Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-08-17
GEN. BUFFERS STATEMENT.

| GEN. BUFFERS STATEMENT.
J During the investigation on Monday
of the charges preferred against tie
Third Virginia Regiment by Gen. But
Ter, the latter said he would be absent
! from the camp, and would like to intro.
! duce some documents and make state
ment. Counsel objected, but it was de-
cided that the statements, if germane
to the issue, might be made. The gen
eral then read the report he had made
to the adjutant general of the Second
Army Corps on Tuesday last.
81 have the honor to report" the re-
port says, that most disgrace
full act ofinsubordinatio and riot broke
out las. night in portion OF the Third
Virginia Volunteer Infantry about 5
o'clock p. IN. AS soon as l received
notice l went in person to the scene Of
disorder, and by ordering the men to
| their quarters, with the assistance OF
some OF the members of my staff, and
, directing q check roll.call, suppressed
/ the disturbance"
Gen. Butler then cities the cause OF
the trouble, and goes on to say #: II re-
greet to say that the company officers
were unwilling or unable to exercise
an, control over the disorderly men,
Indicating want OF discipline most de-
| plorsbe."
This communication was accompa-
MED by copy OF the order issued by
Gen. Butler, and by request for the
support OF the major general COM
handing the Second army corps. This
paper was returned endorsed as fol
lows General commanding the corps
gives his hearty and unqualified ap-
proval to this action in reference 10 the
misconduct of the Third Virginia vol
unteers, and will sustain him in every
particular. Il is suggested that per
haps the action to be taken by gen.
eral court-martial in the event that the
guilt OF these men can be established
might be Of greater severity by
way Of punishment than would be q
dishonorable discharge TO men who
give such little evidence OF honorable
principle
General Butler was proceeding to
read report made some weeks ago
concerning dsrespect shown by mem
bers OF the Third regiment to negro
major OF the Ohio regiment in failing
10 salute MIN, when counsel inteTposed
With the OH -ction that it had nothing
20 do with the present case, adding
that General Butler, by his action,
seemed anxious TO widen the scope OF
this investigation.
General Butler retorted with neat.
He would say what he pleased, he de-
clared. He had been assailed in the
press by set OF vagabonds and Sian
derers, and he would not submit TO it
Mr.. Hamilton replied, protesting
against the use of such language, and
| said that counsel had endeavored to
conduct the case with all decorum.
That is not true" said General
Butler. 81 don't intend to be bully
ragged by lot of demagogues and
politicians"
The recorder rose and interrupted
Gen. Butler, and the court was cleared
while the matter Of admitting the state
ment OF General Butler was consid-
cred.
The interval was long one, but the
decision came at last, and it excluded
all testimony, written or oral, which
was not connected with the occur.
rences of August h.
General Butler then rose and said, in
justification Of counsel that he desired
TO say that they had been uniformly
courteous. Colonel Male had seen fit
to parade his Che generally acts for
investigation. 1t had been said that he
was defending negroes, aud be would
have the n after fully ventilated be-
fore ne got through.
Mr.. Ham lton replied, denying that
counsel had ever tried to connect Gen.
Butler with anything that did not oc-
cur on the night OF August Sin.
Mr.. Montague then rose, and said,
very quietly and with dignity: May 1t
please the court, understood at the
opening al this case that everything
would be recorded. Certain state
ments have been made by the distin-
euished general directed to me. 1t has
been suggested to me that as that lar
guage was abusive and insulting in
terms, should move that it be strick-
en- from the record. l, however, think
that General Buffers extraordinary
conduct and abuse concern the dignity
OF this court more than myself. l am
utterly Indifferent 10 it, and could not,
with propriety, properly characterize
it. l sm practicing attorney OF this
State and OF the United States, and n,y
right to appear in this court is perfect.
As to my department during this trial,
the court itself has had opportunity 10
observe"
General Butler did not reply and the
incident closed.