Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-20
OFFICERS IN DOUBT.
PRESIDENT HAS DECIDED AGAINST IT.
.s.u,-ce,ernI Corbin Has Also
r.ea the Same views--The
Men VIII Not Trnnsfcr-second VIII
De Mustered Out.

The announcement made exclusively by
the Dispatch yesterday morning TO the
effect that a recruiting detail from the
Fourth Regiment was to leave Savannah
to-day 10 enlist men from the Second ana
Third regiments into the Fourth. created
n great deal Of interest among the officers
and men OF the Second, now here.
II is most emphatically asserted by
acknowledgement officers that 1t cannot
be done. The President and Adjutant-
General Corbin are cited as authorities
for the statement. President Mckinley
himself recently assured two officers OF
the regiment now In this city that 'heie
was no law which could be construed as
giving authority for enlsuhs h lUio me-, tSn
az this time proclamation Gaming loi
volunteers would be necessary The ITesl-
dent said he would not think OF issuing
such a proclamation.
afterwards the officers referred TO above
saw Adjutant-General Corbin. lie tooh
precisely the same view as that taken
by President Mckinley.
The officers of the Second wished 10 De
allowed TO enlist recruits in order TO bring
IN he strength of the regiment 10 the
number named by President Mckinney as
necessary TO its retention In the service.
Naturally. they cannot understand why IL
s. that the Second was not allowed 10 re
cruit up. and the Fourth is ordered 10 90
30.
They were assured that the only way IN
which mustered-out soldiers could re
enter the service would be by enllsuhg
in the regular army.
MEN WILL NOT TRANSFER.
There is no law against allowing vol
unteers 10 be transferred. Men from the
Second could be transferred TO the Fourth.
II he doubtful II this could be done against
the will of the men. The HUI volunteer
army bill provides that the State organi-
cations of volunteers shall be left intact
II Is argued that this clause would not
he compiled with If men were taken from
one regiment and enrolled in another
against their Will
The great difficulty is that If the men
are transferred they do not get their
clothing Communication. Under the regula-
tions. this cannot be paid the men unil
discharged from service. 1t is compare
lively a big thing. The men will not give
IL up. II mustered out and paid of in full
many men from the Second would enlist
an the Fourth. II they are asked 10 trans
fer. the response will be very weak.
one hundred men are 10 be discharged
from the Fourth Their places Will De
filled by recruits. II Is not uhueistOOu
that the Secretary of War will withhold
the discharges until the necessary num-
Der OF recruits are secured. The recruit
ing officers will also endeavor 10 enlist
enough men TO bring the total strength OF
the regiment up TO 1272 men. it Is under
stood that it will require ABOUT $50 men
10 90 this.
SECOND WILL BE MUSTERED OFT.
A rumor current yesterday TO he erect
that the Second may still be retained IN
service seems TO have no good foundation
The Secretary Of War. in conversation
With Governor Tyler last THURSDAY as
sured him that such thing was not 10
D. thought Of
stin, owing TO the expressed wish OF
Secretary Alger 10 retain the regiment
M service. hope is expressed in some quar-
lers that the order may be rcsclnced.
The enormous number OF applicants Tor
discharges being made by men from the
Fourth Regiment, and the unsettled con
alton Of things in the Sixth, leads &c
nope that these regiments may be mus
tered out and the Second retained, as
having in it more men VINO wish 70 stay.