American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-07-14

GENERAL ORDERS No 36.-The puDHcauon
Of this order in the several newspapers OF this
city yesterday and to-day affords the PROOF OF
what we on Friday asserted respecting the md
ing of the late Court Martial aud the approval
by the President. General Talcott, without
authority, and in defiance of the will OF the
Secretary OF War, authorized Col. Hugcr, Of
the Fort Monroe Arsenal, to purchase Of DR..
Carmichael, of Richmond, large quantity
of shot and shells, and in his official ca
pacity subsequently, confirmed this purchase.
DR.. Carmichael, having made application to
the Secretary for sach u contract IN the pres
ence Of General Taicott, was refused, and there
fore knew the nature of the transaction he was
making. When he obtained the order, instead OF
fulfilling it himself he caused it to be done by J.
II. Anderson, proprietor OF the Tredegar Iron
Works, at Richmond, receiving $1,000 for his
bargain IL appears also that when asked by
tile Secretary OF War whether the report that
had reached the Department Of this purchase
was true, Gen. I. replied that " there was not
word of truth in it,
Five hundred tons of shot and shell at cents
81 mills per pound, was the extent of the order
given by Colonel Huger which amounts to
$37.24O
The charges preferred were three in number:
l. Violation of the l32d article Of the
Regulations for the government OF the Ordnance
Department"
2. "Wilful disobedience of Orders and In
structions from the Secretary Of War in relation
to a contract for supplies"
8. s.Conduct unbecoming an officer and a
gentleman"
A verdict of guilty was found upon each one
of them, and upon each specification under
them, with two unimportant exceptions.
We extract from the published order:
.da SENTENCE.
And the Court does sentence him, Brevet
Brigadier General George Talcott, Colonel of
the Ordnance Department, to be dismissed the
SERVICE"
ILL., In conformity with the 65th of the Rules
and Articles Of War, the proceedings Of the
general court-martial in the foregoing case
have been transmitted to the President Of the
United States
The following is the decision thereon:
"ExEcUTIvE MANSION, July 8, 1861.
The foregoing proceedings Of the court |
martial Tor the trial OF Brevet Brigadier General
George Talcott having been laid before me, and
having been by me duly examined and consid-
ered hereby confirm the same.
" Midland FILLMORE"
Ill Brevet Brgadier General George Tdlcoh
accordingly ceases to be an officer OF the army
from this date.
In reviewing these proceedings the President
has with regret, and feels constrained to
notice, the irreguiarity and negligence which,
throughout the transaction in which they origi-
mated, characterized the conduct OF Breyet
Colonel Huger, commander OF the Fort Monroe
Arsenal The confidence naturally reposed by |
him in the head OF his corps, furnishes undoubt-
eddy some apology for his course, but cannot
justify IL.
The President deems it proper, particularly, |
to express his disapprobatiou of all private cor
respondence official business. Such prac-
tice not only prevents the preservation of dis
tinct and inteiligible record Of any transaction,
so Indispensable III IA Government where public
agents are liable to be frequently changed, but
is incompatible with the admitted accountable
ity OF every officer employed in the disburse-
mcnt vi public moneys.
Nv. The General Court Martial, of which
Breyet Major General Twiggs is President, is
dissolved.