The Mountaineer. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1859-1861, 1859-10-08
N vINDIcATloN or CHARACTER,
g. s. L. Cry, Oct 8. 1859.
Airssps. EprroRs on THE MouNrAIsEER.

a.. G. 81 L. Cry, Oct 8, 1859
MEssRs EDrroRs or THE MouNrNsEEas
Having assured myself Of your Independence
and your readiness 70 open your columns to al
who seek Justice, and who with 10 right them
selves in the public estimation, when their char
acter has been unjustly assaIed, / take the
liberty OF soliciting the insertion Of the following
statement in your paper. es .z,.
have faithfully served the .. s. ten years as
ajsoldler. during which time mounted but one
guard as private sentinel, and was consequently
nearly the whole time . non-comnissioned on.
Ger, and serving In Offices Of trust, such as
quartermaster and commissary sergeant Such
being the case, any person At al acquainted with
military affairs win readily understand that my
conduct must have been characterized BY hon
esty and sobriety, or / should not have been, III
the first place, allowed 10 continue 30 long a
non-eomnissioned officer, nor In the next have
been chosen 70 fill those Offices q trust, when
there were 20 many others as capable as my
self, il net more 90. .1#, s i.t s .> J.
IN proof Of this Iwould add that such was
Col Howe's eslimation OF my character, that
about twelve months since be strongly recom-
mended me for a commission- thing he would
not have dared 10 do unless my character was
above reproach. Yet notwithstanding the above
facts, he refused me fariough, a privilege
generally granted by commanding officers 10 men
who have mot served half the time | had, and
who, while they did serve, were not entitled BY
their conduct to- rise above the level OF priyate
soldiers. Numerous cases Of this Kind have oc.
Cured within the last few months In the PIT
sent command, and II was not until had. q
resign the position (quarter. master sergeant) e
which my long and faithful services and ability
entitled me, and which | had held Tor consi der
able time previous, that he granted me the boon
thereby causing me acons derable loss In money
and an injury In the event Of my again entering
the service. s.
The enclosed affidavit will shew the motive,
which actna.ed this officer. and the drgentleman
~ line Of conduct which be has thought proper
to pursue in the matter, as wen as the unbound
ed ialsehood, which be has circulated with res.
Pect to my character. In concluding this state.
ment, would say that as men and soldiers and
seANnssA sSAhNAte W tti0 = COtbiuri
myself the superior Of Col, Howe, in support o
which statement would call attention to hil
cowafdly conduct al Lockico, on the Sioux expe.
dition, for which believe he was tried and sen.
fenced by a conTt-mafiial, and the numerous
other occasions on which be was brought t.
justice for embezzlement; &c, =. =
think my conduct in my sphere win bear
favorable comparison. Ia. = E. ! .....-,.-:
= In taking leave Of the 81 regiment Of U. s
Dragons, take The opportunity now offered Il
bear testimony to the high character Of its officers
as gentlemen and gallant soldiers (wIth the on'
exception }, and assure them, one and ell, that
carry with me into civil life The highest esteem
for their characters. To the enlisted men
would say, be as brave and indefatigabls as YOU
have ever been In the discharge Of your ardnoui
duties. and you win not only gain the approva
Of your country, but continue the terror Of Il,
+ foes. = 7: ..:. ss.. T.
:. Very respectfully, your obedient servant. !.
=. john G.. IAwIN,
= Late @, M. and Commissary Sergeant,
=.> % U. s. Drsgoons. :