Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-27
men ACCOUNTED FOR
Lieut.. LaWrason Tells of Night
OF Brownsville Riot.
AWAKENED By THE FIRING
Story Told to Senate Military Com.
mittee.
SEEMED SCATTERED vOLLEYS
Hastily Proceeded to the Barracks Of
His Company and Lined It Up
for Roll Call.
SEEMED SCATTERED v0LLEYs

Lieut.. Geo. Carson Lawrason command
ing Company b, 25th Infantry, on August
Ii, when Brownsville, Tex. was shot up.
was called before the Senate committee on
military affairs at the Capitol today short
ly before a recess was taken. His exami-
nation had only been started when the COM
mittee adjourned until 2 o'clock. when
Lieut.. Lawrason was again before them as
a witness
Most of the morning session con-
sumed by a cross-examination OF Sergt
Major Spottswood Taliaferro. who was
subjected to a long examination by Sena-
tors Warner, Foster and Frazier, each OF
whom asked many questions concerning his
direct testimony given yesterday afternoon.
The witness proved to be cool and was
ready in his replies, although he had
testified that he was thoroughly frightened
when awakened from his sleep in the ad-
ministration building on the night OF
August 13. believing then that the fort was
being attacked.
Lieut. LawraSon'S Testimony.
Lieut.. Lawrason testified that on the
night Of August 13 he retired at about
1O:45 o'clock. and was awakened by the
noise Of shooting at midnight.
He said the firing he first heard appeared
to be scattered volleys by a small number
Of men. Dressing hastily he ran out Of
his quarters ana across Inc pdTdue STouHuS
to the barracks of Company B. While
crossing the grounds he said he met prt-
vate of his company, who had been sent by
Maj. Penrose to awaken him. and he also
had heard the call to arms and had heard
his own trumpeter repeat the call. Upon
arrival at the barracks of Company b,
the lieutenant said. he found his men In
great confusion. but In response to COM
mand from Maj. Penrose he endeavored TO
form them rapidly as possible. He said
his first sergeant, Mingo Sanders called
the roll and checked off the names OF the
soldiers with a pencil. All were account
ed for except three, John Brown, who was
reported to have been detailed to the
bakery shop; Elmer Brown. detailed to the
corral, and VIM Smith, who was In his
bunk in quarters In an intoxicated condi-
ton. Lieut. Lawrason said that he investi-
gated and found that these absentees were
properly accounted for.
At this point the noon recess was taken.
Sergt Major Taliaferro's Story.
Spotswood W. Taliaferro, sergeant major
Of the 25th Infantry during the time II
was at Fort Brown, said during his exam
ination yesterday afternoon that on the
night of the shooting he was asleep IN the
administration building and was awak-
ened by a single shot which he thought
came from the town outside the garrison
wall He said he put on part of his clothes
and ran out of the building to find MAJ.
Penrose and heard some one near the
garrison gate say three times In deep
voice: Il want all of you. The witness
said he was greatly excited, but he ran to
Maj Penroses quarters and then to the
barracks, where he found the major and
reported to him. He secured gun and
went back to his post at the administration
building.
Some amusement was created by Talia-
ferro when he told of the confusion and
excitement He said he heard the scav-
enger's cart and mule coming across the
parade ground and mistook the sound for
the approach of artillery. Examination OF
the witness had not been concluded when
adjournment was taken for the day.
Although several white officers OF the
25th Infantry who have just concluded
their attendance at the Penrcse court mar
tiaI AT San Antonio reported to the Senate
committee on military affairs yesterday.
the committee continued its examination
of former negro soldiers.