Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-15
TO MUSTER ALL OUT
Every Volunteer Organization
May Be Discharged
CAN'T Be HELD AF7tR. PEACE,
The Army Bill Does Not Allow Their
Retention IN Service.
WILL APPLY TO THE FOURTH.
II This Command is Taken to Cuba,
II May Have to he Brought Back
and Disbanded-Governo Tyler on
His Savannah Trip.
WILL APPLY TO THE FOURTH.

haps. that though the volunteer regi-
ments which have been ordered to be
mustered out of the service are making
desperate efforts to have such orders re-
scinded, it will not, according TO a high
authority, be month before every volun-
teer organization will be sent home.
An officer Of the regular service stated
yesterday that there was no possibility
of the muster out order being rescinded,
inasmuch as it was the intention of the
department to have all volunteers mus
tered out just as soon as peace was de-
clared.
CAN'T HOLD THEM AFTER PEACE.
Under the volunteer-army law this
will have to be done" he said. '"The
government has no right to hold volun-
teers a day after peace has been de-
clared. The government will have no
right TO pay either officers or men or
the volunteer service a single day after
peace is formally established.
"Take the case of the Fourth Vir-
ginia." the officer continued. THE regi-
ment may get to Cuba but as soon as
peace is established it will have to be
brought back and mustered out. 80,
really II makes little difference whether
the regiment be mustered out now, or
month or six weeks hence.
"As soon as peace is declared the volun-
teers will be mustered out, but | think,
and hope, that previous 10 that Congress
will pass Il bill increasing the regular
army to 10000 or 5000 men. The pro-
gramme is to have this bill passed as
l.
ble-a bill increasing the regular estab-
lishment-as the fact Is well known that
the volunteers cannot be held after peace
is established. l understand Congressman
Hull the author of the volunteer-army
bill, is now at work preparing bill TO
be introduced as soon as Congress con-
venes. to increase the regular army. L
think It will provide for an army OF CO.
600, or maybe 5000 men.
"The government will undoubtedly need
a great many of the volunteer soldiers
officers and men. But these must be mus
tered out of the volunteer service ana
mustered into the regular army. This was
done at the close of the civil war. Gene
raj Miles you know, was breyet-briga-
dier of volunteers but was made major
i'm the regular service. And so II VIII be
now. Officers in the volunteers VIII be
commissioned in the regular service, but
will have to take two or three grades
lower rank. | have not the slightest idea
that the department will make any effort
to hold the volunteers after peace is for
mally established"
CANNOT BE RE-ENLISTED.
1t seems to be true, also, that the men
from the Second Regiment cannot be
mustered out of the service and then en-
listed In the Fourth The law Will not
allow ii to be done. They could be trans
ferred. but they will not agree to this,
as they are anxious TO get their back pay,
including clothing commutation. Under
the regulations this is not given the men
| until they are mustered out.
II is said to be perfectly well recognized
| by President Mckinley that men cannot
| now be enlisted in the volunteer service
| except he issue a proclamation calling
| for volunteers. President Mckinley want
| ed l25. 900 men last April. He issued his
proclamation calling for that number OF
volunteers. This number was enlisted
| every company being given a strength
| of eighty-four men. When, in May, II
was decided TO enlist 1900 more men, a
| second proclamation was Issued and this
| number enlisted, companies being re-
| cruited TO 1O6 men each. President Nc
Kinlev has refused 10 issue another proc
| lamation. It is the opinion that not a man
| can now be enlisted in a volunteer regl-
ment.
He could be transferred. He won't be
| He refuses to give up his clothing com
! mutation As stated, under the army
regulations ne cannot get this until mus
| tered out Of the service. 1t seems tha
the officers Of the Second, and several o
| polIl1
| men from the latter regiment 10 hell
make out the required 200 or 500 mel
needed TO keep the second in service
proceeded upon the false assumption tina
| The men could re-enlist. Could the mel
re-eplist. large number from the Sc
| cond Regiment would agree TO enter tn
| Fourth. They will not be transferred. 1
| is doubtful if they can be against thei
| will. The integrity of their State organ
| izaticn will have TO be maintained, a
| provided for by the volunteer army bill
However. Governor Tyler is proceeding
| upon the assumption that the men cal
| re-enlist in the Fourth from the Secon'
| and Third. and will in day or two g
| To Washington 20 confer with Secretar,
! Aleer on the subject. The Governor re
| turned from Savannah Sunday Afternoon
and while there he investigated into Tn
merits OF large number Of cases o
| men who have asked him TO use his In
| nuence 10 have them sent home.
| GOVERNOR HAS NOT GIVEN UP.
| on this subject Governor Tyler SAT-
yesterday:
| Il have not made effort on this lin
heretofore. because did not wish L
| embarrass Colonel Baker In his effort
I 10 have his regiment retained in tn
| service. In fact, / have earnestly hope'
| that he would succeed but as his effort
| have not been availing up 10 this time
| | will now try and get men from tn
| Second or Third to take the places o
| those in the Fourth who have been, an
| who ought TO be. discharged, and thin
| enough men can be gotten. | will at ono
, see the Secretary OF War and try dn
ave arrangeAents Of this kind made
| | think recruiting officer will be sen
| from the Fourth and men will be give
| transportation TO the regiment.
The prospects for going TO Cuba ough
not to be dlscouraging. In the first place
| we all hope 10 see some Virginians i
! General Lees command In the mex
| lace a trip to Cuba and stay OF nv
or six months ought TO be delightful
and might he made profitable Plenty