The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1899-05-26
FROM 4 LIEUTENANT.
Scranton. Miss. May |, 1899,

man said TO me before | left Cuba
was. Tell the good people Of Missis-
, Sinpi when you arrive that | will be
at home in time to make a canvass
for governor, aud when | get there
will be heard from We expected
then that the regiment. the 9Th L. 5.
Vol. INIT, would have returned be-
fore this time. but it has not. | learn
that 1t will be in the States very soon
now, but that Maj. Nardaman will
probably remain a while longer at the
request of the Governor General to
complete the business now before the
court Of claims before he comes.
Now. a few, and | am glad to say
a very few, evil-minded persons have
sought in vain to cast IA little discred-
it on Maj. N%ardaman's military ca
reer, and to and Of these ! have some
what TO say. One will intimate in IA
Sneerlng way that he volunteered for
effect; that, ~forS0Oth. he left his busi-
ness, his home and his people to risk
the precarlOus chances of var and
contaglon for political effect when he
did not need il; while another as wise
in his ignorance Will intimate that
he was not very kind to his men.
The first may be Slleuced with a
word. And what was your motive in
going: They will hang their heads.
like the rich young man Of old, and
walk away Sor~rowfully; not one Of
them vas at the front. for no man
who has in his nature the elements
OF a soldier will speak 50 meanly Of
another.
1t will be remembered that Mai.
Nardaman raised two companies and
made two attempts to enter the army
before he was successful. He was
''turncd down the first time because
he had the courage of his convictions
on matters of public policy. He was
afterwards commissioned in the 9TH
I. 5, Volunteer Infantry and from
that time on his conduct toward his
men and his devotion to duty won for
him the deepest admiration from all
with whom he came in contact, even
to the highest in command, unless it
be a few who were already blinded by
personal spite. When the command
arrived at Santiago de Cuba. they
found disease, filth, c%ontagion and
death on every hand. Santiago aver
aged over thirty funerals daily, and
even then many died and remained
they were until the vultureS
disclosed their presence. Within a
month after Il arrival our regiment
was in as bad condition almost as was
any part Of the 9Th army corps that
had been relieved. Often the morn !
ing report would show less than 20 to
the company for duty. Now. | know l
what Others may think, but as for
ne am not ashamed to say that be-
of his devotion to his duty at
his time, my admiration for Mai.
Nardaman will always be Of the higll- =
e>t-tur of such material are heroes 5
made. {
Then | little later when II became
>uuwn that he contemplated making
he race for governor, | am reliably :
old Gen. Wood told him whenever
lie wanted to come home for his can
Ass, he should have ninety days leave !
If absence to make his canvass. aud .
more If necessary. This was declined. :.
lie went to Washington to arrange y
have the men discharged on their O
application and the regiment re. c
'rulted or to have them sent home. h
When he returned the business before ?
he court OF claims had accumulated &
o over 81. 900, 900. Gen. Wood placed 5
lin at the head of the court of claims "
q dispose OF il. l auI told that it "
will suJn have been disposed Of. :,
Now some say that it is rather late p
OF him to make a convaSS for govern. O