American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1865-01-25
Lieut.. GOa. BlakeIy I1th PA.
Cavalry.

On the 2Gth of November, there ap-
poared in our special dispatches an an
nouncement of the dismissal from the
army of Lieutenant Colonel VIM. Blake
ly, of the lith Pennsylvania cavalry.
Since then Colonel Blakely has been re-
stored to his command and fully vindi-
Gated as the subjoined statement Of Chap
lain Osborn will attest:
CAMP 14TH PENNA. CAVALRY,
WINCHESTER, Va, Dec 90, 1864
Having learned that the dismissal of
Lieut. Col. Blakely has been published,
allow me, for the sake of truth, and the
benefit Of this esteemed officer, through
the columns of your valuable journal to
lay before candid and scrutinizing pub
lie, the following facts, which think
will disabuse the popular mind of any un-
favorable impressions respecting him.
Some time during the month of Au-
gust the Colonel was placed in command
of detachment from several regiments
composing Gen. Averil's division and
was ordered to report to Col Lowell,
commanding 3D. brigade, lst cavalry di-
vision When near White Post, Va,
the Colonel was directed to remain at
that place, to protect the rear. On the
evening of the 18th of August, while the
Colonel was leading charge, he was
thrown from his horse and severely iu-
jured his underjaw was broken in two
places and ha was carried back insensi-
Bile. On the 18th, lst Assistant Surgeon
j. w McCabe sent the Coone, to Iar-
per's Ferry lie Or. McCabel and also
Surgeon w. G. Phelphs, Of the 22d Pa.
cavalry, have beth testified thar the Col.
on the last mentioned date, was helDtess,
speechiesS, and iHseaabie. The officer
whose duty it was to take command when
the Col. was disabled, testifes that he
Withdrew the command on the 18th Of
August from White Post, without any
orders from Col. Blakely or any one else.
Col. Lowell without knowing any Of tho
foregoing facts in the case, recommended
Col. Blakely's dismissal which was APP
proved by Maj. Gen. Torbett, Chief Of
Cavalry, in which an order was issued for
his dismassal, bearing date 10Th August,
Tsubject to the approval of the President of
the United States. On the 18th of Nov
ember the President approved the order,
and the Colonel ceased to be from date an
officer.
The Colonel knew nothing of what
was going on until the 9th of November
when he Immediately proceeded to take
the necessary testimony, to procure re-
vocation of the order, which resulted in
establishing the facts above stated. Maj
General Torbett gave him letter in which
he stated that he had recommended his
dismissal under misapprehensiOD Of the
facts at the same time recommending
that he be reinstated and returned to his
command. The officers of the. regiment
with but one exception, and he was not
asked, signed and presented memorial,
petitioning the Secretary of War for a
revocation of the order of dismissal, and
asking thot the Colonel be speedily re-
turned to his command in the regiment
These papers were forwarded to the War
Department, and the Colonel was reinsta-
ted ON the l4th inst, and has returned to
duty, to the great JOY and qualification of
his regiment.
In concluding this note allow me to say
that no officer in our regiment is more
universally esteemed by his fellow officers
aud men than Colonel Blakely, and we
arc heartily sorry to learn thae in conse-
quence of wounds received in August
last and his decling health, he may be
under the necessity of resigning his po-
sition and retiring from service-Eitts
Commercial Yours truly,
A. G.. OSBORN,
Chaplain 18th Pa. Cavalry