Evening star., 1898-09-06

that Gen. Butler testified that the second
conclusion (his conviction that the officers
failed to do their duty was enormously de-
duoed and Is no longer entertained.
Finally. the court does not consider itself
authorized to make any suggestions as to
further action in the matter. but expresses
Its opinion that, If the author Of the order
had been restricted, as the court was, tC
considering the conduct of the men belong
Ing to the Sd Virginia Volunteers the night
of August only, and had possessed his
present knowledge of the behavior of all
the officers of the regiment shown to have
been cognizant of the trouble, he could not,
with his high sense of right and justice,
have issued the order at all.
Comment of Gen. Graham.
Gen. Grahams comment on the report
begins with a statement that Gen. Butler
probably had very good reason for Deliev-
ing that the men of the Sd Virginia had
been insubordinate in manner subversive
to military discipline. The testimony has,
however, shown that he was mistaken. He
then says:
Since such publicity has been given the
affair, 1t would be only just to the regiment
and to the state Of Virginia that the public
should know that the act which brought
forth the order of Gen. Butler was not
countenanced, but reprehended, by the otti-
GERS and by great majority of the en-
listed men of the regiment, and that 1t was
not participated in except by a few. for
whose bad conduct the rest are suffering
and the reputation of the regiment for dis
cipline is injured. The order is, therefore,
discontinued
Home With "a Clean Slate.
Col Nalle and his men are naturally de-
lighted with the outcome of Tie inquiry.
we are, of course, very much pleased that
this exoneration came before we left the
service" said the colonel to The Star re-
porter this morning. I'VE are going home
with clean slate, without having reflected
any discredit either on the service or the
state of Virginia. Our people at home and
the men in my command could not have
been more keenly hurt by any other charge
that could have been brought against the
30 regiment, and SO we are corresponding
ly relieved that that charge has been found
groundless. We all owe Senator Daniel.
Attorney General Montague. Representa-
tive Rixey and Messrs. Hamilton, Moore
and Peter our warmest thanks for their
great kindness in the matter We shall go
home now with light hearts,"
After Thursday, unless all signs fail,
Camp Alger will be no more. Final ar
rangements were made this morning to
have the 1st Connecticut leave tomorrow
morning and the 3D. Virginia break camp
Thursday. Headquarters will be transfer
red to Camp Meade at the time the Vir-
gtnia men leave.
The Conn nec lieut. Men.
Col Charles L. Burdette of the Connec-
ttcut command has been hard at work for
week past to induce the War Department
to have his men sent back to Providence.
Yesterday afternopn, after The Star had
gone to press. he fetur6ed to his men with
the news that he had succeeded at last,
ana all the formalities of mastering out
would be conducted at home. The relief of
the men was Immediately made evident.
Iney cheered and hurrahed for an hour
ana then set about getting ready for the
trip back to Narraganset hay. Once there, as
was the case with all the other regiments
tnat have gone home, most Of their troubles
VIII be at an end. The 1st Connecticut is
particularly relieved to get away from
Camp Alger, however, because it was
brought south from the most pleasant gar
rison service possible
When the VirgiHians go (Thursday) they
are to take the train for Richmond, and
Wan be mustered out there. Friends of the
regiment have hoped for week past that
their men might be sent home before the
time allotted by headquarters Now, how
ever, every one is delighted that they did
not succeed before Col. Nalle was notified
OF the finding of the court of inquiry There
IS much sentiment attached to the fact that