The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-01-03
DAvANT CASEEhOS
WITH REPR|MANO
Roanoke Officer Restored tC
Duty With Command by
Governor.
FAILED TO MAKE REPORTS
Was Relieved by Colonel Leedy
Grave Reasons for Dere-
LECTION.

With a reprlmand Tor uerSlAEtioh "a
duty, the case against Captain IL. w
Davant commander Of Company T.
Second virginia Infantry. at Roanoke.
comes 70 an end. and the officer. who
has been relieved of his command for
several months. is ordered back To
duty. The findings of the court or
inquiry were approved yesterday morn
ing by Governor Mann.
The evidence. taken by the court is
voluminous. 1t shows that Captain
Davant failed 10 make the reports 10
superior officers as required by law
failed to make prompt property re-
turns. and neglected TO answer oniclai
communications No reply was made
BY him 10 letters and kilograms urg-
ing compliance with his prescrioeu
duties.
Relieved by Colonel.
At last Colonel Il. +. Leedy. com
mander of the Second Regiment, re-
leved Captain Davant Of his com
mand. designating Lieutenant F1gSatt
Ia Temporary charge of the company.
on the stand. Colonel Leedy said ne
could 10 longer stand the pressure
from the brigade commander and the
Adjutant- General concerning the laA1-
IN of the Roanoke officer, and deter
mined that he would not BE held re-
sponsible. lie said he would be glad
to see Captain Davant restored TO duty,
believing he would do better in future
but that he himself would not restore
him lie complimented the officer S
capacity and military attainments.
In his defense. Captain Davant told
of his absence from his city in attend
ance in camp on the Mexican border
of his time occupied by attention to
,x-hn
rernitting labors in the efforts to Sc
cure d new arlnory for his command.
These were given as reasons Tor MS
failure to attend to the matter OF Off
cial reports
The court of inquiry was composed
as follows: Major +. l. Slaughter
! Second Infantry; Captain j. e. Moon
Iirst Infantry: Captain {. q. Mason
Second Infantry. The judge advocate
was Captain s. Gardner Waller. Second
Infantry, while r.. Kent Spiller ap-
pcared as counsel for Captain DaVant-
Findings of Court.
The court rendered the following
hnding: The court finds that Captain
D W. Davant. Company +. SECOND
Infantry. Virginia Volunteers. has been
derelict in the performance of his mill
tary duties. and that his failure 10
cause reports TO be made promptly and
to handle military communications
with promptness has been matter oil
embarrassment to the headquarters oil
! the Second Infantry, as well as to the
| Adjutant- Generals office. The court
finds that he was. therefore. property
1oIi eved by the colonel Of the Second
Infantry, temporarily. of his command
This reprimand is believed TO be
adequate.
The court recommends that Captain
Davant be reinstated with his organ
ization by the proper authority.
Governor Mann entered the follow
ing order: THE evidence in this case
shows negligence on the part of Cap
tain Davant in methods rather than
actual omissions, although there have
been some omissions. But his absence
from home his work on the armory
and attention TO his sick Brother must
be considered.
The Governor added an order Re
! storing Captain DaVant to duty with
his command.