New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-03-12
BROWNSVILLE AFFRAY.
Investigation Resumed by Senate
Military affairs Committee.

Washington. March 1.-THE inquiry by the Sen
ate Committee Military Affairs into the facts
connected with the ARRAY at Brownsville, Tex
which resulted IN the discharge without honor or
a battalion OF the 25th Infantry. resumed to-
day after a recess Of ten days. The members of
the committee present were Senators Warren. the
chairman: Scott. Foraker. Lodge Hemenway
Buckley Warner. Foster. Pettus and Overma1.
The committee was disappointed by the inability
Of any Of the white officers Of the Negro soldiers
finish with the court martial which is now IN
progress at San Antonio. Tex. in time 10 be here
White officers or the Goth Infantry. which pre-
coded the 18th Brownsville. reported TO the COM
mittee and will be put the stand to testify
concerning the alleged antagonsm of the citizens
OF Brownsville to any soldiers bcinS located there
Joseph Henry Howard formerly Of Company D.
testified that on the night of the ARRAY August
Is. he went guard at 1890 o'clock, and his post
was around the barracks. About midnight he heard
two shots from the town and then a fusllade
Were you in a position where you could have
seen fifteen twenty men leave tho barracks and
jump over the wall II they had done so?'' Mr.
Foraker asked
''Nes. sir replied Howard.
did any mon leave the barracks and jump over
the wall?
NO. sir
Howard also testified that scaYenger was work
ing between the barracks and the wall between
Il u O'Clock and this could have seen
soldiers leaving the barracks il they had done so.
Cross-eNam!nation by Mr. Warner developed that
the witness first thought the shots were fired at
him but when he heard no shots strike about the
direction from the fort. lie also testified that he
did not hear any challenge from the town Ior the the
men TO coIae out Of the barracks. nor did he hear
any shots fred from The direction OF the hospital
or the road northeast of the fort. Several Wit
nesSes had testified TO this effect. Cross-eXamna-
ton 10y NJ Foster further developed that men could
easily have left the barracks and climbed the wall
while the sentry was marching IN front OF the bar
Howard testified that he was one of the twelve
men arrested for completely IN the shooting ana
that when the remainder of the troop prepared 10
leave Brownsville Major Pen-ose called at the
euardhouse and said III YOU men lad told what
You know about this affair YOU would not be in
you want TO tell IL" The witness said that Gen
eral Darlington had told MIN that he was charged
with conspiracy 10 murder. and that l. he do not
tel Oil lie knew he would be discharged from the
service 10y order OF the President and that Gen
eral McCaskey also had asked him 10 tell what
time thar he told all he knew.
Mr. Foraker read the charge filed against the
portunty plead 10 IL No. sir" was the reply.
Then I give you the chance now, said Mr..
Not guilty. answered the witness emphatic3ly.
Il suppose e course. You would tell Us = YOU
were guilty" commented Mr.. overman. WITH sar-
Yes sir 7 would tell" said the witness.
he then repeated that he had been READY for
tell all he knew u the shooting. 1T developed that
he had made afiidavits az three distinct Gamma
Alexander Ash formerly private OF Company
ID, testified that he Was on guard GA the night of
the shooting ~ the post Ground the uuaIternias-
heard two shots from the county road and then
horses running toward Ailisou's saloon from
joseph Rogers Of Company .. testified that when
the shooting occurred lie was In the guardhouse
ment made before Colonel Lowering called 10
HIS attention. In that statement Rogers said lie
MED TO-DAY that he had been asked bv Colonel
Lowering whether he was asleep or awake