New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-08-11
The Butler ARRAY in Egypt.


NEW YORK, August "A correspondent
who claims to know whereof he speaks
gives this version of the shooting ARRAY in
Alexandria, in which the late Consul,
George H. Butler, was involved. 1t was,
he says, only the elimination of q long ex-
listing feud between Butler and Brigadier
General Stone, an American in the Egyptian
army. They had been formerly on terms of
great intimacy, but Butler is man of sar-
castle temper, while General Stone is mis-
chief-maker for its own sake. These
changed their cordial afriendship to still
more cordial hatred General Stone, who
considered himself aggrieved, wrote a letter
to Secretary Fish preterring grave charges
against Butler. Secretary Fish sent a ire
ply to General Stone. This letter of reply
IN the hands of General Stone acquired a
certain authority among the OTientals,
who attached an exaggerated impOr-
tance to what they considered an of
fetal document only second in sa-
credness to the frman of the Sultan.
Butler was swamped and therefore fit
target for attack. Buffers private secre-
tary was Major Wadleigh, who served Oh
General Burnside's staff during the war,
was twice wounded in battle, and received
several marks of distinction at a later pc
Rod. Major Wadleigh entered the French
army and took part in the Franco-German
war. When the struggle was over lie went
to Egypt, and sought service in the Khe-
dives army. He received the promise of
employment but pending his admission he
accepted position as private secretary to
Consul General Butler, whose confidence he
acquired and whose Quarrels he esDOused.
Impatient of delay, and DESTROYS of pressing
his application, Wadleigh requested NJ. De
lesseps, the president of the SUez Canal Com
pany, to use his influence with the VicerOy
in behalf of his petition. NJ. Delesseps
thereupen recommended him to the KhediVe,
and had all but obtained the desired posi-
ton for him, when he made inquiry of Gen
eral Stone as to the character and anteced-
ents of the applicant. General Stone, it is
on record, spoiled Wadleighs prospects of
admission into the Egyptian service by
speaking of him asa drunken and dissOlute
character. Of course the KhediVe would
have none such in his service. The reason
assigned for General Stones hostility to
Major Wadleigh is that the latter was the
secretary and confidential adviser of his
adversary, Consul Butler. In consequence
of what had passed, Major Wadleigh adj
dressed the following challenge to General
Stone:
ALEXANDRIA, June 16, 1872.
Brigadier General Charles Stone, Chief of staff of
the Egyptian army:
SHIT having come to my knowledge
that you have made remarks not only dis
paraging to myself, which / might pass
over, but also disparaging to the United
States, as well as to all foreigners in Egypt,
and saying, further, that if you had your
way you would hang sixteen OF the eight
cen consul generals in Egypt. l, assam
American and foreigner In Egypt, hereby
denOunce you liar, a coward, and Jesuit
You claim to be soldier, but | believe you
to be more ready with your pen than with
your sword; if you are not, my address is
at the Hotel De Europe, Alexandria
am, sir, your Obedient servant
G. r, WADLEIGH.
General Stone did not take any notice of
this challenge. A week afterward Major
Wadleigh addressed the following commu-
nicatiOn to the papers in Egypt:
Several days having elapsed since / adj
dressed the following note to Brigadier
General Charles P. Stone, chief of the staff
of the Egyptian army, and having received
no reply from that gentleman, i can only con-
ceive that he considers his high rank to ab-
solve him from the duties and responsible
ties of a gentleman. Not cOinciding with
this view myself, my respect leaves me no
other recourse than to expose General Stone
to the public contempt which he so justly
deserves. &c. r. WADLEIGH."
This war of words found its sequence in
the shooting ARRAY.
A few days afterward Consul General
buJlef, with MAJOR WadIelgh, cHanced 10
meet their common adversary, General
Stone, accompanied by General Loring and
Major Campbell, the latter an officer on
General Stones staff, at well known cafe
in Alexandria. High words arose, and Ma
ior Campbell, espOusing the quarrel of his
superior, fred at Wadleigh, who discharged
a revolver in response, wOunding Campbell.
Consul General Butler left the scene as soon
as the firing began. The combatants were
separated, and Major Campbell, as well as
she other American officers in the Egyptian
tervice who were engaged in the dispute,
sre now under trial by military commits
aiOn.
The most hardened tourist can not fail to,