New-York tribune., 1898-11-17
SOLDIERS KISSED THE CHAPLAIN.
HORSE PLAY AMONG SOME MEN OF THE SEW
ENTY-FIRsT TURNS TO DEMON
STRATION AGAINST DR.. VAN
DE WATER-HIS REPLY.

Th. work Of mastering out and paying OF the
Cd and "a battallons OF the list Regiment was con-
tinued yesterday. Colonel Downs expects that II
will be completed to-day The 2d Battalion consists
OF Companies H. and +. and the 80 Battalion OF
Companies 4. X + and l..
The horse play among some of the rank and Me
of the regiment which on Tuesday found vent In a
mock funeral ceremony over an etiSy varlous'S
dubbed Shafter and Van De Water assumed
a more serious aspect Yesterday. Chaplain Nah
u. Water whose service with the regiment mas
hitherto called forth the warmest praise. being
hissed = some Of the men. Officers OF the regiment
said there was a feeling OF antagonism 10 me
chaplain among the members OF the lst Battalion
OF the regiment. but that when these had oeeh
paid of the other battaons would show proper re-
spect toward Dr. Van De Water.
According TO Colonel Downs. Of the men ~
the list got an idea at Santiago that the chaPa'l
shirked his duty. because he remained IN inc rear
and did not 20 up to the fighting line. "ie re-
mained in the rear by my orders. sai 'oioIe'
Downs, "at the place where he could DO NV
most good Men who were killed at the Toh'
were bevond hls help and those who were
wounded were taken back 20 whore he was as soon
as they could he. 40 one has any reason 10 ques-
t,on the chaplain's courage and believe him 10 be
a brave man"
Yesterdays incidents evidently caused no little
main 10 Dr. Van De Water. At a httle aittr ~
o'clock in the morning the chaplain in full-dress
hat lead TO the drroom. Walking stii'iy ereI,
he nassed the outer and inner sentres with d min
tarv salute There large number OF me men pen
I'm The corridor leading to the drilliOom dNu ""'h
The chaplain appeared some one called OUT
"Uere comes the parson. . -
The men lined up. and az n by agreement, II
storm Of hisses broke out II increased IN volume
ss The chaplain hurried past the men 70 ooloHei
Downs's room His face was white, ana he seemed
70 he greatly distressed. The men who were on the
eoor Of me drlllrOOm apparently would nave Joih,u
IN the Kissing but they were resUalheu oy '"''
officers. ..z -. = rooo-, or
Chapla,n Van De Water was seen by reporter
afterward IN Colonel DOWNS room; 1de, ne sac aa
oalind mon TO make public denial Of charges made
against me 10y irresponsible persons stand on
~ record II is known to the officers OF the resl
meent that 7 did away from either hre or
49, will live through this In the hope that the
,yrtb vii eventually be known and my compete
~ reneat that the charges are iniqutous and IN
,,,s, ara enenate from no responsible source. Inc
y,rroceaainrs In the armory Yesterday were simply
. disgrace to the regiment and am sorry tney oc-
uh,nother significant incident occurred yesterday
,-n,njng at the armory. All the members o' con-
nany r gathered the steps TO nave tIeir pho,to-
pan payhs isken in group Captain Stoddard VINO
eeom,manded the company AT Tampa. was not among
t6nn II was said that the reason nc uld Hol
annear was that he did not serve IN Cuoa-