davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24

wounded men to Annapolis and as l said,
General Clusters recommendation, il he knew
the facts. was one of the most cruel outrages
that was ever perpetrated upon soldier.
dislike very much 10 say anything against
a dead soldier, but these are facts and
reading of the records viii prove that one
statement made by General Custer concern
ing myself in that document cannot be true,
for he states that 1 tried to absent myself
during the year, and yet but 4 few weeks be-
fore left the service and while we were in
the Valley, he recommended me very strongly
for promotion.
1 will thank you to give this dispatch the
publicity that the Suns editorial has received.
1t is great wrong committed upon me and
my family Please ascertain who gave these
records out from the War Depar tment
r. A. ALGER.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24
The Affidavit in ia. Records

The following Official communication shows
the action taken BY the War Department; rel
alive to DR.. Woostcr's affidavit quoted above:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON CITY
February 10, 1892.
General Russell A. Alger:
Sir-Referring to your communication of
the 18th instant, addressed TO the Adjutant
General. inclosfng an afdavit relative to
your military record made by DR.. s. r. Woos
ter of Grand Rapids Mich, late Surgeon lst
Michigan Cavalry, am directed by the Sec
retary of War to inform you that, In compli-
ahce with your request, the afdavit OF Dr.
Wooster has been placed upon the files of this
Department in connection with other papers
relating to your military record
Very respectfully,
(Signed) +. C. AINswoRTH,
jor and Surgeon u. 5. ARMY
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24
THE OFFICIAL RECORD.
The War Departments Exact Copy
General Ayers Record GA Its Flies

The War Departments Exact Copy of
General AiGcr's Record On IT'S Flies.
Through the courtesy of the Secretary Of
War THE TRIBUNE is now able to make public
the entire Official record of General Ayers
military career, or at least every item Of it
that has any bearing upon the charge brought
by the New York paper which has 50 uniustly
attacked him. The record was put in pos
session of THE TRIBUNE by General Alger just
as he was leaving for California on the 9Th
instant TO attend to his numbering interests
in that state. Every quotation hereinafter
made from it and every document printed is
from the official copy furnished by the War
Department and may be verified by refer
encc to the originals on file at Washington.
In this connection we print the following cx-
tract from letter written by Major f. c.
Ainsworth to the Secretary of War:
Ayers Record ..Hi.hIy Cr~ditabIr."
WAR DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON CITY, Feb. 49, 1892
To the Honorable the Secretary of War:
Sir-Referring to your conversation with
me yesterday relative to the military record
Of General Alger, l beg to say that have
carefully examined that record ard find so
much in 1t that is highly creditable to him
that am convinced that the publica-
ton of the whole record and correspondence
vantage TO General Alger, in view of the re-
Gently published articles concerning him
1t is doubtful If General Alger him
self is fully advised az to the character of his
record, and the ACCESSIBILITY of furnishing
him transcript of II, or of CORRESPONDING
with him with reference to It. is respectfully
suggested for your consideration. Very re.
spectfully,
{Signed) Il. c. AINswoRTH
Major and Surgeon u. S. Army
Major Ainsworth's suggestion was approved
by the Secretary of War, and the entire rec
ord is now in THE TRIBUNEs possession A
synopsis of it has already been published in
these columns but We append below the
chronological statement just fu rnished by the
War Department:
The Record Complete.
Russell A. Alger was mustered in as cap
attn, Company C, Second Michigan Cavalry
September 2, 1861. He enlisted Aug. 10,
1861.
On July IL. 1862 he applied for leave of
absence for 20 days on medical certificate,
as follows
Captain Russell A. Alger of the Second Regi-
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24
The Order Ts.ued.
Asst. Adit Genera

ASST. AUJt. GENERAL.
In pursuance of this order. Colonel Alger
proceeded to Washington and reported for
treatment The surgeons certificate shows
that he was i'll and there is nothing to in
dicate the slightest purpose on his part to
shirk duty. This was the first occasion on
which Colonel Alger ever made application
for leave of absence on account of sickness
except after the battle of Bonneville in 1862
The only other time he asked to be relieved
on account of sickness or any other cause
was at the time when the following docu-
ments comprised the record:
HEADQUARTERS. 9TH MICH. CAVALRY
IN THE FIELD. Aug. ~, 1864.
Captain-I have the honor to report for
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24
As I'd ALGEE,'s ABsENEEs.
fzc was Only Absent Twice Except Ancl
the Battle or Bonneville

