New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-21
MAJOR STRONG ANGRY AT GOTH.
CHARGES MAY FOLLOW VISIT OF THE
INSPECTOR

The 6sth Regiments future may turn upon the
visit the armory on Monday OF Major Putnam
Bradlee Strong, inspector the staff of Brigadier
General George Moore Smith. Major Strong's visit
was for the purpose OF formally disbanding
mastering out Company F, commanded by Captain
Anthony ]. Griffin. The company had been ordered
by Colonel Duffy to assemble at o'clock. Shortly
after that hour Major Strong appeared in full uni
form. attended by Orderly Lemoine, from brigade
headquarters. The Major expected to find Com
pany F all in readiness for him to begin the formal
proceedings. but to his establishment when he
rived at the armory officer there 10 meet
him. He walked into regimental headquarters and
asked for Colonel Duffy, but one knew anything
of his wherea bouts did the colonel appear at
the armory in the course OF the evening. Not
staff line officer present to receive the
brigade inspector and this somewhat nettled Major
Strong
Finding headquarters bare the Major went into
the room OF Company F, where he thought to find
Captain Griffin. There captain there, and
only few men of the company sitting dis
consolately about the room
The Major then left the and went upstairs
TO the drill floor There Company B. which IS COM
manded by Captain Edward T. McCrystal, candi-
date for major drilling under command of
First Sergeant Conor. Now, 1t happens that Cap
tain McCrystal was the officer in the 69th who
bitterly opposed Major Strong when he for
captaincy in the regiment and it also happens
that the night of the election Sergeant Conor
aroused the wrath of Major Strong by waving a
green flag and accusing those who voted for Strong
OF having betrayed the flag
The Major strobe up TO the sergeant, who, obliv-
ious Of the inspectors presence. was putting the
men through a company drill The first he knew
there came this order from Major Strong:
Sergeant. bring your company to attention and
call the roll"
Conor, who IS one Of the best drilled "non-cons'
in the Fifth Brigade. Immediately produced paper
and said salutng:
Here is the report OF the roll
Il don't care for the report. Numbered the Major.
Call the roll
Conor did so. and when it was finished the Major
asked how many were present. Sixteen present,
How many on your rolf" asked the Major
sharply.
ortyve absent saG [e Very bad very bad the
Major was heard TO mutter as he turned on his heel
Griffin had not appeared in the meanwhile, and
Major Strong made up his mind there was no use in
AS soon as it was known In the armory that the
gp mao t &c M my ,tdnn R a+e m@s
made that Company B would be recommended to
Strong left the dispatch was received from
Captain McCrystal saying that he i'll with the
ant Sullivan was reported to be at a ball. So the
command devolved upon the first sergeant; 1t was
OF disarmament. This company has been notorioUE-
ly low in its attendance, hardly ever turning out
more than dozen men for drill.
Major Strong has prepared report for superior
charges being preferred against Captain Griffin for
absenting himself from the armory. The charge
Majors report would be that Of disobedience Of
orders, coupled with q second charge of conduct
Major Strong declined to talk yesterday. Il can
not discuss the matter he said, as anything 1
have TO say must take the shape of an official
Captain Griffin when seen yesterday admitted that
absence and it wifi be Forthcoming in proper time.
I cannot discuss the matter"