Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-01-02
CALL WRG|N|ANS
|. TO TESTIFY BEFORE
u. S. SENATE BODY
Number Of Richmonders
Are Among Host of Wit
nesses Summoned.
SOME HAVE FILED
SPECIFIC CHARGES
Staunlon Man, Maintaining
Innocence, Says He Has
Nothing to Fear.
DEMANDS THAT PROBE DE RIGIp
DEMANDS THAT PROBE DE nIcrp
Allegation Tint Members OF Conpany
u "Broke" ArouseS Storm
OF Indignation.

interest among Firginians in
charges. preferred by Veterans of
the world war. TAT Colonel II. l..
opic, OF Staunton. who commanded
In France battalion of tile One
Hundred and Sixteenth Infantry. shot
ana killed soldiers OF the American
army at the battle front shifts this
week to Washington, where the mat
ter Will be under Investigation bv ),
committee OF the United States
Scratc
y small army OF witnesses, many
OF whom already have been sum.
moned. Will SO to Washington from
Virginia and other places to tell the
committee just what they know or
have heard about Colonel Opie and
his career In the American expetli-
tonary forces. Some have filed spe-
cihc'chargcs, declaring they saw the
army officer either whip out his au-
tomutic or take q rifle and shoot mon
dead. others, men who either
served with Colonel Opic in the try.
ing days when the allies were bat
Ting the Hun on the fields of France
or who have followed for years his
course. both as Il citizen and as a
military man. are prepared to rcfute
these charges before the Senate COM
mittce.
opic Maintains Innocence
Colonel Opie, maintaining his in.
nocencc. declares lie has nothing to
!ear. and demands that the inyesti-
eating body make as rigid a probe
as possible, in order that his nam.
may be cleared forever. For hi.
services in France he was awarded
|, the Distinguished Service Cross and
was decorated by the government
upon whose soil he fought He has
branded those who accuse him a.
skulkers" and "deserters."
In making his denial OF the charge
that he killed American soldiers In
france Colonel Opie mentions hay.
ing mad TO shoot in the air TO sion
the retreat of certain members ~,
company II, which was a partv ot
'he old Richmond Grays' HattaIion
lhiS accusation against Richmond
soldiers has stirred up n storm -,
Indignation here. Members Of ,bs
company in question deny vebc.
mentiy that they ever retreatcd in
'he lace OF the enemy. except 10 go
back to their objective, over which
'heS had swept in their eagerness Ia
""'ahce Veterans of the orEaniza
'ioh are expected to meet ono dav
next week. 1t was said. and at this
timc ;he charge OF Major Op!c prob-
apl! VIII be brought up for discus.
sion and action
Stnck Commanded Compn,r
Captain William 4. Stack now
major in the United States Arny
stationed, IL is understood. nj r,rr
hnoN. kyr commanded COMPANY u 4,
france The majority OF the vet.
'""' mere are ioath to discuss the
oPic charSes until their old lcade,
mas made some expression regardln.
'hehl' lt Is said that Major Stacl,
mas received detailed information
'o the charge certain OF his men rc-
treated and has been requested IN
come To Richmond.
Earl T. Reynolds, 15aS Fioyd Ave-.
nuc. formerly Il lieutenant In Com.
pany u. said yesterday that he could
recall no backward movement of ,ha
NfaEs that could In any way be con.
strued as discreditablc retreat.
~ w. Cash. OF Staunton veteran
OF the spanish- American War, stated
mat he had served as nrst sergeant
"i company +, Fourth Virginia Resi-
ment. for seven years under CoioneI
"3'c' then, captain. and that he had
never served under better officer
he said that all enlisted men smoke
wen of him. Mr.. Cash said he knew
Colonel opic in civilian as well ns iu
military life, and that he had always
mad tho highest regard for his char
acter considering him an idea,
citizen.