fzc was Only Absent Twice Except After
the Battle or Bonneville.
One of the statements madc in General
Clusters astonishing recommendation of Sep
TENDER 10, 1864, which Will be quoted in full,
was that Colonel Alger had two or three
times previous TO this, applied for a similar
leave of absence. when In my opinion he was
fit for duty Esaring upon this point we
print the official record:
HEADQUARTERS 9TH MICHIGAN CAVALRY,
Il THE FIELD
May %, 1864.
Colonel l respectfully ask permission to
be sent to hospital at W ashington for reasons
stated in surgeons certificate hereunto at
tached. / have the honor to be, very re-
spectfully, your obcdient servant
lsignedl h. A. ALGEn,
Lieutenant Colonel hingsbury
Assistant Adjutant-General. Cav Corps.
The Surgeons Certificate.
Colonel Russell A. Alger having applied for
a certificate on which to ground an applica-
ton to report for medical treatment [ here
by certify that have carefully examined this
officer and find that he Is attacked with typho-
malarial fever, and that in consequence
thereof he is in my opinion unfit for duty
And would further recommend that he be
ordered to report for medical treatment
And further declare my.b be
able for duty for the period of fifteen days
{Signed) /. l.. NORRIS,
Surg 9TH Mich. Cav,
1stBrig. 1st Div c. c.
HEADQUARTERS
1st CAVALRY DIVISION,
May 22d, 1864.
Approved and respectfully forwarded
(Signed) w. MERkITr,
Brig Gen Comdg
Ist Cavalry Division.
The Order Tssued.
The following was issued May 90, 1864:
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS
May %, 1864
Special Orders, No. 1874. a.
8 Upon the recomme ndation of the Medi-
cal Director OF. this Corpsthe following named
officer will proceed to Washington and report
for treatment to SurgeonR. O. Abbott
COLONEL ALGER, 81 ?
9th Michigan Cavalry.
BY command of
Maj. Genl. SHERIDAN
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24

biographical sketches relating to General
Russell Absent Alger.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24

The following Official documents complete
the record affecting this matter:
HEADQUARTERS, ANNAPOLIS MD.
Sept. ., 1864. :
Special Orders
No. 2O3. CExtract)
Q In pursuant to instructions received
from the War Department. A. G. o., Wash
fngton, D. c., the following named officers
at the Officers Hospital at Annapolis, Md
having been reported by the Surgeon in
charge, as being tit for light duty, are hereby
ordered TO report without delay, to the Nil
ttary Governor of the District of Washing
ton, for Court Martial duty
COLONEL r. a. ALGEn 5th Mich Cavalry
BY order of ADRIAN X. Root, 81 N Y Vols.
Comdg Post, etc.
(Signed) JOHN s. WHARTON,
First Lieut.. Il Y. 6. Infantry Post Adiutant
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTAHT
GENERALS OFFICE, WASHINGTON.
September Is. 1864.
Special orders, No. sos (Extract).
80. so much of Special Orders. No. 2O3,
September >, 1864. from Headquarters
Annapolis. Maryland. as. pursuant to in
structions from this Office, directed the
following named officers to report to the
Military Governor of the District of Wash
ington for court martial duty, is hereby
confirmed:
COLONEL r. A. ALcER Fifth Michigan
Cavalry.
BY order of the Secretary of War,
(Signed) E. d. TowEsEND,
Assistant Adjutant General
Colonel r. A. AIger,
Through Colonel Wisewell, Military Cover
nor.
1t will be noticed that Colonel Alger re-
ported for duty August IL, 1864, remaining
in the field until sent to hospital at Anna
polls on Aug. 20, and that General Clusters
endorsement, quoted above, was made
September 16 a month and four days suisse
qeent. There is absolutely no foundation
for the charge that Colonel Alger endeavored
to shirk any duty or that he was ever absent
from his command without proper authority
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24
Another One From Custer

HEADQUARTERS LIST Brigade, 1st
Division, Cavalry Corps, Army 2
of the Potomac, June 26th, 1864.
Hon. E. NJ. Stanton,
Secretary of War.
1 have the honor to recommend thai
Colonel r. A. Alger, Fifth Michigan Cavalry
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24

