BERTRAND, NOVEMBER 8, 1902
ALFRED W. BERTRAND, late private, Company D, Twenty-sixth Volunteer Infantry, having first been duly sworn to testfy the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth respecting the matter concerning which he was to be examined, did testify as follows:
Q. What is your name?—A. Alfred W. Bertrand.
Q. Where do you reside and what is your occupation?—A. I reside at 25 Walnut street, and am an electric worker.
Q. Were you ever a member of Company D, Twenty-sixth Volunteer Infantry? If so, from what time until what time?—A. From the time I joined the regiment—the date I can not remember—until it was mustered out.
Q. Were you all this time on duty with your company?—A. No, sir; but a very short time. On August 9, 1899, I joined the regiment and was assigned to Company D. On August 12 of the same year I was detailed as regimental clerk at headquarters. On March 12, 1900, relieved from regimental headquarters, and ordered back to my company for duty at Banate. In the month of September again detailed as clerk headquarters fourth district, Department of the Visayan.
Q. Who commanded the company while you were with it?—A. During the greater part of the time, Captain Brownell.
Q. Do you know of your own personal knowledge anything about the water cure having been administered while you were present with the company?—A. Not of my own personal knowledge.
Q. While you were a member of the company did you see a native priest brought in as a prisoner?—A. I was not present at the post when he was brought there nor during his stay there.
Q. What was the character given you when you were discharged from the volunteers?—A. Very good.
Q. Was this character satisfactory to you?—A. No, sir. I called for a board of officers.
Q. Previous to this discharge from the volunteers had you served in the Regular Army?—A. I had. Yes, sir.
Q. In what organization?—A. In Troop G, Fifth Cavalry; Regimental Band, Fifth Cavalry; Troop H, Fifth Cavalry, and Troop F, Third Cavalry.
Q. What was the character given you on your discharges from the Regular Army?—A. In all cases "Very good."
Q. What was Captain Brownell's treatment of you while you were a soldier under his command?—A. I decline to answer.
Q. Have you ever, in any way, made any threats against Captain Brownell?—A. Well, that depends upon what might be considered a threat. If referring to this case of Father Augustine and the publishing of the facts connected with it upon my discharge from the service would be considered a threat, then I have; otherwise not.
Q. Do you bear any animus toward Captain Brownell?—A. I don't care to answer.
Q. Do you desire to make any further statement than you have now made?—A. There is one thing. Just previous to the final muster out of the company I requested Captain Brownell to inform me of the character he was going to give me on my discharge. He replied that he had not made up his mind. Five minutes before that I had seen the discharges as they laid on his table in his tent. The character on mine was "very good." I then informed the captain that under certain paragraphs of the Army Regulations I was entitled to call for an investigating board, which I did. These officers sustained Captain Brownell in his decision, notwithstanding that at the time of my detail as district clerk the character given me by the captain on the descriptive list which was forwarded at the same time was "excellent." This was about August, 1900. I never did duty with Company D from that day until the final muster out of the company. In support of my character I have recommendations from Colonel Rice, commanding officer of the regiment, character "excellent in every respect;" Capt. Harris Pendleton, adjutant Twenty-sixth Infantry, character "excellent;" First Lieut. S. Avery, jr., adjutant Second Battalion; Maj. E. D. Anderson, and others.
ALFRED W. BERTRAND,
Late Private, Company D, Twenty-sixth Infantry, U. S. Volunteers.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 8th day of November, 1902, at Lynn, Mass.
E. HUNTER,
Judge-Advocate, U. S. Army.