The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1875-10-07

fession early, and, although it was
rough training, its results proved in
valuable to the country.-S. G. ".
Benjamin, st. Nicholas for Oct.
A 100000 DEFALCATIos.
For several years, in consequence
Of political influence reaching into
the Senate Of the United States, an
adventurer named G. NJ. Pinney has
been retained in Office as Purchasing
Clerk Of the Navy in California, and
his hold was so firm that the pay
corps of the Navy knew that none of
their number could accept detail to
San Francisco without accepting Pin
ney as an office fixture. About the
1st of September he absconded in his
own steamer with a female compan-
ion, leaving his family and host of
creditors behind bin. It seems that
it had been Pinney's habit to demand
a percentage on everything he pur-
chased, and the number of contract
ors and debtors he has levied upon is
astounding. 1t is estimated he has
thus made for himself in reality out
of the job about 100000. He was
also broker, a member of the Board,
Director in several mines, a large
property owner in the City Of Oak
land, and reputed to be worth near
s2,O00,O00. Paymaster Spaulding,
who was the officer in charge, is un-
derstood to have defended Pinney for
a short time after be left. He has
now been relieved, and ordered to set
tie. His accounts have thus far
been found to be correct, and no sus-
picion has-rested on him. A change,
however was ordered by the Navy
Department., and it is understood that
certificates of Indebtedness to the
amount of $4,000 have been discov-
ed to have been hypothecated in San
Francisco. These could only have
been obtained by fraud. Naval Pay
master J. S. Cunningham arrived at
San Francisco Friday evening to re.
lieve Paymaster Spaulding. A court
Of enquiry will assemble at Mare
Island, October 9Th, to examine
Spaulding's accounts. The latter is
supposed to be involved by pecula-
tions of Pinney. Spaulding states
that the loss will fall on individuals
not in the department, and that Pin
ney's frauds consisted in fraudulently
filing up certificates for payment due
on contracts which had been signed
in blank by Spaulding and hypothe-
eating them to certain parties attach
ed, and that the makers and endors-
ers of the notes will be liable. Spauld-
ing claims he knew nothing of the
transactions until the certificates
were presented for payment.
It is now stated the default will
amount to a million dollars.
WHAT GEN. TAYLOR REALLY SAID.
The Hon L. B. Mizner,'of Solano,
California, has spoiled that we'll
known little story about Gen. Taylor
saying at Buena Vista, "a little more
grape, Capt. Bragg" Miner was at
banquet of Mexican war veterans
in San Francisco, the other evening,
and made the following statement as
to what Gen Taylor did say: "Hold-
ing the position of an interpre-
ter on the staff Of Gen. Taylor, I was
seated on my horse, Immediately near
him, when Capt. Bragg dashed hur-
riedly, up, saluted the General and
reported: General, I shall have to
fall back with my battery or lose
it, Several of his guns had already
been dismounted, a large portion of
his horses killed, and about thirty of
his men were PROSTATE on the heath.
On receiving the report, Gen. Taylor
turned on his horse and surveyed the
situation for a few seconds-he re-
quired no field glass, for the scene of
conflict was not far 1emoved-and
the reply was: Capt. Bragg, it is
better to lose a battery than a battle
This was the interview on which was
based the famous slang phrase that
was never uttered by the General to
whom it was imputed. Capt. Bragg
returned to his battery with renewed
determination, and, by the efforts of
that gallant officer and his brave
command, the tide of battle was turn
ed and the greatest victory of the war
was won. on.-Louisrlze Courier Journal.
A negro on being asked what he !.
was in Jail for, said it was for bor-
rowing money. "But," said the eques-