The Washington union., 1857-06-02
WAR DEPARTMENT.

the ohe are otte properly ana under state manage
ment.
WAR DEPARTMENT.
MreDunts Of Troops Of he United Sttes. following
General Orders, which have just been promulged cx-
plain the contemplated movements of considerable body
Of United States troops:
GENERAL oHBnns, HrAD9y g!1r Or rHa Amy
Washington, May 2S, 1857 I
The General Chief with the appreciation Of the War
Department, directs the following movements
l. The two companies of the Second Dragoons now at
Fort Randall win by water to Fort Lcavenworth
taking with them their equipments, but leaving their
horses at Fort Randall
The colonel Of the Second Infantry will deach four
companies Of that regiment three to occupy Fort Smell
ling and Fort Ridgey. These companies will move
by land.
g. The Fifth Infantry to be replaced in Florida by vol
untee will proceed under the command of its lieutenant
colonel to Jefferson Barracks, and there await further or
ders.
4. The Tenth Infantry will by water to Fort
Leavenworth eight companies at once and the COM
panies left at Forts Smelling and Ridgcy, re-
lieved by companies of the Second Infantry
g. The movements herein indicated will be made with
the least possible delay. A
BY order S. COOPER,
Adjutant General
CbWtS Mrtial.-It appears from general order No. s.
recently issued from the War Department. that at the
racks Texas pursuant to ''orders No 49, of July 81
1856 from the headquarters of the department. Of Texas
aud of which Brevet Col Carlos A. Waite lieutenant
colonel fifth infantry president arraigned and
tried Major Giles Porter of the 4th regiment of artil
lery on the charge of drunkenness on duty. The
court sentenced him to be dismissed from the service Of
the United States :; but taking into consideration the
n6miy of age and the long period Of forty years
of honorable service they respectfully recommend his
case to the favorable consideration of the President the
United States
These proceedings laid before the President of the
United States by the Secretary of War; the latter saying
hc court suggest explanation of the distinction they
take that the accused was drunk in actual execution
of his office but mot drunk duty in the meaning of
the Articles of War. The department cannot discover
any just ground for the distinction which is even ex
pressed by contradiction"
The sentence was confirmed; but in compliance with
the recommendation of the majority of the members of
the court the President mitgaed the sentence suspcn
sion for one year from rank and pay.
Major Porter was at the time the charge was preferred
against him. intrusted with the command of Fort Brown
of the military posts of the United States in the de-
partment of Texas
At the general courtmartal which convened at Indian
ola, Texas arraigned and tried Capt William X. Van
Bokkelen quartcrasters department. on the charge Of
States and of conduct the prejudice of good order
and military discipline" The result was the court
fenced him to be rcproved; and thus lenent be-
heyng the accused to have acted from thoughtless
ness than from any intention of wrong
The Secretary of War says careful inspection OF
the record has discovered to the department any evil
dcnce to sustain the opinion which the court
suggest that the misconduct exhibited in this has
suited from thoughtessness,, and not from intention
Of wrong" Law and reason infer the intention from
the act, The department is not satisfied that the
nexion of Capt Van Bokkeen in the commission and for
warng business with his clerk the suconactor to for
ward quartermaster supplies only pretended and
not real and beneficial partnership In either case it
highly reprehcnsibe" Before the court of
inquiry other shown in which the payment for
the fuel was made to the quartermastcr himself"
AT the general court martial convened at Fort Mason
Texas, Private Archibald Mcdonald, of company d,
second regiment of cavalry arraigned on the charge
Of violation of the fifty second article Of war; the
specification being follows
" That the said Private Archibald Mcdonald, being
one of scouting party under the command Of First Ser
geant Walter Mcdonald, Of company D. second cavalry,
and being engaged in fight with the Indians did
shamefuy misbehave himself by cndeavoring TO avoid
going into the action and did behave in such coward
y manner that il necessary for the scagcant in
mand of the party TO threaten to shoot him II he did not
do his duy-all this near the Concha river Texas on
or'about the 18th day Of February 1851
The court found him guilty of both charges and spcc
hcaons and sentenced him to be hanged by the neck
until dead at such time and place the President of the
United States may direct
The President considered the but upon the proofs
exhibited the record he did not find the soldier guilty
oil the mbehavor before the enemy which ought TO for
et his life therefore the sentence of death not
nrmed Butas there sufficient evidence to show
fvate Mcdonald TO be unworthy the military service Of
his country he ordered to be discharged from the
army with forfeiture of pay and allowances