The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-09-24

Had tho Missivs Been Sent Colonel Haves
Matters Would he Different.


Had q letter that was written to Colonel
G. Percy Hawes been sent him he might
now be commandant of Virginia cavalry. IL
was sent to the Governors secretary and
by some ones error became q part OF .
batch of papers that were stored away. Had
ii been in another parcel matters would
have been different.
Captain A. b. Guigon was called on yes
terday as TO his knowledge OF the missive.
and in conversation said
Have you ever heard. Captain. that
communication was sent to Colonel Hawes
shortly before his resignation stating that
Colonel Haskins would be in town on the
Sd instant. and that the matter OF Colonel
Hawes' application for court OK inquiry
would then be given prompt attention.
"Yes. / did hear that subsequent to Colo
mel Hawes' resignation and its acceptance,
but denied it at once, feeling sure that 1t
could not possibly be true:
Would you mind stating how and from
whom you heard this?"
"Certalnly not. 1t was told me by Colo
mel Stern. he said. Colo mel Wickham,
Major Matthews. Captain Cardwell and L
we're together. and in the course of
conversation about the resignation. Colo
mel Stern stated that he thought 1t very
surprising in view of the fact that such
communication as you have just re-
ferred to had been sent TO Colonel Halves.
As have stated. at once declared that
| was sure Colonel Halves had received
no such communication as l knew ne
would not have resigned so shortly
thereafter. | also asked Colonel Stern's
authority TO use his name. and assured him
that would investigate the matter so as to
put Colonel Hawes right. lie very willingly
gave me leave to use his name, but was par
ticular TO state that he was not certain OF
4 cd thQt fha QicQtiOn
had ever been received or. indeed. that it
had ever been sent; but he was sure that
such a communication had been directed to
be sent to Colonel Hawes. This happened
several days ago."
rs there any one who has the authority
to give such an order except the Cover
norl"
Certainly not. and I presume Colonel
Stern referred to the Governor"
ITO whom would ho have given this
ORDER"
In the ordinary course of affairs 1t would
have gone through the Adjutsnt-Generars
| Office"
General and asked General Mcdonald about
| the matter.
He said in substance that the letter from
| Colonel Hawes of August 10Th to the Gov
ernor was referred to him. At the time the
Governor was at tho Blue Ridge Springs
and he at the White sulphur The General
saw Colonel Meade Haskins and learned
that he (Haskins) would be in Richmond on
! the I'd of September and write his opinion
! in the case. This information was sent the
| Governor, and General Mcdonald suggested
| that his official letter 10 the Executive DO
sent as a reply TO Colonel Hawes.
The letter was sent to the Governors Sec
retary with lot of other papers. one
batch of papers was labelled on the outside
Hold till my return" On the back OF the
Hawes letter was written Forward at
once 10 Colonel Hawes" The Hawes letter
got into the former batch and was not
found until last Monday.
In the meantime Colonel Haw0s not get
ting any satisfactory answers to ms COM
municatiOns. sent in his resignation winch
was accepted.
General Mcdonald. has Colonel Hawes
been notified of this?' | asked.
mo, he has not
"Do you not think. as O matter OF military
courtesy, he should have been"
Colonel llawes having resigned Is not III
the military
DO you not think he was entitled to this
as Il citizen +"
No do not but the Governor might DO
SO to yindicate and clear himself
10 will thus be seen that the most I'M
portaut of the letters to Colonel Hawe5 WAS
| never received by that official.