Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-05-26

Col. r. WELBY CARTER.-Gen. J. A.
Early, in recently published letter says
1.-THE colonel who was tried and cashier
ed on charges preferred against him by
Gen. Rosser, for misbehavior at Toms
Brook, was Col r. Welby Carter, of the
First Virginia cavalry. The main testimo-
ny against him, and that on which the find
ing OF the court was based, was that of Gen.
Rosser ] am now satisfied that in ustice
was done Col. Carter, and as he is without
any lega! remedy for being relieved Of the
effect of that sentence, which at the pres
ent time only extends to his social relations,
I suggest to his former comrades that they
graut him all the relief practicable under
the circumstances by receiving him into
full fellowship in all respects whatever. 1t
devolved Oh me to pass upon the finding of
the court in his case, and as it was present
ed to me, there were no grounds appearing
upon the face Of the proceedings to warrant
any interference with the sentence. I have
now a strong conviction that he was made
the scapegoat for another, and if any rene
dy for the injustice done him now existed
it should be granted him. He bore a con
SPURIOUS part in the first cavalry charge
during the war--that made at Manassas on
the 2lst Of July, 1861. In speaking of that
charge, General, then Colonel Stuart in his
official report said
. In this encounter the enemy's line, or
rather column, was broken and many kill
ed. Capt. Carriers company, on which the
heaviest Of the action fell, lost nine men
killed or mortally wounded, and -
wounded, and eighteen horses killed. Capt.
Carriers horse was shot dead as he was gall
lantly leading his company into the enemy.
OF the gallantry of those engaged cannot
speak in too high terms
II well rccollect when Col Carriers old father,
gentleman of very high character, with whom
had served in the convention came to me at New
Market, after the promul CATION Of the sentence
against his son. to have Il conference with me
upon the subject Of an appeal from the decision Of
the court To the President. He stated to me that
he thought injustice had been done his son, aud
that he desired to appeal to the President, but be-
fore doing he desired to know whether |
would regard it rs disreSpcctful to my authority.
or as in urDlS to the cansc for him 10 make such
All appeal, for, he said, though this son was his
only child and all he had to live for in the world
it wonld be better Tor him and his son both to 20
down than that any disrcspect should be shown
to my authority, or any injury done to the cause
by an appeal from the decision of the court
very promptly told him that. go far from regard
ing such appeal as disrcspcctfu to myself or in
furious TO the cause in which we were enlisted,
would be gratilicd if the President could find it
consistent with his duty to set aside the finding
of the court which Was then beyond my control
The appca. failed. and Col Carter Joined his old
company as private, bnt was soon captured and
carried TO a Federal prison where he remained
until the close of the war As the only rcpara-
ton which | now have it in my power to make
him. give this public expression of my convic.
ton that mi Justice done him. and ask his old
comrades TO receive and treat him as one entitled
to their esteem and conipanionship in every re-
spect.
Col. Carter has long suffered in silence under
the stigma cast upon him, but he has recently |
made manly and soldicrly appeal to me, which |
bears on its face the impress Of sinceri ty and |
truth, and regret that it is now out of nv power
to render to him that justice to which feel he is
entitled, save N thus submitting his case to his
former comrades"