The National tribune., 1886-12-16

ing the advice Of his lawyer, he surrendered
himself to the military authorities in Chicago was
placed under arrest and promptly put in Jail. He
fought in an Indiana regiment as n volunteer, and
at the close Of his term of enlistment enlisted again.
and day was put in the guard house. charged
with sleeping ON his posi- AS soon the sentry's
back was turned Knapp and two other prisoners
deserted. They feared court-martial, and all Of
them being young and much exercised over the
probable outcome of the trial. fed from the camp
and went TO New Orleans. Zone Of my comrades"
said Knapp, was n man named Morton. He lived
in indianapolis and was a cousin of Gov Oliver p.
Morton. From New Orleans we went TO Cincin-
NATL where we separated. Since that time have
lived in Ohio and Indiana, and my present home
is at Grovertown, Stark Co., Ind / was always
bothered on account of my desertion. All these
long years couldn't rest i had no peace of mind
am poor man and earned a living by means OF
a horse and cart own, but the thought that some
time what / had done would be thrown in my
ehildren's face decided me to have it set right.'
An application was made to the War Departments
but the officers refused to correct his record
Then his lawyer advised him to surrender himself
in tine hope that the matter might be thus adjusted
The War Department will not, in all probability
take any steps 10 have him severely punished The
case against him is technically straight and unless
the Secretary of War intervenes Knapp would have
to be punished but in such eases the Secretary of
offender. The War Department rarely pursues
deserter who has escaped for so long time if the
deserter has a family. In nearly every case where
deserter is unearthed after long period of escape
his discovery brought about by the malice of some
personal enemy. The most noted case of this kind
occurred under President Hayes. A Chief Clerk
under Col. Casey was found to be deserter of long
standing. He had enlisted when mere boy and
repentng of his folly, deserted. When discovered
after 20 years immunity he was the husband Of a
daughter of distinguished and wealthy family and
the father of several children. He had been black
mailed for years by a who knew his secret
The President promptly pardoned him upon the
conviction had in a trial where he made no defense
The 9Th Ind Cav sends three of its members to
the 5Oth Congress, viz: Col G. G. 3TatsOn, Fifth
District James T. Johnston, Eighth District and
Joseph B. Cheade, Ninth District.
lively scrap occurred Sunday evening at a hotel
in Jersey City, between Gen. T. J. Brady formerly
Assistant Postmaster General and Mai Bridgeford
who Confederate officer on the STATS Of Gems
Lee and Stonewall Jackson. They were talking
about the war when hot words led to blows. They
were separated by the bystandcrs and reeoneilia-
I ton was subsequently effected. The gentlemen
shook hands and, presumably q" took something"
/ Gen. Butler has written a letter to the working
men of Boston urging them to organize for political
purposes, and thus command for themselves pro-
n
Col. o. NJ. Poe ofthe T. 3. Engineerssoune time ago
paid firetug $40 for saving the Government wharf
at Fort Wayne Detroit. from destruction by fire.
The amount has been disaIlowed by the accounting
officers of the Treasury the ground that il was
disbursement not authorized by law without first
having been duly advertised for competitive bids
He should have issued order for the fire to cease
its ravages until he could advertise for proposals
for putting it out Then there wouldn't have been
any kinks in the red tape.
The President will have the appointment of an
other Brigadier-General at his disposal in April
next, when Gen. Orlando Il. Wilcox retires on ac-
count of age 1t is said that the President intends
to promote Col. Wesley Merritt. superintendent Of
the Military Academy, when the opportunity pre-
sents itself The President is a warm personal
friend of Col Merritt, and would have elevated him
to the rank of Brigader- General when Col Wilcox
was appointed but for the near approach of the
latter officer TO the date of his retirement.
Congressman Swinburne, of New York who was
defeated at the last election has served notice upon
COngressman-eleet Nicholas t. Kane that he would
contest his seat in the 50th Congress. The notice
sets forth that through repeaters and minors Mr..
Kane added very largely to his vote 1t also AYERS
that many votes cast for Mr.. Swinburne were not
counted, and that upwards of 200O votes cast for
James G.. Franklin, the Labor candidate for Con-
gresham, were transferred from Mr.. Franklin 70
Mr. Kane. Mr. Kane has 50 days in which 70 an
swer