The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24
THE STRONGEST RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HIS
PROMOTION BY HIS SUPERIOR OFFICERS
THROUGHOUT HIS SERVICE
The Official Records in the War Department {
Splendid Tribute to A|gers Bravery and Faith
fuIness to Every Duty

The recent attack of the New York Sun
opon the military record of General Russell
A. Alger has of course attracted national
attention and THE TRIBUNE is gratifed to now
be able to show, from the Official records, its
cruel injustice. General Ayers gallant ser
vice as a soldier in the war for the union has
been for quarter OF century a matter
Of the widest public knowledge, and General
Alger has himself enjoyed the esteem and
affection of his army comrades Of all ranks
during the whole Of that period Those who
were his superior officers while he was in his
oountry's service have constantly testi
fed their regard for him as
a soldier and citizen. and his Grand
Army comrades have bestowed upon him the
highest compliment within their gift by
electing him amid great enthusiasm to be
commanders n-chief Of the Grand Army of
the Republic-the grandest organization of
patriots that the world has ever seen. Gen
eral Ayers comrades in the army knew him
for q brave soldier who never shirked
duty, who was always al the front in the
face Of every danger, and whose gallant
service ia the field won for him promotion
after promotion. He WIS repeatedly recon-
mended for more distinguished promotion
than could be given him during
his time of service, and he
was in all respects faithful
soldier who did his duty without expectation
of other reward than the consciousness Of
having served his country in its hour Of
peril
What is above stated is fact as 20 General
Ayers military service. 1t viii not be con-
troyerted or disbelieved by any man who
served in the union army or who had per
sonal knowledge of General Ayers military
career But now twenty-eight years after
he had been honorahly discharged from his
country's service in the field an eastern
newspaper finds a single recommendation
which il declares is sufficient to take from
Alger all the honors that he won IN three
long years OF gallant Fighting That news
paper is the New York Sun. and on February
nth II printed the editorial which is here
quoted:
The sums statement.
What is this about Gen Russell A Alger
Of Michigan az a Republican candidate for
President on a platform OF Patriotism and
PensionsF
The various biographies of Gen. Alger
dwell more in detail upon the beginning Of
his military services than on the end
lie was Major in the Second Michigan
Calvary. Gen. Sherldan's old regiment.
On Oct I6 1862 he WAS promoted to be
Lieutenant Colonel Of the Sixth Michigan
Calvary. Subsequently he was transferred
10 the Fifth Michigan Cavalry and became
ITS Colonel
In September, 1864, Colonel Alger and his
regiment were IN the Shenandoah Valley
taking part in Sheridan E great campaign
against Jubal Early.
About the first Of that month Colonel Alger
applied for ten days leave Of absence The
application was disapproved and returned by
his division commander. General Wesley
Merritt because OF the active operations
then IN progress. Upon the return of his APP
pication f r leave dis4pproved. Colonel Alger
left his regiment and went TO Washington
without leave. There he procured detail
on courtmartial duty in that city
This fact was reported to General Merritt,
who reported il in turn 10 General Shridan.
who brought the matter to the attention of
the War Department recommending that
Colonel Alger pe dishonorably discharged
from the service for being absent without
leave.
In consequence Of that commentator
from Philip II. Sheridan. Colonel Russell A.
Aiger was discharged from the service on
Sept. 20, 1864.
The record does not read that he was dis
honorably discharged" The punishment
recommended by General Sheridan was soft
ened, and he merely discharged The
incident terminated his military career.
After the war was he procured in some
way the breyet Of brigadiergeneral and
major general of volunteers.
These facts are not stated in the current