Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-26
TROOPS IN FIELD
ON OUTPOST DUTY
Routine Embraces Work by Bat
TALON and Regiment.
DISCIPLINARY MEASURES
General Court Martial Convened for
Trial of Offenders.
MEN ARRAIGNED ON CHARGES
Matter of Necessity, But Part of
School of Instruction, Also.
Camp Notes.

Special From STAFF Correspondent.
CAMP ORDWAY. Bolivar Heights. w
Va, July 26-Agan today all the troops
connected with the camp here. both regu-
lars and District National Guardsm,n L. were
ready to perform outpost duty nd drill,
but a steady rain interfered with the pro-
gram. The instruction yesterday embraced
work by the battalion and by the regiment
in advance and rear guard formation. and
the study today was one step forward-the
climax of the school that has be, progress
for nearly two weeks The command to-
morrow will go back almost TO the begin
ming and review closc-order work by com
pany, by battalion and by regiment The
work in the field yesterday was concluded
much sooner than expected, all that
was required being that battalion and regi-
mental commanders demonstrate their re-
spective ideas of just how their commands
should be handled and formed under the
circumstances. The work today even
| more interesting, and the men seemed 10
enjoy it thoroughly
Further steps of a disciplinary measure
were deemed to be necessary late yesterday
afternoon and special orders We're issued
directing that a general court-martal con-
vene al O'Clock last evening. "or soon
such prisoners may be properly brought
before it,
Members of the Court.
The detail for the court follows:
Maj. Glendie B. Young, 1st Regiment.
Maj. Joseph F. Hodgson. 1st Regiment
Capt. George L. TAFT Company /, 1st
Regiment.
Capt William r. McCathran, Company
X, LIST Regiment.
Capt Samuel w. Forsythe, Company NJ,
LIST Regiment.
Capt. John w. oehmann, Company H,
1st Regiment.
First Lieut.. Charles A. Meyer, Company
E, LIST Regiment.
First Lieut.. John 3. Coffman, adjutant
Sd Battalion, LIST Regiment.
First Lieut.. Samuel Peacock, Company X,
LIST Regiment.
First Lieut.. William B. Sullivan adjutant
I'd Battalion, LIST Regiment
Second Lieut. William ]. Bowman. Com
pany NJ, lst Regiment.
Second Lieut.. Spencer E Bomar, Com
pany l., 1st Regiment.
Capt Harry Coope, adjutant 1st Regl-
ment, judge advocate.
The court met al o'clock last evening
in the lecture tent at headquarters. and
the oath was duly administered to the
members, to the judge advocate and to a
stenographer. The defendant was Private
Charles w. Stansbury, Company |. LIST
Regiment.
Charges and Specifications.
The charge against Private S:ansbury
embraced conduct to the prejudice of good
order and military discipline The first
specification set forth that Private STAINS
bury, duly mounted member of the camo
headquarters guard. and on duty as a sem
tinel on post No. g. did stand on his post
five minutes. more or less, without p,rms-
SION from proper authority. This at Camp
Ordway, Bolivar Heights, West Virginia,
between the hours of IL and II O'Clock a M
July %, 1907
The second specification was to the eff
feet that Private Stansbury. sentinel on
duty, and being spoken to for standing
on post by Maj. A. p. Robbins inspector
general, District of Columbia militia. tie
officer detailed by the commanding general
to instruct guards and sentinels did de-
clare that he would walk his post for no.
body, or words to that effect, and did con-
tinue to stand thereon, until relieved by
another sentinel"
Maj. Robbins gave testimony in support
of his charges. The basis of the defense
was the physical disability of Private STAINS
bury. He offered the testimony. among
others, of First Lieut.. Horatio b. Holifeld.
surgeon, I'd Battalion, 1st Regiment.
Another Case Scheduled
At the conclusion of the hearing the
Ill.
adjourning until this. evening. when the case
of Private NJ. F. Steele. charged with viola
ton of the siXtysecond article of war. will
be called. The specifications of tie charge are
that 'he, the said Private M.F. Steele while
a prisoner at the guard house. used disre-
spectful and abusive language to the Off
Ger of the guard, First Lieut. E Turnure
when ordered to refrain from reading a
newspaper. and that he resisted the ser
geant of the guard, J. D. Lesch. Company
II, list Regiment. National Guard District
of Columbia, when the sergeant of the
guard was ordered to search him. This
at Camp Ordway, Bolivar Heights, West
Virginia, July %, 1907
The charges were preferred by First Lieut.
E. d. Turnure, Company +, LIST r agiment.
who names as witnesses Capt. ]. w. Och
mann, Company II, LIST Regiment. and
Serst. j. d. Lesch, Company H. Isl Reg
ment.
Novelty in Guard Camp.
1t is pointed out that there is not neces-
sarily anything dissraCeful in the conduct
of the individuals against whom disci-
plinary steps have Lcen taken; IN other
words, a military oflense may be other
than disgraceful CONDUCT. The holding of
a general court-marial is somewhat of
novelty. SO far as the National Guard of
the District of Columbia is concerned,
nothing of the sort having occurred since
eral years ago. rhe court that mei last
evening was convened largely for the pur-
pose of instruction, this being strictly a
camp OF instruction. although the alleged
offenseS to which reference has beea made
are believed to have warranted the action
The findings of the court Will remain secret
until the proceedings have been reviewed
by the commanding general. which NAV
not be until after The return of the brigade
to Washington.
a large number Of military spectators AS
Spmblal N the vicinity #
to follow the proceedings, and Il; is be-
l!eved that the effect on the entire com
mand OF the sitting tribunal will be salu-
tary.
District Officials as Visitors.
Mr.. Henry B. F. Maofarland president of
the board of Commissioners of the District
of Columbia, and Con missioner Henry l..
West arrived in camp shortly after IL
O'Clock this morning, they having been es-
corted from Washing on by CAPT Clarence