New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-04-30
MEN AGAINST OFFICERS.
RANK AND FILE OF THE THIRTEENTH
REGIMENT READY FOR DUTY.

COLONEL WATSON AND HIS OFFICERS NOT ABLE
10 KEEP THE MEN BACK REVOLT
AGAINST THEIR oUrRBrING-THE FOUR
TENTH ASKS FOR THE APPOINT
MENr OF COLONEL F n. GRANT
A we'll organized and widespread mutiny in
the 18th Regiment was stirred up last evening
by the remarkable statement made by Colonel
William L. Watson late on the preceding even
ing. when he told group ~ reporters that In
his opinion so fcw members Of the 18th would
volunteer that II would be unwse TO take the
regiment to camp. Every company In the COM
mand held an enthusiastic meeting last evening,
and without exception they declared their de-
termination to serve in spite OF their offcers
IL they could not with their approval
The privates nave found by talking over the
matter that the greatest objection to the recent
series OF orders has been In the officers quarters.
The men are now practically satisfied with
the assurance given by Adiutant General TIL
linghast that the regimental organizations will
not be disbanded They are chatting under the
quibbling OF their officers. and when Colonel
Watson publicly expressed his doubt as TO the
regiment being willing to serve. they decided
to take things into their own hands.
This regiment" said OF the men last
It could not wipe out by winning battle un-
aided We do not propose to he led around by
the nose any longer II the colonel OF any OF
the officers have personal or selfish reasons for
wishing 10 stay at home they may stay but
they will not keep us with them. We are or
dered 70 go 10 camp at Hampstead on Monday
We shall go. and mighty few OF US VIII come
back. whatever they may do with us IL we
should 60 down there and then back out after
seeing the other regiments in camp ready and
willing to serve would never outlive the
disgrace. We simply could not come back"
Colonel Watson was not at the armory last
night An official envelope was awaiting him
ard II supposed TO contain the orders as
signing the regiment TO camp duty rat Hemp
stead on Monday.
The twenty-six officers OF the 14th Regiment
met at the armory in Eighth-ave. last night.
and sent a petition to Governor Black asking
him 10 appoint Colonel Fred d. Grant as colonel
Of the regiment. The rules OF the National
Guard demand that the names of candidates for
Offices must be posted for five days preceding
the election Just at this time five days mean
a great deal. especially as the regiment Is or
dered 10 go 10 camp on Monday IN order to
save time the officers decided TO ask the Gov
ernor to make the appointment. BY this process
only could the vacancy be filled legally and
without delay.
As soon as the officers had sent their message
10 the Governor they announced their action on
the floor OF the armory. and a big demonstration
followed. The men poured out Of their company
rooms and gave repeated cheers for Colonel
Grant.
II is expected that the Governor will act
promptly on the request ~ the officers. and that
colonel Grant will announce his acceptance OF
-t,.
More than one hundred recruits were received
yesterday. and the adjutant able to an
nounce in the evening that the regiments quota
will he complete before Monday
Tho opinion seemed to be prevalent at the I'D
Regiment Armory last night that In view OF
the stand taken 10y the 18th Regiment II was
not at all unlikely that the 23i Regiment would
be substituted for its more unwilling Drother-
Some even went so far 10 say that the orders
would come today FOR the I'D 10 go 10 Hemp
stead on Monday and for tho l3th 20 stay al
home This belief was not expressed alone by
tho prfvatcs and minor officers but was boldly
put forth hy one ~ tho highest officers az heins
hnsed on late Information. II Is the general
opinion that 20 give the I'D chance now would
be no more than fair. in view OF the strong
showing that It made on the volunteering propo-
siiion
II was no, possible last nigh. to get any def
mite informal I'D az 10 whether not the I'D
would Doe substituted for the 18th to-day. II. In
decd. any ON" know positively concerning the
matter
Some moves have already been made tow
ard modifying the Twenty-thrd Regiment
IN case n Is not called az part OF the states
quota and :aknG 4 out on Long Island some
" here 10 camp FOR week This. " is thought.
would serve tn, double purpose Of r"neVeing
the rnsilessucsS thai IS fclt bv some al being
left nj home and showing to tho state officials
the metal Of which the regiment IL composed.
Things were altogether gloomy about the
armory last night. as the regular drills for the
season are over and the reaction from the
tension tended 10 keep the men M home. Inc
regiment is nov reaching the 300 mark. and
tho companies without exception, were never
in better condition.
In spite Of the fact that the fever for active
duty IS strong IN many OF the members or the
regiment Il IS doubtful II many OF them VIII
seek Il by taking their transfers 10 other regi-
ments So far only one man has gone. lie
was transferred 10 the Fourteenth. Two others
have asked for their transfers. one desiring TO
20 10 the Sevcnty-tirst IN Manhattan. captain
Wells OF Company B. Is one OF the most on
thusastic Of those who want 10 go 10 war
HIS company IS one ~ the best In the regi-
ment and he is one OF It's best sharpshooters.
AFRAID OF LOSING THEIR ARMORY.