The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-06

message on the discharge OF the negro
troops for 6isorderly conduct az Browns
vile. Tex, 20 the discharge Of a Con-
federate battalion BY General Lee-none
OF the comrades present remembering the
Incident was requested 10 ascertain tho
facts.
1 determined TO apply 10 the President
himself for the details. and addressed
him the following letter:
Richmond. Va. Dec. g. 1906.
iresidcnt Theodore Roosevelt
White House. Washington.
Dear Sir.-In your recent able and al
mirsble message on the question OF dis
charging tho riotous soldiers at Browns
VILE YOU quote General r. r. Lees ac-
uon as a precedent. giving two Instances;
one. wnne he was commanding I'm Texas
IN ante -bellum days. and the other soon
arler the Battle OF Gettysburg This last
instance has been 4 matter OF consldera-
Die discussion as TO what battalion IL
was that h9 discharged. and az the r.
T.. Lee Camp. Confederate Veterans last
night after. soma talk about tho matter
was appointed as a committee OF one
70 ascertain tho facts. Never haN.g
heard OF the incident before and being
unable 20 ind any old Confederate who
remembers a.. Or any order among cen
etal Lee 3 orders mentioning the mat
ter. 7 take the liberty OF addressing Won
mis- communication to ask the facts in
'He case. What was tho name Of tho
battalion discharged. and FOR what cause2
Allow me 10 add that. as for twelve
years was secretary Of tho Southern
historical Society and editor 90 fourteen
Noi1ines or it, papers. and ne 7 know
General Lee quite intimately. seeing
something OF him during tho last four
years ot the war. and n good deal q
MIN during the last five years % r. r'e.
Wh"n he was president % Washington
college. and was one 90 the chaulairs
"f tnat institution. 7 taxa the l.vcl'o 2
interest In ali concerning him. and being
the author 81 two books on him C.p.r-
Sonal Reminiscences, Anecdotes. and
Letters ~ Lee" and "fsfe
Letters Of Lee. the Soldier and the Man..
I consider myself well posted ON :. ire
erature. anG as never heard ~ tie
incident cited. 7 am taking the liberty
90 going 70 headqUarters for the informa-
ton. OF course. we greatly appreciate
In this latitude that Ice should be quoted
Ok authority upon amy question hv tra
President % the United States and We
think that he IS authority upon any ours-
ton on which he has veutured to ex-
press his opinion
Begging pardon for ohtrrldinE this letter 7
upon you. and with best wishes f1r Sour
health and happiness. and continued USE .
fulness. I afn.
Respectfully and tr-iy YOURS
j. WM JONES.
1 have received the following reply.
Tho White House.
Washir gton. D. g.. Dec g. 1915
NJ Dear sir.-Your letter o. the "a ln- (
slant has been received and noted IN
reply, send herefth copy o. Tie Pres
dents message to Congress. concerning
ne discharge OF these companies of th@
Twenty-Af-h Infantry. arr invite your
ate ton 90 the lasr appendices
Very truly yours
NM. LOEB. JR..
Secretary 10 tire President
The reference is an extract from tle !
Charlotte Observer, which had never
seen before, and is as follows.
Appendix 2.
Che Charlotte Observer. No.. = 1861
Precedent fof Presidents Action
The Observer takes great pleasure ln
presenting below conclusive evidence that /
President Roosevelrs order disbanding
taree colored companies for an oneu~e /
RS some OF their number fs uot as has /
ocen claimed. without precedent IN tie .
military history Of this country. 10 will D
% universally admitted that uo higher /
authority e.an General Lee on what is /
'Isht ana Just IN military discipline could /
possibly be offered. AS for the anthem /
ucity OF the evidence all North Caro- /
INA will vouch in ths most absolute, man I
ner for the truth OF and statement ~p.n-
sored 10y Colonel Blrgwyn. And as COL I
onel Burg1yE SAYS the name " tire
command can be given - desired IT'S
communication and the appended mill
tary orders follow.
7 see 50 stated that President Roo~a-
velts order disoanding battalion ~
colored troops IS without precedent in
the military history OF this country. There .
are those now living who read the fol-
lowing orders on dress parade and Wit
messed its execution omit the nam.
or the command. but il can be given II
desired.
90 Headquarters. Army q Northern vir-
giula.
October -. 1864
General order, 10. -.
The - Battalion. for cowardlv con- /
duct ON every battlefield fro.p Gct.,s- /
burg To- the present time. IS unworthy |
OF place as an organization IN the /
Army OF Northern Virginia Il Will be I
marched 20 division headquarters Wednes- /
day afternoon at O'Clock. and surrender /
It's cOlors and be marched to the rear
in disgrace. The general commanding III. |
Army OF Northern Virginia regrets that /
there are some brave officers and men be- |
longing 10 this organization who must /
share in this common disgrace. but the !
good or the service requires 81, and they I
must bear II as brave soldiers.
BY command Of Gen. r. r. Lee
"'---- Assistant Adjutant-Ge General 81" /
Yours truly,
'WM H. s. RCRGwYN. .
Weldon. y. g.. November &c"
1T is here explicitly stated that there ]
are some brave officers and men belong !
ing to this organization who must share /
in this common disgrace, but the good |
of the service requires IL. and they must I
bear IT as brave soldiers In this case,
as IN the Brownsville affair the OF
Tense was very grave and tho good OF (
the. service required that the innocent /
suffer disgrace with the guilty. since /
separation was impossible That one Of /
fensA nccmrred In time of tNnr ana I'll. |