The Washington weekly post. (Washington, D.C.) 1878-1916, 1900-01-23
ORIGIN OF THE FEUD.
Col. Fyfe Tells of the Trouble Between the
Two Men al Camp Admission.

Chattanooga, Tenn, Jan. 1e-With ref
erence to the killing of Scott and others
by Col. David q. COlson, at Frankfort,
XIV, to-day Col. !. J. Fyfe, late of the
| Third Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, who
was the president of a military board APP
pointed by Mai Gen. Joseph Wheeler
which tried Lieut.. Scott on the question
of his competency. capacity. and good
conduct. on charges preferred by Col. Col
son. said tonight:
More than once during the trial II
looked as though a personal difficulty
would hardly be averted in the presence
of the board. Col. COlson was present, IS
was Lieut.. Scott, during the entire pro-
ceedings. and Col. Colsor|s arraignment
Of the subaltcrn was enc of the most Sc
we're, caustic, and Jealous | have ever
seen or heard. Notwithstanding there were
rumors that Scott had said he would kill
Colson if his (ScOtts) character was ar
| raigned.
Col Colson testified that Scott had fire.
quently visited saloons
How do you know that | visited Sa-
looms" asked Scott, glaring at his an
tagonst with his right hand hid under a
big army cloak.
because l saw you there replied the
colonel. toying with his side arms
What were you doing there sir?'
"1 went there to get a drink. sir
The board recommended that Scott be
discharged on the charge of incompteency.
Cen. Royal T. Frank, who succeeded Gen.
Wheeler in command of the Fourth Corps.
approved the findings of the board. and
sent them TO Washington Scott pro-
cured leave Of absence, and after ten
days returned and announced that ne had
been to Washington and had got 1t fixed.
and that he would stay with the re.d.
ment
Things were no better between them.
and Col. Colson preferred charges against
him for disobedience of orders. disrespecf
10 his commanding officer and conduct 20
the prejudice of good order and military
discipline, and asked that he be tried by a
general cOurt-martial.
"One of the specifications Of the charges
set out an open defiance on the uart NJ
Scott of Col COlSon's authority in tho
presence OF other officers, and he harbor-
cd desperate and bad character in his
quarters after the colonel had issued ar
ders for his expulsion from the camp
Gen FRANK scented serious trouble aud
sought 10 patch up the matter. as M
regiment was soon 10 be mustered out.
charges.
After this things were quiet until the
regiment was mustered out The day after
that ceremony was concluded hostiIities
began IN earnest. Lieut. Scott was dining
~ restaurant with a party of friends
Col Colson entered and. giving his order
for dinner, proceeded 10 the only vacant
seat at the table. where Scott and his
friends were seated. apparently not Motto
ing the presebce OF the latter until some
remark made by Scott attracted his at
tentiOn. Coz ColSon thought il was in
tended as an insult. Just what followei
next il is impossible to say, but scott
arose deliberately and quietly laid down
his napkin, pushed his chair 10 the table
and stepping behind il. raised his nistoI'
As he did this COlson fired. the ball mass
ing through the space Scott had Just va
Gated.
Il do not know who fired first. out sew
Cral shots were exchanged. one lodging
IN COlsOn's groin, from the effect Of which
II Is SAID he will never recover. No uo,ice
was taken OF the matter By the military
authorities as the men had been muster
ed out The civil authorities also ig-
rgr4d IL Z"