Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-14

stoned officers to the right and left of the
entrance a general bunk room for the
privates, a rear door leading into saiiy
port which crossed the building entirely
from north to south, open at each end,
and separating the front portion from the
prison cells in the rear. This rear door
of the front portion furnished an easy
and safe exit and entrance for the con-
spirators without passing the sentmel IN
front. The latrine was at the rear OF the
building, separate therefrom. and the men
customarily went out the rear door and
through the sally port to reach II. An
absence of ten or fifteen minutes would
not attract especial attention.
There was a bright light from lamp
in the guardroom according to the testl-
mony of Private Joseph Rogers. VINO
claims to have been reading novel when
the firing began. His original statements
was that he was asleep on his bunk when
the firing began and that he was awak-
ened by Sergt Reid. His various state
ments are confused and contradictory
he is evidently lying-but as to there be-
ing light In the guardhouse, mere mas
been no denial. Rogers had been court
martialed five times. The existence OF the
light IS also proved by the statement or
Private Johnson.
Efforts to Run Down Reid.
Attention is directed to the singular
fact that no statement under oath was
taken from Sergt. ]. r. keid, though a
vitality important witness. On page 10,
Senate document No. 4O2, appears brief
summary of his statement mot under
OATH to Maj A. P. Blocksom, to the eff
feet that he did not have the call to
arms sounded until the shots came SO fast
that he thought the post was attacked
He stated also that he formed the guard
before having the call sounded.
From this point Reid disappears as a
witness. He was Serving his fourth en-
listment He was discharged without
of the battalion. His testimony was not
taken at any of the subsequent courts
martial and Investigations. He simply
disappeared from view. Efforts to locate
him have been unsuccessful. He is con-
stantly on the move. and acts like fug1-
tive from justice. We have followed him
into seven states, and spent more time
and money in the search than on any
other man. For some months shortly
after his discharge he was travelling with
a negro minstrel troupe through the south
in company with John Holloman.
Boyd Conyers declared that Reid was
informed that they were going to shoot
up the town that night. Reid is reported
to have said:
Boys, if you are not satisfied, you will
have to go and get satisfied"
And later. when Reid posted the guard:
''BoyS, don't you go down there and let
Reid seems to have understood that the
raid was to be started by these men while
on sentry duty and not while on relief,
for COnyers declares that after he Con
yers) returned and threw himself, out of
breath on his bunk. Reid came in and
dragged him out. declaring, with an oath,
that he would have to stand for it or be
court -martialed.
Conyers further declares that when
John Holloman brought around the extra
l>~f@ o,tt %l,0
morning. to avoid detection, Reid attend
ed to their distribution.
1t is obvious that if Reid intended to
protect the raiders he would post them
away from the front of the guardhouse.
where they could recover breath and
clean their guns without being under OBJ
servation. The printed testimony bears
this out.
Accused Men Posted Out of Sight.
Senate document No. 4O2. page 1856:
Boyd Conyers testifies that he was posted
in the rear Of the guardhouse after the
guard was formed. Does not remember
who or how many were in line when the
guard was formed.
Senate investigation. page 700. Conyers
says he and Lawrence Daniels were post
ed at the rear of the guardhouse, and
that he lay down on the ground to avoid
the bullets. though he doesn't claim to
have heard any coming that way; had
been off post about half an hour. Daniels
testified that he was posted at the guard
house. but does not say whether front
or rear.
Senate document 4O2. page 152. Private
r. l.. Collier of Company c testified that
he had just come off post. and was in the
closet when the firing began. Is. I. 1cO6-
1851 His statement is confused as to
when he came off post or how long he
was at the closet or who was in the
guardhouse. He was out of sight for an
indefinite period. and was likewise posted
at the rear Of the guardhOuse. He testi-
fies that Sergt. Reid, in calling the roll
called up to No Is instead of calling by
tours. No one else supports this asser-
ton. and it is highly improbable that he
was in the line when the first call was