The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-19
FROM OUR REGULAR CORRESPONDENT.

wAsmrSoroS, April Is, 1870
rHE CHARGE OF BRIDE TAKING AGAINST MAJOR
MERRIIL-GENERAL CUSTER nEFoRE THE
MILITARY COMMITTEE.
General Custer appeared before the Military Commit
tee to-day IN connection with the investigation OF
Major Merrill He was first asked n he had any per
soual knowledge OF Merrilis transactions in south
Carolina regarding tho arrest OF citizens and the
ccpancc by Merrill OF 900 from the State govern
ment Tor his services under the Ku Klnx act Custer
said he ignorant OF II beyond general rumor He
was asked what he knew concerning the alleged &C
ceptance by Merrill OF money . bride by army
officer who had been tried by court martial Santa
FL IN 1870 Witness said that he FIRST heard OF It in
letter written TO him by officer in WASH
ington carly in January, 1871, In which 1t
was stated that Captain LaufIer, the officer from
whom Merrill demanded bride, had informed
The Washington officer that when he (l.aufIer) was
about be tried by martial in Santa Fe. Merrill
proposed his attorney for $780, that then and
thcrc no (auGer) induced to pay portion OF the
$780, promising pay the rest or the $500 IN install
ments; that subsequently he made further pay ments
In all amounting To about one half tho agreed upon
According Lanler's statement 20 Casters inform
ant he anIer) after learned that the acceptance
and payment was Illegal, and that ground he de-
clincd to make further payments IAufer also said
that he bad received letter from Merrill few days
previous demanding the balance Of the $780, that he
(Iaufer had letters from Merrill making these de-
mands; also memoranda OF tho amounts and dates
when the payments were made and he was wiliiag TO
70 before any court with his proofs.
General Custer receiving this letter from Washing
ton the original of which was submitted the COM
mtsee to-day considered It his duty not only to the
army but to the accused submit tho Gen.
srai Surgcs commander Of the Seventh regiment, OF
when Custer and Merrill members, that Merrill
might have chance to explain the charge and defend
himself sturgcs notified Merrill Of 1t conhdcntialy,
and Custer finding that action was TO be taken, sent
letter Merrill about suggesting that he vndicatc
himself Merrill made only non commiita reply.
Then Custer wrote Laufer for facts aud documents;
Lauer replied saying that he had evidence enough to
cause Mcrrrs dismissal from the army If they were
brought bsorc court He promised TO submit them
10 Custer and few weeks aferward he called
on tho General in New York city and do
tailed at great length full particulars OF tho
He exhibited letter from Merrill asking
for the balance Of the $780, which he claimed TO DO
due him since the beginning Of the re\ent nycstisa
ton Merrill admitted some such correspondence, but
explained II by saying that the demand referred 10
sdebt OF houor'' which IauIcr had contracted
General Custer said to-day that after his inter-
views with Iauner lao sent detailed OF the
case the Adiutant General at the War Department
in which he said that u Iauers allegations we're false
and his documents iorgcrics, 1auiler should he
punished In reply TO an inquiry by member Of tho
committee to-day General Custer said that he had no
iDtrlaion that the matter BIO revived and ho
did not know tho object Of his summons until he was
informed by some Of the committee Al this General
Ferry. member OF the committee said that
Custer was not tho who first caused
The investigation OF Major Merrill The HERALD
correspondent was In the room when Colonel Armcs.
who preferred charges against Merrill had Custer
summoncd called. Armes SAID he knew Merrill u DC
bad man aud pet OF Beiknap's and he (Armcs) had
- pcrssculcd w both Of them years General