Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-11-07
THE THIRD REGIMENT.

ment were paid Oft on Saturday. but
none of the men were discharged. Two
companies were paid of by gasliqht,
and seven were not paid at all.
A few minutes before o'clock an
express wagon, with Major Price on
the seat with the driver, entered the
Capitol Square in Richmond and was
driven rapidly to the east entrance to
the Capitol. The men cheered wildly
when they recognized Major Price,
for they knew their money was in that
wagon.
Major Price announced to Colonel
Male that only Companies A, l, G, and
l. would be paid off that evening. The
men who were disappointed did not say
much openly, as they were marched
back to the old Exchange. 1t was af-
ter they got there that they expressed
their sentiments. Finally the officers
and men of Company F got together
and determined that q committee
should wait on Governor Tyler and ask
him to endeavor to give them some re-
lief. Accordingly, about I o'clock o
delegation of officers and enlisted men
from the companies not paid off waited
on the Governor and laid the case be-
fore him.
They were entitled to occupy their
quarters up to midnight. They were
also entitled to three meals on Satur-
day. They could not get supper
at their quarters, as no pro
vision whatever had been made,
aud all the servants had been dismissed.
They had nowhere to sleep, aud even
had they been allowed to remain in the
old hotel, very few of them had blank
cts, the majority of them having sent
them home. All these facts were laid
before the Governor. He called up
Secretary Alger over the long distance
phone, and, after stating the situation,
asked him to afford the men whatever
relief there was in his power. The
Secretary of War replied: "Tell that
psymasler that it is my order that he
continue right on paying the
bath. if necessary. Tell the quarter.
master to make the men comfortable in
hotels. Inform me in the morning
whether or not the payment OF the men
has been completed"
This order was at once communicat
ed to Major Baird and Major Shanks,
the quartermaster. The latter at once
went to work, and succeeded in obtain
| ing quarters for one company at the
Imperial, for one at the Lexington and
for two at Ford's. The men OF the
other three companies were quartered
10 boarding houses.
Meanwhile the payment OF the men
been in progress throughout :ae after
noon and into the night. 1t was near
~ IL o'clock when the work of paying
Company NJ, the fifth to receive its
money, was completed. 1t was after
dark when it was marched into the
paymaster's room, but though the men
had waited nearly five hours they
hung on like grim death.
Each company was marched into the
| room, and as one of the pavmaster's
clerks called name and the amount
due, the man designated stepped up to
the table, and Major Baird counted out
his money. In no instance did an en-.
listed man receive fewer than thirty
dollars; often he got forty, frequently 6
S10-bill was added, and occasionally be
received as much as five $50 pieces
and few dollars over. One hospital
steward received 1893 60, while sew
eral other members of the non-commis'
stoned staff were paid nearly as much
Second lieutenants got three months
pay-S270; first lieutenants, 1910, and
captains, $3.50. None of the field and
staff officers were paid.
There was great deal of surprise on
the part OF everybody when it Yves
found the men were not being dis.
charged. The reason for Withholding
the discharges was stated to be that
they were not stamped. When this is
done, it is said, they will either be
mailed to the men, or to their captains,
who will properly distribute them. 1t
seems perfectly apparent that the men
are entitled to pay until they receive
their discharges. they will all be paid
to November 9TH. If they do not re-
ceive their discharges until November
18th, they will be due another ten
days pay.
Major Baird resumed paying the
men yesterday morning when Compa-
MES F, G, Il and D received their
money and the unusual spectacle OF
the State capital being besieged by SOL
ders on Sunday was witnessed. Maj.
Baird was only able to get through
with four more companies up to 10
p. m, making nine in all, and leav-
iug three to be paid OF to-day. These
were Companies B, E and Z, which re-
ceived their money this morning, thus
completing the paying of of the regi-
ment.
The irregular condition Of the rolls
mainly accounts for the work being
done SO slowly. The men became free
as soon as given their money and most
of them lett for their homes immedi
ately.
It is reported that as soon as the Off
GERS get their discharges there will
be some choice orations delivered re-
garding the recent trouble at Camp
Alger, in which Gen. Butler figured
quite conspicuously. 1t is also report
ed that some of the men will express
their opinion of the treatment they
have received at the hands of some of
the officers of the regiment.
The officers and enlisted men of the
Third regiment yesterday presented
Colonel Male with very handsome
aunr6 az q mark of their estaam The