HEADQUARTERS 2SD BRIGADE. Bird Division.
Calvary Corps, Army of the Potomac, Oct 10,
1863 Hon. +. NJ. Stanton. Secy of War. Sir
1 have the honor to recommend to you for
promotion to the rank of Brigadier- General
Colonel Russell y. Alger of the 9TH Michigan
Calvary. for meritorious conduct in the field,
as also for mis- thorough discipline in his
Regt., both in camp and on the march; and
mis- untiring efforts for the welfare of his
Regt and the good of the service Col. Alger
has proved himself worthy of the highest
confidence AT Hanover Gettysburg, where
at the head of his Regt. in the thickess
of the fight he showed great bravery
and skill, Hagerstown Williamsport
and Boonsboro July Sth, where he was
severely wounded while calamity leading his
Regt. in one of the seyerest cavalry engage
ments of the war, Colonel Alger distinguished
himself for his bravery, coolness and skill
which particularly shows his fitness for a
cavalry commander.
Since recovering from his wound at Gull
pepper, Racoon Ford, Brandy Station on ths
18th inst. and again today at Bucktown, he
has distinguished himself alike for mis- bray-
cry and skill, showing his competency in every
respect for a command. and for the cavalry
service. AS an officer and a gentleman Coli
onel Alger justly enjoys the highest esteem
of both mis- command and his commanding
officers.
Ever ready to perform his duty at any and
all times, and jealous in the cause for which
We are lighting he has proved himself worthy
of the highest confidence OF all L therefore
earnestly and cordially recommend him to
your consideration, fully believing that any
trust reposed IL him will be skiltClIy and
faithfully performed by him, with honor to
himself and credit TO our army and to the
noble cause in which We are engaged
have the honor TO be, sir,
Very respectfully, your obt. servt.,
(Signed) G. y. CUSTER,
Brig. Genl. Vols.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24
EndOrser, Pnfs From High Officers.

Endorsements on the foregoing.
Headquarters Third Cav. Div. Oct. 20. 1863,
/ have witnessed the gallantry and skill of
Col. Alger Comdg 5th Mich. Cavalry on many
occasions. Ills prompt and energetic action
yesterday saved large portion of my COM
mand from being captured. which would have
resulted from the confusion into which they
were at one time thrown. L most CheeTfully
indorse the recommendation OF Brig.-G
Custer believing Col. Alger to be in every re-
spect deserving of the position to which he
has been named.
(Signed) J. FITZPATRICK,
Brig.-Gen. Vols. Comdg. Div.
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, J
Oct. 20 1853.
This recommendation is respectfully
forwarded. and most fayorably recommended.
Col. A1ger will make an energetic. efficient
brigade commander. His services in that
capacity are much needed in this corps.
(Signed) A. PLEAsANToS,
Major-Gen. Comdg.
HEADQUARTERS
ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,
Oct %. 1863.
Respectfully forwarded with the remark
that this recommendation has been sent in
without any call from me for recommends
ton for the appointment of Brig. General
(Signed GEO. G.. MEADE,
Maj Gen. Comdg. !
Respectfully submitted to the General in
Chief U. 5. A.
(Signed) JAS. A. HARDIE,
A. A. General.
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24

Repeatedly Recommends. for Promotion
by HIS Superior Officers.

by HIS Superior Officers.
THE TRIBUNE some time age printed a num-
Der of the recommendations made for Colonel!
Ayers promotion. but they will bear repeti.
ton in this connection. They are splendid
testimonials to the constant faithfulness OF
Colonel Alger and to his unAinching courage
in every emergency of war. His whole record
is an overwhelming refutation of the ridicu-
1ous charge that-he ever shirked his duty as
a soldier. The recommendations which fol-
low, taken from the official records, tell an
eloquent story of Ayers devotion to the cause
of his connfrr
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24

The following official documents complete
the record affecting this matter:
HEADQUARTERS, ANNAPOLIS. MD
Co =
The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24
GENERAL ALCER'S RECORD,

The WAR DEPARTMENT FURNISHES THE OFFICIAL
EVIDENCE OF HIS Gall hiIT SERVICES IN
THE WAR FOR The UNION.
General Clusters Unfav0rabIe Report Proven to
Have Been Utterly jnfOunded and
Cruelty Unjust
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-05-19

