Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-02-12
TELLS OF AFFRAY.
Negro Sergeant In Senate on Brownsville Shooting Up."
SAYS FUSlLLADE CAME FRON TOWN
Veteran of Cuban War and Long Service Noncommissi0ned OMcer's Story Makes Stir at Capital
 as First Direct Evidence.


 as First Direct Evidence.
 WASHINGTON, Feb. 12.-The shoot ing up'' of the town of Brownsville, Tex, was in the form of an attack up- on the garrison at Fort Brown, accord. ing to the testimony given by Min~o Sanders, former first sergeant of c . pany B of the Twenty-fifth infantry, before the senate committee on mili- tary affairs.
 Sanders story created something of stir in the committee, as he said that while running from his quarters to Company B barracks after being awak- ened by the firing on the night of Aug. B the shooting was going on, and it came from the town and was toward the hospital on the military reserva- tion. He said bullets were whizzing over his head. This is the first direct testimony given by any of the dis charged negro soldiers that the firing came from the town.
 Sanders has served for twenty-five years, six months and twenty-three days. including the campaign in Cuba and three years in the Philippines. He said he had never been court martial cd, never reprimanded or found fault with to his knowledge. At Browns vile he had house to the left of con- pany quarters and directly fin front of the hospital.
 His story of the incidents of the night of Aug. 13 was like others until he told of his experiences in trying to get to the barracks after being awak- ened by the shooting. He said he started on a run to B quarters, and just after leaving his house the firing was renewed. It came from the town, he said. and bullets were flying thick and fast over his head. AS he reached c quarters he said he saw that men assembled were excited and shouting to each other.
 ''I heard some one yell Fall in." he said. Then some one shouted to get the guns, and another person answer ed that they could not get the guns. as the racks were locked and the man with the keys could not be found. Then Lieutenant Greer q knew his voice. said. Break those racks open" There has been a great deal of testi- mony given concerning the broken racks of Company c, but no person had testified positively before as to the manner in which they were broken. The testimony of Sanders indicated that the racks were in good condition before the shooting and were broken open by the command of one of the company officers.
 Continuing his testimony. Sanders told of finding his own company in confusion and of his efforts to straight en it out. He said he ss.Jund some of the men down on their knees and that others were yelling to put out the Ian tern. so that it would not furnish tar get for persons to shoot at. ''I told the men 10 stand up and be soldiers and that it was better to be shot in the ranks than out said Sanders. When the men did not stand up told them some other things I don't want to re- peat here.-
 On cross examination Sanders said that he could not tell as to who started the firing.
 Sanders 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 diligent inquiries amono the men to find out from them what. if anything. they knew and had been un- able to get any information. He de clared that he had not withheld any information and that there was no con- spiracy of silence. Sanders detailed an interview he had with General Caring ton. He asked that he be reinstated.
 .The only reason I did not give Gen eral Darlington information he said. -vas because I had none to give
 Sanders. cross examined by Senator Warner. repeated that many Jf the sbofs came from the town and said that he had reported this fact to Major Penrose. although it did not appear in his evidence taken by Captain 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 infarT->=sen