New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-03-10
LIKE A BOMB IN CAMP.
MAJOR VAN DUZER SUGGESTED THAT
9th BATTALION OFFICERS RESIGN.
WHO WOULD BE COLONEL.

EVIDENCE THAT THE TROUBLE ~ THE COM
MAvD Is DRAWING TO \ FOCUS THE MAN
WHO WOULD BE COLONEL
Matters begin 10 assume shape in the 6sth Bat
TALON quarrel. and unless all signs are misleadir
something Will drop soon. There IS an air
secrecy ard mystery about the moyements'c' =
officers Interested in the fight. secret meetings arr
held in out-of- the way places at unusual times.
and the whole fight begins to assume the charac-
ter OF a comic -opera plot.
The man who would be colonel and the five cap
talns who favor his claim went to Albany 10 in
teresi the Governor in their scheme. and they had
hardly returned with their story OF conquest in the
Adiu,ant- Generals office when the other side had
their innings.
This was on Friday night A battalion drili had
been ordered by Major Duffy. The attendance was
good. the work done we'll the command
usually does its work. but the interesting feature.
came after the drill An officers meeting had been
called for y. m. An officer said 10 Tribune
porter Yes there will be- meeting, but what for
knows"
Major Duffy was asked about u. and said: TT
will be OF no. importance. We're only going -
make our arrangement for ST Patricks Day"
The officers were all present except Captain John
McCauley. Major Duffy presided. and said that he
had called the officers in order that wayssand
FOR bringing about a settlement OF the dim
culties in the battalion might be discussed He
hoped that free discussion might lead
restoration OF harmony Major Henry Sayre Van
Duzer, Judge-Adyocate on the siaf Of General
Fitzgerald. present, and followed Major Duffy.
He also OF the opinion that the officers should
Try restore harmony IN the command and in
his remarks he suggested that IL would be well II
all the officers OF the battalion resigned. BY doing
So. the commanding officer who would be ap-
pointed head the battalion or the regiment
would be unhampered. and he would be AT liberty
TO select as his subordnaies such men as had rec
ords TO warrant their appointment
This request the part OF Major Van Duzer
fell Ike a bomb in the Board OF Officers room The
Major had explained that he was rnere at the re-
quest % Major Duffy. and by permission OF the
brigade commander. and consequently his ''sug-
sestion" looked upon by the officers as the
desire o, his superior
While Major Van Dlfzer remained IN the meeting
OF the officers spoke but when he had
gone Captain Charles llealy OF Company l. asked
voice IN the discussion - battalion matters Major
Dufy said in reply that permission from the brigade
commander was sufficient warrant FOR Major Van
DuzeTs presence several neutenants offered 70 re-
sign Among them Patrick clark. OF Com
pany d: Michael Lynch. Of Company a; and John
and gee what their captains would do.
This visit OF Major Van Duzer." said member
o. The battalion was feeler. and ii shows clearly
captains are not bmffed Quito orier those who are
known to be opposed Dury before an ex-
aiming board There they viii be found wanting
Major Van Duzer. when asked about the par, he
took Ia the meeting. said: u went there at the
invitation OF Major Duffy. and tried 10 bring about
harmony ! suggested that the officers resign but
that was personal suggestion. and was not
prompted by the Governor"
He would NOT go Into detail az TO what action
would be taken but Il IS evident that matters
IN The battalion are coming TO a focus