The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-06-09
Gen. w ats Statement
AT Last Made to the Public.

After waiting for several days Adju-
ant Gan.rat Watts yesterday evening
COVE TO the public his version of the
affair. Il Is as follows
81 had hoped that it would not be
necessary for me to make statement
as TO she unfortunase occur renee that
took piacs on the college grounds last
FndaY, the 18th inss.. bat as there has
been SO much said aud written about
tue affair. deem is my duty to the
militia aud myself to give the facts in
the case. aEd let the public pass ats
own Judgment The following order
vas issued May 10. 1897 Special
Order No r.
Adjutant aod Inspector Generals Office.
Columbia. s G.. May 10, 1897.
The annual inspection Of the follow
ing companies is hereby ordered Gov
er1or,s Geards, Capt J. NJ Bateman,
eommandiag. Columbia, May 26,
1897 Richiand Volunteers, Capt j.
D. Frost. commanding, May 26. 1896.
BY order of the eonmander-in.chies
j. GARY Warts,
ALL. General.
Owing 10 death in my family,
the above order vas revoked and FRI
day, she 18th, vas appointed for the
inspection of che above commands
saw Col. Willie Jones. vhc was the col
onel Of the Second regiment of iDfan-
try, and who would be in commend on
this occasion. the morning of the 2Sth as
The Carolina bank He told me that .ae
iinspecsio1 would be held at the usual
place, the grounds 10 charge Of the col
Iege. which are used by the students
for athletic purposes (she time and
place Of any inspection is geuer-.iy left
to the commanding officer. Col.
Jones told me to take my position in
front of the stand, which was erected
for ladies to occupy in order that they
could 1itness the games that are usually
played on these groands. The bastiion
vas formed and the usual line of march
was iakeo. as | reached the college
grounds proceeded to take my
position. indicated BY Col. Jones.
Jones, but was informed By Mr. Ha-
good, one Of the students, that match
game cf BALI Was in progress, and
hoped that I would not interfere, or
words TO that effect. | then rode from
the bail grounds and was spoken to by
Prof. Sloan. he informed me that the
boys had permission TO play ball on s.see
grounds and shat a match game was in
progress. I replied to him that ! had
no desire to interfere with the game,
bat that had been informed by Col.
Jones that he had permission from the
president to have the inspection on the
grounds. sheu took my position on
the ieft.of the ball grounds and did not
thiok that / vas in any way interfering
wish the game Of ball. as no opposition
vas raised as to my position. The
review aud inspection was than started, /,
and everything vas going on very
smoothly unsil che battalion was passing
In review. Wheo ball was knocked
and as one of the players was running
after it be ran into Capt. Baseman aud
Knocked of his cap. the crowd sheo be-
gsn TO cheer. the battalion moved on
and nothiog vas Thought of this ioei-
dent. The batsalion then proceeded
With their fed movements, aud as they
we're marching past the inspecting Off
Ger / requested Is policeman to move
back some of the parties who were in
the line Of march, which be did With
on. soy trouble.
At this sime ! vas stationed to the
lefs of the DaEI grounds, aad as far as
thought was not in any way conflicting
With the game Of bali II has been
stated that at this time ball was
knocked over In that directieo and
struck horse of q member. of my staff
knew nothing Of the incident
About this time tie marshal of the col
lege came to me, followed by q crowd
OF students and ball players, and
stated shat tie boys bad permission
to PLAY on the ball grounds. / told
him had nothing TO say as to that, but
only knew tbas Colonel jones told me
tha: be had written permission from
the president of the college to have the
inspection on the grounds. / then re-
quested the policeman to keep the
crowd back, and he tried to do SO.
The crowd refused to go back and be-
gan to defy and abuse the policeman,
who blew his whistle for bis colleague
who was on another part of the
groands, bat still the crowd would no,
move back and oontinu ued to defy the
policeman. / .arned round and spoke