The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-20
4 DISMISSED FROM
ARMY sUMMAR|LY
DIR. ". ARMIsTEAD GrLLs, OF RICH
MOND, WILL ASK CONGRESS
TO vyNDICATE HIM.
GIVEN NO REASONS
EN- NO REASONS
NO CHARGES PREFERRED AGAINST
HIM so FAR As HE KNOWS
WAS ONE OF TWO STATE
MEMBERS OF RESERVES.

DiSillsSeu summary lfoui tHc army
without apparent rhyme or reason,
with never an opportunity to answer
charges II any had been filed. DR..
w. Armistead ellis, of Richmond,
one Of two Virginia members OF the
army medical reserve corps. has de-
cided to seek justice and vindication
at the hands Of congress.
DR.. ellis, who has been practicing
physician in Richmond a number Of
years. having served as ambulance
surgeon. militia surgeon and instruc-
tor in anatonomy in the Medical Col
lege Of Virginia, was appointed in
1905 by Governor Montague as stu
dent in the army medical school,
where he spent a year. In 1910 he
was appointed by President Taft to
the army medical reserve corps, an ac-
tive branch of the army medical SER
vice whose members are entitled to
all the rights and privileges OF the
regularly stationed officers. On ex-
animation DR.. ellis, failed physically.
but applied for denomination and
passed, being given his commission.
Later he applied for an opportunity
to make a higher grade in the service
and receiving insulting replies to his
applications, preferred charges against
certain officers.
April 29th, last he received notice
of his dismissal from the service, and
his efforts to ascertain from the sur
geon- general of the army the reason
therefor were curt and unenlightening.
He has heard of no charges, has
never been called upon to answer any
and consequently not permitted to
defend himself. and as a last resort
has decided to take the matter up
through the Virginia delegation In
congress DR.. ellis believes that rath-
er than probe his charges and risk
bringing the medical department into
tho limelight that he was quietly
given what is supposed to be an hon
orable dismissal. He does not, how
ever, propose to let the matter rest
there, and claims to have some docu-
mentary evidence which, IL brought to
light in congress, will reveal highly
interesting situation not at all to the
credit of the army medical depart
ment.
DIR. ellis Statement.
When / applied for commission
in the army at Fortress Monroe. Va,
l passed the professional examina
ton, but was rejected on the physical
examination on account Of a surgical
operation which temporarily disqual-
flied me. When my condition justified
| appealed to the surgeon general OF
the army for denomination physical
~, but in the meantime was inform
ed by a party of conversation OF
army officers at Fort Monroe, who
were conspiring to reject me. We were
satisfied that unless | applied at an
other army post would be rejected
permanently. Taking his advice
requested to be examined at Wash
ington and was there examined and
commissioned. With the prestige OF
commissioned officer in the army
asked toFbe allowed an opportunity
to make a higher grade in the army
medical school. In reply | received
insulting letters in violation of mil
itary ethics. ] presented the whole
matter to Hon. James Hay, chairman
of the military affairs committee OF
the house, who did obtain for me this
what l had reason to think II should
be. ! fled charges against certain Of
ficers with the adtutant general OF
the army, for which / hold regis
tered receipt On April IA, 1913 with
out any charges having been preferred
or any intimation to me that there
were charges against me, 1t was recon
mended to President Wilson that
be dismissed as an officer of the army
have no idea what Representations
were made to him in my case, nor was
I allowed opportunity to reply. The
order of dismissal was issued April
29th. 1t is obvious that this action was
to prevent my appearance against
the accused and smother the charges
The case. ! believe. Is unprecedented
DR.. ellis understands that Congress
men Hay and Montague will take uI
DR.. ellis case at the earliest opportun-
ity.