New-York tribune., 1885-08-18
BOTH A UNION AND A REBEL OFFICER.
INDIAN INSPECTOR AGENT ARMSTRONG FIGHTS
WITH FEDERAL TROOPS AT BULL RUN AND
THEN WINS DISTINCTION IN THE CoSFEDERAcY.
4, M -, -tfr rufufrxp I

fBr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Aug. 17.-Some weeks ago
Secretary Lamar appointed f. c. Armstrong In
dian Inspector az salary OF 50 0O0a year plus his
actual travelling expenses while on duty Inspector
Armstrong was formerly ofhcer in the 2d United
states Dragons ana later brsadier- general in the
Rebel Army The circumstances OF his retirement from
the Union service were somewhat peculiar, and In view
OF appointment 10 responsible and lucrative
Office by the present Administration. the7 deserve
notice when Sumter fired upon By the Rebels
in 1861 Inspector Armstrong, then first Lieutenant
was member OF the ssaf OF General Harney, then In
command Of the Western Department Iienehant
Armstrong continued on s;ai duty unul May. 1851 On
June g. 1851 he was promoted TO the rank OF captain
and assigned duty with Company X. 2d Dragoor :,
which he commanded IN the battle OF Bull I,un July
2l 1861. lie returned with his company 10 Arlington,
Va and on July % obtained irDm his commanding
officer permission TO visit relatives in Washington. lie
never returned his command aud the records OF the
War Del arnent show that bis resignation accepted
on August 49, 1861 II the belief OF ofcers nf tho
command TO which Captain Armstrong belonged that
when he came 70 Washington he laced hs r.sisnai9n
Of hts brOthcr-n-aw aud itnnc iiatey made
within the Rebel lines, and That III u,luatOn
was pct pre-egted at tie war Department until h rvla
tycs Knew that he Vas safely beyond the Union lines
South vest aud served for some TINE a.
volunteer siaa oieer on January l. 1862. General Van
Dorm recommended that Mr.. Armstrong be urpnotcd 20
rank Of lentenant colonel on account ~ his yaln
able and service 20 the Confederate cause
and because OF his experience gained while IN the Old
Army" Therefore. Mr. Armstrong. only hsc months
after his disappearance from his command Ia rho Union
Army had already rendered services o the Confederate
cause whic In tho opinion OF the Rebel general n
mand OF the Dcpa sincut entitled BIN
10 promotion to the rnLk 81 lieutenant -colonel.
The battle Of Wilson's Greek, Nd. Ia which the gallant
General Lyon fell was fought August 10 1891. three
dIys before Captain Armsirongs Resignation ifom the
Union Army was accepted. In ai battle tho Rebel
forcss v ere commanded by General MeCunch. who In
h- official report. dated August IL. 1901. edged
his Indebtedness the members OF his personal stan
TO, the coolncss and rapidty with which they carried
orders .about the hold ana referred by name 70 nv
volunteer aides Armstrong. Pike ana MJor
King" Whether this Armstrong and secretary IaDars
Indian IpspccfOr Identical Is ton inyOlFed la
some doubt bat strongly suspected BY pcr,On-
strong was actually an officer OF the Union Army the
dav when he won distinction the battle neli as
volunteer aide 10 Rebel general AZ any rate he Is be
eyed 10 be the only cass where officer who actually
fought On the Union side No the beginning 0f the ie
bellon afterwaFd took ny arins aganst his cOuhlTy