The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-01
KANSAS BEATS NEW YORK.
Captain w. c. Stevenson's Company
the Color Company.
Camp Alger, Va, July Is, 1898.

To the Editor of the State Journal:
Some letters from this camp having been
printed IN Kansas papers which reflect
upon the ability and military fitness of
some of our officers for their positions
and generally causing our people to enter
tain the idea that the TWenty-second KAN
S5as regiment mas Pq9r drill mas masters. |
facts to prove that on the contrary the
TWenty-secOnd Kansas ranks among the
very best in the United States volunteer
army and that its officers are men of
marked military talent.
On July IS there was a brigade inspec-
ton and review by the brigadier general
of the First brigade In this brigade are
the Twenty-secOnd Kansas, the One Hun
dred and Fifty-ninth Indiana and the
Third New York regiments. Immediate
ly after this review the brigadier general
caused to be communicated to the colonies
ter, which was read to each company by
tsF4ea dduarters First BRIGADE Second Df-
vision, Second Army Corps, July 18,1898.
ITO Commanding officer:
L am directed by the brigadier general
commanding to convey to you on his be-
half the very high appreciation of the bril-
gade- which he feels it an honor to com
mand. To each of the regiments cOnSti-
tuting the brigade and without distinc-
ton, he desires to express his eongratuIa-
ance. In his opinion there is no better
eRrlgade N In9 NEAR my 10 commanding o.
congratulations and thanks for the evil
6T their to the 6 degree na Of
efficiency manifested. Very respectfully,
JAS. A. COLVIN
Adjutant General
This letter, coming as it does from a
man whose recognized military ability
has given him the high position which he
holds, must of necessity carry great
weight and in itself is alone sufficient evil
dence that the several companies must be
well commanded.
was detailed orderly to the brigadier
general and while a my post could not
help hearing many compliments paid the
Kansas boys by officers high in rank
Their superior marching and soldierly
bearing had surprised everyone and thew
ut ma nv pC1a-
versatons which spoke for them only
Concerning the criticisms of Captain w.
G. Stevenson of company H, which have
been printed in several Kansas papers,
it is necessary only to say that his COM
pany is considered by many to be the best
has been accorded the honor of carrying
the flag and regimental cOlors because of
its superiority, when the honory properly
belonged to another company by right of
position. This does NOT argue any lack
I visited our neighboring regiments to
find someone who had taken especial no
and from them to obtain a DISTINGUISHED
opinion. I found Captain r. c. Simpson
diana regiment, who had watched COM
pany H on drill, and who testified to the
ability of the captain as well to the
superior execution of orders by the men.
He also took especial notice of the COM
panyA While it was passing in review dur
ing brigade inspection and did not hesitate
to say that the company presented an APP
pearance second to none in the brigade
and the best in the Twenty-second Tegi-
ment.
Considering the fact that the Indiana
and New York regiments have been drill
ing longer and came here fully equipped
and had no recruits in their companies
this is no insignificant compliment for
this company.
/ had conversations also with several in
other regiments who saw the review from
geous positions. Some gave us
the compliment of ranking first and others
said that we were second to Indiana
alone, and with but a very few exceptions
all agreed that we were ahead of New
York Considering. too the fact that
this company is composed of college boys
who are always noted for their ability to
kick and that they are from different
it is to the captains credit that
he has held the elements together as well
as he has.
ODE L. RANKIN
Former Editor of Strong City Derrick.