The National tribune., 1892-03-03


as to his sobricty and loyalty.
In Jane lSj7. wo were on an expedition
against the Apaches in New Mexico. We
camped three months near the ella River.
We were inspected az Fort Thorn for the trip.
At the latter place Col. Miles was so beastly
drunk that he fell from his horse. J. II. Eaton,
Captain Of Co. T, brought charges against him
for drunkenness on duty, aud kept him under
arrest during the whole campaign.
Coming home in tho Fall OF 1857 he was tried
by cOurt-martial at Fort Fillmore, but was &C
quilted for the reason that the prosecuting wit
ness did not drink out of the same bottle that
he tthe COlOnel) did, and therefore could not
prove that the contents were intoxicating.
Gen. Six. then Capt. Six, was the Judge Advo-
cate on the trial.
In June, 1860. Col. Miles was sent with his
regiment TO Texas, making his Headquarters at
San Antonio. Maj. Sipley, with three com
panies, went to Brownsville, Fort IIinggOld, and
Fort Mcintosh until the rebellion broke out,
when Col. Miles took the Northern part Of his
troops and sneaked out toward Missouri, leay-
ing Maj. Sipley with his three companies to
the mercy Of tho COnfederates.
Miles's son-in-law Lieut.. l.. w. O'Bannon,
who was Quartcrmaster of the regiment aud a
Southern man, went 10 the rebel army.
Maj. Sipley gathered us together and went to
Indianola, Tex, TO come home on the Star Of
the West, which was sent 10 this point 10 take
US home. But the officers, Capt Travort, Lieut..
Davis and Lieut.. Holt all Southern men and in
favor Of tho South, had the boat taken 10 Gal
weston, and sent Maj. Earl Van Dorm with two
cotton steamers aud about 400 or 500 men with
four pieces artillery TO have US surrender and
take the oath OF allegiance to the South. We
then embarked on alumbeT schooner, which be-
longed 70 some Northern man, and arrived az
New York June l. lsG2.
And again, when Col. Miles was in command
OF a brigade in West Virginia he was ordered
10 reinforce Gen. Banks but disObeyed orders,
as Inc was afraid he would come in contact with
his son-in-law, o Bannon, who was then operat-
ing in that section.
You now have my sentiments in regard 10
Gen. Miles. In my opinion he was a drunkard,
4 coward and a traitor, and If / had had the
power ! would have had the United States but
tons taken from his coat.
was honorably discharged on Feb. lG, 1862.
and went TO Alexander, W. Va, where / or
gained a company in the 10th W. Va, COM
manded by Col. J. ID. Close. Was commissioned
Captain of Co. l., 10Th w. Va, by Gov Pier
pont After nine months service we were mus
tered out In June, 'G3 i was examined and
received Lieuteuant's commission from the
President, in Co. C. 9TH u. S. COlored Troops,
where / served rs follows: In Florida; on
James and JOnes's Island, in South Carolina in
front Of Petersburg; Fussels Mills and Fort
Gilmore. At the latter place / was wounded
and taken prisoner the second time, and sent
10 Libby, Salisbury, n. C., and Danville, Va,
where ] remained until Feb. q, 90. I was
exchanged az Egan's Landing, Feb. % and was
sent 10 Annapolis, Nd. aud received furlough
for 80 days, after which Joined my regiment
in front Of Petersburg and was at the suTrende
OF Lee at AppOmattox. Our brigade went Il
Texas, where we stayed until Oct. Is, '06. when
we were sent home. Up to this time / had
been IL years In the service. / am now 7C
years old. Have IL wOunds-nine arrow
wounds in my left breast and two gunshot
wounds in my LEFT hand. If any old veteran
can beat this, / would like to hear from him.
CAPT. SIG2rUyD s.LBLE, 1923 L. IIeaton street
Hamilton, ..