The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-08-14
before we were mustered in drew pistol

caught cheating ut cards and this came
near resulting in every one in the regl-
mcnt turning against him. He was ar
rested twice, and once while under ar
rest he called his non-commssloned OIL
GERS up and delivered to them speech
in drunken language that Disguised all
OF u.s. Since being in camp ne has IN
suited me three or four times, and twl.-"
publicly. At Fort Mcpherson he was
drunk and broke into the cantecn of the
priNatcs.
"'rhcSc acts caused the men generally
TO turn against him and he has since then
treated them unkindly and discourtcous-
~. conveying by his manner Il contempt
for those under him. Tho final blow came
at Fort Mcpherson. When we went
there Captain Cooper was quartercd in
Major Bulbs residence. He went there
drunk three times. Twice the adiutnnt
put him to bed. The third time he re-
fused TO handle him, and later, when he
heard a noise in the bathroom. he investi-
gated and found him i'll disgraccful
condition. After this Major Bulb would
not house him and he had to take Il tent.
lie then had the nerve to demand my
tent vet did moi seem TO feel humiliation
of his position.
when we were compelled to leave
Fort Mcpherson and were literally kick
ed out of camp, Major Bubh told me il
was on account of Captain Cooper Our
men left Atlanta feeling disgraced and
did not feel like they were soldiers. The
disgrace brought on us by Captain
Cooper is beyond my power 10 properly
describe and | preferred charges against
L = 4
man. He caused our payrolls TO he re-
turned ten times and otherwise caused
uS trouble.
There are other things that might b.,
said, but what | have told you gives an
idea of the man. | understand he has
now preferred charges against me, but
the disgrace which will follow his con
viction will not hurt me as much as
feel the simple fact of having charges on
file against myself and preferred by such
a person. Lieutenants Curry and Hall,
of Company +, have joined me in the
charges against Captain Copper and they
will be proven"
CAPTAIN COOPER INTERVIEWED
Captain Cooper expressed his willing
ness to be interviewed. and stated that
ut as just DEtpdIliS W NIlle HIT OH lllc
subject. He says in substance:
Some days since Lieutenant Conrad
preferred charges against me, alleging a
disgraceful occurrence at Fort McPher-
son some weeks ago. This supposed oc-
currence took place in Major Bulbs
house, where l was quartered. Major
Bubb has never made any .mention to me
of such, nor did he sanction the prefer
ment of these charges. My personal re-
lations with Major Bubb were very
pleasant. The charges We're preferred
by Lieutenant Conrad the day of our
arrival at this station. three weeks after
the occurrence. he alleges. At the time
| raised my company, Lieutenant Con-
rad, Il struggling young lawyer. with
the assistance of his wife's relatives
was utrying to raise company ut Way
nesville y. c., lightweight miles from
my home. He made Il signal failure.
and had to disband. Not finding Il suita-
bic man in my own company, and being
then devoid Of military experience,
took him into my company. He has,
since the third week after we were mus
tered into the service occupied himself
principally in fostering his personal am
Pherson he tented with sergeants and
otherwise conducted himself in man
ner which no officer should.
''In making the present attack he has
been actuated only by the basest of per-
sonal motives. Some two weeks ago he
told Lieutenant Johnston that he intend
ed to be captain of the company. and
that he was determined to Dust me by
any means in his power | knew moth
ing of his having preferred charges until
three days later. | saw your article, and
YOU can imagine my surprise at their ma
ture. ] am informed reliably that after
preferrng charges, the clique of which
he is the head smuggled il petition
amongst the men addressed to the gov
ernor of North Carolina, asking Conrad's
appointment as captain. and that of Ser
geant Lands as second lieutenant. The
petition was to he forwarded to the gov
ernor Immediately, in case | resigned or
was removed. 1t also seems they have
been in communication with some one in
the adjutant generals office at Raleigh.
For this reason they had the petition all
ready to act as soon as the expected
change took place.
First Sergeant Lands was the SER
gcant major of the regiment, with the
pay of a private, when | had him trans
ferred to my company and made him ser
geant. The other sergeant connected
with this disrespectful, disgraceful affair
had also attempted to raise company,
but failing, came to Raleigh as ii recruit.
! took him and made him Il sergeant.
1T is simply an example of mans
beast nature asserting itself. Conrad
has prurient itch to be addressed by
the title of captain. However, instead,
he will be called upon to plead to charges
preferred under articles of war 33:. u
20 and 81. Cfhcse refer to drunkenness,
INSTRUMENTATION, disrespect to his SUI
periors, etc.) 1t was his tenting with
scrgcants that brought our removal from
Fort Mcpherson and the criticisms
passed upon our discipline in the papers.
He has not for some time treated me
with the respect due me as his com
handing officer, but naturally, | hest
tated long before involving my company
i'll disgraceful courtmartial. The
crowd that Lieutenant Conrad heads has
been scheming for some time, but they
are at their end now, and will be shown
up proper"
Colonel Burgwyn states that he has
w hoin p,tbl u