The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1873-03-07
TIE CONDUCT OF SENATOR sMALLs.
A Plain Statement Of tho Facts or the
Inauguration Trip Failure, from CaP-
tain II. c. Minott.


Inauguration Trip Failure, from Cap
tain H. c. Minott.
10 THE EDITORS OF TIE NEWS.
Allow me space In your valuable columns
to make few statements In regard to our
expected trip to Washington.
Well do the public remember that the COM
panies comprising the First Regiment n. G.,
8. 8. G., were ordered out for parade, inspec-
tion and drill, and the company or companies
that proved most proficient In the duties re-
qulred would be sent to Washington. The
Carolina Light Infantry was chosen as one
company to 20. After the selection, General
smalls said there was some money collected
In Columbia. to the amount OF eight hundred
dollars ($800,) but he was sure he could raise
the necessary amount to take the companies
TO Washngton; but the money was only for
the round trip, and If the companies went
they must support themselves. l believe
both companies were contented with
these remarks. was advised TO 60 10 Co.
lumba and did 30. I met Captain Artson and
asked what the General was doing for The
companies. He ssid the mOEsy was all right,
and The same gentleman Informed me that
lhere was q list out to solicit money that
would pay our Incidental expenses going to
and returning from Washington, and that was
the only list out, and dit was for that purpose.
on that list General Smalls collected one hun.
dred and eeventy-fve dollars ($l75.) But
don't think there was two hundred dollars
($2OO) collected In all at that time, which was
of course not sufficient for the trip. Alter
wards, however, General Smalls collected one
hundred dollars ($l00) more, and that was
turned over TO me. then, for The first time,
learned from the General that three thousand
dollars was secured for our transportation. /
worked with the list to collect all could,
untllI saw the telegram sent 10 General
smalls In Columbia from Captain Artson.
asked the General what he was TO do.
and he said 60 by the Charlotte or
Wilmington Railroad. After fifteen or twenty
minutes be came TO me and said be would not
20 as we could not make arrangements With
either Railroad Company; and now be says In
bis card that I knew all about 1t, whereas
knew nothing more than what he had told
me, and be only mentions one railroad In the
card he has published, while he told me he
could not perfect arrangements With :elther
the Charlotte or Wilmington Roads. then
gave I'D all hopes ln Columbia, and started
that night for Charleston. My men being ac-
quainted with the tacls, asked to see General
Smalls and find out If he would charter boat
10 take us TO Wilmington, where we could
take the cars. The gentlemen who went with
Lieutenant Williams and others. We saw the
General and the question was asked, but he
thought we could not get boat, but II We
could iC would be all right, as he had
the money. I and several others went
In search ofa boat, but could not get one. Al
last we made arrangements with the sonth
Carolina Railroad, and Mr.. B. 8. Solomons
agreed 10 furnish cars to Wilmington ior our
accommodation from Columbia, which was
highly appreciated by us. President Ravenel,
OF The Northeastern Railroad. Superintendent
TYLER. of the south Carolina Railroad, and Mr..
8. 8. Solomons, agent OF the Northeastern
Railroad, did all for our accommodation, and
we are much obliged for their kindness. As
soon as arrangements were made sent 10 ln'
form General Smalls Of The same, whereupou
he requested that would call on him, as he
wished 10 see me about the matter. at once
complied with his request, and In company
with Captain Artson. Lieutenant Williams and
others, met the general 10 Mretlng street,
where Told him that all arraDgements had
been completed, as above mentioned, to
which he replied: "That Is all right
as we will START for Colu mbis on
the night train" Later In the afternoon /
again met the general at Military Hall, when
he asked me what would be the charges
from Columbia to Wilmington, and what from
Wilmington to Washington. l replied that
the excursion trip from Columbia 10 Washing
ton would only be $2s. He then said: THAT
will be all right; get ready" at six O'Clock,
when portion Ut my company were in uni.
form and we were almost ready 10 start for
the depot, I met the general ag I'm, and he told
me he could not get an answer from General
Purvls, aud that ''things looked tishy," but
that he had "money enough TO take my COM
pany to Columbia" where he would see Gov
ernor Moses. and Try to make all iurther ar
rangemenls necessary to the trip. then
marched my company to the depot, and there
awaited the arrival of the general, but he
failed to make his appearance, and finding
that no tickets had been purchased Tor us, We
were compelled to abandon the trip.
Such Is plain statement If the facts OF Ibis
oasp, and 1t is ior The public to decide whether
the generals abored and ingenious defence
may be regarded as satisfactory, or the con.
trary, when viewed by the lights thus placed
before them. As to the money collected for
lhe use Of my company, the general may rest
assured that they have 1t, and thai good use
will be made of 1t. h. y. MISoTT,
Captain Carolina Light Infantry.
Charleston. s. c., March 8, 1878.