The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-07-06
Col. Ward|aw Resigned.
He Gives His Reasons in
Letter to Gov. Ellerbs.

The following letter of resignation
was received yesterday by Governor
E!lerbe from Col. j. Wardlaw:
GAFFSEy, S. c., June 80, 1898
His Excellency, W H. Ellerbe. Cover.
nor and Commander ir.Chief, Co.
lumbia. S G
Sir: Hitherto | bave felt some latent
pride 10 the fact that two cf my great
graod.fathers-Hagh Wardlaw and
James Wisherspoon-were captains 10
the revolutionary war, that near rela
sives had fought in the Florida aud
Mexicao wars. that two brothers-oue
of whom sacrificed bis life after being
voted a medal for distinguished gall
laptry-two unoles and over forty fret
cousins had served without discredit
10 the Confederate war that the name
had occasionally been found on the
honor roll of the colleges and that it
was not altogether unknown 10 the
halls of legislation aud among the judi,
ciary of the State.
Now wheo learned of the testi-
mon;als aud endorsements that had
been presented to you by prominent
gentlemen from almost every section
OF the State. saying that i vas not
worthless, { began to think that may
be | bad Inherited some wee bit Of
courage asd merit from some of my
ki.h aud perhaps I would make SOL
dier after all. provided there was not
much prospect Of a fight. bat your un-
erripg Judgment in wedding out the
unworthy has dispeled all eucn ideas.
and ar forced to agree with ycu that
j. vas vain delasion. You must be
right in concluding that some slight
military training under the peerless
Coward, twenty years experience with
the militia. holding eucampmeuts aud
protecting prisoners, even McLsndon
at Florence aud qaietiug indignant sell
diers who almost rebelled against this
uausestiog duty, uudts mao for hold
ing position Of military hoaor.
have not one word to say against
the personnel Of your appointments,
most Of the geutlemen are friends of
mine and I distinctly recognize their
worth and heartily commend their
courage aud ability. but what l do
complain of is, that you have persist
eutly ignored the militia colonies and
have promoted men Of inferior rank,
and of no superior fitness, over officers
whose character, Intelligence. courage
and military acumen and experience is
at least Sufficient to handle battalion
or perform the duties of quartermaster
sergeant. If Coiohels Aud, Boyd,
Clafy aud myself were all bopelessly
ignorant, devoid of character, we're be-
low the required height. did not weigh
eeough. had defective eye-sigbt, had
no experience and knew nothing of
military matters, then your ucfair and
uuwarrsated discrimination would
have been justi6able, but hundreds Of
reputable South Carolieiaus. compe-
tent to judge. assured you that in their
Judgment some of US were worthy to
become officers 10 time OF war It
! must be admitted by all reasonable peo
pie that if the ranking regimen,al off,
GERS OF the State militia were qualified
tbat they should have been offered some
position 10 the regiments raised for sc-
tual warfare, if not, then Of what use
are these doughty colonels, verify none.
| | have not the pleasure of aa extended
acquaintance with Colonels Auld and
Clatfy, their friends have spoken 10 10
uncertain terms as to their worth. but [
do know that COL Jack Boyd bas given
more time and speos more money in the
interests Of the military than auy mao
in the State We are at least glad that
one colooel has been recognized 10 the
magnificent person Of Willie Jones.
The reputation of the State will aot
suffer in his bands, ncr indeed has
there been sny mistake in sppoiutisg
the gallant Joe Alstou, apart from the
fact that be was promoted over two
trigadier generals and Eve colonels of
infantry.
Having been thoroughly convinced
that am totally unfit to hold commits.
sion of aoy kind, and that the up coun-
try will ouly be required to furnieh the
privstes. I hereby teoder my resigna-
ton as colonel of the third Regiment
S C V.
Respectfully,
Joseph G. Wardlaw.
Col Wardlaw's resignation was ice
mediately accepted by the Governor,
and the Adjutant General instructed to
in form him of the acceptance.
Upon this General Watts sent Col.