The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-05-04
THE CLEAvEs RIFLES.
The Facts in the Case.
TO the Editor Of the Press:

| 49, JNSAA to5oo Va "a I2l cOtiit @AOo1SS~
reference to the Cleaves Rifles and theil
action on the 2Sth inst, i'll refusing to e
forward for enlistment in the q. S. army
also to certain statements Iuade to thu
men by Capt. Starr, as he called for vol
unteers. Now, there seems to be conflict
ing reports of what Captain Starr did sa,
upon that occasion, and much reported
must DO false.
In the article above referred to, it is sale
that Captain Starr alluded to the disa
bility of Lieut.. Knight, the absence O
Lieut.. Holston and to his own physica
disability, which was bar to his enlist
ment, and that he recommended the dis
bandment of the body because of lack o.
commissioned officers. 1t is also statec
that he thereafter called for volunteers
and that out of thirty three members
three only agreed to stand by the com.
pany.
Now, by telling part of the truth only
we may practically tell fal school. I be-
| lieve that the Suppression of much that
Captain Starr did say in this connection,
and failure to state the exact circum-
stances under which he said it, have
COlOr5u VIC dlalE W IltS anu ClAt
wrongfully. / wish to state that what 1
here say is unsolicited by any one, it
being because l feel that an injustice has
come to faithful and efficient man in
the discharge OF his duties in this COM
pany. My version is subject to correction,
if wrong. We want the truth and the
whole TRUTH
Captain Starr did refer to the absence
of Lieut.. Holston and to his own physical
disability. He did not speak of Lieut.
Knight as that gentleman was present
and spoke for himself. Capt. Starr did not
recommend disbandment. He did say
that disbandment was, perhaps, the prop
CT way to meet the condition then appar-
ent, but he did not suggest this until
after his men had failed to come forward
to enlist, and this is an essential point 20
remember
The meeting was called to ascertain the
available men for enlistment. Capt Starr
called on his men to declare themselves
when Lieut. Knight arose as q coplmis-
stoned officer and showed that his frail
state of health barred him from en-
listing Che is not yet recovere from long
run of fever and is on crutches). Can't.
Starr was asked whether he should enlist
or to declare himself. He told them that
be was disabled so that he might not be
able to pass tae requirements, stating the
nature Of the disability. But he assured
his men that he should endeayour to over
ride the difficulty aud should seek no re-
lease because OF 1T. That if passed he
would go with his men wherever called.
and hoped to be able to get through. He
alluded to the very severe strain and ten
sion to which his family had been sub
jected at the knowledge that he must 90
into the army, he having only u few
hours previously obtained their consent.
after many days OF intercession by him
self and his relatives to convince them
that his duty was TO go with his com
pany. Allusion was made to this to show
the men that he had been called upon to
sacrifice his own personal feelings and
tho feelings OF those dear to rim. in
taking his stand. He then called for
men to go with him. Out of forty-nine
men, only nine would go to enlist.
When he saw that forty of his men would
not stand up to answer the call. he felt
discouraged, and then-not before-to-
gether with those present who had said
they would go, and also those who were
present as new recruits (there were about
q dozen recruits) suggested that it might
be we'll to disband and form new or
ganization; 1T was then and there decided
upon elaboration, that Capt. Starr and
one of the new recruits should go to Port
land and consult with Adjutant Davis
relative to the course to pursue Can't.
Starr went to Portland as agreed upon
and for the purpose agreed upon the
next morning.
1t must be seen that Capt Starr did
nothing nor did he say ANYTHING that
rendered to hinder or discourage his men
from enlisting. But, rather, did he NOT
encourage them? 1 am knowing to the
fact that there are some who have since
then decided to go and have gone. as we'll
as others who refused and have not gone.
who had not intended to go il il could
be avoided, though these same persons
blame the captain for his course. It
seems to mo that his frankness in telling
them about himself, physically, has, by
them, been used as hiding-post for
them to step down and out.
So that there should be no -misunder-
standing, and to correct false reports
among them, on the goth inst, when the
men were assembled before Col. Kendall
and Maj. Collins. Capt. Starr told them
he would repeat the substance of his re-.
marks ON the 28th, and he stated them
as have given them herein, and in this
order. The men We're then asked whether
any of them thought he had varied his
statement and not man demurred.
Hence, I think, it must stand uni1n-
peached, and their order and language re-
lieve Capt. Starr of the charge Contained
in the article referred to- that he nlead
his disability and recommended disband-
ment before his meu were called upon
Whereas he suggested disnandment simply
and only when he found he had no men
to follow him, or when forty failed and
nine only stood by. Capt Starr was ready
to go If he had men to go with. Thess
are the facts.
CITIZEN.