That il is the sense of the meeting that in case
of nomination for the presidency of the United
States and for congress of candidates who will
not favor the free coinage OF silver and other
measures, such as the immediate reduction Of
the tariff to as low an extent as will be possible
under present conditions, in that case it is
not to he expected of our people to support the
Democratic national and congressional nomi-
nations.
That it Is not considered necessary or ex-
pedient to organize third party county
organization until after the result of the Demo-
cratic national nomination Is known.
That meantime. till the result of the Demo-
cratic convention Is known. it is right and
proper for our people to remain and partici-
pate as heretofore in our local Democratic
clubs.
That 1t is the sense of this meeting that the
delegates to be elected to the state convention
by the county conventions should be instructed
to vote for no one as II delegate to the national
Democratic convention who is opposed to the
Ocala demands.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-05-19

a. We believe that the money OF the country
should be kept AS much as possible in the hands
Of the people, and hence we demand all ma
tional and state revenue shall be limited to the
necessary expenses Of the government eco
nomically and honestly administered.
(eJ We demand that postal savings banks be
established by the government for the safe de-
post of the earnings of the people and to facil-
itate exchange.
LAND.
Second-The land, including all the natural
resources Of wealth, is the heritage of all the
people and should not be monopolized for spec
ulative purposes, and alien ownership of land
should he prohibited. All land now held by
railroads and other corporations in excess Of
their actual needs, and all lands now owned by
aliens, should be reclaimed by the government
and held for actual settlers only.
TRANSPORTATION.
Third-Transporiation being means Of ex-
change and public necessity. the governments
should own and operate the railroads in the in
terest of the people.
ta.) The telegi aph and telephone, like the
postofiice system, being necessity for trans
mission of news. should be ow ned and oper-
ated BY the government in the interest of the
people.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-05-19
1t Ma Not Be Ignorance.

There never was full legal tender
dollar that was not worth 100 cents to
pay taxes or discharge debt. This in
the logical result of the power conferred
by the United States constitution upon
congress Ito coin money" and to ''regu-
late the value thereof" Yet Judge
Humphrey in his Agora article says that
money is one of the things of nature"
and that it's value ''cannot be affected,
except temporarily, by legislation. I"
The gold bugs of Wall street have a
specious pleader in this democratic
judge. who would have us believe that
he could have given pointers on the
money question to the trainers of our
national constitution and likewise to the
supreme court that has repeatedly sus-
tanned the greenbacker's view Of the
passage above quoted.
There are mere schoolboys in the Al
lance that can give pointers to the
present occupant Of the bench Of the
Eighth judicial district on the money
question They would not be guilty of
confusing til {, entirely distinct properties
of commercial value Tor price,, intrinsic
or inherent value and monetary fiat,
value as does this judge whose plea
shows sadly need of posting hiIuself
on the fundamental law of our country.
junction City (Kan.) Tribune.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-05-19
The Farmers, Power.

All over the world the farmer is slow
ly learning that really all power lies in
his hands. He stands at the fountain
and can work his will with the stream
that flows past his feet and of which all
the people Of the earth must drink.
Nothing serious would happen to the
general run of folks if the law courts
were to take years vacation. but the
centers of commerce tremble when the
farmers of Russia have poor CROP
The gapis filled by the farmers of Can
ada, the United States and other wheat
growing countries. but what would hap
pen if the failure of the crop in Russia
were artifcial-like the closing of a
cotton mill by "combine"-and all
other farmers banded together to take
advantage of the scarcity? A combine
of farmers, were such thing possible.
would hold the world in its grip as the
braZen palmed Moloch held his victims.
1t is in the interests of liberty that no
such combine" is possible. but the very
conception of it will show the farmers
what they could do if they got nearer
together and studied their own interests
Montreal Star.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-05-19
Kansas Al Right.

S. McLallin. editor of the Topeka Ad-
vocate and a high ranking apostle in this
Peoples party. is in the city. The
Marsh Murdoch gubernatorial boom, hs
thought. would not complicate matters
any. "for. said he. 1.-The Peoples party
will sweep tn. state no matter what the
Republicans may do. We will carry
the state. It's not question of MAJ
jorities. but the. state is ours.
Jerry Simpson will be returned to
congress" he continued. "by at least
10000 majority. They can't beat him
out there. The Seventh and Sixth are
sure. Webb McNall will probably make
the race against Baker. but he won't
have IA show. McNall is a fool. He re-
signed $4,000 job to run for congress,
and now he isl back number. Kansas
will not go Republican this year.-Kan-
sas City Dispatch.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-05-19
Not Tramps from Choice.

