, 1898-09-27

VIVA ~ ~ IN 'ol ~
partment When Properly Made.
The following correspondence. pub
lished in the Cheyenne Tribune. ex-
plains itself:
Land Office, Washington.
September 10, 1898.
Hon. George d. MeikeljChn, Acting Sec
rotary Of War. Washington. d. c..
Dear Sir-I have received numerous
communications in the past few days
from members of the Second United
at Jacksonville, Florida. and also from
friends and relatives of the men in this
regiment. These letters are all of the
same tenor; namely. that the men. hav-
ing responded promptly to the presi-
dents call, and having enlisted for the
war. now that hostilities have ceased,
country by being allowed to return to
their homes and resume their former
avocations. Many of these men have
loved one dependent upon them. and
as their country does rot at this time
seem to need their services for active
duty, their families appeal to them to
return to their homes. No finer lot of
men eve marshaled to a standard. and
no more patriotic body of citizens ever
enlisted for the defense of their coun-
try, than the members of the Second
volunteer cavalry. If needed to uphold
the honor Of the nation, they are will
ing to sacrifice everything. Their ser
vices being no longer required by their
country. they have the desire common
to all good citizens. to lay aside the
sword and return to the paths of peace
and the care of those dependent upon
them.
l therefore respectfully request that
the Second United States volunteer
cavalry tTorreys' Rough Riders) be
mustered out OF the service. and. if,
owing to the needs OF the service. it
shall be impossible to do this, then that
prompt action be taken and discharges
granted to men whose families need
them at hcme.-yery truly yours,
F. W. MONDELL.
War Department, Washington, D. c.,
Sept. 20, 1s9S.-Hon. F. w. Mondell.
assistant Commissioner, general land
office, Washington, D. C.-Sir- | have
your letter of the 10Th instant, in the
matter of the Second United States VOL
unteer cavalry, now stationed at Jack
sonville, Fla, which you desire, on be-
half of many friends and relatives of
the men of the regiment should be mus
tered out Of the United States service,
upon the ground that as hostilities have
ceased, they feel that they could best
serve their country by being allowed
to return to their homes and resume
their former vocations, etc.
In reply l have to inform you that
the department is deeply apreeiative
Of the patriotic spirit which entered in
to the organization of the volunteer
forces, and would gladly return them
to their homes if the interests of the
government would permit; but with a
full knowledge of the situation, it is
thought that the limit of reduction has,
for the present, been reached.
Tn tho rnonrt o,,ar,,l n-;1oua;. - -
the question as to which volunteer re-
giments should be mustered out, and
which should remain in service, the ex-
cellent reputation for discipline and
soldierly conduct, no less than the
many commentators 1t has, from time
to time, received from the officers of
the army, and representative men OF
the government, who have visited the
camp at Jacksonville, had great weight
in the selection of this regiment to be
retained in the service of the United
States.
Acting upon the conclusion reached.
after careful consideration Of the needs
1890 vi NV Shittu tolalCS, Vi
ders have already been given for the
muster out Of all the volunteer cavalry
that can be spared at this time, to that
it would he quite impracticable to
make any change in the disposition
thus decided upon.
At the same time, in orderodisfyaeB
your wishes. as well as those of the
members of the regiment, and their
friends, as Tar as possible, individual
applications, when forwarded through
military channels, will receive prompt
n careful consideration. and such ac-
ton as the merits of the case demand.
With assurance OF high regard and
esteem, I am, very respectfully.
G. D. Meiklejohn,
Acting Secretary Of War.