The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-19
A Rather Exited Conference Behind
Closed Doors.
GEN,GOBlN COUNSEL FOR BUTLER
Mr.. Moore aud Mr.. Montague Spoke
for Colonel Nallc and Made Fine
Speeches General Goblin Made
Light Of the Profanity
Which was Used by Gcn-
cral Butler,
1stan CorrcsDon5cnce)

lstan COrrCe pQnecuceJ
CAMP ALGER. VA, Aug S.-By to-
morrow afternoon the court Of inquiry
composed of colonel Gross ana Lieutenant
colonois Duvau and Edgcrly viii have
decided whether. according 10 the cvi-
donce submitted special orders no. Is.
ISSUED by General Butler on August 9th
with reference to- the Third Virginia Vol
mutecr Infantry was justified boy the
slight disturbance created by few men
running over tho lines. ON tho evening bee
fore.
The case was submitted TO thescourt at
o'clock to-day. after counsel for Col.
Nalle and General Butler had made brief
prcseutati0n of comments ON the cvi-
dence The Recorder ana AN persons eX-
copt the three gentlemen named above,
then retired from the room, and consider
alton of the testimony was begun ana
continued until after d o'clock ODD me ale
tern0On. 30 agreement was reached hut
the court viii decide upon ITS report or
reports if there should be division, pclofe
Tomorrow evening.
MAJOR GRAHAM TO DECIDE
When the work is completed the finding
viii Dee sent at once 90 Mpi0r General
Graham. commanding the Second Corps.
and he in turn win transmit the ropor, to
fhe Secretary of War The record Liou-
tenant Summoral viii deliver the docu-
monts in person Co the corps commander
ri MlddtctOwn. pa. Thpv viii hardly pass
through General Buffers hand as at first
stated.
The nows OF thc decision OF the court
cannot reach the public until given out
by General Graham and 80 win probably
De some days yct before be ga ready 20
satisfy tho natural desire for Information
Tho court is evidently not entirely OF
one mind with reference 90 tine case as
fhe two hours spent I'm it7 consideration
this afternoon were marked by earnest
discussion. $50 earnest ln fact that tho
sound of the voices OF members of the
court was waited out 90 the passers-hy
ON the road in front of divisionah ahcadQuar-
tCrs.
The siitinrs OF tho court have been held
iu small. second-storv room Duo the Crit-
tcndcn residence whcro General Butler
h1s bis headquarters. AND tho room will
doubtless long bo remembered by the boys
OF The Third
COURT PROCEEDINGS.
The Court of Inquiry opened This morn
ing az lom Mr. Hamilton was re-
ported 90 Doe too ill to participate in
the PROCEEDINGS and Mr. Moore. of
counsel for Colonel Male. announced
that they would proceed with the argu-
meut.
Brigadior General P s. Goblin,
appeared for the first time to-day and
said that owing to the peculiar nature
of the case he would represent General
Butler. General Butler was present for
while thIs morning
When the question OF procedure was
raised Mr. Moore said ass the inquiry
was to decide whether or not the order
of General EutlCr was Justified. he
thought the prosecution should open.
Generals Burke and Goblin objected 20
Dis being placed lu the attitude OF prose
tut0r. and said that ibis was simply
au investigation. Mr.. Moore insisted
that Colonel Nallo WAS in the attitude
of defendant but lar the matter TO the
Court Judge Advocate
This view was evidently co0curred ln
ly tho Court ass in the informal dis
orssIOn which followed frequent allu-
fIors were made 90 the defense To
Was finally decided that Col. Nalle
should open. the other side 90 reply
Colonel Nauc 90 rc'oin and the other
side tO rcIoin. IL was nearly ID O'Clock
when Mr. Moore began for Col Male.
The order for the Court provides for
Investigation into conduct of men belong
ing 90 Third Virginia. That order Us
The important subject 90 which the
Court must direct its attention.
ORDER so. is.
Mr. Moore produced the order No. is
and said 10 must strike any one who
reads 30 ass being "a remarkable one Ia
many respects. Then. quoting the lam
-uage OF tho order. be said punishment
was inflicted hy the General which was
Of ousstonahle lcgality. Tie questioned
The right OF amy person in the country
10 diahOnorahlv discharge a man from
trcmes 20 which the General would 600.
The order referred 10 riot0us conduct
Of 81 uart of the regiment. but the pun-
ienment was inflicted upon the Whole
REGIMENT Unless something 10 show
that The entire regiment was guilty OF
some act. the order WAS not legal. The
o,ha~ terms OF the order combining the
men 90 camp and deprlving the Colonel
Of the right 70 issue passes OF lur"ushs
,,-es ln the oDinion OF the speaker with
ort rrecedent and military authorities
ogrced with him Such extreme orders
demanded extreme onenses Which ne
Mould show had not been committed
,rb. lact Of Investigation was referred
fo the entire regiment from Colonel
Nale down. was confined In virtual im-
rrisonmcnt and the order published 70
the whole world, The testimony docs
not show that any officer Of the resi-
ment had been negligent in their duties
lNcfc ia ipihlhk 10 hAe" Hi'"""' ~'''''
ton
Men from outside this particular regi-
mont testified that mo- officers failed 10
do their duty. Mr.. Moore read the test-
mony OF General Butler as specihca-
tions. lie read General Buffers testl-
monv as 10 what DEE witnessed al the
pump whom he rode into the Third Nir-
Rlnla camp where he heard and saw
scvcnty-nVe or 100 men shouting and
running about lie ordered the men 10
their tents. n these men did wrong
said Mr Moore. we think they should
be punished but the whole regiment
should not be made TO suffer for their
offence.
SPECIFIC OFFENCES.
The specific offences were one man
yelling You can't put down Virginia" 1"
aud another gave hootf The Gem
erai. then said he. thought" he saw
eydsaes 81 disgsspeet near the Y. II. G.