Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-19
THE THIRDS CASE.

From a well-known Virginian, former
ly a volunteer officer Of high rank, but
not now connected with the army. we
gather some interesting information OBJ
tained by him upon a recent visit to Camp
Alger.
In view Of the fact that he heard much
OF the testimony that was produced be-
fore the court of inquiry. and has talk
ed with numbers of the officers and men,
and is fully competent TO weigh evidence.
the Dispatch attache; much Importance
10 his statement.
Our friend tells us that his investiga-
ton exonerates all of the Third except
about twenty-five men who, rushed across
the line when it was reported in camp
that comrade Of theirs had been
killed by negro teamster. He
explains. as follows. how General
Butler came 10 think a riot was
SONG on: II was the result Of his
order (sent ahead of him by staff Off
cerl 20 have the '1ong roll" called Cen
eral Butler got into the camp just as
the cali had been sounded. and when
the men 60 per cent Of whom knew
nothing OF the fuss in the division hos
pitaD were rushing to their company
streets to answer the roll-calI.
Nearly all thought ii was an order 10 go
90 Porto Rico. and they were shouting
3n gladness at the move. At that moment
General Butler arrived. He had received
two alarming phone messages from over
nj h."
ing FOR Decentralization. The real and
only disturbance was not In the camp Of
the Third. but in the division hospital
and the officer who 'phoned General But
Ter had no reason for doing so. except
that the camp Of the Third is Just across
the road from the division hospital The
road passes between the division hospital
and the camp of the Third.
At 7:ao p. NJ. this road is crowded with
hospital stewards and men from various
regiments. Some one rushed down 10 the |
road and shouted tina: a hospital ste
ward, Virginian. had been cut and kill
ed by a negro teamster. The crowd in |
the road. and the few virginians who |
were standing inside OF the the lines. |
rushed through the division hospital |
tents; but. not finding the negro. they |
returned. and that incident was closed
Half an hour after the affair was over
and when all the men Of the Third had
returned 10 their camp, the long roll was
sounded. and General Butler arrived just
at that time. He thought the running
about and shouting he saw and heard
was INSTRUMENTATION. when it was but the
result OF his own order-to have the lone
roll sounded.
The friend whom we have been quoting
further says
Il do not wish 10 do General Butler
any injustice and can see how he mis-
took the running about and shouting Lon
disorder. after receiving two phone mes
sages; siill X was his duty 10 ascertain |
the facts before issuing his brutal or
der" No. IS Colonel Nallc has an old |
mother and child very III. The day before
got TO camp he received "a telegram
stating that his brother had met with an
accident and had his skull crushed Yet S
be could not leave forea day. for he
had been ordered not 10 send any passes
10 General Buffers headquarters for app
oroval. This shows the brutality" OF
order No. IS :
As We have said the friend that We s
have quoted Is an cx-oniccr OF hign rank d
a gentleman Of education and penetration.
md. withal a fair-minded person. That
bis statement Of the case is substantial q
} correct. We have no doubt. Z
We DO not care what the court OF in Z
,uisy may report. the people of Virginia /
sitter reading the sworn statements o. 2
'fficers and men whom they know. win :
lever believe General Butler vas mstl. :
led Ia punching the entire Thisd Rsgl. a
ment botanse OF the conduct OF twenty Z
i've or thirty Of them. II the Genera
had not "iost his head upon arriving :
a :he Virsinia camp. ne would have
iuieily caused an Inquiry TO be made rs
Q the cause OF the disturbance referred :
Q In the phone messages. ana would !
leithsr have indulse4 in profanity nor in :