The morning call., 1893-06-09
HUNGRY SOLDIERS
Battery A the Center of
an Uprising.
Tin, Glass, Bread and Meat Served
to a Guard-Captain Rosters
Reputation.

Is patriotism compatible with an empty
stnmac h?
Five members of Light Battery A, Sec
ond Regiment of Artillery, have answered
in the negative and have been arrested for
causing a mutiny.
In return, Captain Koster who ordered
their arrest, has got himself in hot water
and the whole battery is up in arms
against him. The artllerymen have not
turned the guns upon him exactly, but
they intend to blow him out of his posi-
ton by legal process. They also intend
to make him render an accounting OF the
battery's funds. and good-sized scandal
is said to be connected Herewith.
On Decoration day five members of the
battery were detailed by Captain Roster
to escort George II. Thomas Post, G.
a. R., TO the Presdio. where monument
W as unveiled. They were to remain on
guard duty at the P:esidio and they did,
good and loyal sodi ers as they are. Hour
after hour passed without their being re-
lieved until lney had been on duty six
hours. Then they were relieved for ra-
tions. II mattered little to the patriots
the long hours they had been on duty until
their hungry Dyes lighted upon the rati0ns
dOled out to them.
This is what they got to eat: One pan
containing a few slices of bread, small
piece of meat and one bottle of beer.
They were hungry enough to have eaten
the pan and mas astcated the bottle and II
was no wonder that the slender menu
called forth language never printed in
Sunday-schOol books. They protested
most vigorously against the ratons and
their angry words were repeated to Cap
tain Roster He took time by the fore
lock and ordered the mutinous guard
under arrest. Those arrested were: NJ.
Burnett, w. Eaton. j. McAnderson, j.
Cudworth and j. Sparr-ail well-knOwn
young men about town.
The arrest famed into fla me the smud-
erng anger the hole battery has ieit for
It's captain for some time. A set of reso-
lutions were outlined TO be presented a
the next meeting of the battery, " hen it
was intended 10 drag Captain Roster over
bed Of Goals. They intended to ask him
TO make an accounting of the battery's
funds, which they charge he has not done
for fifteen months. during which he has
received about $4,000.
This meeting WAS called for last Wednes-
day night, and as it is date set aside by
tue State laws for the consideration alone
of the private business of the battery,
when the soldiers appear as civilians,
he session promised to be very not,
Captain Roster did not appear, and the
next ranking officer, First Lieutenant
Wsstphal, presided Why Roster did not
see fit to appear is not explained, though
the aembers of the battery aver that lie
scented danger in the air. However, ne
had faithful representative in Lieutenant
WeStphal, as the results of the IN Getting
showed. He fairly snorted when he saw
in the audience the five members who had
been arrested and were still under arrest.
lie ordered them to leave the room and be
excluded during the session.
As the members of the battery appeared
there as civilians, not as soldiers or other
wise, there were murmurs of objection.
Private G. c. Groezinger took the floor
10 move that they be allowed to remain
his first words were protest against
WestphaPs ruling, and he was also Or
dered under arrest.
With these six out of the room there was
no possibility of carrying the resolutions
by vote, and they were not presented.
There was wild excitement following
Gr0eZinGer's arrest, and freQnent demands
were made OF Westphal to explain his rea-
sons. This he stoutiy refused, only claim
ing that he lad acted under orders of Cap
tain Roster. Then a free fight was mar
rowly averted, but it would not have been
had the captain appeared.
For some time there have been financial
straits that have exasperated the members
OF the battery. They claim TO have paid
Roster several thousands of dollars, which
they allege he has admitted having spent.
They want to know his authority for do
Ing so. and have an accounting from him.
AT the same lime the troop is heavily in
debt The owners of the armory are
pressing claim for rent amounting to
several thousand dollars, of which only
$500 has been paid on account.
The arrested troopers are rampant for
vengeance. GroeZpger said yesterday:
"Westphal had no right to exclude the
men. The Meeting " as not military one.
The treasurer's report has not been read
for year. and as there have been many
bills contracted without the consent of the
members. which Kos,er knew the arrested
men would protest against, he had them
excluded. 1t is highhanded piece of
business all through. and the six abused
men expect TO fight it to the bitter end At
civil meeting officers have no right to
exc: else military authority"
An effort will be made to depose Captain
Roster. else the members say the battery
will have 10 dis band.