein said he had no idea how
many fights he had known of at the
Academy. He believed that there had
been, in his knowledge, between twenty
and thirty, and at least 10, contestants
had gone to the hospital Carstein
knew of no punishment having been in
hicted by the authorities.
eff a midshipman were challenged,
and refused to fight, what would the
Academy do to him?' asked Mr.. MunrOe.
"He would be called a cad, sir?" was
the reply, "aud few men would have
anything ID do with him."
"Do you know that fighting is prohib.
tied in the naval regulations" asked
District Attorney Rose.
"No, sir; have supposed the Academy
regulations covered the whole ground
and that they do not prohibit fighting"
"Would you fight in the presence of an
officer.1"
Eyes, sir, if was insulted."
"Would you not be punished"
"Probably. 1T would be disorderly
conduct which is prohibited"
"Do you consider regularly arranged
fight in a room, conducted under well
organized rules, disorderly conduct"
asked defendants counsel.
mo, sir"
Witness said he considered fighting
the only way ofsettling disputes between
gentlemen.