The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-24
NO COMMANDS,
NO OFFICERS.
Uncle Sam Breaks Up Virginia Mill
tay Organizations,
BRIGADE AND FIRST REGIMENT.
They Arc Now Practically Not I'm tx
istcncc-Thc Decision in Major
Sands Case Seems TO Apply TO
Gen. Phillips and Col. Jones
BRIGADE AND FIRST REGIMENT.

According 20 the decision OF Governor
Tyler ia tho case Of Major w. H. Sands,
tho brigade officers and the field off,
GERS OF tho First Virginia Regiment. are
no longer in the military service OF the
State.
Major Sands was the commanding OFF,
Ger OF TIE First Regiment Of Cavalry.
After an the troops had been disbanded
except two. Governor OForrau decided
mat there was no longer a regiment of
troops and consequently tho commits
sions Of tho field officers were revoked
Section 3l3. of tho code. provides that not
less than six nor moro than ten compa-
MES. batteries or troops, shall constitute
a regiment
THE MAJORS PROTEST.
Major Sands protested against this pro-
cCdure and when Governor Tyler came
into Office ne laid the facts before him.
in his letter Major Sands said: Having
set forth the above facts I'm detail. which
facts show prma facio that 1 am duly
commissioned officer. now In the service
OF the State OF Virginia in its volunteer
militia service ann not entitled 20 hold a
commission in said service and that by
these supposed premises the attempt has
mission. which under the laws Of the
Commonwealth is mine until resigned by
me or L have been duly convicted by the
proper legal process. 1 urgently but
firmly request that this matter be en-
ouircd into 10y q court OF inquiry, 20 the
end that the wrong done the undersigned
be rlchtod and that there be removed
from the records of the State Volunteer
Militia tho stigma that. by the action OF
the authorities has been attempted 10 be
placed on me. More especially should
this be done since i have served honor
ably I'm the Virginia volunteers moro than
ten years
THE GOVERNORS RULING.
The Governor not only declined 10 order
tho court but I'm rendering his decision
laid down a principle that seems 20 apply
10 the Virginia Brigade organization and
the First Regiment. Under date Of April
t. 1SS. through Adjutant General Male
bee replied as follows:
"RCsucctfuily returned 20 W. II. Sands,
late Major 1st Regiment Cavalry Nir-
ginia volunteers, with the information
that the Governor and COMMANDMENTS
Chief declines 20 order a court OF inquiry
10 investigate matter which has been
definitely and finally decided by the
former governor and commandcr-in-chef,
his reasons being set form I'm the enc
closed letters addressed 20 the command
ing officer, First Brigade Virginia
Volunteers dated September IA. 1897
Though the laws concerning the
Virginia Volunteers arc not eX-
pucu as might De desired the facts
are that on August g. 1897, the number of
troops in the lst Regiment of Cavalry.
Virginia Volunteers did not constitute "a
regiment ass required hy law and TO have
continued such number of troops as "A
regiment would have been clearly illegal.
and hence. the disarmament of the regi-
meut was imperative There can be no
field and staff of "a regiment which does
not exist and there being no provision I'm
the laws hv which such officers could be
transferred 20 other commands. thee
commits ions were necessarily revoked.
il is not seen that any wrong has been
done 10 any officer OF the regiment nor
was the disarmament thereof in any sense
a reflection upon It's Major
THE MAJOR VOLUNTEERS.
Immediately upon the receipt Of this
communication Major Sands rendered mis-
services 20 the Governor for the war with
Spain Tho Governor thanked him and
stated that there was no position TO
which ne could De assigned at present.
There are now but three companies m
the First Rcgimont-D and j.. from Rich
rnond. and the Manchester Grays-all the
others having been mustered into the
Federal service and assigned 10 other
REGIMENTS Tho First therefore. lacks,
fnroe companies of having the minimum.
Col. Jones' Lieutenant Colonel George
WAYNE Anderson and Major j. II. Der
byshirc seem 90 Doe I'm the same predica-
mcnt Major Sands found himself The
same rule would apply 10 Brigadier-Gene.
Phillips and Dis staff. After the three
regiments shal have been mustered into
the Federal service there viii not be one
,nrlmnnL Lot I'm tho Hr.gado.