Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-07-07
CAPT. HUNT.

To the Editor of the Globe
ST.. PAUL, July 5.-Au article in a recent
issue of your paper, relating to reinstate-
ment of officers in the army, reflects so
pointedly, unjustly and cruelty upon a Min
nesotian, that, in behalf of many friends of
Capt. T. B. Hunt, A. @. NJ, U. s. A., beg
space for few words in reply.
Capt. 'Tom' Hunt was q resident of
Shakopee at the breaking out of the war,
and enlisted as a private in one of the first
Minnesota regiments. I have not his record
at hand, but suffice to say that he was quick
ly promoted, upon his own merits, to cap
tain and assistant quartermaster of volun-
teers, filling the position long after the
close of the war; performing tedious and
arduous duties, for which purpose he was
selected on account of the qualifications and
peculiar fitness of the man, for the import
ant trusts and adjustment of complicated
matters confded to his care, to be quickly
and correctly settled. In so doing he be-
came responsible for immense sums of
government funds, for vast Accommodations of
stores and property, was stationed at i'm
poctant points, and adjusted the matters so
confded to him faithfully and we'll, turning
over every dollar of the funds and property
in such prompt and business like
manner, that he was selected
for, appointed, confirmed and commissioned
as Captain snd A. @. M. in the regular
army, continuing to be stationed at impor-
tant stations, erecting new posts, and per-
formed his duties with the same ability that
was and is SO characteristic the man. .sst
Coming into the Department of Dakota
n0r In SvN$ krsS I,4v Sk4A 4
placed in charge of the erection of Fort
Seward, D. L. Here charges we're made
against him for irregularities for which ne
courted trial and was court martialed and
sentenced to be dismissed from the service
to the surprice of all in the court ACC uainted
with the case, outside the court, These
proceedings were never approved, yet he
was dropped from the rolls, and now after
six long patient years of waiting, with a
persistency of purpose that would have
crazed most Quartermasters, he has gained
hearing, demanded and obtained full
investigation before the military committee
in both houses of Congress which have re-
commended, and the house unanimously
voted to recommend his reinstatement,
which the President done by
receiving his Commission immediately
afterwards, i. e., March 8, 1879; and during
this long time Captain Hunt has had the
entire sympathy and hearty cooperation of
our own honorable Senators and Representa-
tives, Republicans and Democrats alike,
himself being a Democrat of the true blue
stripe.
TO put at rest unfounded rumors and
other unjust and unkind remarks, would
add that Captain Hunt has not boon pro-
NOTED to Maioritv but reinstated to his
former rank alone.
question, remember the old adage, glass
houses, etc. Captain Hunt is not an 'habit-
ual drunkard,'' is no thief, as the words i'm
ply, nor can disgraceful conduct be proven
against him. TO err is human. Captain
Hunt has his faults, but if wrong he has
DONE those who know the man can proudly
assert twas not for personal benefit, but
mistaken Judgment and too much confidence
in oilers.
Such language toward one who has under
gone the most searching of searching inves-
LEGATIONS, is ill-timed, and shows the animus
of the writer. That Captain Hunt will
quickly and honorably overcome any slur
upon his fair name or accusations against
his character, and restore himself to the
good fellowship of his comrades in the
army, none of his old friends cat home -
will doubt, but wish him God speed.
OLD CoMRADE.
The article in question was copied by the
GLOBE from an Eastern paper, and the
credit was accidentally omitted. The GLOBE
expressed no opinion on the matter, but
simply copied the article without comment.
ED. GLOBE.