The age-herald., 1898-09-21
COLONEL HIGDON
 MAKES REPLY To Charges Contained in Card From
 Officers. LEAVES IT TO THE PRIVATES To Say Whether or Not He Has Treat-
 ed Them Fairly.
HAS RESPECTED THEIR WISHES
Telling of. How the Vote Was Taken on the Muster
 Out Proposition.

ment of the officers about him printed in yesterdays Age-Herald
 Colonel Higdon tells what he alleges to be the facts in the case, and says the men who know of the affair will assert the cor rectness of his statement:
 Col. Higdon's Card
 Camp Falkner East Lake, Sept. 20, 1898. To the Editor of The Age-Herald:
 In reference to the statement made by some of the officers of the First Alabama in The Age-Herald this morning, I have this to say: In the first place I think it was very unkind in the officers to have such statement printed at the present time, while l am so unwell as not to feel able to make full statement of the facts. If the officers intended doing me justice they would have stated all the facts in that meeting. I called the officers together and made the statement that 1 had done so 1 in order that I might know the sentiment in reference to going to Cuba a regi- ment; that I wanted them to consult with the men and how many desire to go. Some one of the officers spoke up and said it was not necessary to consult the men, but moved to take a vote then At this point some one asked the question, If the men would have anything to say if this regiment was ordered to Cuba?' and l made the remark, that if ordered, they would all have to go; that no one would have any voice in the matter" My inten- ton was to convey the impression that the officers and men would have to go if or dered by the war department. Some off, in ha Tbird hal at spoke up and said they thought it was best to postpone the meeting until they could consult the men, and I made the statement then and there that I thought the sugges- tion a good one and tried to get them to adopt this plan, but the majority wanted to take a vote at this time, which I allowed them to do, and all the officers voted to go.
 The day peace was declared I went on record at that time in a conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Mcdonald, which l do not think he will deny, that I was now heartily in favor of all members of the First Alabama, who had left good posi- tions and who had family ties that re- quired their presence at home now that the war was over being allowed to return to their homes, and after the war department made the announcement that the wishes of the men should be consulted, and after finding that large majority wanted to re- turn home, I did everything in my power to see that the wishes of the enlisted men were granted
 My action toward the men before this meeting and afterwards speaks for itself, and I ask you to talk with them, as they can give you a full history of all the un- peasantness I have had with the officers and think they will tell you that L have at all times tried to do what I thought was to the best interests of the regiment, and my actions towards the men at all times Is within itself sufficient to denounce as absolutely false the statement made in the headlines of your paper this morning that I would not allow the men in my regl- ment voice in the matter. I have re- spected their wishes, and now feel proud to refer you to these 1900 men, who feel them selves treated justly by me and who will support and substGatiate my statements. D. L. HIGDON.
 Card From Private
 J. W. Moore, a private in Company K, and who was a clerk at regimental head quarters, has written the following card as to how the vote was taken on the mus ter-out proposition:
 To the Editor of The Age Herald:
 On the day that Lieutenant Colonel Me- Donald asked the men for their sentiment in regard to going tosCuba I was sitting at my desk in the adjutant's office when some one came in and told me that the colonel had the regiment in line at the head of the company streets, and was go- ing to take vote on the question which at that time was absorbing the attention of both officers and enlisted men. I left the tent and went to where the men were form ed in line. When the colonel first asked the opinion of the men I was too far away to hear the exact words in which the ,ques- tion was put, but did note that not man in the regiment moved, then again he re- peated the question and I caught it, which was, "All who want to do their duty and go willingly to Cuba, if ordered, step three paces to the front!" This caused a move In the lines, and some went to the front. Company M, that stood directly in front of the colonel only nine men walked ont all the balance of the company standing in their places like statues. In Company F. twelve men went to the front I counted as fast as I could and although I could not verify the correctness of the count, yet am sure that I could not have been more than fifty out of the way in my count of 250 men who stepped to the front The expression which came over the face of Colonel Mcdonald was undoubtedly one of disappointment, as he made no announce ment at all at that time, as to the result of the vote, but told the men to get to their places in rank and marched them off to drill. It was late when they returned to camp that evening, consequently was after dark before the officers got their SUD- per. But immediately after supper the Colonel came into the office and asked me