The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-07-29
BLUES OFFICER
WILL LIKELY Be
TRIED BY COURT
Captain Mcdowell Giv-
en- Blame for Com
pany Troubles.
CORPORAL MARTIN
is EXONERAT TED
Court of Inquiry Declares situa,
tion in Company Is Detrimental
to Service, and Recommends (
That Major Take Action
According to Regula-
tons.

In view Of the findings of the court
OF inquiry which recently investisatt
ed dissensions in Company A, Richs
mond Light Infantry Blues, II seems
unavoidable that court-martial will
be ordered in the near future on the
recommendation of Major X. w.
Bowles. for the trial of Captain Thom-
as B. Mcdowell, commander of the
company. This view of the situation
was taken last night by officers ot
the battalion who examined the opin-
ion of the court
Captain MCDOWELL, will be unfairness
and prejudice exhibited by him
against Corporal c. f. Martin. at
whose request the court of INJURY
was ordered. Also that the lack OF
cooperation in his company is detri!
mental to the service, and that good
feeling there cannot be expected to
exist under his administration
Scems NIcrItablc.
While the court of INJURY had no
authority to bring charges or to or
der court martial. its statements.
carefully examined, are believed to
choice but to recommend a trial. His
attention is called to an article OF
war which deals only with court
martial of officers and men gail.y CT
disorders and neglects to the preiu-
dice of good order and military dis
cipline.
1t is further pointed out ths.t al
though some punishment might be in-
f1icted on Captain Mcdowell for his
treatment of Corporal Martin. the
wording of the court of inquiry-s opin-
uance in the service. provided the
general court should take the same
view as that Of the tribunal which
has just finished its deliberations.
The court absolutely acquits Corpor-
al Carroll f. Martin of any persona,
conduct uniting him for his Office
declares that his alleged incompe-
tency as noncommissloned officer
was not proved and asserts that his
ability to perform his duties COM
pares favorably with that OF the
other men of his rank in the company
Incident Regretted.
The finding of the inquiry court. se-
riously Involving. as it does, one OF
the most popular officers In Nirginia's
crack infantry command created no
little excitement last night at tho
Blues armory. Opinions varied large
ly, according to the viewpoint of the
individual. while those without pre-
judice in the matter regretted The oc
currence and deplored the rece-t
courts in the battalion after 100 yeas
tribunals.
After the findings had been exam
ined by Major f. w. Bowles he is
sued an order approving the verdict.
which, of course, related only to Cor
poral Martin. and published the entire
finding and opinion in front of his
headquarters for the Information of
the battalion. He did not intimate
what his action would be, and, In fact,
1t will be his duty to examine tie evi-
dence, which is extremely voluminous,
before taking the next step.
Captain 'McDowell's defense will
hardly be made known until the trial
OF his case. 1t is known, however,
to some extent what his contention
will be. He has stated that no has
had the loyalty of his company with
the exception Of three or four men. of
whom Corporal Martin was one. This
disaffection, he claims. he has endeay-
o.ed to get rid of, and, in fact, he ap
pointed Martin to the corporalship.
Knowing that he was unfavorable to
him Captain McDowelN
Favored Discharge.
Matters reached crisis when Cap
tain Mcdowell recommended that Cor
poral Martin he discharged for failure
to perform mis- military duties. This
was done in view of the noncommis-
stoned officers application to b., re-
lieved from service at the Gettysburs,
camp of instruction. Major Bowles re
instated the corporal when he proved
a record of 100 per cent, in attendance
at drills.
Then 1t was that Corporal Martin
asked for a court of inquiry into his
official and personal conduct, This be
ing battalion matter only. Major
Bowles ordered the court, composed of
officers of other companies of the
command The court sat on tho eve
ming of July H. Its verdict haa been
delayed because Of the extent OF the
evidence. which had TO be transcribed
Secret hearings were had, this being
within the discretion Of the president
of the court. Captain Mcdowell
claimed that Corporal Martins per
sonal character had not been assailed,
hut Martin undertook to show hat re-
marks reflecting on him had been
made.
Favorable Finding.
TN reviewing the testimony" saws
the verdict. "the court is OF the opin-
ion that Corporal Carroll +, Martin. OF
Company A, Richmond Light Infantry
Blues, compares favorably with other
noneommissioned officers Of his com,
pany as far as his ability to perform
his military duties,
"That his alleged Incompetence as ft
noncommissioned officer was noe PROV
en-
.That his alleged unftness Of per-