Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-03-21
A DIsGRACED SOLDIER.
From Bank to the Army and from the
Army to the Penitentiary.

From Bank to the Army and from the
Army TO the Penitentiary.
DETROIT. MICH, March 1s.-There is
to-day confined in the guardhouse at Fort
Wayne. three miles fellow Detroit, Robt.
L. Rivers, a private Of Company H,
Twenty-third United States Infantry.
Rivers is but y years old, and is the son
OF wealthy parents, who live in Buffalo,
y. Y. The young man graduated at Har-
ward, and after receiving his diploma en-
tered in a clerical capacity a Buffalo
banking house in which his father had an
interest. His promotion, owing more TO
outside influence than his own attention
10 business, was rapid, and before
he had been IN the bank full
year young Rivers was advanced over the
heads OF older men to the position OF
cashier. His rapid success was too much
for him; mis- head Was turned and he
launched out into a fast career. 1t was
not long before the directors demanded
his resignation. HIS accounts were not
in the best shape, as may readily be i'm
agined, but no proceedings were taken
against him. His father. however, was
so iucensed at his sons humiliation that
be discarded him. In moment OF de-
spOndency Young Rivers enlisted ~ a pri-
Ndlt IN AbHi lduf II, 1 NtuLf ~buDu u lltu
States Infantry, and was sent to the
frontier Whatever may have been his
shortcomings as a bank cashier he
made an excellent soldier. He was
favorite with both officers and
men, and served with distin-
guished gallantry in two Indian cam
paigns. Two years ago the Twenty-third
was ordered to Fort Wayne. Detroit.
Private Rivers was detailed, after the
regiment reached the fort, as company
clerk. The routine life OF a garrison SOL
der, however, was too hum-drum for
him. and he procured a months furlough
and paid a visit to his old home in Butfa-
10. SO well did he like his new freedom
that he determined to retain 1t, and dis
appeared. Months afterward he was ar
rested IN New York and returned to his
regiment, where he had been posted as
deserter. Strange to say, however, no
action was ever taken against him, per-
haps on account OF his personal pOpulari-
" and excellent military record.
Shortly after Rivers compulsory return
to military life a detachment of the
Twenty-third, under command Of a nom
commissioned officer, was detailed to
guard the tomb OF ex-President Garfield,
at Cleveland. Private Rivers was one Of
the men selected for this duty. While at
Cleveland be had access to the Quarter
masters cnecks ana Iell lnbO DIS Olu DaHk
cashier habit Of filling them up when he
needed money and signing the Quarter
masters name. He did this nine times
before he was discovered, the amounts he
obtained by the different forgeries rang
ing from $14 to $50. A few weeks ago
Rivers crime was detected, and he was
placed under arrest. Lieut.. Gen. Sheri-
dan ordered the prisoner brought TO the
regimental headquarters at Detroit, and
TO be tried by garrison courJ-martial
upon ten different specifications. Nine OF
these were for forging the name Of Lieut..
Cleggett and the tenth for desertiOn. Col.
II. NJ. Black, commanding the regiment,
presided, and last night, after several
DAYS trial, Rivers was convicted on the
nine charges of forgery and the old case
Of Gesertion. On the latter he was SEN
fenced to i've years Imprisonment in the
Albany penitentiary and on the former an
aggregate of seven more.