The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-06-09
GEN. WATTS VERSION
OF TIs UNFORTUNATE CLASH ON
THE CAMPUS.

BhatIl the Verdict Be:
Although the dispensary situation is
occupying the attention of nearly
every one in South Carolina Just at
this particular time, there IS still much
speculation as to what will be the out
come OF the recent clash on the South
Carolina college athletic grounds.
Alter waiting for several days Adju-
tant General Watts gave to the public
his version OF the affair. is as fol-
lows: l had hoped that it would not be
necessary for me to make statement
as 10 the unfortunate occurrence tn at
took place or the college grounds last
Friday, the 2S.h ult., but as there has
been so much said and written about
the affair, deem it my duty to tbe
militia and myself to give the facts in
the case, and let the public pass its
own judgment The following order
was issued May 10, 1897:
Special Order No. -.
Adutant and Inspector Generals Or
flee,
Columbia, S. c., May 10, 1897.
The annual inspection Of the fol-
lowing companies is hereby ordered:
Governors Guards, Capt. J. n. Bate
man, commanding. Columbia, May
26, 1897; Richland Volunteers, Capt.
J. D. Frost, commanding, Columbia
May 26, 1897.
By order Of the commander-in-chief.
J. GARY WATTS,
| A & General
Owing to g death in my family. the
above order was revoked, and Friday,
the 2Sth, was appointed for the in.
spection of the above commands. I
saw Col. Willie Jones, who was the
colonel Of the Second regiment Of in
fantry, and who would be in COM
mand on this occasion, the morning
Of the 2Sth at the Carolina National
bank. He told me that the inspection
would be held at the usual place, the
grounds in charge OF the college,
which are used by the students for
athletic purposes (the time and place
OF any inspection IS generally left to
the commanding oticer.) 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 witness the games that are usu-
ally played on these grounds. The
battalion was formed and the usual
line of march was taken. As I reach
ed the college grounds I proceeded to
take my position, indicated by Col.
Jones. but was informed by Mr.. Ha
| good, one Of the students, that match
game of ball was in progress, and
hoped that would not interfere, or
words to that effect. I then rode from
the ball grounds and was spoken to by
Prof. Sloan. He informed me that
the boys had permission to play ball
on the grounds and that match game
was in progress. | replied to him
that had no desire to Interfere with
the game, but that I had been inform
ed by Col. Jones that he had permis.
sion from the president to have the
inspection on the grounds. then
took my position on the left of the
ball grounds and did not think that |
was in any way interfering with the
game Of ball, as no opposition was
raised to my position. The review
and inspection was then started, and
everything was going on very smooth
ly until the battalion was passing IN
review, when ball was knocked and
as one of the players was running
after it he ran into Capt. Bateman and
knocked off his cap, the crowd then
! began to cheer, the battalion moved
on and nothing was thought OF this
| incident. The battalion then proceed
with their field movements, and as
they were marching past the inspect.
ing officer I requested policeman to
move oack some Of the parties who
were in the line Of march, which he
did without any trouble.
At this time I was stationed to the
left Of the ball grounds, and as far as
| thought was not in any way con-
ficting with the game of bail. 1t has
been stated that at this time ball was
knocked over in that direction and
struck horse of a member of my
staff. l knew nothing of the incident.
| About this time the marshal Of the
college came to me, followed BY
crowd of students and ball players,
| and stated that the boys had permis-
sion to play on the ball grounds. I
told him l had nothing TO say as to
that, bit only know that Colonel
Jones told me that be had written per-
| mission from the president OF the col
lege to have the inspection on tie
grounds l then requested the police
man to keep the crowd back and he
tried to do so. The crowd refused to
90 back and began to defy and abuse
the policeman, who blew MS whistle
for his colleague who was on another
part of the grounds, but still the crowd
would not move back and continued
to defy the policeman. turned
round and spose to the crowd aad
asked them to move back, but my re
Quest was treated in the same manner
as that OF the policemen. saw there
was going to be trouble between the
policemen and the crowd. for oy this
time they had become very much ex-
cited, and, seeing that conflict was
inevitable, l considered the best solu-
ton OF the difficulty would be to
have the battalion marched forward,
press back the crowd to the street,
thereby rendering any further con-
fict possible between the students
and the policemen. At this time
there was no game Of ball going On.
then gave Colonel Jones the order
TO move his command forward, which
he did. The men advanced at right
shoulder arms" and there was 10 or
der to charge" as has been stated.
The troops advanced very steadily,
and the majority OF the crowd noyed
back, but three or four students broke
through the line, near where the col !
ors were, and the policemen attempted
tc interfere. The battalion moved on
to the front, leaving the policemen
and those students IL the rear. Then
a general encounter took place between
the students and the policemen.