St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-03-08
TIE GALLANT CAPrAIN TALKS
Capt. BoutcIle Gives His Version
Of the GlOsrer Affair.

va thC NSsoStSt
Capt. Boutele, Of Troop X, First regi-
ment of cavalry, was at the Ryan yes
terday. He is the same Capt. Boutelle
who recently gained publicity on ac-
count of his connection with the case of
Sergeant Charles Gloster, the facts Of
which were published in the GLOBE at
the time. Gloster publicly proclaimed
Boutelle a liar and falsifier on account
of certain letters the latter had written
to the examining board rejecting on
GlOSter'S record as soldier. A GLOBE
reporter found the captain in the Ryan
lobby, and in reply to questioning as to
what action he intended to take in refuat-
ton of Gloster's charges, he replied that
he should ignore them. He had, when
the attacks on him by GloSter first APP
peared, thought of publishing the mans
army record, which, he says, would
prove at once his inefficiency for the
service. On second thoughts, however,
he had come to the conclusion that such
proceeding would be beneath the Dig
nifty of an officer in the United
States army, and determined to ignore
the attacks entirely. Capt. Bendiri,
under whom Gloster served prior to
Capt. Boutelle's taking command of the
troop, had recommended Gloster for
promotion, but had subsequently said
on numerous occasions tnat he was
sorry he had done so, and thought he
had made a mistake. sThe OffenSe for
which reduced GlOster to the ranks"
said the captain, Twas diSObedience to
orders. As soon as the man came un-
der my notice, knew that he was no
good as soldier, though | believe his
iptnntjnnc pa trnnH I'm tS7 1 FIJI N If
was, Gloster. then Sergeant GlOster,
was sent in charge of the horses of the
troop to Craze them. He was under or
ders to stay with the horses all day,
only leaving them an hour at noon. 1t
was discovered that instead of doing
his duty as ordered, he had tied his
his horse and gone away at 10
O'Clock in the morning. and
had not returned to the herd until
O'Clock in the evening. For this he was
reduced to the ranks, as he deserved. A
short time afterwards GloSter made APP
plieati0n for transfer to the Fifth in
fantry. 1t is usual in such cases that
the transferred man shall be replaced
by another. thought so little of Clos
ter as soldier. though, that | didn't
even ask for man to replace him, as |
considered myself a gamer by the trans
acton. | admit that | wrote the exam
lining board as has been charged. l re-
peat what | said in those letters, that
the man referred to is utterly untitled
for military service, and, for reasons
even as forcible as those of his ineffi-
cheney, totally unfit to be an officer in
the army of the United States.
Gloster was mixed up in very dis
graceful piece of scandal out there,
which | can't detail to you. as [ don't
wish the dirty story to b.. printed in con-
uection with my name. To show, how
ever, that had no personal animosity
agoinSt the feliOw,l even offered, know
ing that he was a good mechanical
draughtSman, to recommend him for a
position in the engineering department,
where his talent in that line would be
of service. think the papers have been
too prone to print one-Sided stories
about military affairs. | see West
Point officers referred to collectively as
cads and snobs. A greater injustice was
never done any class of men.
My experience with West Point
officers is that they are in
variably gentlemen and usually good
soldiers. | am not West Pointer my
self. | am one of the men who rose
from the ranks. During the civil war l
served III the flftl New A0TK fegiineilt,
entered as private and was mustered
out as commander of battalion. l en-
listed as private in the First regiment
cavalry, and. by gradual promotion, got
captaitcy four years ago. didn't In.
tend to talk about this matter tall, but
since | have spoken, why, l might as
we'll let you understand that | know
what the service is and have been
through the mill myself To tell you
the truth. though. if paid attention to
every whining cur that snaps at my
heels should have my hands full all
the year round"