New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-04
WAR IN THE SIXTY-NINTH.
HEALEY AND MCRYsTAL NEARLY CONE
TO BLOWS.

STRIFE IN A MEETING OF OFFICERS CALLED TO
Caucus on THE CoLONELCY-AN EX-
rREMELY SPIRITED GATHERING
MCRYs1AL AND STRONG IN
LIVELY DEBATE.
When Colonel George Moore Smith. OF the 69th
Regiment National Guard OF New-fork, was
chosen Ms commander Of the newly FORMED fith
Brigade It was said that dark days were again
ahead of the 69th which has had most stormy
career The prediction was parity verified yester-
dav VIII N number OF the line officers OF the regl-
ment met in the armory TO hold a caucus with the
Idea Of selecting a candidate OH whom all could
unite to All the vacant colonelcy. The meeting was
in response to letter written by Father DAILY, the
chaplain Of the regiment. and before IT was ad-
journed there was everything but pitched battle
on the floor OF the armory. Epithets were hurled
about In a reckless manner the lie passed and
two of tho captains were on the point Of exchans-
Ing blows. As a result OF the dispute 1t is said.
somebody will he court ma rtialed.
In the last two weeks there have been four mon
mentioned In connection with the coonecy. These
are Leutenant-Colonel Edward Duffy. Major
Thomas f. Lynch. Major Michael J. Speliman and
Commssary John A. Davidson. Each OF these off,
GERS has been conducting active campaign. and
the election. which will be held to- night promises
10 be an especially lively incident in the history OF
tn' flSntinS b'tn IN order 10 prevent any bad
feeling at the election Father DAILY suggested that
a caucus be held. and In compliance with his re-
quest, twenty OF the officers met yesterday after
noon IN the armory. Those present
Company A-Captain Michael Lynch; Second Lieu
tenan; William F. Guilfoye.
Company B-Captain Edward T. McCrvs,al FIrs,
Daniel c. Devln.
Company captain John oConne Second Lieu
Company D-captain Putnam BradIeA Strong,
First IieMtenant J. Plunket and Second Lieutenant
Company ,E-captain John e 0 BrIen. Second
company Chaplain John E Duny. Second Lieu
tenant Bernard r. Cummings
company K-captan Daniel Mccarthy. FRS,
ant Howard r Gilgar
Captain Healy presided Three Of the candidates
-G..eutenant-C Colonel Duffy and Majors
Lynch AMI spcliman. captain Heay said that the
meeting had been called the suggestion Of the
chaplain. who had written a letter to the officers o.,
the regiment I'm regard TO the coming election for
colonel
several OF those present called for tho reading Of
the letter. but Captain McCrysial protested against
mixing tho chaplain up In affair that was strict
~ military. He was hacked up in this protest by
Leutenants Griffin and Devlin Captain Strong
took tho floor and made speech for the admission
OF tho letter
This meeting is called through the influence Of
the reverend father. /. FOR orc am not afraid to
have his letter read. hope there arc none who
are afraid It would be sorry ching indeed. II
feared 20 hear from spiritual adviser"
THE CfIAPLAGNS LETTER.
Captain McCrystal insisted upon vote being
taken on his protest ana the meeting sustained
Captain Strong. whose motion to admit the letter
was carried
The letter as follows:
In these days. when tho public are looking
Nth he he to sGs56 o e5s n
all those Interested In the name and fame Of
the historic regiment win when You are con
Cling In the contest for colonel which ia soon 20
he decided II would be Tor the good OF ne organize
unanimous. Such evidence OF unanimity would
DO much FOR ne namS OF the resinent ana ior nc
organization has been committed.
When the letter had been read Captain fIealey
sala that the meeting would like speeches from the
candidates present. Each OF the three said a little
about hi. desire ~ harmonious election.
They then withdrew from tho room. and the storm
broke Several men declared that tho chaplains
letter meant tina. tho caucus vote would he bind
INK on the final vote on Monday nieh'. captain
Strong protested against any such Interpretation
OF tho lci,cr.
Il shall no. sit quietly hero and words put
into tho chaplain's mouth which he never uttered
and never intended to utter" said captain Strong.
For a few minutes captain Iiealey could hardly
keep order so fast did speakers Eurl motions az
him Finally on motion Of Captain Strong. It was
agreed that ihe vote 10 be taken would have no
binding influence upon the ballot tonight
STRONG AND MCRYSTAI.
rap,ai. McCrystal and Captain Strong had been
cycling zach other icrrcly during tho course OF 'h"
meeting It Was tho first gathering they had at
tended since captain Mc'ryStai had tired 20 de
feat captain strong for captain or com. any ~
no
Captain Strong. and Il was charged ana never
denied that Mct'rysial had sent them out Al a
convcnicn, time in the proceedings. captain Strong
accused Captain McCrystal OF issuing the clrcu-
lar. against HIM. lie went over the circumstanceS
ing the captain Of company Il for interfering IN
capan McCrysial decarsd that the S oGe as sG
And only stood for the principles W"lrn , N.Y.
made it famous am no' asRamed , o, agstn;"s
there was a great deal of discussion following on
the question Of the coonecy Al last volf was
called for Before It was taken captain hea,ey
arose inpressivey. and begging FOR the indusenS .
the meeting for few mSme w Sss seem 10 that he
was speaking under great excitement , .,,
.verv one in It. no said with the exception OF
that man there (pointins to captain McSrys,a h
IDEA OF getting himself made lieutenant colonel.
hopins that 4 the colonel steps out he VIII so up
.colonelcy he has gone back on all no usei
| 70 hold as true | remember the day when the I'VE
caroid in The dark days OF 1884,, Captain Mccrystal
was then called upon TO eli what Re thought or or
! Commanding officer. Major DUFFY was then III
command. lie tQih cen - Us M H., IN,
netent to command: that he often appeared al me
! armory In A condition UNIT To give roiI'n11 ,s
! And now this same man McCrystal goes aoout laud
| inr the merits OF Iieutcnant- Colonel puHy II
! what he said true then. why does he TAKE MS
stand today
MCRYsTAL's DENIAL
Captain Ileaey's angry words set the meeting ir
| n ,un,uI Half Il dozen rose 10 speak. and
| finally McCrystal made his voice heard i deny
| that | made any such Elements as Captain liealy
has charged" he said
| what shouted Iesley. HIS face white Win
anger You dare say that you did not sag that