Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-07
TIE COTRT,s FINDINGS.

The Dispatch is glad TO see that he
newspapers generally accept the eport
Of the court Of inquiry i'm the case Of
tho Third Regiment as q vindication OF
that command And so il is. The court
went as far as it could have been ex-
pected to gO-viewing the matter purely
from a military standpoint-in condemn
ing General Buffers order No. IS" The
court states the facts as 20 the disorder
near the hospital, and declares that there
was no riotng or characterization within
the camp of the Virginians. 1t also asserts
its belief that had Butler been as fully
informed then as ne IS now he would not
have issued that order; an order which,
we must say, grievously wronged a noble
regiment and a noble state.
We are glad that the court refers to
Buffers previous experiences" with the
Third. We have heard that up to a
time shortly prior to the occurrence in
question, the General could find no Ian
guage too complimentary for the Vir-
ginians; but suddenly his affection for
our men seems to have been turned into
hostility. Why? lie himself has said
in explanation OF the fact that members
Of the regiment had vexed him very much
indeed, because of their refusal TO salute
negro ohicersl No other complaint was
made against the Third; nor is he known
20 have said anything about that matter
until he rode I'm hot haste to the Nir-
ginla camp on August Sth.
1t is true we believe. that one or more
Of the Nirglnians had been reported for
not saluting negro officers; but this ought
not TO have fired Butler up as it did
lie understands southern character, and
has had large experience I'm dealing with
the negro race and should have been able
20 control his temper better If he had
had friendly talk with the officers Of
the Third, and unburdened himself Of his
vexaton, It would have been more credit
nble 10 him and better for the regiment
and the entire service.
1t Is a pity all that Butler said I'm con-
demnation of the Virsinians who failed
80 salute negro officers could not so into
The record; but it might have prejudiced
our men in the eyes of some high officials.
though e would have served 20 explain
20 the general public the grounds of But
Jer's prejudice against the regiment.
General Graham see-saws and whips
around "a great deal To shield Butler from
the consequences of the courts report
but ne has to travel out of the record
10 find his reasons and excuses. If the
conduct Of the men outside OF the camp
lines was unsoldierly, it was not much
more 20 than General Buffers. 1t is
shown that he was preiudiced against the
Third: 1t is certain that he was eXtrava-
gantly excited when he came into our
camp, when the men were assembling to
answer ron-call, and there can be no
doubt that he took counsel Of his anger
father than Of his prudence. Under those
circumstances he did our regiment great
injustice. In substance, the court OF
inquiry says so, and though General Ora
ham has tried 20 gloss Buffers conduct |
over the world must accept the conclu- !
aions OF the court rather than those Of |
The General What the court says of |
Buffers General order No 49, de-
nounoing and furnishing The Third Regi-
ment, Is as follows:
= ''srha court is finally Of the opinion that
A. the author of the order had been re-
stricted. as the court is, TO the conside-
cation of the conduct Of men belonging |
80 the Third Virginia Volunteers, as !
charged in General orders, No. Is head
quarters OF the First Division. Second
Army Corps on the night of August Sth
only, aud had he possessed his present
knowledge of the behavior that night Of
nil the officers Of this regiment who were
shown 10 be cognizant OF the trouble. he |
could not, with his high sense OF right