, 1878-04-13

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at or near the Yakima river, in
Washington Territory, was sur3
rounded by a vastly superior
force of hostile Indians, fought
for three days, and finally cut
his way out, losing over a third
Of his command.
In 1859 Major Haller and his
company were ordered to Fort
Mojave, on the Colorado river,
New Mexico.
In 1861 he was ordered to this
city. Upon his arrival he found
he had been promoted to the
rank of major, was assigned to
duty on Brig. Gen. Andrew Por-
ter's staff, and appointed by him
an assistant inspector general in
the provost marshars depart
ment; afterward was command
ant of general headquarters du-
ring the Peninsula and Mary
land campaigns. He was an ac-
tive and vigilant officer, and as
such enjoyed the confidence of
his superior officers, and no one
ever doubted his loyal devotion
to his country until the 25th of
July, 1868, when, by Special Or
der No. 331, without notice that
any accusation had been made,
and without any form of trial,
he was dismissed the service by
order of the Secretary of War.
Up to the date of his dismissal
he had served his country act
lively and faithfully, most of the
time upon the frontier, for %
years, s months, and s days.
He was dismissed on a depo-
sition made by commander Clark
IL. Wells, charging him with the
utterance of disloyal sentiments.
The alleged disloyal sentiments
We're represented by Wells as
having been uttered in his pres
ence and in the presence Of Maj.
Charles J. Whiting, I'd U. S. cav
airy. Maj. Whiting, when called
upon, denied under oath that
Haller made use Of the language
attributed to him by Wells. Maj.
Haller also denies that he gave
utterance to- the sentiments to
which Wells deposed.
Gen. James Tilton, civil en-
gineer, chief inspector Of the
water supply of Washington
City and Georgetc wn, D. G., in
an affidavit made by him, among
other things, said:
ain 1866 or 1867, being IN the
city Of Washington, l met at the
Ebbitt House the officer who
was one of the witnesses to the
alleged disloyal utterances. l
had a conversation with this Of
ticer, Commander Clark Wells,
| u. S. N. x | entered in
to a full conversation with him
upon the subject of Major Hal
Ter, and Capt. Wells then admit
ted to me that it was possible he
might have dreamed it, meaning
the alleged disloyal utterances
or toast said to have been drunk
by Major Haller and Whiting of
the army in presence of Captain
Wells. l then apprised Capt.
Wells that if ever Major Haller
succeeded in obtaining a court
of inquiry or court-martial upon
the charges or allegations under
which he had been dismissed l
would certainly, if living, repeat
this admission under oath, to
which Capt. Wells made no dis
sent, but expressed himself as
personally friendly to Major
Haller."
Major Haller received from
his comrades-in arms a number
Of letters bearing testimony to
his skill and bravery as an off
Ger and his patriotism during
the late war.
The letters referred to are en-
bodied in the report, and bear
the highest testimony to the
courage, skill, zeal and fidelity
Of Major Haller. The report
concludes:
Major Haller demands a right
which the Constitution and laws
Of his country are supposed to
secure to every citizen, however
high or however humble, a right
to a fair and impartial trial by
his peers. He has been asking
for the. privilege of vindicating
his loyalty before such a tribu-
nal ever since the order Of his
dismissal. Your committee be-
lieve it to be but justice to him,
his friends and family, that he
should have such right. If in
justice has been done him, he
ought to have the privilege Of
showing it.
The committee report back
the joint resolution as amended,