Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-12-26

every man in his desire to work. Under
cover OF this protection, men being con-
Quoted to the works at times by guard,
the mills started and gradually approached
their full capacity"
A Criticism of Allegheny County.
The Major General does not discuss events
prior to his arrival at Homestead, but
doubts if the Sheriff could have raised
posse equal in numbers or physique to the
opposition. There did not seem to be that
wholesome respect for the law in Allegheny
county and determination on the part OF all
citizens to uphold it, which it is consoling
to believe prevailed in all other parts Of the
State. A smaller force sent there would
have invited conflict and ended in that
which the Governor did in the first place,
sending overwhelming numberG He SAYS:
''The admirable military spirit displayed
by all the troops, S,615 in number, was kept
up throughout except by one man, 1ams, OF
the Tenth. The attempted assassination OF
Mr. Frick led to great excitement and tumult
in Pittsburg and some apprehension IN
camp. Guards were doubled and Colonel
Hawkins in particular was notified to be on
the alert Iams jumped up and called for
three cheers for the man who killed Frick.
Mr. Frick was no more to the troops than
any other reputable citizen, but the act was
done in sympathy with riot and anarchy.
'In the state of war then prevailing, as
since laid down by the Chief Justice, Iams
act was mutiny and treason, and Lieutenant
Colonel Streator whould have been justified
in using extreme measures, if necessary
upon the spot; in fact, an officer failing to
repress mutiny is liable to severe penalty.
Iams would not explain or apologize for his
conduct. In face of imperative necessity to
enforce discipline which seemed to admit
no delay for court martial, which might
have put on Iams the most extreme sem
tence and after consultation with Colonel
Hawkins, Lieutenant Colonel Streator i'm
posed upon the man penalty of which the
the punishment, although often inflicted In
war, may be said to be unusual, the circum-
stances were extraordinary.
Iams' Punishment All Right.
"Afterwsrd the Major General was in
formed of the case, and requested to give
direction rs to further punishment The
discipline of regiment Is in the hands OF
its colonel, and that of the brigade and the
trial and punishment of enlisted men in
those of the brigade commander, in this
case Lieutenant Colonel Streator and
Colonel Hawkins, respectively. He was
not called on, therefore, to approve or dis
approve of action SO far taken, and has re-
trained from doing so officially until now,
for Lieutenant Colonel Streator might have
asked for a court of inquiry, or on the
charges a court martial might have been
called for, both in the discretion of the
division commander. Now that it is
proper to express an opinion, he has no
hesitation in saying that Iams was pun:
ished according to the customs of war, and
no more than he deserved.
ga FIRE brand is no more dangerous in
powder magazine than a mutineer or traitor
in the ranks 1t was necessary to get him
out of camp at once, for his presence might
lead to open sympathy, or perhaps opposi-
tion to his confinement. Hence the division
commander, acting on the communication
referred to, ordered, as written by Lieu
tenant Colonel North: Discharge him in
disgrace, drum him out of camp and send
him home Lieutenant Critchfeld, acting
A. D. c. to Colonel Hawkins, reported to
him as an order an intimation as to the
method of carrying out the command, and
that officer was justified in so considering it
and acting accordingly. 1t is source Of
great qualification TO know that the course
pursued by Colonels Hawkins and Streator
has been fully vindicated in court of law
and that the legality of the division COM
3
able Judge who tried the cause, the case,
strangely enough, being the first one tried
out OF all those resulting from an event
which involved riot, murder and treason.
Sanitary Conditions Cause Sickness.
Homestead was in a very bad sanitary
condition, and in spite of cleaning and dis
injecting, the authorities themselves refus-
ing to do anything, a number of typhoid
cases developed, resulting in several deaths,
notably that OF Lieutenant Colonel Horton.
Sixteenth Infantry. A jCdicious pension
law, incapable of abuss, to be administered
perhaps by the military board, is much
needed, and would be just.
can adequate supply of ammunition be-
coming a serious question, Lieutenant
Colonel Huidekoper procured it with much
risk OF violence. A largely increased sup
ply is urged When the crisis seemed to
be over leaves and furloughs for good rea-
sons were freely granted.
"The campaign is not without valuable
results and information. 1t showed the
staff to be intelligent and efficient, an
organization of which the State may be
proud. 1t proved that the claim so conf
IDENTIFY put forth that the division could be
assembled in few hours in any part of the
State was well founded. In rapidity and
strength it has never been equaled. On
the l1th of July the First Brigade had a
percentage present for duty of 96.6, and on
the 18th the whole division, 968 per
centum. In the First Infantry every place
was filed except one.
'sThe concentration of so large force
from far distant parts, with ranks so full,
without previous notice, was never before
accomplished. Officers and men came from
all directions and from long distances,
OF
of the movement shows the soundness of
the principles upon which the Guard was
redrganized and has since been conducted.
1t would be an act of great risk to depart
from the ways now long trodden which have
led to such splendid results.
Three Battalion Regiments Needed.
cit showed also that the regiments of two
battalions are not adapted to our service,
and that those of three battalions are recon-
mended. The ten company formations are
antiQuated and ought to be increased to IL.
The three battalion system is urged BY the
President, Secretaries of War, commanding
generals and regular officers generally.
Majors ought to be elected sufficient to COM
mand all battalions. Should IL regiments
of u companies each be formed, IA new
companies would be required. One COM
pany of engineers, at least is needed, as
also signal corps. The admirable services
of the cavalry confirm views heretofore ex-
pressed OF the value of a tull squadron, and
another troop ought to be raised, as well as
another battery to compose battalion. An
addition of the companies mentioned would
raise the Guard to about $500, none too
large for Pennsylvania and less, in proper
tion, than New York, New jersey, etc. 1t
is obviously necessary to increase the an
nuaI appropriation, to provide for the in
creased strength and camps for ten days.