The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-03-01
Mr.. WINFREE
MUST SPEAK OUT.
Pickett Camp Wants to Know the
Name of Her Alleged Deserter.
THE INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE
Thought Its Object Was to Defend the
Camp But il Told That They Must
Make an Impartial Inquiry
and They Will DO So.

not wholly devoid or interest allnoush
there was an absence Of the startling
scenes which have enthraled the two
or three meetings just preceding.
Commander T.. Scott Gibbs wore an ex-
pectant air FOR some reason, when he
called the camp TO order last evening.
Chaplain Winston's prayer, too, was
apprehensive IN its tone.
Comrade Maury stated that he had
been TO see Representative Opis and 9TH
ers ia regard TO the passage OF the pro-
posed bill providing for the appointment
Of o guard Of ex-Confederates at the
Donitentiary and the assemblymen had
complained that it was too late in the
session to attend TO such measure
The report was received and the COM
mittco was discharged. after tho motion
TO do so had been thoroughly discussed.
Tho attention OF the camp was drawn
10 tho fact that some Of tho Richmond
delegates in Tho Assembly had voted
against the passage or the bill and there
were ominous rumblng heard at the in
formation.
Commander Gibbs stated that he had a
letter from a Mr. kelogg, requesting
that he be allowed 10 appear and make
statement in regard to discussion
that took place i'm The camp IN which
he was involved. Upon motion the mat
ter was referred to Sergeant Nhitlock
for adjustment.
CHARGES or DESERTERS.
Tho time for the realization Of the
apparent expectations came with The con-
slderatl0n az unfinished business
Dr. Henry. a. chairman of tho COM
m.ttce appointed 10 investigate certain
charges Of deecruon against members,
was called upon for his report.
DR. Henry stated that he interpreted
the committees Office 10 boz one OF de-
fense to the members in the charges con-
cerued. lie said that no ono had APP
peared before The committee TO make
any charges. and SO the committee had
nothing to report
And then be- was the pleasure OF Com
m8uder Gibbs and the others to almost
unanimously. calle the genial chairman
down in his conception of his duties.
C0mradc Lakewood said, in substance
that Chairman Henry was dead wrong.
It was Che duty of the committee. Boz said
TO Summon persons before 10 and hear
the charges ITS none of your 5usi-
ness" De- remarked emphatically, ITO
defend these men. That was NOT what
investigating committees were 1or.
The wet blanket Lhuenco of Dr. Hen
RVS statement that hc had no report. was
clearly pcrceptble. Commander Gibbs
stated that the chairman had misdppre-
honded his duties. and called for read
iug of The resolution calling for The APP
poiutmeut of the committee. II proved
coucusively that tine committee was To-
Investigate aI rumors.
DR. Henry stated that Doe thought such
committees Were f0r defence OF the ac-
cused.
Commander Gibbs reiterated that ;he
chairman was entirely wrong. while the
repontant Dr. Henry murmured, Exact
ly.' Exactly" in cheerful acqniescence.
Commander Gibbs then outlined the
committees duties. lie said 30 was 20
summon the msugators OF charges before
them and make diiisent inquiry into
those charges.
Or. Henry again explained why he
l Thought committees were for defence.
was the stubbs Committee for de-
fense?' inquired the Commander
No" replied Dr. Henry 'he was
/ guilty and Doe suffered.
Comrade Lakewood stated that Com
/ rade Jennings was supposed 90 know IN
regard tO these charges of de-ertion. but
/ DC was "a matter OF some doubt I'm Conn
rade Hlzlewo0d's mind that Mr. Jennings
/ knew anything about those charges.
Comrade Lakewood had written Ia
/ Comrlde NJ a. C0gblll, VINO was one of
/ the four members OF the Fourteenth
/ Regiment. against whom these rumori
were directed and received reply, Which
/ ho read. The letter stated that Mr. Cog
| bin knew the other three members Of the
! Fourteenth. Mes-rs. Kennedy. r.. T.
/ RYAN and r.. p. Smith, and he knew them
10 be good soldiers. As 10 his own re-
| cord. he would leave those who knew him
I 10 state.
! Comrade Humphrey thought that there
were nine members of tho Fourteenth
/ Regiment against whom rumored charges
were directed.
Conrad lakewood thought that the
whole matter amounted TO a tempest IN
a teapot
Commander Gibbs stated In regard %
I Comrade COgiiu that he was a gallant
soldier and an honorable gentleman.
MIR. WfNFREE THE MAN.
Comrado Jennings stated what he knew
OF the charges.
lie said that In company with COmrade
/ Beyeridge he was standing on the street
/ ON dav when Mr. George Winfree had
/ told him that he knew a man in Pickett
Camp who had deserted his colors. Com
/ radc Jennings mad asked him IL he would
F be willing 10 give the desQrter's name.
/ Air Winfrcc replied that he would not
/ and stated as o reason that he mad been
aided by this man while in "a Northern
prison. C0mrade Bevcridgo also pressed
Mr.. Winfree 10 give the mans name on
forever after hold mis- peace.
Mr.. Winfree had said that n certain
book could be found In the State Library
that gave the names of deserters Of the
Army OF Northern Virginia, and invited
! Messrs Bcyeridge and Jennings 10 con-
suit IT,
Comrado Bcvcrdge stated that Mr.
/ Winfree had described the desertior
which had occurred al Drewry's BLUM. Mr.
Wirfree had blackballed the desertei
when he had made application TO get
into a certain camp.
Mr. Bevcridgo had used strong language
when he learned that Mr. Winfree had
kept secret his reasons for blackballina
tine man.
Adjurant Curtis arose and said that HI
did not believe in singing mud.
That's all right" replied Mr.. Bever
idge, I'm responsible for what / say
Continuing he said that none other thar
General Bradley Johnson had told hin
that these rumOr3 had originated witt
those who We're formerly known as yam
KEGS" He had said that IL Winfree re
fused 10 tell the man name TO let 4
rest on Winfree and let him prove it,
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