The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-03-24
COM'D'R GRAHAM GOES.
SUCCEEDED BY COnD'R PTGMxy
lie Has been Relieved Of His Command and
Court-MartiaI Ordcrsd-The New
Officer Has Arrived In Richmond.

Commander James u. Graham has been re-
lieved of tho command Of tho monitors and
Commander Pigman is 10 be placed in charge
This decision has been reached by the De.
partment at Washington after considering
the testimony adduced at the recent court Of
inquiry held on board the Ajax. A court
martial has been ordered to be held and Rich
mond has been selected as the place. but at
what time has not been made known.
The evidence given by James ID. Prentiss
and others at the recent court is still fresh in
the minds OF THY TINES readers. and 1t will
be remembered that two Of the most serious
charges were admitted as true by Commander
Graham.
Nothing dishonorable was proven against
the Commander but he has been guilty of
breaches OF the regulations OF the navy that
go 20 break down the admirable discipline
that must ever be maintained Oh the United
States ships.
NEW COMMANDER ARRIVES.
Commander George w. Pigman arrived in
the city from Washington last evening. hav-
Ing received has orders only yesterday morn
ing. He was seen at Murphy by IIMEs'
reporter last evening and IN reply 10 Ques-
tiOn said that be was ready to take immediate
command of the monitors If agreeable to
Commander Graham, but that be would
wait his convenience in the matter.
He spoke IN very complimentary terms
Of Commander Graham. and with re-
greet that he had gotten into trouble. Com
mander Pigman has for some months been on
waiting orders az Annapolis. and was APP
pointed to the monitors some weeks before
the Graham court OF inquiry. and the papers
were made out assigning him TO the COM
mand. but the report which precipitated the
INQUIRY interviewed and the whole matter was
tn, q .r.,Al tT., bod fQI
Commander Pigman is a gentleman Of aha
bic manners and pleasant appearance and
has seen thirty-One years Of service IN the
navy ahoat and ashore. He is an lndanian
by birth but has had a cosmopolitan career.
He graduated at the Naval Academy IN 1854
and on his. first cruise received .d
three promotions, carrying him to
lieutenancy He has served
in the various navy-yards at the naval obser-
vatory and photographic Offices IN Washing
ton. and in number Of cruises IN the Allan
tic and Pacific squaarOns as executive oIncer
and commander. the latter OF which positions
he has held for six or seven years.
Commander PIgman has wife and four
children and will bring them 70 richmond 70
live His plans are yet uniformed, but be VIII
probably go 10 housekeeping IN the city. HIS
family will probably arrive IN few days lie
will visit the monitors to-day. Inc orders
detaching Commander Graham from the
monitors nave QOuOLIoSS DceH o4iceNJ ~
celyed by him
THg CoURT-MARTIAL.
A dispatch from Washington last night
says
"A general-court martial was to-day ordered
by the Secretary of the Navy. TO convene al
Richmond Va. on Monday next. the 18th
instant for the trial of Commander James d.
Graham. United States navy, commanding
officer of the United States monitors IN the
james river, near that city. who was recently
the subject OF n court of inquiry. ComInan-
der Graham is 10 be tried upon the following
charges:
"Chargel. Violation of the twentieth clause
OF the eighth article Of the articles tor the
government of the navy
-. Scandalous conduct. tending to the de-
struction OF good morals.
"3. Fasehood
-. Conduct unbecoming an officer Of the
navy, and
IS. Conduct to the prejudice Of good order
and discipline.
Following is the detail for the court:
Commodore James A. Greer, United
/ States navy, president Commodore JOSEPH
! s. Skerrett. Captains Montgomery. Scard
Edmund Q. Matthews. Charles y Norton
! Francis NJ. Bunce. Alfred 7. Mahan, Thee
dore +. Kane John W. Philip, John +. Nc
! Glensy. Benismin F. Day. United States
| navy. members. and First Lieutenant Charles
Iauchheimer, United States marine corps
| Judge advocate"