By Senator Reyburn:
Q. From your observations during this disturbance, what opinion have you of the conduct of the officers and those in charge of the military?
A. I was not brought in contact with them, except with Colonel Gray, of one of our regiments, after the firing. I went to where he had bivouacked on the railroad track, and he had one hundred and twenty men with him at the time. He said he was there for the purpose of obeying orders, and that his men would stay by him. He had no orders at that time. I asked him particularly whether he had any orders, and he said he had none. I asked him whether he thought he could preserve the peace, and he said he could. I think he said that the firing on the people was a mistake, and was done without orders, but if I had been there I would have ordered the mob to disperse, and then fired on them with blank cartridges.
Q. From your knowledge of these men as soldiers during the war, do you think they were competent or incompetent men?
A. I know General Pearson well. I knew him in the army, and I know what his military record was in the army, and there is no young officer in the United States service who has a prouder record as a brave, a careful, and discreet soldier. He served in our own corps, and I had daily opportunity of knowing what his military services and military abilities were, and his record in the army was certainty vary creditable to him. I also knew General Brinton in our corps, and I know that his record is equally good.
By Mr. Means:
Q. They were good soldiers, ready to obey orders at all times?
A. Yes; and had those two officers had the management of this affair, without being amenable to superiors, much of the destruction would have been avoided.
Q. You mean Generals Pearson and Brinton?
A. Yes; they had, to my certain knowledge, years of experience in the army—active experience as soldiers.