Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-08-15

Improvement on the despsed single-breasters be-
ing accomplished by the united efforts OF tbs.
"liners." The coat is a little shortened in the
skirt, and The cuffs are TO be Ornamented with
gold stripes upon the upper side. The undress
sack coat which worked its way into service
during the late war, is now recognized, with the
addition OF some simple ornamentaton and as
officers are now forbidden bv law and orders to
wear breyet uniforms the insignia of breyet rank
may be worn ON the coat collar instead. The
lrock coat of the enlisted man gives place to 4
neatly fitting basque, handsomely faced with
the colOrs of the several arms on the breast and
shirts and literally ornamentcd with buttons
The brass shoulder scale disappears in favor OF
cloth shoulder strap of slightly appearance, aud
useful in keeping cross belts IN place. For
fatigue and other purposes smart, navy blue
blouse, plated on the breasts and gathered III
by waist belt, is provided in place Of the pres
ent slouchy nondescript.
The trousers of all generals and staff officers
arc TO he dark blue. Regimental officers are to
wear light blue, with wide, welted stripes, the
color Of their respective service. The aBtiquated
stock disappears from the nomenclature of the
army, and the black felt hat is retained on the
list, merely for officers TO "SnOck about in at
their option. Generals and staff officers are 10
wear the French Chapean, with ostrich plume,
on dress occasions; mounted corps black he'll
met, with gold trimmings and hair plumes, and
marching CORPS n dress cap, with upright plume
of cocks feathers-red for artillery and white
for infantry Foot soldiers will wear pOmponS
instead of plumes. Mounted troops may wear
genuine troopers top boots, and sashes and
epauleftes are abolished for all but general
officers.
The officers black leather belt is enriched by
Gilt banding and braidDg, and the small,
straight staff sword prescribed for the present
infantry pattern. Gilt Russian shoulder knots
are to he worn by all except general officers, and
staff officers and reGimental adiutants are 10
al 80 ri shoulder
Whenever shoulder knots are not worn, the
present shoulder strap is TO be displayed. Or
nameutS likely 10 draw the fire of Sharp-ShOOters
may be left off in the field, and soldiers over
coats may be worn by officers in actual service
but the buttons, stripes and shoulder straps are
not to be dispensed with. General officers re
tain the cloak overcoat," but officers are to
wear doublebreasted coats with movable
capes, or soldiers coats rs above mentioned.
The enlisted force of cold Probabilities are to
appear as cavalry on occasions Of ceremony,
but with distinctive insignia and ornaments of
their own. Among minor changes and improve
mcnts are the Introduction of felt saddle cloths,
and the promise of fabrics for the soldiers uni
forms adapted to differing temperatures, with
many beneficial notifications of the various
kinds of equipments and accoutrements.
THE KUKLUK PRISONERS AT ALBANY.-Col.
IL. C. Whitley, chief OF the secret service dyi-
sion, who, at the request of the attorney general
recently visited the Albany peniienIary for the
purpose of reporting the names of such of the
kukluX prisoners as, in his judgment, are
worthy of executive clemeucy, has submitted
his report, which covers eight pages of legal cap,
closely written, and gives general account of
the condition Of the political prisoners confined
At Albany. Gerrit Smith was first induced to
visit Albany by the representation that there
were among the kukluX prisoners some whose
cases deserved immediate attention. lie recon-
mended to the president only three names-Hez-
ekiah Porter, who died recently; Samuel G.
Brown of York, DIRK county, and David Collins
Of Spartanburg, S. c. Porter was wasting with
disease when Mr.. Smith visited the peni-
tertiary two weeks ago, he saw that he must
soon die. His pardon, he said, would only be
humane act. The case of Mr.. Brown, an in-
telligent old gentleman, highly respected in the
county in which be lived and David Collins, an
illiterate, supplemented man. struck Mr.. Smith
as such rs could be safely recommended for eX-
ecutiye clemency. 1t had also been represented
10 the president that there were Others confined
AT Albany equally amenable TO pardon. In order
to get at the facts it was necessary TO send some
responsible person who could not be easily i'm
posed upon by the recital of the prisoners
stories, and Col. Whitley was selected as best
qualified for the task He knew something Of
the history of all the cases. and his line of duty
it was thought, required INN 10 deal justly with
all the cases, while he could be easily de
ceiyed. 1t was deemed that the president
could safely rely upon his recommended
tons. Col. Whitley reports against the pardon
Of Brown, believing the evidence and his own
confession the best reason for so doing. He re-
ports in favor of the pardon of Collins and
seven other cases analogous TO his own; in the
remaining forty-siX cases he makes no recon-
incubation. While some OF them are men of
intelligence like Shotwell, whom Mr.. Smith be-
lieyed to be deserving Of the punishment adj
judged against him, and Brown, whom he rec
Ummcnds for pardon, others are ignorant men,
vet quite capable Of mature Judgment upon their
acts, and whose completely in the midnight
raids and outrages is NOT only well established,
but is justly TO be regarded as 4 will
full defiance of law and order or voluntary
participation with leading offenders Col Whit
ley could not sec his way TO any recommends
ton in behalf of these prisoners that would not
apply itself to the cases Of all, and he therefore
conf led himself TO those special eases where
there was a greater latitude for doubt Of the
moral responsibility Of the cuprits for therac
and where it was reasonably supposable that
fear and the influence Of superiorS were largely
responsible for the otienses committed. The re-
port viii be handed to the president by Attorney
General Williams when tue former returns to
Washington and il is understood that it will be
Immediately followed by the release Of the prs-
ones recommended for pardon.