The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-24
MEET|NGOF THE GENERALS
General Dickinson Refuses to
Yield His Command to
General Warfield.
HE RETAINS THE DOCUMENTS
A Significant Interview Which
Heralds Most Bitter
War.

General Warfeld, the newly appointed
brigadier, called on General Dickinson on
Wednesday.
General Dickinson received him cor
daily, and remarked that it was fine
weather. Il have never seen it finer at
this time of the year." conceded General
Warfield.
"And business seems to be picking up,''
said General Dickinson. "Some of my
friends on Front and Battery streets de-
clare that there is decided change for the
better"
"Well, with such season in prospect
for the farmers,' said General Wartield,
"there is good reason for shaking up all
around"
Wheat is remarkably active" remarked
General Dickinson, sententiously.
81 should say So" said General Warfield,
enthusiastically. "What an excitement
there must be on the Chicago Exchange"
Then there was a pause for a few mo-
ments and General Dickinson offered Gen.
eral Warfield cigar.
81 hope you won't find it too strong"
said the general. "Have you got a
match?"
yes, thank you, said General warfield.
by the way, Wudt pleASauC Ou1CeS you
have, general"
"Oh, good enough for a hard worked
lawyer" said General Dickinson, applying
the torch to his own Havana.
There then was another pause.
General Warfeld coughed a little and
looked at General Dickinson steadily. Gen
eraI Dickinson met the glance with an
inquiring expression on his own martial
countenance.
~ have calleG-that is, l came, general"
said General WaTfield with an apologize
cough" to ask you for the documents, etc.,
etc, that apPertain to the brigade you
commanded"
THAT 1 commanded" exclaimed Gen
eral Dickinson with a surprised air. "That
l command, you mean. Pray what do you
want to see them Tor, Colonel Warfeld?''
"Why, naturally, because L have been
appointed to that brigade replied War
field, with an expression of the most pro-
you surprise me, colonel" said Dickin-
son. Have you an order for these papers :?
Well well; this is the most singular thing
] ever heard Of.
Certainly, general" pursued Warfeld
in a tone of supreme perplexity, ''you
must know that Governor Budd has re-
moved you and put me in your place"
II have read something about it in the
newspapers" replied General Dickinson,
''but you are aware, my dear colonel, how
frequently these newspaper reports are IN
reliable. 1t is astonishing how they some
times get things turned upside down."
"Great ScottW exclaimed Warfield, "this
is wonderful. Don't you concede, general,
that have taken your brigade?"
mot for a moment, my dear colonel, -
answered Dickinson, coolly Ticking off the
ashes of his cigar "UntiI you can bring
me something more tangible than mere
newspaper reports, must emphatically
decline to turn my command over to you,
or to give into your keeping any records
or documents connected with the position
l now hold in the National Guard"
With the demeanor of man who has
conundrum, General Warfieid grabbed
his hat, babe General Dickinson curt fare
well and put out for the elevator. His
military experience suggested at the mo-
ment no strategy by which he could drive
the doughty National Guardsman from his
position.
And so the matter rests. General Dick
inson has made his mind up to show fight.
He evidently considers that he has been
slated long enough, and that it is his
turn now TO assume the aggressive. He
relies upon the law, which, according
TO his Interpretation. says that only
three acknowledgements shall be retired,
whose commands have been absorbed in
the consolidation, and, as his has been
augmented, and not merged, he is going
to stand by his colors and deny that the
Governor has any authority under the code
to supplant him.
There are more irons in the fire, with
which, when they are up to the white
heat standard, the general will charge his
enemies. The first trump of war was
sounded in the Warfield interview, and
the history of the Sacramento campaign
will be told again before peace reigns in
the ranks of the National Guard.