The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-08-22
BLUES ARE TRIED
BY GENERAL COURT
Thirteen W no Failed to Go to Camp Present Their
Excuses-Uncle of Mrs. Beattie Was Kept
Away From Basic City by Her Murder

Excuses good bad and Indifferent
were advanced by the thirteen MEM
bcrs OF the Richmond Blues who failed
TO attend the encampment at Basic
city. before the general court-martial
which sat at the armory yesterday. 1t
became evident that In one or two
instances there have been misunder-
standings which may influence the
court to bring In verdict OF not
guilty. Others OF the accused had
little or no defense. and may expect
heavy penalties. Between the two.
there are circumstances whose innu-
ence on the mind OF the court is en-
tircly problematical
The trial occupied the entire day
from 1880 in the morning until 1915
last night. All of the accused mem
bers of the Blues were arraisned and
their cases disposed OF. The court con-
venes again this morning at 10 o'clock
10 take up the cases OF the forty two
men Of the First Battalion. First In
tantry, for the same ofrcnse
Uncle OF Mrs. Benttic.
Even In this strictly military matter
an echo OF the Beattic case was heard
battalion Color Sergeant William F.
Breazeale. the first to be tried, pro-
duced this incident. He has been in
the battalion for years, and has rarely
missed attendance on military duty
lie now resides n Newport News. his
duties requiring his attendance at en-
tire battalion drills only. day or
two before the Blues left for camp
Sergeant Breazeales mother became
III. AS she improved 1t was his in
tention 40 join the camp on wednes-
Gay pr Ahe encam;nnent week but
was notified OF the murder OF his niece
Mrs. Henry Clay Beattie. Jr., and was
called to family council. When this
was over II was too late to get to
Basic City.
point that Sergeant Breazcale did not
notify Major Bowles of his mothers
ilneis until after the commanding
officer had called him over the tele-
phone regarding the camp duty. Ho
made no application for furlough
Puts Business First.
The old story or direct conflict be-
tween the demands of business and
those OF the military was revived by
son. OF Company c. Private Jackson
said. plainly that In times OF peace.
barring riots. he thought business
should come first. with this Judge
Advocate Wise disagreed. asking "A
number OF questions about the real
reason for military encampments. This
prisoner changed his occupation dur
ms cHcalnpincnt week. ana did not
desire TO Inconvenience the people he
was leaving. He had. however. ap-
piled for a furloush a month before.
which was disapproved. and he adj
mittcd that his employers had ar
ranged TO have him go TO camp II he
could not get excused
Those who attended court were OF
the opinion that probably the heaviest
penalty Will fall upon Corporal Robert
B. Proctor. OF Company C. This Of
fender said ne had expected 70 be III
as he Is every summer. and also rig-
ured that IL he went to camp his en-
ployers would regard IT as his vaca-
ton and would not give him another.
SO he did not go. Captain Wise asked
him II, when he entered the service of
the State. there was any understand
ing that IT would not interfere with
his vacations
Professional PIen.
Sergeant w. 3. Hopkins. hospital
steward. felt that his professional
duties kept him here. The physician
TO whom he Is assistant left on his va
cation. and there were patients to be
attended to. Major Bowles. on the
stand. said that DIR. Hopkins had ap-
parently indicated a disregard OF camp
orders, but said. in reply to questions
of John B. Lightfoot, Jr., counse! for
nv That !idu Hc hHOWn LII
Hopkins was anxious to go TO camp.
and had expected to do so until his
principals plans were changed. he
might have held a different opinion.
Captain Wise asked for his convic-
tion because he had not acquainted
Major Bowles with the facts, and
commanding officer would In such
case not know how many men to rely
upon.
10 n
defense which cause the Common
wealth to practically abandon Its case.
He was III In the hospital. and had
been excused by surgeon ]. Fnlmer