New-York tribune., 1916-07-12
Discharge Bitter
Pill, Saws COnley
From . s,ar Correspondent OF The Tribune.l

[From a s;ar Correspondent oi The Trioune.l
Camp Whitman, Green Haven, y. Y,
July ll.@"Gentlemen, this is the Bit
terest pill a soldier has to swallow"
Colonel Louis d. Conley, commander
and idol OF the 69th. had just informed
his officers of the order that came from
Major General Wood this morning
The slender, lean-faced soldier who
for twelve years has been whipping the
69th Regiment into shape had been or
dered mustered out of service, and,
witt his lieutenant colonel, John j.
Phelan, Immediately discharged by the
Federal authorities.
Colonel Conley was called to the
telephone shortly before noon. When
he came back to his tent he was pale
and silent. He directed his adJutant,
CAPTAIN Felix Donnelly, 70 summon his
officers Immediately. Brigadier Cen
eral Eddy and his staff were also pres
ent when the colonel explained the
reason of the assembly.
Lieutenant Colonel Phelan and !
have been ordered mustered out Of
service he said.
There was silence for a moment.
"You seem surprised, men, but you
are no more surprised than !, con-
tinued the colonel. General Woods
order will be obeyed, but ! asked him
to delay my discharge until | have
taken my command 20 Texas. There
will turn the seth over to the Depart
ment of the South. To avoid con-
fusion | will regard myself as the ac-
tive commander of this regiment until
W. reach the border"
For a minute or two the little circle
of officers seemed incapable of doing
or saying anything.
Will Try Again.
"And, men," continued Colonel Con-
lev, holding up his hand, 81 will not
give up my command without asking
for another medical examination. The
69th has been too dear TO me-"
Every major, captain and lieutenant
in lire took off his hat. While the en-
listed men gazed in surprise at the lit
tie group a few hundred feet away
Colonel Conley's officers gave three
hu,rahs for their commander. Colonel
Conley dismissed them. Then he re-
turned TO his tent with Brigadier Cen
eral Eddy.
Il would advise another examina-
tion,' said the general, clasping the
colonel's hand.
Thank you, general" said the colo
mel.
81 wish you all the luck in the world.
colonel" were the farewell words OF
the camp commander.
Intercedes for Subordinate.
Colonel Conley's next act was 10 call
up Governors Island to plead for Lieu
tenant Colonel Phelan. He was the
most efficient lieutenant colonel in the
United States. he said. The regiment
could not afford 20 lose Fhelan. II
necessary. he added. his Lieutenant
colonel was willing TO take another eN-
animation.
To newspaper men Colonel Conley
said he could not understand the action
of the Department Of the East. He
felt absolutely physically fit-in fact,
had never felt better.
"Why did they wait until now he
demanded, "to inform me that
couldn't lead my command into active
service? ! can't understand II. Moth
ing wrong was ever found with me be-
fore.
81 regret that Phelan will be unable
10 90 with me. He gave up com
mercial trip TO Europe and lost 5000
to join Ais regiment when he was
called"
There is nothing | can say said
Lieutenant Colonel Fhelan. excepting
that the announcement OF my discharge
comes at a time when I'm feeling JUST
fine"