The Washington herald., 1907-07-18

New YORK, July it.-NlLu MS D4ck 70
tlie wall. both fgurativcly and literally,
Lieut. Col. Charles G. Ayres of the Four
teFnth Cavalry faced a retiring board to-
day. at the gray old army building on
WnitShan street
The y inquiry ordered by the War De
partnlent 10 determine whether Col
.Ayresl is fit for further army service, is
said ID be the outcome. primarily. Of the
'Cverc6at episode" at West Point. where
Mrs Ayres displeased some of the officers
by herl crdcism OF the commandant's or
der prohibiting the cadets from lending
their coats 10 young women. Col. Ayres
was quoted as saying things in behalf OF
his wife and uncomplimentary to the
service. He refused. when asked by the
department. 10 confirm or deny the state
ments attributed TO him.
If there had been any hope In the War
Department that Col. Ayres would helr
relieve an embarrassing situation by get
ting out Of the army without inquiry, II
was quickly dispellea by the very SHARP
emphasis with which Col Ayres replied
y DO not, when, in accordance with the
manual governing such proceedings, he
was asked al the opening of the meeting
if he wished to retire
After a session Of less than half an
hours duration. the board adjourned "a
meet at 10 o'clock tomorrow morning
in the meantime Col. Ayres will be ex-
amined by Mai. Guy /. Edie. surgeon,
and Capt. Sanford H. Wadhams. assist
ant surgeon, the two medical officers OF
the board.
Brig. Gen. John NJ K Davis IS the pre-
siding officer OF the board, and his asso-
ciates are Col. Charles A. P. Hatfield
Thirteenth Calvary; Lieut. Col. William
p. Evans, Eleventh Infantry; Capt Will
fam 7. Johnston, Fifteenth Cavalry. and
the two medical officers. Capt Johnston
IS the recorder.
Swaps Service stories.
Col. Ayres arrived at the army building
long before the board convened, and filed
In the hour or more Of waiting by swap
ping army stories with Mai. Edie, who
seemed 10 be more thoroughly acquainted
with him than any other officer Of me
board. II was the. surgeon who is TO ex-
anime him physically that introduced
him to Gen. Davis and the other officers
as they dropped in one at a time. They
Rll shook hands cordially and declared
themselves glad to meet Lieut.. Col
Ayres.
The first question put to him was
'Have you counsel?"
NO" ne replied L haven't any coun.
eel, and don't know that l want one. II ]
am here TO be examined as 10 my physica
fitness, I don't need counsel. ! have been
examined by army surgeons twice within
the last year, and found sound both
times. II necessary, l am ready again
Ready Tor either physical or mental OK
animation
But # I am to be examined on any
thing else. I'd like 10 know H. 1 haven't
seen any specifications. I don't know
what this is all about
Finally, Gen. Davis intimated that the
scope Of the hearing would have TO be
determined later on, and would depend
largely upon the findings of the medical
officers. Then they adjourned. and Col
49, vent away with Mai Edie and
Capt Wadnams.
AyreS' Previous Difficulties,
Lieut. Col Ayres has been in trouble
several times IN the course of his career
as an officer. The army records show
that when ne was a first lieutenant OF
the Tenth Cavalry. stationed at Fort
Bayard. y. Mex, in 1887. he was charged
with conduct prejudicial 20 good disclp-
line in refusing to vacate his quarters
when ordered 10 do so He was also
charged with conduct unbecoming an off,
Ger and a gentleman in threatening tC
shoot brother officer. Lieut. w II
Whipple, who had preferred the first
charge against him. Il was alleged that
ne called Lieut.. Whpple a liar and no
gentleman. and asked him to draw his
weapon. He was found not guilty Of the
first charge, but guilty of conduct preju-
dicial TO good order and discipline and
sentenced 10 suspension for SIX months
and confinement 20 the limits OF the res
ervation- Gen. Miles. in reviewing the
case, declared that the punishment was
Inadequate for the offense.
In December. 1892, he was again court
martaled al Fort Assinniboine, Mont, for
conduct unbecOming an officer and gen
uemau. several specifications being al
legged. He was found guilty on several
counts and not guilty on others, and
sentenced 10 be Teprimanded Again, in
1856, he was CoUrt-martlaled az Fort
Keogh Mont. on similar charges. and
also that Of disrespect TO a senior officer
the specification being that be had writ
ten 10 the War Department a malicious
and libelOus letter concerning Capt Will
Sam Davis, jr, Tenth Cavalry He was
found guilty and sentenced TO dismissal
from the army. President Cleveland
however. disapprovsd the findings, hold
ing that the sentence was too severe.
Commended for Bravery.
On the other hand. Lieut. Col Ayres
has been called one Of the heroes of Las
GUasimas. and was recommended for a
medal Of honor by Gen. Young His spe-
cial act Of bravery which caused him 20
be recommended for medal for dis
tinguished gallantry in battle took place
on June a, 1S9S when the First and
Tenth regiments Of cavalry and the Rough
Riders engaged the Spaniards on Cuban
soil When Maj, J. VI. Bell. Of the First
CavalTV, now q brigadier general on the
retired list OF the army, fell leading his
regiment. Capt. Ayres went 20 the as
sistance Of the major. The captain. under
a terrific storm of bullets, which had
momentarily stopped the American ad-
vance. hurried to Mai. Bells assistance,
ana, with several soldiers. CARVED the
wounded officer TO place of safety. On
the little hill where the captain stood dur
ing the hottest part Of the tight, nine men
We're killed OF wounded his corporal,
standing by his side, was shot through
the head. and his trumpeter's temple was
brushed by bullet, while his arm was
touching that Of the captain.