The sun., 1892-02-12
GEN. ALGER'S REPLY.
He Defends His Army Record, Which, He
9ayas was CnblemisheA.

Says was CnbIemisheA.
DETROIT. Mich. Feb. IL.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEW YORK SUN-Sir:
A friend has telegraphed in full your to-day's
editorial concerning my military record. Will
you kindly publish my answer sent herewith
Il. A. ALGER
DETROIT. Mich. Feb. IL.
"6b. G. n. Hopiin' Arlington Bc<e'. Warrington. D.C.
"Your telegram Of this date giving editorial
OF THE New YORK Sun. concerning my military
record is received. was honorably discharged
from the service. and was not dismissed. as
stated On the 25th dav OF August. 1854. at
Shepherdstown. Va. on the Potomac. where we
had engaged the enemy and we're driven across
the river by superior forces. was ordered
to cover the crossing with my regiment. Gen.
Eade. l effected, the crossing, and was the
had been i'll but on duty. Iwent into camp
that night. and not being able to march the
sck nsH tn at M s
remaining there II few days and recovering
senty to be aT9npS ID. tRs d
signed IS was no. able, to enter ths field and
did not like cour-martial service. My ordinary
weight was 100 pounds. but was reduced to
124 pounds
Clusters mot Merritt $, Recommendation until
the Chicago Convention in 1893 My friends
telegraphed me there was some question about
was aIsoiately false: j had never heard
word. dirse,y or ri indirectly ny to that date.
any such recommendation. which ! found
nftcrward. to my surprise. was true. ] never
nry as sent %'t to the hospita than Snythne hin im
probable on earth.
nishes. was promoted to all tie grades from
der and Maior.Iiencrai without my V applica-
tiOn. was never absent from my command
fSGert on Of irom or
g sHfa the Had Tn Il ss
Of Gen. Sheridan. who was always n warm
personal friend, and Gen. Custer. who always
freanentiy. could easily have had the there record r
s35rrsSStH but when ne; lIst heard Of it Gen
see snd
reqaeste,d1 ID me ut several times to have his
his siaG. As he, did not belong to my resi.
about it one. day he told me would regret i;
some day. said to him would rather resign
resment s % e When had een nn,9 Yet my ~
III SRSs SS
are known to Gen. Kidd.
At the battle Of Front ROYAL. on the 18th
day of August. charged and capture q large
number Of prisoners with my regiment. They
were sent to the rear as pressed forward. ard
Gen. Custer gave the credit to another COM
mand. and Wa had some hot words over IL. II
you will examine the records of the War De-
paTtment and the recommendations made for
my promotion there by my superior officers at
several different times from Gen. Custer to
Gen. Grant. you will see what was thought OF
me-,
sent with the large M Mnnmbe. Of slek and
Custer's Recommendation. II he knew the facts.
was one OF the most cruel outrages that was
ever, ,perpetrated, upon soldier. ! dislike very
M, much 70 say anything aEaHtnst rH dead solder.
records %ill pr0Xs s, t9st ns,.r one state:
cernine myself in The. that .doepment cannot
self during the year. and yet. but q few weeks
before left the service and while We We're In
the valley, he recommended me very strongly
viii thank you to give this despatch the
publicity that The Sun editorial has received.
1t is n great wrong committed upon me and
my family. Please ascertain who gave these
records out from the War Department
"R. A. ALGER"