Secret Investigation

Chicago, Oct. 12. - Acting upon order received from the war department a Washington, Major General John R Brooke Monday afternoon began an in vestigation of the Hammond affair a Fort Sheridan. Captain W. V. Richards, aide-de-camp to Major Genera Brooke, was detailed to raake the investigation, which began at 2:30 p. m. The investigation was carried on behind closed doors, no one except Captain Richards, Private Hammond and Captain Lovering being allowed inside the room. Although the hearing of evidence was continued .until late Monday night, none of the four menwhodragged Private Hammond from the guardhouse to the summary court were questioned. Captain Richards said it was not necessary to hear them, as he had obtained a very full statement from the officers and non-commissioned offlcers, who had told him of the story. None of the evidence was given under oath, Captain Richards' authority not being sweeping. ■Witnesses Teil of the Affair. Lieutenant Bernard told the eventg that led up to the hauling of Hammond. He said he did not hear any bad language used by the captain, nor did he see any prodding with the, sword. Sergeant Brainard related the circumstanees of Hammond's refusal to go to court, and how he was ordered to procure the rope. which was tied around the private's legs. He admltted he was not asked as to whether the private had been prodded or kicked by Captain Lovering. Corporals Ward, New and Goodpastor substantiated other parts of the story, which was practically as lt had been related in the newspapers. After he had finished the hearing. Captain Richards said he could say nothing about the matter, as his investigation was made solely in order to report to Major General Brooke. '"I will say this, however," he said. "Private Hammond informed me that he was fully satisfied with the investigation as far as it has gone. Any further information must come from Major General Brooke." Ariinits Using His Sword. Later Captain Richards said that during his testimony Captain Lovering admitied he had shoved Private Hammond with his foot and pricked him with the sword. The four men who dragged Private Hammond under orders from Captain Lovering are said to be Private Ritnor of company F. Private Kuttz of company C, Private Shendall of troop C, and Private Wardell of ccmpany H. They were not called to testify, and they were glad of it. The enlisted men at the fort said from what they knew the inquiry had nothing to do with the question as to whether or not Captain Lovering had kicked and prodded Private Hammond as the latter lay on theground. According to the army regulations nothing can be done to the captain for ordering the dragging by the rope, but if it can be proved that he kicked ard prodded the private it will be a matter for a court-martial. Captain Lovering bears a good record in the army. He has been in the service ever since he was graduated from West Point in 1876. He was assigned flrst to the Fourth infantry, and after five years' service on the frontier, he was given detached service at West Point as an instructor in chemistry, mineraloev. creolos'v and electrics. aiogy, geoiogy ana eiectrics. Made Department Kngineer. In 1885 he was ordered to rejoin his regiment at Omaha, and a year later he went with his regiment to Vancouver barracks, where he was made department engineer. For several years he was aide-de-camp on the stafï of General John Gibbcn. The captain is not credited with an ungoverno,rable temper by his brother officers. Private Charles Hammond enlisted at Pittsburg, Pa., last January and was assigned to company G, Twenty-first infantry. At the Plattsburg barracks he was supposed to have come from a farm. Although not addicted to the use of liquor, he is said to have a bad temper. Sept 17 he left his post of duty without leave. He was gone one day. He was tried by court-martial on his return and senteneed to four days in the guardhouse. Not long after this sentence wag ser-'ed he disappeared again and was not heard from until he showed up at Fort Sheridan. Xeither the offieers nor the pjlisted men of his company give hirn a good reputation.