Skip to main content

201 - Bronson, E. D.

F/r

HEADQUARTERS, CAMP SEVIER
Greenville, S. C.

October 10th, 1918.

The Honorable T. W. Bickett,
The Governor of North Carolina,
Raleigh.

Sir:

The communication from Mr. John C. McBee, Chairman, which was referred to me by your direction, October 5th, 1918, has been received. It relates to the conduct and language of Lieutenant E. D. Bronson when Mr. McBee delivered a deserter, Smith Miller at the Stockade in this camp.

In a personal interview with Lieutenant Bronson he stated to me that since he has been in charge of the guard at the Stockade, he has tried to enforce discipline on the prisoners and has used oaths, but that he has not knowingly cursed any man; he may have sworn when he received Miller, in order to impress on him that he must use the word, “Sir”, but he was sure he did not curse him, that it was not his intention to do so.

Lieutenant Bronson has felt his responsibility as officer in charge of prisoners and he has either tried to impress them by use of violent language or he has been led to swear through worry or anxiety due to being responsible for their custody.

I am inclined to believe that he did not intend to curse this man, but in his endeavor to impress him with the requirements of military discipline, he used language which he had no warrant for using. And I have warned him against violent language or tyrannical conduct towards these men, that military discipline requires only a firm, just and humane treatment of them and the abuse of them in any manner will not be tolerated.

The efforts you have made to induce deserters and draft evaders to return to duty are appreciated and every effort will be made here to sustain you in this work. I am glad you sent Mr. McBee’s letter to me, and ask you to assure him that any man whom he may deliver here in the future will be properly received and treated.

F. H. French,
Brigadier General, U. S. Army.