Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-24
THE MEN CAN ENLIST.
SECRETARY ALGER YIELDS TO
GOVERNOR TyLERs REQUEST.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ELOQUEHCE
The Governor Succeeds I'm Melting
the stony Heart Of the Man from
MichiRan-The Omccrs Expect to
Get Men Easily.

inducing the Secretary OF War to permit
men OF the Second Regiment to be dis
charged from the service with full pay
and re-enli5ted in the Fourth.
The change IN the order was secured
only after difficulty. Secretary Alger has
several times expressed himself as UNI
alterably opposed TO re-enlisting the man
instead OF transferring them.
But Governor Tyler gave the Secretary
a specimen Of telephone eloquence that
was irresistible. The order to enlist in
stead Of transferring the men resulted.
Tho Governor was waited on in his
Office about noon yesterday by the off,
| GERS Of the Fourth Regiment composing
| The detail sent here to obtain recruits
and was asked To make another effort to
have the order changed so that the men
| could be enlisted, as otherwise il would
| not be possible to obtain the men needed
| TO take the places of the many recently
discharged. Governor Tyler attempted to
| call up Secretary Alger by phone Tues
day, but could not get him, as he was en-
gagged at the time in Cabinet meeting.
a TALK WITH GEN. ALGER.
While the officers were waiting yester-
day he went over to the long distance
and asked for the War Department,
Washington Connection was promptly
given, and the Governor asked that the
Secretary be invited to the phone. Then
the real conversation began.
There were mutual inquiries regarding
health, after which Governor Tyler stated
ms OBJECT in calling up the Secretary
he told him that he had understood from
previous conversation on the subject
That men mustered out of the SECOND
and Third would be allowed to enter the
Fourth, but that since the recruiting de-
tail had come here from Savannah he had
been informed by General Lee that the
men must be transferred. He told the
secretary that it was impossible to OBJ
tam the number Of recruits needed unless
the men were mustered out first and
given all their clothing Communication.
THE SECRETARY'S REFUSAL.
secretary Alger took advantage of the
governors pause for breath TO assure
MN that 1t was impossible to change the
ORDER that rule forbidding more enlist
ments must be regarded as inviolable.
but Governor Tyler was not to be de-
MED in such summary fashion. He felt
that perseverance should and would win.
Besides, he was holding in reserve an ar
gument which he felt would be irresisti-
BILE.
lie told the Secretary how much the
virginia people appreciated the honor
shown the old State by the selection If
General Lee as the commander OF the
corps to take possession of Habana. and
lie SAID he felt sure that General Lee
would feel Inundated TO have the only
virginia regiment in his corps 20 to Cuba
with its ranks depleted by DISCHARGES
BESIDES, as Governor of the State. he him
self earnestly desired that the regiment
make the best showing possible.
AN IRRESISTIBLE ARGUMENT
Ihen the Governor presented the arg,l-
nieht expected TO win the Secretary over.
de called his attention to the fact that
while only about half Of the troons from
other States had been mustered ont two
OF the three white regiments of Virginia
had been, or would be, discharged; that
a large number of men from the Fourth
had been discharged, and would be only
about half regiment If not recruited
he thought the regiment from General
Lees State should be made the crack
regiment Of his corps
1 think 1t due Virginia that you grant
THIS request said the Governor, earn
estly Think of what Virginia has
done for this country. Why, MIR. Secre-
tary the old State should have the best
instead of regiment with ranks half
IulL You must remember that even your
own State is the daughter of Virginia"
THE SECRETARY YIELDS.
The man from Michigan here broke in:
Governor the order you desire shall be
issued at once. / am happy to be able
to oblige you"
Governor Tyler expressed his thanks
but he did not tarry at the phone. and
rang off in hurry, to turn to the waiting
officers, and communicate his success.
The Governor is very deeply gratifed at
the change in the order There are num-
bers Of the men in the Second and Third
regiments who have already written the
Governor Informing him of their desire
TO enter the Fourth. The recruiting Off
GERS feel assured that but little difficulty
will be encountered in obtaining the 300
men wanted.
CANNOT ENLIST NEW MEN.
Only men from the Second and Third
regiments can be enlisted. The object Of
this is to give to Colonel Taylor we'll
drilled men instead of raw recruits.
1t is presumed that the men will enter
the Fourth with the increased pay of 81
a month, though instructions have not
been received from the War Department
One of the assistant acknowledgements,
wired Acting Adjuta nt-General Stern yes
terday that such thing as mastering the
men Jul anu lt-OAiiiothS tiANAa ""D NV |
possible. Almost at the same moment
Secretary Alger informed the Governor |
that IL would be allowed
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL LEE.
General Lee wired Governor Tyler yes |
terday urging him TO have the men re-
enlist, If possible. and the Governor sent |
the following telegram:
General Fitzhugh Lee, Commanding |
Seventh Corps, United States Volun- |
teers:
"Have just had phone message from |
Secretary of War, saying he will have |
order issued for recruiting Fourth Regi- |
ment TO full strength. Please ask for |
detail instructions, and direct officer here |
10 proceed with recruiting.
-. HOGE TYLER"