The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-02-13
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SAW GUN FLASHES
SERGEANT GREEN TELLS OF THE
 BROWNsvILLE AFFAIR.
Says ShootfnE Came From Town To- ward the Fort--Box of Empty
 Cartridges Had Been Left

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 washington. Feb. 12--Senator For aker has about completed the exarnt- nation of former members of compan- ies B and D of the 25th Infantry ana expects tomorrow to examine former members of Company c as to their aI- lesed participation In the affray at Brownsville. exas.
 The Senate committee on military af- fairs, which Is conducting the inquiry, is tiring of the proceedings and every session marks dropping off in the at tendance of Senators. There is such q similarity in the stories told by the ne- gro former soldiers that there is very little Interest.
 Today there was a slight departure when Thomas J.. Green, who was the Quartermaster Sergeant of Company ID, told of seeing flashes from guns. followed by reports of the guns. He said that the shooting came from the town. On cross examination, he said that he had never told anyone of sec ing the flashes from the guns and that he did not consider 1t the duty of an enlisted man to investigate the effects of the shooting.
 According to Greens account of the incidents of the night of August .i3. he did not sleep we'll and was awake when the first shot was fired. His room was III me DuiluluR OCCuDleQ Dy Company D and located on the side next to the town, He saiH he rose in bed and saw the firing and that 1t was apparent to him that an attack was be- ing made on the garrison. After that he dressed and assumed his duty upon the call to arms being sounded.
 Mingo Sanders, former first sergeant of Company B.. on cross examination today attempted to tell the committee
 Nr~a AN AZ l,n guns used in the firing he heard He said he identified the type of guns and their calibre. both from the reports and from the whistiing of the bullets above his head.
 He insisted that six shooters, winchesters and Remington rifles and perhaps some Mausers and small arms were used. He estimated that he heard between 150 and 200 shots.
 The cross examination by Senator Warner, Foster and 0verman, took the witness over the same ground covered in the direct testimony, Sanders coll tending that the firing came from tho town and that he could not be mistak- eH on this point.
 Sanders said that number of empty shells were shipped from Niobrara to Fort Brown when his battalion was ordered to the latter place and that
 
 several days left out on one of the company porches. The box was partly broken open and 1t was possible for Mexicans and citizens to procure shells. which could be re-loaded and again used.
 He again said that his anxiety to find out who did the shooting was not to clear his fellow soldiers of any charge against them, but to clear himself in order that he might be reinstated in the service.
 He reiterated that he could distin- guish the sounds of mixed arms and the general calibres used, When ask ed if. in the excitement. he could still distinguish these sounds he replied that he could. "It is my duty to keep cool. even if I am excited" he said.
 Referring to the issuance of extra ammunition to his company on the night of the affray, Sanders said that previously each man had been pro- vided with twenty rounds and that fifteen rounds each additional was is- sued. making thirty-five rounds to each man: but that the issuance was made from banaliers to squads of four, so that one man might have less than thirty-five rounds and another more. but the correct total amount issued was returned.
 He said that shooting had continued after the line was formed and the roll called. The witness said that several saloons conducted by Mexicans were operated opposite the barracks just prior to the shooting but so far as he knew no soldiers patroniZed these sa- looms Sanders said that everybody, white and colored men and Mexicans, wore khaki uniforms at Brownsville