Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1891-06-04
WAR IN THE ARMY
Trouble Between West Point
erS and Volunteer officers
Appointed for Meritorious Ser
vices in the Civil War.

1t is Alleged That DETERMINATIONS Have
for Years Been Made in Favor of tho
GraduAte--State Immigration boards
Superseded by Treasury Departments
Inspectors-National News.
WASHINGTON, June A lively little
row is going on in army circles. 1t is
charged that again the line has been
drawn against volunteer officer to
favor West Pointer. From time to
time, for years, there have been troubles
in the army growing out of this ques-
tion. West Point graduates have dis
criminated against those who won their
commission during the late war and
were appointed from private life in 1865
or later, in order to favor those who
were so fortunate as to be educated as
soldiers at the government academy and
expense Each time the charge has been
denied, but now one volunteer officer
who has lately distinguished himself on
the field of battle has preferred charges
of discrimination, which he says he can
prove, and which are making quite q
commotion. During the Sioux Indian
war in South Dakota and Nebraska, last
winter, the Ninth cavalry, among other
itself IL ;;t;:;
and as d reward il was, d few days ago,
assigned TO Fort Myer, Va. just across
the Potomac from this city, it being one
of the most desirable locations in the
entire army.
Col. Guy Henry, who has distin-
guished himself not only upon many In
dian battle fields, but in the war Of the
rebellion, was given command of the sta
T. --.l-r 81 L.
staff officers, and it is charged that he
not only selected every one from the list
of West Pointers, but took one officer,
ment, and asked that in his place West
Point graduate, Capt Hughes, be as
signed to this post. Capt. Wright dis
tinguished himself so much in the recent
Indian war that he was congratulated in
a number of orders by his superior Off
GERS. In the Wounded Knee massacre
he rushed to the fore front, and is re-
ported to have fired something like sixty
Ave shots from his own carbine into the
savage lines. He fairly moved his way
out of the slaughter pen, displaying the
highest order of bravery and determina-
ton.
Capt Wright was appointed to the
regular army from this city on account
of services during the war Of the rebel
lion, and, naturally he was pleased with
the idea of returning here, but he was
sent to New York city in charge Of the
recruiting station instead. He says he
was told he was not wanted here because
he was not a West Pointer. He inn
mediately appealed to Gen, Schofield,
commander of the army; then to Secre-
tary Proctor, and, finally, has taken his
case to President Harrison. He says he
is plain man who knows no better than
to do his duty as a soldier. He has been
unfortunate in not learning to lead the
german at West Point, and is not veTsed
in the ways of society," but he thinks
that even he, simple volunteer officer,
could, by keeping out of society's way,
be passable in place like Washington.
Capt Wright's magnificent record ON
the field of action, and the well known
fact that there is often discrimination
against volunteer officers in favor of
West Point graduates makes his pre-
sentiment very strong, and 1t is believed
that President Harrison will direct that
he be stationed at Fort Myer. Officers
of the volunteer service are very indig-
nant over the incident.
Col. Henry said that it was untrue
that he objected to Capt. Wright be-
cause he was appointed from private
life, as he himself had won his position
in the army by his services during the
late war, although he was a West
Pointer The defense Of Col. Henry
will be that Capt. Wright is indiscreet
in his personal demeanor, but the latter
says he will show that he was refused
this assignment because he was not
West Pointer