The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1907-03-12
THE COMMITTEE
IS D|SAPPO|NTE TED
White Officers Have Not Fin
ished CourtmartiaI
HOWARD ON THE STAND
Was on Picket Duty Night of Browns
vile Trouble and Heard Fusilade.
He Thought the Shots Were
Directed at Him.

Washington, March 1.-THE inquiry by
the Senate committee on military affairs
into the facts connected with the affray
at Brownsville Tex, which resulted in
the discharge without honor of a bat
TALON of the Twenty-ffth infantry was
resumed today after a ten days recess,
The committee was disappointed by the
inability of any of the white officers of
the negro soldiers to finish with the court
martial which Is now progressioug at
San Antonio. Tex, in time TO be heard.
The first witness today was Walter Nc
Curdy, formerly quartermaster sergeant
Of company b. He had testified early
in the hearing but was recalled, and
Senator Warner crosse examined him
sharply concerning the extra rifles in his
charge which We're said to be stored in
tightly sealed chests. He said today
that he did not know how many reserve
guns were in the chests. Although he
was ON the stand more than am hour
nothing material was developed
Howard on the Stand.
Joseph RI. Howard, formerly of COM
pany d, testified that on the night of
the affray. August 10, he went on guard
at 1O;SO o'clock and his post was around
the barracks. About midnight he heard
two shots from the town anu fusilade
Witness was asked by Mr.. Foraker;
Were you in a position where you could
have seen fifteen or twenty men leave
the barracks and jump over the wall, if
they had done so?"
Yes SIR" replied Howard.
ltn l,ap
jump over the walls?' asked Mr., Foraker.
NO sir the reply
Cross-exsmination by Mr.. Warner de-
veioped that the witness first thought
the shots were fired at him but when
hc heard no shniS strike apout tie quar-
ters ne was sdre ne tirag was in the
opposite direction from the fort He
also testified that he did not hear any
challenging from the town for the men
to come out of the barracks. nor did he
hear any shots fired from the direction
of the hospital or the road near the fort.
Cross-Examination.
Other witnesses had testified to this
effect. Cross examination by Mr.. Foster
further developed that he could easily
have left the barracks and climbed the
wall while the sentry was marching in
front Of the barracks.
Howard testified that he was one of the
twelve men arrested Tor compllclty IN
the shooting.
Mr., Foraker read tho charge filed
against the witness nnd asked him If
he had ever been given an opportunity
to plead It,
mo, SIR" was the reply.
"rhen / give you the chance now" said
Mr.. Foraker. what do you plead?"
Not guilty" answered the witness
81 suppose, of course you would tell
us If you We're guilty." commented Mr..
Overman with sarcasm.
Eyes, sir. | would tell"
Was Ready for Trial.
He then repeated that he had been
ready for trial at ali times and always
had been willing to tell all he knew of
the shooting. Ii developed that lie had
made affidavits al three distinct exam
nations by army officers. Al The cnnclu-.
sion Of Howard's testimony recess was
taken.
Joseph Rogers OF company G. testified
that when the shooting occurred lie WAS
in the guard house reading novel. His
direct testimony deveIoped nothing. but
ON cross- examination his statement be
fore Colonel Lowering Mas called 10 his
attention In that statement Rogers said
thar lie WAS asleep when the shouting
occurred. lie today denied that he had
been asked by ton0le Lowering whether
he was asleep or awake.
The committee adjourned until II
o'clock tomorrow.