The times., 1899-06-04

all officers and men to express their senti-
ments freely as to the merits of the
charges. and their personal opinions OF
Colonel Stotsenburg. 1t appears from the
report of the Inspector General that his in
vestigations into this subject were thor
ough in the extreme. Some officers made
written replies. others dictated their tes-
timony which was afterward approved by
them.
The sentiments of the enlisted men were
committed to writing, and subsequently
read and approved by them. The consen-
sus of opinion as obtained from these
several sources completely exonerates Col
onel Stotsenburg from the odium cast upon
him by these charges, which under the
strong light of impartial investigation dis
solve themselves into complaints of a
character naturally resulting from men
unaccustomed to strict army discipline and
methods. and in a foreign land, where
their environment perhaps rendered them
peculiarly susceptible to the feeling that
they we're being treated harshly and with
out regard to their well-being.
The inspector in his conclusion states
that it Will be seen an overwhelming ma
jority of the officers and men of the regi-
ment, either directly or by natural infer
ence. strongly condemn and refute the
charges. and cordially endorse Colonel
Stotsenburg's administration, both as bat
talon and regimental commander and that
not one officer or enlisted man expressed
the opinion that 1t would be for the best
interests of the regiment to relieve him
from its command. Finally he states that
the charges, therefore. receiving practi-
cally no support or sympathy from the men
In whose interest or on whose behalf they
purport to have been preferred, fall TO the
ground.
Major General Macarthur. commanding
| the division in which the First Nebraska
| Volunteers we're serving, states that at
| one time the condition of the regiment
was a matter of deep concern at his head
quarters: that the almost total absence of
any useful system of military training had
gradually reduced this regiment TO such a
condition that IL became necessary to en-
phasize in repeated communications, the
| necessity of some effective remedial action.
General Macarthur says that under the
| intelligent and strictly professional admin
istration of Colonel Stotsenburg all cause
of complaint was quickly eradicated, and
1t afforded him the greatest pleasure TO
| testify from personal knowledge that at
an inspection and review held shortly be-
/ fore the opening OF hostilities the regiment
presented the most attractive and inspiring
| appearance. The men showed in their
bearing the evidence of fine military train
! ing. and the camp and surroundings indi-
Gated the most careful hygienic supervis-
| ion.
In. transmitting the matter to headquar-
ters the general concludes his report in
these words:
Recruited from hardy and valiant race
this regiment will return to Nebraska an
| honor TO the State and nation, results aris-
| ing largely from Colonel Stotsenburg'
efficient and Jealous command
General Otis in forwarding to the de.
| partment the report of the investigation
remarks that the First Nebraska Regi-
ment is a most excellent organization, and
the State may well feel proud of it. Colo
mel Stotsenburgs efforts have in q grea
measure. made 1t what il is"
Numerous statements such as these
appear throughout the report:
Il could not ask to serve under q bet
/ ter officer than Colonel Stotsenburg
We always take the lead in going ou
for a scrap" II would rather have hin
than any other colonel we know of on the
island" and II think that Colonel Stot-
senburg has treated us as an officer and
gentlemen"
1t is proper 10 add, however. that tn,
following endorsement was placed by th'
Assistant Secretary of War on the reques
of the Governor OF Nebraska for Colone
| Stotsenburgs relief from the command o
the First Nebraska Volunteers: John NJ
stotsenburg Colonel of the First Nebrlsk;
Volunteers was killed in battle at tn,
head of his command. while leading a SUE
cessful charge on the entertainments OF th'
enemy on April %, 1899. at Quingue, p J.