The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-03-09
The Fall Of Gen. Belknap.

limits OF the Union that does not pulSate witt
sorrow and experience twinge of pain at the
recital OF the incidents Of Gen. Beknap's fall
A brave soldier, the impersonation of courage
and daring, he fought his way up through
battle and blood, from the position of Captain
to that of Maj-General in the Federal army. ant
up to the time when he yielded to the tempta
ton that terminated in his downfall, he hat
maintained a high character for integrity ane
honor. The case is only another illustration O
the weakness of human nature and the demon
alizing effect of what is called fashionable so
GETTY especially in Washington city.
The history of the case is briefly as follows
General Relknap was appointed Secretary O
War in 1884, to succeed Mr.. Rawlins, deceas
ed. During the summer of 1870, his the1
wife, and Mrs. Bower, her sister, visited the
family of DR.. Marsh, in New York, with whom
they had been previously well acquainted ir
Cincinnati. Mrs. Belknap was taken sick, ant
remained under DR.. Marsh's roof for some
weeks receiving the kindest attention. Subse
qnently she asked DR.. Marsh why he did moi
apply to her husband, the Secretary of War, fol
a post-ti ader's position, which was very profit
able. lie replied that he had never thought Of
that; he had no influence in that direction; thai
such places were given for political considera
tions. She responded that they were procured
by poll icians. She further stated that if he
would apply, size thought he could get a posi-
! ton, and as there was a vacancy, or would be
at Fort Sill, in the Indian Territory, she
would ask the Secretary to give it to him. Bu
size joined him he must not say any.
thing to the Secretary about considera-
ton for it, as the Secretary had threatened tt
kick a man out of his Office for proposing tc
give $4,000 for such a position. DR.. Marsh
did apply, and was informed that he could get
| it if lie furnished proper recommendations
In the meantime, Mr. Evans, who held the
| place, came to Washington, and was very much
concerned about losing it. Finally en- agree
| ment was entered into with Evans, that he
should keepi it, but that he must give DR.. Marsh
$4,000 annually for it. Or. Marsh give hall
of this to Mrs. Belknap as it was RENTED to him
by Evans. Mrs. Belllnap died in 1870, and
| the contributions were continued to her child,
then in charge of Mrs. Bower, its aunt, and re-
became Mrs. Belknap in 1873, and the dona-
nation, or bride, was kept up until the exposure
| by q Congressional committee. Various CT
| forts were made to eocer tie matter up, first
by DR.. Marsh getting out Of the country, and
then trying to get him to make statement
that would leave undeveloped the criminal
facts. He consented to leave the country for a
| while, but did not do So asserting all the time,
if called before the committee, he would not
perju,e himself. but would tell the truth and
nothing but the truth, i'll what he might say
He was finally subpened in New York and
brought to Washingintou. He confronted the
committee and told all the ninutia of the
transactions about the Fort Sill affair, relating
| the agencies of the two Mrs. Belknap, and
| the manner of transmitting the bribery fund
substantially as follows:
SIN reply to your question I would state that
in the summer of 1870, myself and wife spent
some weeks at Long Branch, and on our re-
turn to New York, Mrs. Belknap and Mrs.
Bower, by our invitation came for u visit to
our house. Mrs. Belknap was ill during this
visit some four OF five weeks, and | supposed,
iii consequence of our kindness to her, she felt
under some obligations, for she asked me in
the course OF conversation, why did not APP
ply for post-tradership on the frontier. /
asked what they were, and was told they were,
very many of them, very lucrative offices Or
posts i'll the gift of the Secretary of War, and
that it wanted one she would see the Secreta ~
for one for me. Upon my replying that 1
thought such offices belonged to disabled SOL
diers, and besides that was without political
influence, she answered that politicians got
such places, ETC., etc. ! do not remember
saying that if had valuable post of that kind
| would remember her, but 10 remember her
saying something like this: If you can prevail
upon the Secretary of War to award you Il post,
you must be careful to say nothing to him
about presents, for a man once offered him
1000 for leadership OF this kind, and he told
him that if he did not leave the office he woul
kick him down stairs.' Remembering as | do
this story, presume the antecedent statement
to be correct. Mrs. Belknap and Mrs. Bower re-
turned to Washington, and few weeks thero-
after Mrs. Belknap sent me word to come over.
did so. She then told ne the post leadership
at Fort Sill was vacant, that it was a valuable
post, she understood, and that she had either
asked for it for me, or had prevailed upon
the Secretary of War to give it to me. At
all events l called upon Secretary Of War,
and, as near as | can remember, made applica-
ton for this post On regular printed form. The
Secretary said he would appoint me if could
bring proper recommendalory letters: and this
told him l could do. Either Mrs. Belknap or
the Secretary told me that the present trader
at the post, John S. Evans, was an applicant
for disappointment: and that had better see
hir, he being in the city, as it would not be
fair to turn him out of office without some no
tIce, as he would lose largely on his buildings,
merchandise, ETC., If the office was taken from
him. and that it would be proper and just for
me to make some arrangement With him for
the purchase if wished to run the post myself.
SAW Evans, and found him alarmed at The
prospect OF losing the place. remember that
he SAID that IL firm Of western post-traders,
who claimed good deal of influence with the
Secretary OF War, had promised to have him
appointed, but he found on coming to WASH
lnSton this firm to be entirely without infi1l-
eiice. Mr.. Evans first proposed q partner
ship, which | declined, and then q bonus of q
percentage of the profits if l would allow him to
mold the position and continue the business
We finally agreed upon Sl5, 1000 per year. Mr..
Evans and myself went to New york together,
where the contract was made and executed,
winch IS herewith submitted. Paper marked
Al During our trip over, however. Mr..
Evans saw something in the Army and Napy
Journal which led him to believe that some OF
the troops were to be removed from the post.
that he had offered too large sum, and before the
contract was drawn it was reduced to $4,000,
the same being payable quarterly in advance.
upon the first remittance coming to me, say