Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-08
HOT TIMES Nv PICKETT CAMP.
Mr. winfree Says He VIII sabstanh-
nfe His Charge.


ate HIS Charge.
The veterans OF Pickett Camp spent JUS
half an hour last night in prosecuting
their erdeavor TO purge Their roll Ihs
matter reached such an acute stage tna'
the commander was forced 10 apply the
eloture, and raped so vigorously Tor or
der that the official stone was broken III
pieces. Still some members clamored 70
be heard, and the camp meeting was
closed in something approaching very
near 10 disorder.
1t was probably the shortest and most
tumaltuous meeting that has ever oeen
held by this camp since IL organization,
and after the adjournment members
gathered in groups and discussed the
developments etcitedly. The attendance
was not very large, a fact that was due
to an invitation extended to the camp to
attend the address delivered by Judge
Christian before the Sons of Veterans
and tho Howitzers.
Little time was occupied in the transac-
ton OF the regular business OF the camp.
the only matter OF importance being the
appointment Of committee by the COM
mander 10 draft resolutions on the death
Of Mr.. j. II. Schroeder and Mr. j. ID.
Craig. The following gentlemen Will
serve: Messrs. X. n. Northen, T. n.
Richardson, and W. Il. Whltehouse.
LETTER FROM MR.. WINFREE.
The trouble began when the reports
Of special committees were reached. The
committee appointed under resolution
introduced by Mr.. Humphrey three weeks
ago to investigate q charge preferred
by Mr.. George Winfree that certain
member Of the camp had deserted from
the Fourteenth Virginia Regiment during
the war and joined the Federal forces
made IT'S report.
All efforts 10 induce Mr. Winfree TO
disclose the name Of the man had proved
Intellectual until las; week But the camp
pursued the matter so vigorously that Mr..
Winfree was placed i'm an eGuiYocal posi-
ton, and the investigating committee,
last night presented as a part of their
report a letter from Mr. Winfree. In
which he stated that while member of
the camp, and when the same matter
was being pursued he had attempted
to make a statement, and 10 give the
name or the man against whom he stood
ready to prefer the charge but he had not
been allowed to speak by the commander,
being repeatedly raped to silence.
Since that time, he says. the man who
was guilty OF desertiOn has risen 70 a
prominent place IN the community, and
is the father Of q family. He is consld-
cred to be very highly respectable. and
Dir. Winfree says he is unwilling at this
late day 10 disclose his name. as it would
mean his ruin and the disgrace of his
children. He consents, however. to meet
the committee, or any member Of IL, and
go over the roll OF the camp. and point
out the name; or, in event that the man
is no longer a member OF the organiza-
ton, to give a certificate 10 that effect
TO GO OVER THE ROLL.
The letter was Yariously received by
members of the camp. Some went so far
as TO impugn the veracity of Mr. VIM
free, while others sought to defend him.
not only as to his military record, but
as to his fidelity; stlll others considered
the proposition "A very fair one and the
chairman of the committee was desig-
mated TO meet Mr.. Winfree with the roll
OF the camp and report the result of his
at the next meeting.
The debate on this question was of
brief duration. but IL was very animated.
Personalities were INDUCED in. and the
of the situation was
heightened by the presence of several
Of the old Fourteenth, who
were anxious to clear their record Of the
stigma which is said To attach to one
OF the camp, who enlisted at the
outbreak OF the war, but deserted to the
enemy al Hampton.