The age-herald., 1898-08-24
AN OPEN RUPTURE EXISTS
And That His Resignation Has Been De-
 sired Is Little Doubted.
BEGUN OVER AN INNOCENT REMARK
Chaplain Fitzsimmons Asked For Fur tough and Was Refused Jestingly- Officers Thought They Should
 Be Consulted.

All Birmingham was talking yesterday over the news from Jacksonville to the effect that Colonel Hgdon had been asked to resign by a number of the officers of the First Alabama There is little doubt now, however that an open rupture exists, and that hint was thrown out for his resignation.
 Colonel Higdon, when seen yesterday, steadfastly refused to talk, saying that whatever difficulties there were in his regi- ment must be settled in the regular nlii- tary channels, and that as long as he was connected with the United States army he must remain silent. He admitted that it would be to his interests to talk and give all the details of the trouble. but he could not. He said he had simply tried to do his duty according to the rules laid down by the department, and if the officers didn't approve his course it was not his fault. While he has been in command the First has proven itself to be the best regiment in Lees corps a fact of which Colonel Higdon says he has just cause to feel proud.
 From various sources the following story of the difficulty which now exists in the First Alabama, has ben learned.
 Started From Trivial Cause
 Sometime about the last part of July, so it Is said, Colonel Higdon and a number of other officers of the regiment were standing in or the camp at Miami talking over various, affairs. Chaplain Fitzsimmons joined the party.
 Colonel, I want to get furlough," said he.
 You know chaplain" replied the colonel, "very few furloughs are being granted, and don't think you can get one."
 It is said that Chaplain Fitzsimmons took offense at this remark. Afterwards Colonel Higdon learned of the chaplain's feeling and sent word to him that he had spoken only in jest with him about the furlough and that he could get leave whenever he wanted one. Chaplain Fitzsimmons, how ever, refused the proffered leave, thsugh- why he did so has not yet been stated. After this the two officers became more estranged, and 1t Is said that the chaplain stopped speaking to the colonel. The lat- ter thereupon asked for the chaplain's res- ignation. to which MT. Fitzsfmmons refused to aceede.
 Bv this time the whole regiment was stirred m over the matter and the other officers naturally began taking sides In the dispute If the reports are true ma- iority of them sided with MT. Fitzsim- mons, and they, in turn. hinted that they would like for the colonel to resign, and according to one report they asked nm openly to do so. This, the colonel, 1t is said, and judging from subsequent events, refused to do.
 It is further said that the coloneFs plan of permitting the men to decide whether the regiment should remain in the service and do garrison duty in Cuba, instead of letting the officers decide the question, did not meet with general favor among the officers.
 It is alleged that the affair has almost reached an open rupture between Colonel Higdon on one side with most of the off, cers opposing him. Colonel Higdon has publicly asserted that 75 per cent. of the men in the regiment wanted to be disband- ed, and the officers think that this influ- enced the press dispatch sent out from Washington the other day stating that the regiment wanted to be mustered out.
 Two Ofhcers Dispute It
 Accordingly Major T. o. Smith, Lieu- tenant Ed Johnston and other officers now in Jacksonville have sent teIegrams from that city stating that the press report, as published was absolutely false and that the officers had unanimously voted to go with the seventh corps to Cuba.
 As in all cases of military rupture the parties actually concerned are extremely reticent, but the story is given from facts obtained from sources seemingly authorita- tive.