Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-14
uurLrn,s pLuxpER.

Il
| In the case OF Major General NJ. c. But
Ter vs.. the Third Virginia Regiment we
have an illustration OF the harm that may
no done by ones acting In an important
matter In hot haste and without sufficient
investigation.
General Butler is an Irascible man, ana
for this reason Mr.. Tillman was more
than once able 10 score an advantage
over him while they were having their
nolltcal jousts. That the General was
gallant Confederate officer; that he was
distinguished senator in the Congress OF
the United States; that ne had many OF
the qualities OF leadership. made the peo-
ple of Virginia glad TO hear OF his re-
celving a generals commission. Virginia
soldiers and civilians have had nothing
but good will for him: but he has reouited
our friendship in a most astonishing way.
He has punished the Third Regiment and
cast such reproach upon this old state as
could only be excused in case OF mu-
tiny.
His own statements as to when ne
wrote general Order. No 49," are con-
nlcting: but II is discreditable TO him that
he ever wrote 1t at ALL And his conduct
while visiting the Virginia camp was most
unmilitary. The language he used there
never should have come from the lips OF
major-general.
The truth is General Butler few or the
handle. as the saying Is, and without
taking time to ascertain the facts re-
solved upon a summary treatment OF the
Virginians.
Our men would have Jared better had
they come under the judgment Of regu-
lar army officer Quite recently members
of regular regiments have been guilty OF
far worse conduct than even General But
Ter in his rage attributed to the Third;
but we have heard of no such harsh ac-
ton as his and to the credit OF the SER
vice. be il said General order, No. 49, is
without precedent.
The truth Of the matter is that Butler
in this affair, has shown himself UNIT
for command. The government cannot al
ford to entrust the lives Of it's soldiers to
the leadership of such an impetuous man.
IL he could be so easily thrown on his
balance by a lot Of soldiers shouting as
IL they were schoolboys.t his judgment
could not possibly be depended upon In
great crises. He has certainly changed a
vast deal since he was favorite COM
mander in the Army Of Northern Vir-
GINA; since he was the daring leader of
the Democratic hosts of South Carolina
against the negroes and carpet-baggers.
1t may be advancing years, or it may be
that suffering from his wound Che lost a
leg at brandy Station) has changed him.
At any rate, he is different from what he
used TO be. He is especially different in
not being able to comprehend the spirit
which actuated our soldiers who ran TO
the assistance of their comrade who had
been beaten by the negro teamster. we
would have thought that he would have
dealt with our soldiers in a fatherly way;
that he would have preferred charges
against the leaders in the disturbance,
and that If he could not excuse the boys
he would not gibbet them in the face OF
the whole nation.
OF course, having taken a stand In this
matter, we may expect General Butler to
adhere TO II to the end. OF course, too,
the testimony Of major-general will have
great weight with the court; yet we hope
the result will be a complete vindication
Of the Third Regiment against the charges
that have been made against it as regi-
ment. The men who created the disturb
ance and those who broke from camp
bounds should suffer, but in view of the
facts, as we understand them. 1t would
be an objectionable outrage to leave the
regiments character stained as It has
been.