The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-09
A CLASH OF MILITIAMEN
GENERAL BROWN AND COLONEL
BOYKIy IN MON DUDGEON.
A Dramatic Incident at the Inauguration.
The Colonel OF the Filth Maryland
Regiment Likely to Resign.

Brown. commandant OF Maryand's mill
tia. and Colonel William a. Boykin. OF
the Fifth Maryland regiment, at the In
auguration Saturday. has created consid-
cradle agitation in military circles in both
Baltimore and Richmond. Colonel Boy
kin is well-known here. and has many
friends both I'm military and social circles.
who Will watch the outcome OF the case
with more than ordinary interest. lie
with his crack regiment endeared them
selves 10 Richmonders on the occasion
OF the Lee unveiling, and the officers OF
the First regiment OF infantry OF this
city speak OF him with words OF highest
commentator.
The story OF the clash of authority is
well told I'm the Baltimore American.
extracts OF which are made as follows:
The entire trouble seems TO have orr
ginated from the peculiar situation In
which the Fifth found itself when Cen
eral Browns order was given.
1T Is said that the same order was
given ana Successively executed four
years ago at President Harrsons in
auguration, but at this time the surround
ings were different, and Colonel Boykin
claimed that the order could not be sue
cessfully executed. Many military au-
think the order could have been execu-
ted.
The regiment had marched from its
headquarters, leading the Maryland
troops. around the north side OF the Cap
itol grounds, by the Baltimore and Ohio
del OF, and swung into Third street. The
Maryland troops were 10 form on East
Capitol street, right resting on Third, the
Fifth having the right Of line. General
Brown and staff were waiting at the cor
ner Of Third ana East Capitol streets
THE problem was to swing the troops
into Capitol street and bring them around,
facing the Capitol. with the Fifth at the
right OF line-or, in other words. to re-
verse the formation OF the brigade as 1t
marched east out OF Capitol street. Colo
mel Boykin at the time was down the line
looking after some details, and Major
Robert Riddle Brown, commanding the
First battalion. was leading the regiment,
with Company &, Captain Robert i.
Brown, in front General Brown directed
Major Brown to issue the order, TO the
left. close column of companies faced to
the rear
This order when given, IT Is said was
not fully understood. and the leading
companies stopped marching. civic or
ganization was at this time marching
along on the left OF the regiment, going
10 its place In line.
Seeing the hesitation ahead Colonel
Boykin rode up to Major Brown and in
quired the trouble, and was Informed Of
the order. Tho Colonel then rode up to
General Brown, saluted, and asked If
such an order had been issued. General
Brown replied that 1t had, when Colonel
Boykin said that IL was impossible TO
execute It. owing to the peculiar position
the regiment was In.
General Brown. however. insisted upon
crAo fo1 nd al
Boykin again warmly protested. Then
General Brown. II is said. rode up TO the
head OF the regiment and ordered Major
Robert Riddle Brown TO execute the
movement. at the same time passing the
order along to the captains of the compa-
MES. Colonel Boykin then rode up 10
General Brown and rendered him his
sword saying that he relinquished com
mand OF the regiment. but General Brown
declined to receive IL, telling him to hand
II to one of his aides.
Colonel Boykin sheathed his sword and
rode away. In the meantime the different
company commandants were Cndeavoring
TO carry out General Browns order. The
companies broke into 'fours front
marched east along the pavement OF Capt.
10 street, and wheeled into company front
again on the street, facing the Capitol.
The rough pavement and the trees. it is
said, greatly interfered with the move
ment, and the regiment got into consid-
cradle tangle. which required a good deal
OF work on the part of the captains TO
straighten out.
THE trouble between General Brown and
Colonel Boykin had been witnessed by
Governor Frank Brown and staff, who
were sitting on their horses on south
Third street When Colonel Boyldn rode
of. after General Brown had assumed
command of the regiment. Adjutant-Gen-
eral II. Kyd Douglas rode after him and
requested. as a personal favor, that he
resume command Of the Fifth until after
the troops had returned to Baltimore.
This, after a time. Colonel Boykin con-
scented TO do, and he rode at the head
Of his regiment during the parade.
Colonel Boykin has been ono Of the
most efficient commanders the Fifth has
ever had. and his withdrawal would be
serious blow to that organization. He
Joined the command in 1852 as lieutenant
OF Company Land was shortly after elected
captain Of Capany X. Three years later
he was made major and in 1887 was
unanimously elected lieutenant colonel.
viii IN position he held until he succeeded
Colonel Charles u. Gather In command.
He has always worked hard for the regi-
ment, and is great favorite with the
men"
Colonel Boykin is a near relative of
the BoylSin family of this city, and is
frequent visitor here.
General Charles j. Anderson, Colonel
w. +. Wickham, Captain Edgerton s.
Rogers and other officers OF this city
were asked yesterday their opinions on
the matter. but refused TO talk for pub
llcation. They felt a delcacy in doing
so. all being personal friends Of Colonel
Boykin.
The American OF yesterday had the
following:
1T was generally believed yesterday
among military men that Colonel Boykin
had sent his resignation 10 General
Brown. TO be forwarded TO Adjutant-Gen-
eral Douglas. in consequence Of the diff
ference that took place in Washington
on Saturday. II was also believed that
General Brown had taken no action In
the matter. and that IL would rest where
Il Is until friends OF both parties make 1t
possible for the AFFAIR 10 be amicably
settled. A number OF the officers OF
the Fifth called on their colonel yester-
day"