The age-herald., 1900-08-27
Regiment Intensely Excited Over
 the Occurrence.
THE CAPTAIN LEAVES THE CAMP
Refuses to Remain in Quarters Under Arrest-Claims His Men Were Being Drilled to Death by
 Commanding Officer

The second day of the encampment of the Second Regiment of Alabama National Guards was marred by one of the most sensational incidents that has ever oc- cured in the history of the State militia.
 AS result Captain Jeptha P. Marchant, commanding Company L, the largest conn pany in the camp, is under arrest by order of Lieutenant-C Colonel Wiley and large number of his men are closely confined in the regimental guard house. The charge against Captain Marchant is insubordina- tion and 1t is said he will be vigorously dealt with
 While the regiment was engaged in a series of maneuvers following dress parade, Captain Marchant, in shirt sleeves, walked deliberately across the field in the presence of 1,5O0 persons and directed his lieutenant to march his men into camp and take no further part in the drill His action was based on the grounds that his men were being overworked and he said to save them from exhaustion he decided to take per- sonal charge of them regardless of the coloners orders.
 The affair has created intense excitement among officers and men throughout the regiment and startling developments are expected today It is a question as to who will prove the mightier-Lieutenant-Co mel A. A. Wiley or Captain Jeptha P. Marchant.
 Many of the men, and it is said several officers, have notified the captain that they indorse his action and will be found on his side when the courtmartial, which will without doubt follow, has been assembled On the other hand there are many officers who maintain that to preserve discipline Captain Marchant should be punished.
 Company l. Arrives In Camp
 Captain Marchant arrived in camp with his company about 2:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon and immediately reported to Colonel Wiley. He reported that he had ffty-five men with him and was oomph- mented by the commander of the camp on the fine showing his company made both in numbers and the appearance of his men.
 Major c. R. Bricken, commander of the Third battalion is absent from camp, thus making the senior captain the com- mander of the battalion. Captain Mar chant was apprised of this fact by Colonel Wiley who at the same time informed him that he would be provided with a mount Thereupon Captain Marchant marched his company to the quarters assigned them.
 Regimental Order No. promulgated Sat urday afternoon fixes 5:3O o'cock as the time for parade and 1t was expected that Captain Marchant would be on hand to command the Third battalion for this oc- casion. However, when the regiment marched on the field he remained in camp without any evident signs of participating in the ceremonies.
 After delaying the parade for some time, Colonel Wiley ordered Captain Anderson of Company D, the next ranking captain, to take command of the Third Battalion. Cap- tain Anderson immediately formed the bat talion and the parade was held.
 Following the parade, Colonel Wiley drilled the regiment in regimental field movements. The drill had progressed for about forty minutes, when Captain Mar chant, in his shirt sleeves, walked onto the field and ordered his command to march off the field. Lieutenant Coulter, who was com manding the company, obeyed the cap tain's orders and marched the company to their quarters in camp Captain Anderson ordered him not to leave the field, but he saw proper to obey his captain. An author ized statement says that Colonel Wiley was In the act of dismissing the regiment and turning the companies over to their cap tains when the incident occurred.
 swear by Their Captain
 The men of Company L, the Phenix City Rifles, swear by their captain. and declare that until he Is free from all charges they will refuse to drin answer any calls whatever. When they were marched off the field yesterday evening they did not realize until they were nearing the company street what the order meant They soon found that they were to be relieved from further drill duty, and cheer after cheer went up for their captain. Soon the other companies were marching into camp, and the demon- stration among the enlisted men continued. Men from other parts of the regiment gathered around Captain Merchants head quarters and picking him up on their shoui- 6ers marched down the street continually yelling.
 lieutenant colonel Wiley immediately dis