Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-01
SlFT TO THE BOTTOM.
PICKETT CAMP TO TRACE CHARGES
TO THEIR SOURCE.
AUTHORS MUST SUBSTAETllTE THEM
IL They Fail to DO So They VIII lie
Denounced-Length Discussion of
the situation Last Night-Compo-
sition of the state Guard.

The veterans Of Pickett Camp met last
night. and after a busy session, spent for
the most part In dispensing charity
among their less fortunate comrades,
they found themselves upon the horns Of
a dilemma. Whether 10 adopt the more
digniiicd course In regard TO the street
rumors rejecting on the records OF mem
Ders by ignoring them, or to prosecute
the enquiry and compel the authors OF
thece accusations to reiterate or deny
them, was the place where the roads met
and sentiment was divided.
The committee charged with the in
vestigation submitted no report when
such reports were in order, and attention
being called TO this fact later in the ses-
sion, DR.. Henry. the chairman, stated
that he was under the impression that
the committee had been formed simply
for the purpose Of protecting members
against SANDER. Several members rose to
correct what they believed to be an er-
roneous impression.
Mr.. Lakewood said he understood that
the committee was to summon any one
and every one who could throw any
light on the matter. DR.. Henry took issue
with this Interpretation Of the resolution,
and said he believed the committee was
meant simply 10 undertake the investiga-
tion Of charges which came from within
the camp. The chairman thought other
wise. and the reading of the resolution
ion do
authority TO the committee to see the
authors Of any rumors and investigate
charges. DR.. Henry said he had nothing
TO report along these lines.
MR. WINFREE THE AUTHOR.
Mr. Lakewood said that as.it was
wel-known fact that Mr.. Winfree was
the author of the charges, he had, with
a view to facilitating the work of the
committee. written to Lieutenant COgbill,
q member of Winfree's regiment, for
information in regard to those members
of Pickett Camp who had served with
the Fourteenth Regiment during the war.
In explanation of this course he said Mr..
Winfree had frequently charged that the
"deserter" who is now a member of
Pickett Camp had been enlisted I'm that
regiment. He had received from Lieu
lowing is an abstract:
II went i'm the army on the 24th day of
April. 1861, and remained with it until
the battle If Drewry's Bluff on the 10th
day Of May, 1864, at which time my eye
was shot out During most OF the time
of my service as a soldier l knew Mr.
J. T.. Kennedy, +. i. Ryan, and X. p
Smith; never heard OF any charges against
either Of these gentlemen. and as far as
| knew they were good soldiers and had
q good record as SUCH and as to my own
record as a soldier / will allow others 10
speak"
Captain Lakewood said he thought II
the matter were pursued i'm this way ii
would very quickly be narrowed down,
and the falsity of the charge would be
made as clear as daylight. He had been
told OF man named Monticello Clarke,
an inmate of the Soldiers Home. who
was reputed to know who the deserter
was. Mr.. Chappell, Of the same institu-
ton had been n member of the Four
tenth. and Mr.. HazelwCod suggested
that both men should be seen by the
committee. He believed the whole thing
was nothing more than a tempest in
teapot. Commander Gibbs paid high
tribute to Lieutenant Cogbill "as a man,
as Christian gentleman. and as a SOL
der" and said that any statement from
that source might be relied upon absO-
lutely.
WHAT MUST BE DONE.
Or. Henry said the committee would
ondeavor to make the authors of any
charge reduce 1t TO writing. Commander
Gibbs said the committee should take
any measures which would tend to ST.
lence the rumors floating around the
streets. adding: "If there is such Il man
in this camp as Mr.. Winfree indicates,
then we will get rid of him.
DR.. Henry: The committee can't con-
duct an investigation outside this camp.
Commander Gibbs: You have the privi-
lege of calling men to come before you,
and If they decline to answer your sum-
mons after they have circulated dam
aging statements, then they should be
branded as not true men.
Mr.. McCurdy said it was useless to in
vestigate rumors, and he challenged any
one who had aught to say against any
member of Pickett Camp to bring their
charge backed with substantial evidence.
He moved that the Investigating Com
mittee be discharged
BENEATH THE CAMPS DIGNITY.
Colonel Maury supported the motion,
on the ground that it was entirely be-
meath the dignity of the camp TO enquire
into the reliability of charges prompted
by such malevolence. IL argued lack
of manliness on the part Of any man
who would make such a charge, and then
refuse TO produce his proof Mr.. Loehr
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