It will be observed that the commanding general expresses regret, in
which I join, that the thoughtless act of two very young soldiers, in
celebrating their departure for another post, should have taken such a
serious turn; and he adds that the post commander, who deeply feels the
incident, has adopted measures which, with the punishment meted out to
the offenders, will, it is believed, prevent a recurrence of the
offense.
It is not doubted that this action will be entirely acceptable to the
Government you represent. Accept, etc.,
[Inclosure.]
Gen. Wheaton to
Gen. Ruggles.
Headquarters Department of Texas,
San Antonio Tex., July 8, 1893.
Sir: Referring to complaints from the
Mexican Government relative to firing upon the custom-house sentry
box at Camargo, Mexico, on June 2, 1893, by United States soldiers,
papers herewith returned, which were referred from your office to
these headquarters, I have the honor in compliance with instructions
of the Major-General commanding of June 16 and 19, 1893, to submit
the following report of the occurrence:
As soon as the firing was reported to the post commander of Fort
Ringgold, that officer, in conjunction with the Mexican consul, Mr.
A. Leal, proceeded to investigate the occurrence and was enabled to
identify the offenders; they were forthwith confined in the post
guardhouse and the facts reported to these headquarters. Charges
were promptly drawn and a court of experienced officers ordered at
once to try the cases. This court met on June 23, and both offenders
were convicted as charged, with the exception of the word
“maliciously;” each was sentenced to confinement at hard labor for
six months, and to forfeit $10 per month of pay for the same period.
A copy of the general court-martial order promulgating these
proceedings is herewith inclosed.
The evidence seems to show that the firing was a boyish freak, both
offenders being very young and in their first enlistment. Their
troop was to leave Fort Ringgold for a distant station early the
next morning, and the men had been given their arms to care for
while the armracks were packed. Under the excitement thus induced
these two men went outside the immediate post and fired a number of
shots without taking particular heed as to where the bullets might
fall. The court was convinced that no malicious intent to harm any
person was entertained.
[Page 454]
I regret exceedingly this unfortunate occurrence, which, while having
on its face a grave appearance, in reality was hut the thoughtless
act of two very young soldiers celebrating their departure to
another post. Maj. Keyes, the post commander, felt deeply the
offense; he has been instructed to prevent a recurrence of the
misconduct, and his measures, together with the punishment awarded
in these eases, will, I believe, be effectual for this purpose.
Very respectfully,
Frank Wheaton,
Brigadier-General,
Commanding.
Cases tried at Fort Ringgold,
Tex.
Headquarters Department of Texas,
San Antonio Tex., June 30, 1893.
(1) Private John E. Cory, Troop C, Third Cavalry. (2) Private Sam
Gordon, Seminole Negro-Indian Scouts. (3) Private Benjamin F.
Roberts, Troop C, Third Cavalry.
General
Court-Martial
Orders, No. 23.
Before the general court-martial which convened at Fort Ringgold,
Tex., pursuant to paragraph I, Special Orders No. 67, current
series, from these headquarters, with Lieut. Col. H. S. Hawkins,
Twenty-third Infantry, as president, and of which Capt. F. J.
Kernan, U. S. Army, is judge-advocate, were arraigned and tried:
(1) Private John E. Cory, Troop C, Third Cavalry.
Charge.—“Conduct to the prejudice of good
order and military discipline, in violation of the sixty-second
article of war.”
Specifications.—“That private John E. Cory,
Troop C, Third Cavalry, did maliciously, wantonly, recklessly, and
repeatedly fire his carbine, loaded with ball cartridge, across the
Rio Grande, in the direction of the Mexican bank of said river
thereby endangering the lives of the inhabitants in the neighboring
and friendly Republic of Mexico. This at or near Fort Ringgold,
Tex., on or about June 2, 1893.”
Pleas.—“Not guilty.”
Findings.—Of the specification, “Guilty,
except the word ‘maliciously’ and of the excepted word not guilty.”
Of the charge, “Guilty.”
Sentence.—“To forfeit to the United States $10
of his pay per month for six months and to be confined at hard labor
under charge of the guard for the same period at the post where his
troop may be serving, or at such place as shall be designated by
proper authority.”
The sentence in the foregoing case of Private John E. Cory, Troop C,
Third Cavalry, is approved and will be duly executed at Fort
Ringgold, Tex.
(2) Private Sam Gordon, Seminole Negro-Indian Scouts.
Charge.—“Conduct to the prejudice of good
order and military discipline, in violation of the sixty-second
article of war.”
Specification 1.—“In that Private Sam Gordon,
Seminole Negro-Indian Scouts, did draw a revolver on Sergeant Bill
Williams, Seminole Negro-Indian Scouts (said Sergeant Williams being
in the execution of his office), and did threaten to shoot said
Williams; it being necessary to overpower him and take away the
revolver by force. This at camp at Carrizo, Tex., June 4, 1893.”
Specification 2.—“In that Private Sam Gordon,
Seminole Negro-Indian Scouts, did, without cause or provocation,
strike Sergeant Bill Williams, Seminole Negro-Indian Scouts, on the
head with a club, with intent to do him bodily harm (said Sergeant
Williams being in the execution of his office). This at camp at
Carrizo, Tex., June 4, 1893.”
Pleas.—To the first specification, “Guilty,
except the words ‘said Sergeant Williams being in the execution of
his office,’ and of the excepted words not guilty.” To the second
specification, “Guilty, except of the words ‘without-cause or
provocation,’ and of the words ‘said Sergeant Williams being in the
execution of his office,’ and of the excepted words not guilty.” To
the charge, “Guilty.”
Findings.—Of the first specification,
“Guilty.” Of the second specification, “Guilty, except the words
‘without cause or provocation,’ and of the excepted words not
guilty.” Of the charge, “Guilty.”
Sentence.—“To forfeit to the United States $10
of his pay due or to become due.”
The sentence in the foregoing case of Private Sam Gordon, Seminole
Negro-Indian Scouts, is deemed inadequate to the offenses committed,
but is approved and will be executed in order that the accused may
not wholly escape punishment. Private Gordon will be restored to
duty.
[Page 455]
3. Private Benjamin F. Roberts, Troop C, Third Cavalry.
Charge.—“Conduct to the prejudice of good
order and military discipline, in violation of the sixty-second
article of war.”
Specification.—“That Private Benjamin F.
Roberts, Troop C, Third Cavalry, did maliciously, wantonly,
recklessly, and repeatedly fire his carbine, loaded with ball
cartridge, across the Rio Grande, in the direction of the Mexican
bank of said river, thereby endangering the lives of the inhabitants
in the neighboring and friendly Republic of Mexico. This at or near
Fort Ringgold, Tex., June 2, 1893.”
Pleas.—“Not guilty.”
Findings.—Of the specifications, “Guilty,
except the word ‘maliciously,’ and of the excepted word not guilty.”
Of the charge, “Guilty.”
Sentence.—“To forfeit to the United States $10
of his pay per month for six months and to be confined at hard labor
under charge of the guard for the same period at the post where his
troop may be serving, or at such place as shall be designated by
proper authority.”
The sentence in the foregoing case of Private Benjamin F. Roberts,
Troop C, Third Cavalry, is approved and will be duly executed at
Fort Ringgold, Tex.
By command of Brigadier-General Wheaton.
J. P. Martin,
Assistant
Adjutant-General.
