Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-01-27
lUT = TEL.
JACOB F., KELLER,
JOHN b. KELLER.
ADJUTANT & INSPECTOR GEMS OFFICE, [
~ se4 RICHMOND, December Is, 1862.
nENERA OPnERCl zsft J. s Z

ADJUTANT & INSPECTOR GEN'S-OFFICE,
80 RICHMOND, December ls, 1862.
'ANANNo No. i' 1os s; eaa9 TO Is
+ L. AT Court of Enquiry, convened at Staunton, Va
Deo Sd, 1862, by virtue of Special Orders No. 278,
paragraph XIX, from the ,Adjutant and Inspector
Generals Office, Richmond, to examine and report
upon certain charges and imputatiOns against Colonel
III. G. Harman, SD Va Vols, respecting his conduct
whilst acting as Qnartermaster at Staunton, Va and
also as Enrolling Officer at the same place, the fellow
ing report and finding of facts duly made, and
published for the information of allconcerned
II-REpoRr AND FlNDINa OF THE COURT
The Court, n \ having considered the evidence
adduced, respectfully reports that immediately after
its organizations the Recorder addressed note to the
Hon. A. H II. Stuart, requesting an interview, for
the purpose of obtaining specific information upon the
subject of its enquiry. The interview was declined
but the desired Information set forth in letter
frcm that gentleman, which was in part adopted by
the Court as the basis of its Investigation This scom
municaton to which special reference is here made
appears in the records, beginning at Page g. rs.
The Court declined to receive any testimony upon
points not etfeoting pol Harman, quartermaster
and enrolling officer at Staunton, although evidence
was rendered by him to overthrow every imputation
brought to the knowledge Of the Court. It will be
perceived upon inspecting the record that several
of these alleged improprietes refer to period when
Col Harman not in the service OF the Confede-
rate States and not, therefore, questions within
the Jurisdiction of the Cours. f. 81 s.sTl -
In the 4th specification of rumors contained In Mr..
Stuarts letter to the Court, Is asserted Colonel Har
man sold hay, pastufage corn and wood to the Gov
ernment, and employed Government teams IN hauling
the wood and hay, contrary to the 905d Regulation.
The proof, however. shows that these articles were
purchased by Captain Pegton, Quartermaster at
Staun on at lower rates than could be had elsew
1t was also proven That few loads OF wood were
hauled by the Government teans at the Instance OF
Captain Peyton, to reheve the imnediate wants OF
the government, and without the knOwiedgeior con-
sentof Colanel Hartman. These facts do not, in the
ljudgmenJsof the Court constitute violation OF the
Regulation above cited; but whatever construction
that the transaction without fraud, to the inter
est of the Government and unworthy of further con-
sideration -s1s*
The Court unable to procure the least evidence
in support any other charge than the one just dis
posed OF, although every person mentioned by Mr.
Stuart as kelT topossess information, as examined
except when the person dis claimed such knowledge
after appearing before the Court in obecence to It's
summons. #@fStsEss'lf3 i3fsl 0G{ 9f!3soitt9 -ef5t
The record will show that diligent but fruitless ef
forts We're made 10 obtain information from other
sources than those suggested by Mr. Stuart and it
but Just to state that every facility that the defence
could render to help forward the investigation was
promptly and cheerfuily accorded. 'i.2n
In the opinion of the Court Colonel Hartman hal
discharged the responsible duties devolved upon him
with zeal, fidelity and intelligence rarely observed
His official conductin these departments of the ser
vice, respecting which it has been tine duty of tht
Court to investigate furnishes example worthy O
alimltate H. alike creditable to himself and advan
tageous to the Government. Beat lssssts@ s sssfa5
1 - ILL., The above named Court of Enquiry, in tn,
case Colonel III G. Harman, SD Va. Vols, is here
/ by dissolved.
By order. S. COOPER.
Janl3-4t Adintant and Inspector General!
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