One should not fall into the popular
error of thinking that all tramps are
professional "bummers" think that
perhaps majority of those whom see
are men who are going to some other
point in search of work. Many of these
are employed by farmers and ranchmen
living in the vicinity Of the railroads at
such times of the year rs they need as
sistance. and several employers have
told me that they were generally very
good help. | have repeatedly known Of
tramps seeking work who had worthless
time checks in their pockets from pre-
vious dishonest employers. 1t would
be doing very grave injustice to these
men to class them with ordinary va
grants.-Dr. j. N. Hall in Harperis
Weekly
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-05-19
LOANS TO NATIONAL BANks.
A Little Light on Subject Which In
terests More Than (ieOrgians

LtCLse Light on SuDJect Wnlcn Al
terests More Than GeOrgians.
EDITOR E.xpREss-It is denied here in
Georgia that the national banks ever had the
use OF S60.0OO.OW of government money at
per cent.-esyecially during Cleveland's al.
ministration. What light can you give us
upon the subject? J. L. B.
We did not suppose, at this late day.
that there could be found one SO ignt-
rant that he would deny that national
banks have been borrowing money (not
$600OO.O0O. but as high as $3.50. OOO. 900
at per cent.
The national bank law, passed in 1863.
provides that national bank may de-
posit, for instance, 100000 in govern
ment bonds and obtain thereon 800. 900
in national bank currency. For the use
of this 800. 900 in currency the bank pays
to the government per cent. tax on
the circulation
They cali it a tax. but when farmer
or business man gets money in that way
it is called interest money.
They call it tax" simply because it
would not sound well to have it said that
banks were getting money at per cent.
interest. Such, however, is the case.
Let the government loan the people
this money. secured by real estate mort
cages instead of bonds, and charge them
a "tax" of 3 per cent. If it suits any
better to call it a tax" instead of lin
terest" do so. The fact is the same
no matter what you call it. =
1t is not $60,00O.000, but as high as
$3.50, 1000! The average amount of
national bank circulation from 1868 to
to 1888 was about $350,00O,0O0. And
all that the banks paid for it was the
per cent. tax on the circulation. For a
time they paid per cent. on deposits:
but that was soon repealed.
The 1850, 100000" referred to in our
correspondents letter no doubt means
the $60,000.000 at one time deposited
with national banks for which they paid
nothing whatever! 1t was a scheme
gotten up by Cleveland's secretary Of
the treasury dan Manning) and con-
tinued by Ben Harrison's secretary, Bill
Windom-and still further continued to
small extent by Charley Foster. 1t
was part of the surplus (money which
belonged to the people) and was de
posted" with national banks. The ma
tional banks used it. That is, they
loaned it out to the people. They paid
the government not cent for the use
of it! The Express and other reform
papers published in 1888 a list of the
banks which had the money. We will
do it again if the Georgia muttonheads
do not believe it.
We repeat the statement that national
banks have been borrowing as high as
$3.50, 000.000 Of the United States gov
eminent since 1868 at cost of per
cent.-Chicago Express.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-05-19

DR.. M. Kozel, Hutchinson, Kas.,
is curing birth-marks, moles, warts,
old sores, tumors, cancers; also all
other chronic diseases, male or
female. Send &c. stamp for terms.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-05-19

I Have YOU written
me yet? If you
haven't, wisdom
a n d intelligent
10 ambition suggest
write to-day. l
4 pronise you my
special, personal
attention. ] I'M
Sderiake 10 briefly
teach any fairly
iitclligcnt person
Of either sex, who
can read and
4 write, and who
1 after instruction,
/ will work Indus
Itriously. how TO
learn Three Thou
Esand Dollars .
Iyear IN their own
localities, where
lever they live. l
Twill also furnish
1.-THE situation or
leniploy nient, at
.w hich you can
earn that amount.
II charge nothing
land receive moth
ling u Mess sue
/ cessful, a. above.
Nothing difficult
TO learn, or that
requires much
time. ! desire but
lone person from
leach district %
county. l have al
ready taught and
provided with en-
I,l"yinent q large
number who are
/, each. All 10 new.
"a know all, IL you
lone. Address.
NJ
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-05-19

Megrimine is the only guaranteed
permanent cure for headache and
neuralgia. Relieves in 20 to 80
minutes. A great blood cleanser
and stimulant that in time positively
cures. Sample free. The DR..
Whitehall Megrimine Co., South
Bend, Ind.
Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1892-05-19
South Carolina Alliance Men.

The Farmers Alliance of Fairfield
county, s. g., in regular session at
Winnsboro, dopted the following by an
almost unanimous vote: