The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-02-14
a sIxrY-SINTH REGIMENT MESS.
Fenther-Bcd Soldiers Kicking Out the vete-
rsns-A Poptpjsy Licut.-Coioners Retort
for Opinions Expressed -" he style Of
Things In the National Guard.


Very much surprise has been felt In military
circles at recent occurrence in the sixty ninth Reg
imcnt. The officers whose commissions have been
vacated are by no means festber-bed soldiers or
politicians, but gained their popularity among their
comrades by long service In the 1eld The eist sec
hon OF the act regulating the militia gives to the
General commanding and to the commanding q officers
Of regiments the power TO send before q military eI
aiming board such ofeers may select that their
capacity military requirements and moral character
may be tested.
Captains 2 Rourke and McDermott and Lieut.
Nos are the nrst officers of the regiment VINO have
been subjected to ans such inquiry, and military
men express their astonishment that O'Rourkc and
McDermott should have been selected by Lieut..
Col Hargons, az they have the reputation OF being
the beet drills in the regiment. Both served on
GERS throughout the war and have been In the sixty.
ninth many years, in every capacity from private up
TO captain.
The record OF Lieut.. Col Bargons ls no, so war.
like. lie became corporal in the seventh Rqgi.
ment after the war, aud was considered by those
gallant fellows more ornamental than useful. lie
was then a. now engaged in law pursuits a. the
PARTNER Of Gen. MacMahon. who ia his very close
and intimate friend, aud II moreover engaged to
came Colonel Of the sixty-ninth Regiment. he On.
gagged liugons rs his Adutant, thus giving HIN the
rank Ui First Lieutenant. shortly aftcrward Mae
Mshon became Minister to Paraguay, and went down
10 honth America 10 enlist himself IN tho cause of
Brazilian despotism, and TO make plots against the
constitutional President of \ ff,e republic.
Before his departure be interested himself warmly
IN HarPOnss favor and at the next election among
the oncers to fill the vacancies In tho command.
taVansgh was unanimously chosen Colonel, and
iiargons was elected Lieutcnatt-Cu by q ma.
lnrlty OF one, his own vote securing his election
There has always been strong prejudice against
him Ne military man his opponents, indeed, do not
scrupo TO assert that he Is not qualified to drill
squad Of men.
MacDermou and ORourke being old soldiers did
not fail TO give their opinions, and Hargons waa on
one occasion fatty requested to resign. Hut he
didn't ieel like gratifying the macOntcnts, and stuck
to tii. position. We may add that he cannot be re
moved except hy majority OF the onicers insisting
on his resignation.
Capt MacDcrmott II not only p veteran soldier,
but a hard working mechanic. gaining his bread as a
timer. He complains that while tie Examining
Board was In NV York he received order TO
present himself, but that when II adjourned 10 Al.
bany he was orhNith ordered 10 10 there. lie
unwilling to absent himself from home In his wiie's
delicate condition, and called upon Gen. Narian. the
commander Of the Third Brigade. who directed him
to write letter to AdJutant General Townsend and
70 forward the same officially through Regnental
Headquarters That letter was never forwarded
The Captain thinks that II was malciOusly detained
lie has again written to the Adiutant General, cN.
pressing his eagerness to prove his military Canacty
before any Board, nnd begging uat liz disability
may be removed until the bexl Board shall cohyen
In New YORK.