The Washington times., 1902-07-27
Colonel May Superseded
at Ordway During
Sham Battle.
ASKS FIVE MONTHS LEAVE
His Junior in First Regiment, Lieuten-
ant Colonel Ross, Given Command
Over His Head of Force Of Defence
Old Controversy With General Harries

Why was Lieut. Col. Burton R. Ross
instead of Col. Henry May placed in
command of the First Regiment in the
field maneuvers which took place at
Camp Ordway yesterday morning?
This is the question which is agi-
tating the minds of the 1900 National
Guardsmen who took part in the annual
encampment of the National Guard of
the District of Columbia at Leesburg,
Va, especially in view of the victory
of the regiment over an overwhelming
force in the battle.
Brig. Gen. George H. Harries, who
commands the militia, is the only one
who can answer this query, and he takes
the position that it rests with the com
manding general to select any officer 10
perform whatever duty he desires. OPP
posed to the view is Colonel May, who
considers the action of the commanding
general as open TO criticism, and de-
velopments are expected
Many rumors were in circulation in
camp yesterday in regard to the situa-
tion and the friends of both officers prof
fer explanations in regard to the mat
ter. To the uninterested observer, how
ever. 1t looks as though the old con-
troversy between the commanding gen.
eral OF the District militia and the colo
mel of the First Regiment has again
been opened and none would dare pre-
dict the outcome.
Gave Up Other Duties.
Colonel May had many engagements,
both business and social, which demand
ed his attention here and in New York,
but he neglected them in order to attend
to his military duties at Camp Ordway
during the past ten days. So far as
known, he has had no misunderstanding
with militia headquarters except in re-
gard to matter which happened within
the lines of the First Regiment on Sum
day evening last.
A score or more of the thousand Wis
itors who called upon relatives and
friends in camp last Sunday were pre-
vented from returning to Washington
through missing the last train, and they
were taken back to Camp Ordway. Ef-
forts were made 10 locate them in
town, but rooms in the local hotels and
boarding houses were filled. and the
bows appealed TO their superior officers.
1t is understood that while neither the
company nor battalion commanders
would sanction the sheltering of Wis
itors in camp, that the commanding
officer of the First Regiment gave verbal
permission.
General orders issued prior to the es
tablishment of Camp Ordway forbid Wis
itors, other than those who secure per
mission from the commanding general.
from remaining in camp overnight. I'm
mediately the attention of headquar-
ters was called to the fact that there
had been guests Sunday night. Explana-
tions were called for from the company
commanders. They placed the responsi-
bility on Colonel May, and since that
time several spicy communications have
passed between militia headquarters and
the headquarters of the First Regiment
Another Cause.
II Is intimated, however, by an Off
Ger who is close to headquarters that
1t was not the infraction of the rules
on Sunday night which caused Colonel
May to be relieved from command.
The orders to Lieutenant Colonel
Ross, which were sent through mill
tary channels, presented the compli-
ments of the commanding general and
directed that he take charge of the col
umn which was TO oppose Col. VI. En-
met Urell, of the Second Regiment.
AS has been stated, everyone was
expecting the field maneuvers, and as
they did not take place earlier in the
week, Il was foregone conclusion that
they would be pulled off early Saturday
morning, in view of the fact that the
ammunition had been received Friday
afternoon.
Colonel May had held number of
conferences with the officers of the regi-
ment relative to attack and defense. and
had been given no intimation that Lieu
tenant Colonel Ross was to supersede
him in command. Consequently, when
the orders were received, the lieutenant
colonel proceeded to issue his instruc-
tions. while the colonel, who was sup
posed to be commanding, remained IN his
tent.
When the hour of midnight was draw
ing on and he noticed the gathering of
the clans. he spoke to his lieutenant col
onel, and then II was that he was in
formed that he was not TO command the
troops. After discussing the matter
thoroughly Colonel May wrote out an
application for five months leave of alb
sence, which was granted by the acting
adjutant general Immediately upon its
receipt.
When the troops marched out Colonel
May remained in his tent, and he slum-
bered until long after the battle had
been settled. The officers Of the First
Regiment, who had been victorious in
their conflict. had finished their mess
when the colonel took his seat at the
table, and he had but little to say to
anyone. He told several of the officers
that he had intended taking European
trip and he thought such small matter
could afford to wait until his return.
He came TO Washington on the first
train yesterday morning. Lieutenant
Colonel Ross remained as commanding
officer of the First Regiment, and
marched at the head Of the troops in the
parade here.
Old Sores Reopened.
There is reason to suppose that the
present difficulty between the colonel Of
the First Regiment and the brigadier
general commanding the District militia
grows out of the allegation previously
preferred by the superior officer that
his Junior was incompetent. This trou-
bic came up early In 1900 and the colonel
OF the First Regiment was kept under