The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1898-08-13
Gnnn REASON.

Lieutenant Colonel Lavender and Adiu-
tant Webster. lie could not issue
commissions to these men and have
any self.respect left.
The governor appointed Giboney
Houck as battalion a~djutant, and Z.
A. Hickman as first lieutenant and
adjutant OF the First regiment, at
Chiekamauga. IL this regiment, Bat
dorf is colonel, Lavender is lieutenant
colonel aud Webster is adjutant, all by
appointment Of Gov. Stephens. Yet
these men refuse to recognize Houck
and Hickman, because they were not
from st. Louis, and because BatdoIf
had not recommended them.
Batdorf threw Houek's commission
on the floor, and told him it was not
worth the paper it was written on
The officers did all they could L. insult
and humiliale Houck aud Hickman.
These two officers made their reports
to the governor. Houek's eport is
longer and shows more insuliins abuse
heaped upon himself and the governor.
But Lieutenant Hickman is well known
here, and everybody will believe his
report. We give it in full. Houck
and Hickman have since been assigned
to the Sixth regiment.
Camp NJ. F. Bell, August :, 1855
His Excellency, Hon. Lon V. stephens,
COMMANDMENTS Chief Missouri State
Forces: l reported for duty, as was
instructed, and found Lieutenant
C0lOdel CaEender, who was in com
mand of this regiment, Colonel BatdOf
acting as brigsdier general, writing
out an account Of some battle fOrma-
ton his command had taken part in.
He received me coolly, and said il |
would wait until he finished his work
he would go over the same ground with
me that he had with Lieutenants Houck
and Moore, beth Of whom had reported
to him before | arrived. He said he
would be frank with me aud tell me
outsiders were not wanted in the regi-
ment. He went on to say he thought
our commissions amounted to nothing,
as there WAS a law by which battalion
adjutants were detailed from tine line
officers; said be had nothing for me to
do, and that he would not recognize
my commission. He then tried to
discourage mt by saying the men would
not like me, and that the colonel could
send me out on any kind Of detached
service he might choose. gave him
to understand il | belonged in the regi-
meDt, | was going to get in, and that !
would endeavor 10 make all respect me
whether they like me or not.
next reported to Colonel BstdOrf,
who said he thought my commission
was worthless, that be had no work
for pe aud would not assign me to
duty.
| reported in succession to General
Grant, General Wade and finally to
Major General Brooke, who ordered
General Wade TO have me report for
duty. The morning Of the third day
after | arrived, | moved into the FIRST
Missouri csmp. Colonel Lavender told
me | was not wanted, but that he had
TO take me. was given a tent with Il
lieutenant Of the line, and was assigned
TO the third battalion. That afternoon
when 1t came time for drill | reported
TO Colonel Lavender for orders. He
told me he would not give me any
work for that evening, but that ! had
better 90 on TO the field and watch the
drill. While the regiment vas drilling
the message came from the war depart
ment Colonel Batdorf came galloping
on the field. rode up to me and in
formed me that | had been turned down
by the war department. He then went
to the officers aud announced the decis-
ion, who IN turn informed the men
The regiment wanted to cheer, but the
officers suppressed the demonstration
then.
Recall soon sounded, and 4 great
demonstration followed when the men
were dismissed in camp. | stayed 10
camp that night, took supper at head
quarter mess and was treated very
CONSIDERABLY after | was out of it.
| do not remember meeting Adjutant
Webster. So far as 1 know. he did
nothing to add to my humiliation.
In conclusion | will say that | know
the officers Of the First could have had
nothing against me, though they made
me conspicuous and humiliated me
before 5000 men from my own state.
They thought and felt they had passed
beyond your reach and that they would
now run the regiment to suit them
selves, thus injnring you. Their con-
duct was not what officers should be.
This is my opinion Of the whole
affsir, and I hope | have not let
prejudice or personal feeling make my
report to you unjust.
am delighted to be In the Sixth,
and ! trust my conduct will be such
that you will not regret having COM
missioned me adiutant in the regiment.
We hope To make it the pride Of The
state. Very respectfully,
> i. A. HICKMAN,
D First Lieutenant and Adiutant Sixth
Missouri Volunteers.