The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-04-04

Colonel Thomas j. Nottingham. com.
omander Of tho Fourth Regiment o,
infantry. Virginia Volunteers faces :
court OF inquiry into his official con
duct u is expected that Governor
Mani! viii today sign the paper. CON
~ sessions in Richmond or in Nor
folk in tho near future
Inc specific charges which have
neen made against Colonel Noting
ham arc OF unmiiitary conduct uil,i OF
the pubiic Use OF vile Language IN
speaking Of his superior officers and
other officers Of the Virginia militia.
The court was recommended by Bri-
2Hdier- General O. q. Vaughan. Jr..
comnanding tho First Brigade, Viz
S!nia Volunteers.
But the real evidence ,vili conc
from Captain the Rev. walter G.
P"fkef pastor of Park Place Me,ho-
dist Church, Of Tins city. and chap
lain OF the Fourth Virginia. Chaplain
Parker made al, effort 10 leave the
service because ho WIS unwilling long
or 70 b. associated with such an or.
nccr rs colonel Nottingham, but his
resignation has her held tn allegiance
Wy thjutant-Cieneral " ". sale pend
tnE determination OF the accusations
brought against the regimcntni COM
!nandcr
The TWO AntnRoui.t-.
Colonel Nottingham. who resides IN
Horfoik, Is recognized a : man of
violent temper and OF bitterness in
tutkinE OF ihcse "hom he dislltes
II" wss commissioned TO his present
position OF February 20. 1909
Rev Waller q. PARKER was made
chaplain % the Fourth virginia by
n.' n,,1s ~ /!
Jr IL MAS then living In Norfolk.
hut has since bccou. pastor OF tho
lachmonh church. Iic has always
taken the k.cucst intcres, IN mill
tory anatrs and cogld have had AN
army chaplaincy siad he 80 desired
on" accusation which may or may
no; be made "a point In The cas- against
colonel Nottingham IS that the latter
Used vic and Insulting language dur.
Ing the cncampment at Gettysburg. Pa.
~ iuiy. 1910 regarding Governor Mann
Whilc tho latter was = visitor "a camp.
Officers denounced.
liut the happenings which led 20 the
court Of inqGiry which Is now 70 he
called took place last Angus, at Cul-
pepper. Va Here the antipathy OF Col
ons Nottingham according 10 the on
clal papers in the case. was mainly d.
rtctcd a General Vaughan and AT rho
members Of tho !a;ter's staff. An Off
cor who took some horses to the rail-
way station 10 meet the Fourth Regi-
mont is said 10 have been the ubiert OF
r.ofanc and insulting language Later
criticisms IN the same sort of verbiag &c
were according TO the papars, directer
81, other staff officers and at the com
handing general himself
The result was that when the camp
Of instruction at Cuipcper had ended
Mr.. Parker rendered his resignation as
chaplain OF the regiment, giving as his
reason his dissatisfaction with condi-
= lions AZ the head of the regiment. This
Colonel Nottingham returned with a
request for an explanation. Such ex-
PLANTATION was given by Mr.. Parker
without mincing words and with par
ricularity.
Colonel Nottingham then forwarded
the resignation to General Vaughan,
with the recommendation that IL bs
accepted a once, and with the furthe.
notation that thu statements made by
The chaplain were absolutely without
foundation in fact.
scuds nil OF Particulars.
General Sale thought 1t but Just to
let Mr.. Parker see this notation, and II
was sent to the minister for his IN :
spection. Mr.. Parker does not seek a
fight, but objects seriously TO having
the truthfulness OF his statements
assailcd. He wrote out his charges
with great circumstnntiality, telling
just what words were used by Colonel
Nottingham In referring to other off,
GERS. what the occasion and who were
present as witnesses. This went in. to
the communicative hlef.
Later, Colonel Nottingham admitted
the correctness of tho charges, in par,
a least. but said that the remarks
we're made in the presence of members
of his staff, whom he regarded as a
family. and who should not have re-
peated thcm. Mr.. Parker said in reply
that OH the occasion some eight or ten
officers were present. and on another
the conversation was had publicly at
mess.
For months matters have dragged
along, various attempts having been
mado to prevent a court Of inquiry.
However. each such effort has been
ov.rruled, and OF recent weeks the
court of inquiry, II is evident. has been
inevitable. a final attempt to avert
such action will. It Is under stood DO
made this morning by I. Branch John
son, of Norfolk, attorney for Colonel
Nottingham.
Work Of Inquiry Courts.
4 court of inquiry is composed OF
three members, together with a record
or, whose duties are somewhat similar
TO those Of n Judge advocate in 2 court
martial. The sittings of court of in
quIry may be public or executive. as the
senior officer may direct, while those OF
conrt-martial must be public. The
results of the deliberations OF n court
OF inquiry are made In the form of
recommends tons to the Governor and
Adiutant. General. instead OF as n YER
dict
Rarely ind,ed is an inquiry asked for
on officer Of such high rank as Colonel
lCentinued ON Second Page,).