Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1865-10-07
FROM WASHINGTON.
TRIAL OF GENERAL BRIsCOE.

WASHINGTON, Wedne>d day, October H.
The trial by court-martial OF Brevet Briga-
der General Briscoe, arrested for an at
tempt to rob the Quartermaster's safe at
Lynchburg, began this morning.
The prisoner was represented by EX-
Lieutenant Governor Thomas III. Ford and
l.. G. Hine as counsel. Brscoe was present,
attired in Brigadier Generals uniform, and
maintained quiet and deliberate compo-
sure, which, combined with a fine personal
appearance, and long record as an efficient
officer, caused many to regret that he should
have fallen into such deep disgrace. He en-
tered the war as Lieutenant, served long
time on the staff Of Major General Blrney,
was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and
then to the Uolonelcy of the One Hundred
and Ninth Pennsylvania Regiment, and was
but recently brevetted for gallant and meri
torious conduct. The counsel for the pris
oner do not pretend to deny the offence
charged, but will urge as their defence, that
the Government connot hold the prisoner
responsible for crime which be was in
duced to commit through the connivance or
instrumentaity Of its own officials.
The first witness called was Morris II. AL
berger, Captain and Assistant Quartermas-
ter. Witness is acquainted with General
Briscoe had conversation with him on
the morning of the Goth OF September, in
General Briscoe's room, at headquarters ia
Lynch6urg, In the courthouse was sent for
By General BrlscOe to his private room, who
asked me what amount of money | had in
my safe, and what denominations, saying, at
the same time, that il could be taken as we'll
as not, and no one he the wiser for it he
asked me how much gold aud silver and other
money; told him between sixty thousand
and seventy thousand dollars he proposed
10 throw small amount of money into
some place, and to have my house broken
open and my safe-key stolen, to which
objected ne said the money could be taken
and half the town arrested to cover it up
he asked for my key went and brought 1t
he asked how long he could have it; told him
he could have it III one hour and ten minutes
he asked me for some wax; | saw him again
aoont O'Clock and received the safe key;
during the conversation he said when | was
arrested he would be President of the court
martai ana nave me acquitted after leaving
General BriscOe witness proceeded to tue
telegraph office and telegaphed the circum-
stances to the Secretary of War met Mr..
Lackey on the way on the evening Of the
list OF September, Mr.. Lackey said to wit
ness 1t was hard time for Quartermasters
going out the service, and if did not make
myself rich out of it | was fool; l asked
INN what lie meant; he said you are hand
ling government funds, and can dispose of
them as you please; told my friend, Cap
tain Gerard, what a proposition had been
made in'olVlng General Briscoe, and he sug
gested should go to Washington instead,
l went to the telegraph office, and sent dis
Patch 10 Secretary Stanton
Can Colonel Baker come here ct once, or
can come to Washington on business very
important NJ. II. ALBERGER,
Captain and Quartermaster.
On Sunday night met Mr.. Lackey at the
depot OF the Orange and Alexandria Rail
roaa, who asked my business in Washington,
ana told him | was trying to get sheet OF
uluerences settled with the department, and
spoke of the hardships OF Quartermasters
having their pay stopped for losses and he |
then again proposed TO take the Government /
money, and said General Briscoe was all .
right. l finally told MIN | would enter into .
the conspiracy, and he told me as We parted |
AZ Gordonsville TO tell Gen. Priscoe | hal (
seen him. Witness arrived in Lynchburg
on Thursday, and tried the false key, found
IL would hit, and showed it TO his head
clerk; on Friday General Briscoe asked
again about the money, ana gave di-ec-
hons how it should be divided and
packed. He asked witness to bring ont his
snare OF the money, but witness said he sup