Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1899-08-10
GIN, king REPLIES,
Famous Novelist Explains Hi Atti-
tuds Toward Col. Little and Pays .
Compliment to the Lattsr's Ability
-Deford's xis-6tatementl.
10 the Editor Of the Reflector.

To the Editor Of the Reflector.
MILWAUKEE,, Aug. S.-Some one
sent me three weeks ago copy Of
your issue containing an attack upon
me by Mr.. Deford, because Of an al
legged "denunciation" on my part Of
Lieutenant Colonel Little, goth Kan
sas. Later through your courtesy ]
received copy Of the dispatch from
San Francisdo containing the Ian
guage attributed to me.
Let me first dispose Of the latter.
1t is only too evidently the work Of
somebody who is himself inimical to
Colonel Little: | am not. On the
contrary | found after he came out Of
hospital year ago and settled down
to the command Of a battalion that he
was a man Of marked ability, At bis
request gave him some personal
"coaching" in the matter Of regi.
mental drill. He grasped it with
ease and surprised his brother bat.
talon commanders by his skill the
very next day.
But, prior to the coming OF Colonel
Funston, the goth Kansas did not
make the progress in discipline and
instruction it should have done,
Lieutenant Colonel Little had neither
the knowledge nor the experience to
be at the head Of a new regiment.
After Funston came Little went into
hospital, remained some time and
was reported to me as being perma-
nently disabled Colonel Funston
honestly believed that bis second in
command could not return to duty,
and the application for bis discharge
was, therefore, properly made. Mr..
Deiord Is in error when he asserts
that thereon endorsed the opinion
that Colonel Little was "a gross in
competent. approved the appli-
cation, because at that time had
seen nothing in the lieutenant colonel
that inspired me with confidence in
his capacity to command. instruct
and discipline. Not until this paper
had gone to department headquarters
did the energetic side Of the officer
become apparent. He reported for
duty as soon as he heard Of it and
took hold in way to excite my ad-
miration. Then the application was
withdrawn. i
Later ! was informed of friction be.
tween Funston and Little growing
ont Of the fact that the governor Of
Kansas had ignored the recommends
tions Of the rightful head Of the regi-
ment in iavor OF those OF the lieuten-
ant colonel. This was the matter on
which spoke in San Francisco in an
swer to direct questions, in private
conversation with man in whom
had hitherto full confidence. Most
certainly it was not for publication;
most certainly it was without bitter
ness or denunciation Of any kind, and
the assertion that said Metcali's pro.
motion over Little was just punish
ment is utterly untrue. Some enemy
Of Colonel Little, and no friend Of
mine, has wilfully distorted the whole
thing. But | held last year and hold
now that q lieutenant colonel does q
most unsoldierly II not utterly insub.
ordinate thing in reversing the rec
lamentations Of his superior officer.
As to Mr.. Deford's aspersions con-
cerning myself | simply submit the
enclosed. 1t is unlikely that an Off
Ger whose record, as he says, was one
Of unbroken sickness would be recon-
mended by his superiors for promo.
tion to the grade Of major general.
Your readers may decide which opin-
ion is Of greater value, that Of one in
dividual who was not, or that Of gen.
erals and soldiers who were with me
at Manila. CHARLES KING.
The inclosure consists Of copy Of
Major General Thomas NJ. Anderson's
recommendation Of Brigadier General
King to he major general "for energy
bravery and efficiency in battle" and
''in recognition Of valor and efficiency
evinced during the engagement with
insurgents March 8, 1899" Also Of
letter from Gen. Wheaton who says:
"You have not left until you have es-
tablished a reputation for bravery,