Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-19
"NoT A COWARD HE SAYS.
Chaplain OF seventy-First New horH
Denies Charges Against Him.
(New York HeraldTl'th)

New York Herald-l1th)
The Rev. Or. George r. Van De water
declared Yesterday that he did not run
while under fire, and visited the Armory
OF the Seventy-frst Regiment, where, on
Tuesday. he had been buried In einsy.
Az the chaplain entered the pululhs
where the Second and Third pattaliohs
were being mustered out, soldiers rushed
to the main hall. 1t was expected Una. ms
appearance would be attended by scenes
OF disorder. Colonel Downs had doubled
the guard. however, ana given notice
that any demonstration similar to that
of the preceding day would be followed
by arrests and the severest punishment
The inner sentry presented arms 10 the
chaplain. who was in uniform. me ehap-
lain stifily acknowledged the salute. NOT
a hand was touched to hat brim' now
ever. I'm the throng that curiously watched
the chaplain. -
Dr. Van De Water bore himself as II on
parade, and marched straight Tor Colo-
mel Downs's room. 1t seemed there were
u be no more unpleasant Incidents OUT
lust before he reached the thresnoia,
some one beloved out: VINO stole the
letters in CubaY 49,.
wan De Waterw was the reply that
came in a roar.
SAYS IT WAS CRUEL.
When asked later if he had anything
to say, the chaplain said:
'oThe conduct Of the men In the Armory
Yesterday was cruel and unJust. 90
lot feel called upon TO make puphc uenlai
OF the charges against me by rrespohSiDis !,
persons. l have done my uuly anu
nv conscience is clear. The officers OF
this regiment know l did not run away
from either fire or fever. was not
afraid I'm Cuba and / am not afraid now.
I will live through this in hope that the
truth will eventually be known ana my
cornplete vindicatOn will follow.
az was beside the men OF the seventy
arst when there was need of me. My duty
took me both to the front ana 10 the rear
aid not run when under fire. was
wherever I could be of the most service
ana not charge with the regiment uE
San man Hill. it was not because / was
unv,illlng 10 90 with the men, but De.
cause I was ordered TO the rear, Where
was needed to attend sick and wounded
SERVICE WHEN APPROPRIATE.
"Ir was said / held services on only
three DAYS in Cuba. That is untrue
held services whenever IL was appropriate
oT nursed their sick, buried their dead
and shared my food with them ana this
is their gratitude. When on the drii-hoor
to-dav I heard Kisses. l turned and de-
handed of the men why they Kissed az
me. None answered. had nothing &c
a. with the soldiers letters in Cuba, ex-
cept when I wrote home for them olu
not receive the mail"
'.rbe chaplain is right" said Colonel
Downs. "He had nothing 70 do with re-
ceIvIng letters. These charges are I'M
just" 49,. .o,t
The Chaplain signed the muster-out r ',
received his pay, left the arrnory q"'0'S'
and was driven away in a cab.
The remaining two battalions or the
seventy-hrst Regiment were PAID ana
mustered out Yesterday. The INST Regi-
ment. recruited 20 replace the SEVEN. i.s
first Regiment while It was In the uniteo
states Service. will be mustered out IN
about ten DAYS. BY that time the reorga-
,I1atjon Of the Seventy-flrst as a national
guard regiment will have commehceu'