The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-09-15
MAJOR MONTEATH BACK
Lieutenant Wedekipd Returns
With Him.
GIVEN A WARM WELCOME
The Major Says That Miles Was Respon-
sibls for the Failure OF the Rough
Riders to See Service in
Porto Rico.

Major J. Fl. Monteath. commanding
the Montana squadron Of the 3rd Unit
ed States volunteer cavalry, known as
Grigsby's rough riders. arrived home
yesterday, accompanied by Lieutenant
George wedekind. first lieutenant OF
troop L. the troop which was organized
here. Both officers are looking better
than any OF the other members of the
regiment who have reached home. Ma
jor Monteath was greatly troubled with
dysentery and several times had a mild
attack of fever. and as a consequence.
lost considerable flesh. but otherwise
is in good health and spirits. Lieu
tenant Wedekind was also sick with fe-
yer. but has entirely recovered and is
the picture of health. Both officers
were given a warm reception by their
relatives and friends.
Major Monteath expressed himself as
being glad his soldier days are over
now that all chance of seeing action is
past. The boys all wanted to go to
the front very badly said Major Mon
teath. b u II was not our fault. Col
onel Grigsby and Colonel Lloyd exert
ed themselves TO the utmost in the en-
deavor to get the regiment into the
Porto Rican expedition. and we at n
time had the promise from General
Brooke that we should be included, but
II was said to be impossible to get the
transports necessary TO carry the
of the regiment. but 1t was
subsequently, learned that the gener-
ais request that We be included was
fatty refused by the war department
and that General Miles was responsible.
General Miles had social debts TO pay
and used his influence TO discharge
his obligations In this respect. sending
the Sheridan guards of Washington,
the City troop Of Philadelphia and the
Governors guards of New York in
stead. which. OF course. shut out the
Grigsby regiment
Major Monteath did not hesitate to
critlcise Miles for his course. with
reference to the conditions at Camp
Thomas. Major Monteath's views coin
cided with those expressed by Captain
stivers on his return the day before.
He spoke in highest praise Of all the
Montana troopers and was able to find
ample excuse for their fretting under
the restraint of camp life after II had
become patent they were being dis
eliminated against in favor of Miles
favorites. Major Monteath also spoke
in terms of praise of Colonel Lloyd and
all h officers of troop l.. The hard
ships the troops suffered at Chicka-
manga. Major Monteath attributed to
the inefficiency of the war department.
the officers of which he criticised Sc
verely.
Major Monteath preferred not TO dis
cuss the disaffection that has been said
TO have existed among the troops. be-
yond stating the criticisms Of Captain
Sttvers and Colonel Lloyd were very
unjust.
Lieutenant wedekind preferred not
talk OF his experiences for the present.
A report reached Butte yesterday Of
a serious accident said to have occurred
TO Private Pete Cailan OF this city.
while on the train en- route home. Cal
n Private c. O'Malley were trav-
cling together, according to the story.
n O'Malley vas giving a sabre ex-
hibition for the benefit of the passen-
gers in the car. The train. Iurching
caused the hllt of the sabre 10 nj,
against the side of the car, which gave
another lurch and the point of the
weapon was plunged against Callan.
who sat near, impaling him. 1t was
SAID Callan only lived long enough TO
be removed from the train. Another
account was 10 the effect thai CalIan
not killed. but seriously wounded
captain Stivers, when asked II he had
heard of the accident, admitted he had
but said O'Malley's sister had received
a telegram from him yesterday telling
her not to believe any stories she
might hear, that he and CalIan were
coming home and would reach here
safely.
other members OF the Rough Riders
VINO reached home yesterday. were Pri-
Nate Cass w. Taylor and John Gamer
on, the troop blacksmith. and private
Newman Of Deer Lodge. Cameron
came home in the best condition Of
any OF the three.