New-York tribune., 1900-04-27
BROOKLYN NEWS.
DE FOREST WON'T TAKE 1T
REFUSES COLONELCY OF TWENTY
THIRD REGIMENT.
DUPLICITY-MAJoR CASE SAYS HE
WILL EXPOSE LONG STANDING
TROUBLE IN ORGANIZATION.

In letter that promises bring the surface
all of the internal troubles and jealouses that have
been injuring the 23d Regiment since 1894, Lieu
tenant-Coonel Ezra De Forest has declined the
colonelcy of that regiment. which he elected
last Monday night by OF q 10 s. In his let
ter he accuses Major David K. Case and the lat
ter's friends of dupcity. Major Case laughs at
what he calls the spleen" in the letter, and says
that within a few days he will have prepared a
statement which will rehearse the COMPOUNDED
trouble in the regiment since 1894
The letter written by Lieutenant-ColoneI De For
est to General McLeer was a mere formal declina-
ton of the appointment. The letter explaining his
action is addressed to Captain F. A. Wells of
Company B. 1t is as follows:
Upper Montclair. n. J.. April "a. 1900
My Dear Captain: think il proper for me to
gave me- he voe 70 you that aP R have Written to en
I fully appreciate the honor conferred by those
a6 voted f for me but decline to become ass9 So
their personally soliciting my acceptance of the
raeT N and III then voting sgans my election
This confirms the impression that Major Case has
of e 90 % s ns g6 m
obtained any influence in the Council OF Officers
10 put myself in a position where l can De an
Regretttng that must disappoint my friends
Wnom esteem. l yet feel II due to myself to de-
yours a' nave ABOVE EZRA De 'f FoREsT
To Captain F A Wells senior officer of my
friends in the 23d Regiment.
The last paragraph referring to Captain Wells
as the senior officer of my friends" is said to be
aimed al Major Stokes and Captain Thorn both of
whom senior 10 Captain Wells.
That letter shows the character of the man"
said Major Case yesterday, in speaking OF Colonel
De Forests letter. He was elected colonel by a
vote of 81 to g. What does he want? I
told him last that there would be opposition
TO his election. and stated that I thought the
would be Il TO 10. 1 did ask any
against him just did think he the
mar ha ro1u
to make 1t unanimous, and told him that ne had
better take the Office. and everything would blow
over as he went along. Major Stokes was one Of
his strongest opponents
Il know very well why De Forest pitches into
me. 1t is the old sore reopened. De Forest talks
about dissension. Who was IL that fought against
Colonel Smith? Who defeated Major Stokes at one
time?''
Adjutant George ". Wingate was one OF Colonel
De Forests warm supporters. and he is much dis
appointed at the way things have come out He
says
It was believed that if he was elected it would
harmonize certain differences among the officers Of
the regiment; 1t was expected a matter of
course that the election would be unanimous, and
that any of the officers voted against him l am
not, not astonished that, under the circumstances he
ment. u the 'esi-
Major William A. Stokes who was one of Colonel
De Forests opponents, said yesterday:
did not think De Forest would do such a thing
Il shows what little respect he has the 23d
Regiment Never mind the individual
Major Stokes declared 1t to be his opinion that If
there was any duplcity It part of
Colonel De Forest. who. although he had been
told the election could be unanimous had con-
sented to accept the office.
This action OF Colonel De Forest means that
the 23d Regiment will probably be without a
colonel until fall Considerable difficulty was found
IN settling upon a man who would accept the ap-
polntment and there is nobody in sight now Both
Major Case and Major Stokes have declared posi-
lively that they would accept the colonelcy at
this time. Colonel William Cary Sanger has de-
clined TO consider il.
conference of the officers vii; be held at the
armory Monday night, when the situation will
be thoroughly discussed.