New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-15
SIITY-NINTH COMPANY DIsBANDs.
CAPTAIN GR1FFIN'S COMMAND BEING
WIPED oUT-FIGHT FOR MAJOR AL
LEGGED TO BE THE CAUSE


Swift confirmation of the reports of further
trouble in the Goth Regiment was brought by
the happenings of last night at the armory.
Company F. commanded by Captain Anthony J.
Griffin. marched out the drill floor In all the
glory of its uniform. but before 1T marched off
it had practically ceased to be an organization
Of the National Guard.
The rumor that something was in store for
Company had spread among the friends of the
company who knew its drill night was wednes-
day, and so the seats around the drilIroom were
filled when the company formed on the floor for
the drill. Company II drilling at the same
time. Captain Griffin had twenty-nine men and
one commissioned of1cer-himself-o the floor
Company H had seventeen men and two off,
GERS. The advantage Of attendance was largely
in favor of Captain Griffin's company.
About $50 o'clock when the company had
been put through number Of drills, Captain
Griffin lined up the company in two files and
read an order from Adjutant-General Hoffman.
disbanding the company, because of its small
attendance at drills and also because it is be-
low the limit prescribed by law"
The reading of this document received
by the members of the company with looks of
indignation and anger, but there no demon
stration. Captain Griffin read another order
from Colonel Duffy, announcing that the formal
dsbanding of the company would take place
next week. when the transfer of property, etc,
would be effected. A sign of dsapproval was
checked by Captain Griffin who said:
Men. need not tell you that surprised at
future of this company, but / did not think they
were 4nyhng more than a stood % ~ ten you IN
the past and you are entitled to all the knowledge
possess as TO the events leading up to this UNI
happy situation
4 week ago on Monday last, I went on his pyi
Strong, Of the STAFF Of Brgadier-GeneraI smith
of the small 0i b hs
company This letter had gone to Ma or Strong, as
had to say about it. l explained the situation of
things as best could without my enlistment books
that 1 could make the affair palmer TO him Il
then made an spnointment 70 meet me- at me me
! office the following day, when would go
ever that it had been impossible to enforce at
tendance at drills. as the regiment had had no de-
| lnquency court since being mustered out OF the
| United States Volunteers
next day and thought no more about the mater
until I received this order Of disarmament to-day.
l had no idea that Major Strong when he invited
me to o. MS Ms office was making bsd an Official nyes[ga
believe that when the effect Of this disband-
to the authorities at Albany this order will be re-
70 t & and % condegce y Ior your
always reposed in me regret that am the only
but l have no Iieutenants. Two months ago
asked for election, but 1t refused. Without
a delinquency court TO enforce attendance, and
without leutenants have been compelled to strug-
gle along the best way | could. Your faithfulness
under these circumstances has been all the more
striking.
Colonel Duffy not in the armory nor was
! any member Of the staff present. The report
that the company had been disbanded spread
rapidly through the armory, and there was
much muttering. The trouble laid to the
contest for the majority and the bad blood that
/ has existed between Captain Griffin and Colonel
Duffy for some time. On the return from camp
after the Spanish War charges were preferred
against Colonel Duffy. They signed by a
number Of officers. Captain Griffin was believed
by Colonel Duffy to have inspired them. The
charges were pigeonhoed on the way up and
never reached Adjutant-General Andrews 1t
has been reported several times that Captain
Griffin determined to dig the charges out
OF the pigeonholes and that Colonel Duffy was
anxious TO get rid of him. When the contest
for major began few weeks ago IT was said
that Griffin would support Captain McCrystal
who was not a favorte with headquarters. The
disarmament Of the command would thus lose
one vote for McCrystal.