Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-12
Former Sergeant Finishes His
Testimony Before Committee.
FIRING FROM THE TOWN
Positive in Regard to the Shooting at
Brownsville.
DISTINGUISHED TYPE OF GUNS
Says Empty Springfield Shells Could
Easily Be Obtained by the
Citizens.
FIRING FROM THE TOWN
sTINGUIsHED TYPE OF GUNS

COHipdHy d Oh the DattallOn Oh negro Soi-
ders discharged for alleged participation
in the Brownsville ARRAY. on cross-examina-
ton today attempted to tell the Senate com.
mittee on military affairs the make Of the
guns used in the firing he heard. He said
caiiber both from the reports and from the
whstling Of the bullets above his head. He
insisted that sIx-shooters. Winchester and
Remington rifles and perhaps some Maui
sers and small arms. were used. He esti-
mated that he heard between $50 and zoe
shots.
ner. Foster and Overman took the witness
over the same ground covered in direct tes-
timony Sanders contending that the firing
came from the town and that he could not
be mistaken on this point
Empty Shells.
Sanders said that a number of empty
shells were shipped from Niobraro to Fort
Brown when his battalion was ordered to
the latter place, and that the box contain
ing the shells was for several days left out
ON one of the company porches The box
was partly broken open and It was possible
Tor M Mexlcans and citizens to procure shells,
which could be reloaded 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 charges against
them, but to clear himself in order that he
might be reinstated in the service.
He reiterated that he could distinguish
the sounds of mixed arms and the general
calbers used. When asked if. In the ex-
element, he could still distinguish these
sounds. he replied that he could. 'It is my
duty to keep cool, even If 1 am excited"
he said.
Relating to the issuance of extra ammu-
milton to his company on the night Of the
array, Sanders said that previously each
man had been provided with twenty rounds
and that fifteen rounds each additional
were issued. making thirty-five rounds to
each man; but that the issuance was made
from bandaliers 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.
Firing After Roll Call.
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 opened opposite the bar
racks just prior to the shooting. but so 1t
as he knew no soldiers patronized these
places. Sanders said that Everybody white
and colored men and Mexicans," wore kha-
HI uniforms at Brownsville.
Sanders closed his testimony and recess
was taken.
Had Not Withheld Information.
At the afternoon session yesterday Sergt.
Mingo Sanders resumed his testimony. He
said that he had nothing to do with the
shooting. did not know any one who had,
did not suspect any one and had made dill
gent inquiry among the men to find out
from them what, if anything. they knew
and had been unable to get any informa-
ton. He declared that he had not withheld
any information and that there was no con-
spiracy of silence. Sanders detailed an in
terview he had with Gen. Darlington re-
counting his services In the army and in
which interview he asked that he be REIN
stated. Recounting Gen. Ga-lington's COM
ment on his application. Sanders said:
1.-The only reason l did not give Gen.
Darlington information was because had
none to give. but my application received
no consideration until after the Senate reso-
luton passed
Sanders was cross-examined by Senator
Warner. He repeated that many of the
from the town, and said that he had re-
ported this fact to Maj. Penrose. although
it did not appear in his evidence taken by
Capt. Lyons. Indeed. he said. he had not
stated this to any one else until this time.
He had not been asked about it and did
not volunteer information. Il am looking
after Sanders first" said he
He had never examined the hospital or
other buildings to see whether bullets were
fired into them. because he had had no OPP
portunity to make such examination.
Sanders stated that his gun was not in
the rack at the time Of the shooting. but
in the sergeant's room. and that he returned
to this room for it. He was not required to
keep his gun in the rack on account OF
peculiar duties.
He thought there were about nine guns
out of the companys racks on the night of
the shooting. but they were all accounted
for. Sanders evidence was not conciuded
when the committee adjourned until today