Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1899-09-06
Scandal In IdahO's Volunteer Ranks

The San Francisco Call of Sept. Ist in
describing the reception accorded the
Idaho Volunteers in that city has the
following to say regarding Geo. T..
Steunenberg, captain Of Co, +.
The Idaho regiment has scandal
which strikes close to the core of the
high executive circles of the state. Its
central figure is Captain George f..
Steunenberg of company Il, and brother
of his Excellency Governor Steunenberg.
Twice during the regiments stay at
Manila Captain Steunenberg suffered
military disgrace, and when the Idaho
pines he yet had sentence of three
| months hanging over his head which
wascommuted just before the troops
embarked on the transport Grant.
| Captain Steunenberg's case is perhaps
the most peculiar Of all the military scan
dals that have thus far been brought TO
light.
When the Idaho regiment was first
mustered into the service of the govern
ment Governor Steunenberg appointed
his brother to the position of second
lieutenant of company A.
In this capacity Steunenberg remained
until the regiment reached Manila. Eric
ton between Lieutenant Steunenberg
and other officers then developed, and
for time the feeling was intensely bit
ter. Matters reached crisis, and Lieu
tenant Steunenberg was threatened, SO il
is said, with a court-martial for having
made certain structures on the colone
and other officers of the regiment. The
burden of the complaints were that Lieu
tenant Steunenberg talked too much and
too freely about other people. On or,
occasion it is said that the hasty lieuten
r ant uttered sentiments that were botl
ungentlemanly and unpatriotic.
!, For these ofenses the officers of the
: regiment threatened the lieutenant will
a court martial, and rather than stand
trial he was allowed to resign. Upon re
= signing his commission as second lieuten
: ant Steunenenberg came back home.
Perhaps if he had remained there II,
E further misfortunes would have befallel
4 him. Vacancies in the regiment wer
occurring constantly, and when the cap
!, taincy of company II became vacan
: Governor Steunenberg Immediately APP
pointed his brother to fill the place. A
a matter of courtesy the Governmen
i allowed the governor of Idaho to I'll
r vacancies occurring in the ranks Of tn
officers of the regiment, aud he graspe,
:. the opportunity of again placing hi
u brother in the army.
Captain Steunenberg Immediately wen
back to Manila to assume charge of hi
: company, but on arriving there tn
!, charges which had been quashed by res
i sou of his resignation as second lieuter
ant were brought against him.
P Major Figgins of the Idaho volunteer
: preferred these charges of unoffcerlik
/. conduct against Captain Steunenber
under orders from General 0vershint
k who had charge OF the brigade in whic
y the Idaho troops were listed,
Capt. Steunenberg was court-martialet
:. found guilty and relieved from duty (,
E three months. He was not confined /
the guardhouse or forced to perform an
( iisagreeable services.
$ When the regiment began preparing I
5 leave for home the sentence of Captai
r Stennenberg was commuted and revoke,
:. In the meantime the officers aud eve
i the rank aud file of the regiment are @
n the qui viye for Developments. Governc
V Steunenberg is in the city at present. an
e il is quite likely that something startlin
/, will occur. By reason of the man
S vacancies which have occurred durin
/ the campaign the commissions of sever
K of the officers of the regiment are in
n very unsatisfactory shape. and the go
!, ernor will be asked to straighten thel
i out.
: AT all events There will be hot oil
n time IN Idaho" when the regiment &c
back there.