The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-05
TIE CASE OF GEN. ALoER.
The Fun RecorA Now In Hts Hands-His
<~Fr,e.Ss waitinD-ser Him 60 Publish II.

The Fun RecorA Now in His Hsnds-His
.>~Frieass waitinssPr Hin TO Publish It.
DETROIT. March e.. There has been great In
ttrest in this cit1yias vol as throughout
Michigan. from THE Suns publication In rola-
ton to the military record OF Gen. Alcer This
interest has increased since 1t has become
known through his friends that he has recent
ly received n full transcript OF his record from
the official files OF tho War Department The
fact that the record has not been promptly
made public is giving rise to considerable un-
pleasant criticism, oven on the part OF some
whose personal relations to Gen. Alger have
always been friendly.
While the first publication OF THE Sun was
in tho nature OF surprise to most in this
State. the universal interest excited in the
matter has developed the fact that among
those connected with State affairs at the timo
when Gen. Algcr left the service tho general
features OF his case have been known. Owing
to tho excellence OF his military service. up to
the time OF his final trouble. there was always
reluctance among these officials to talk about
the matter. and rs a consequence 1t became
buried from public knowledge.
sThe information which these officials pos
sEssed has gradually become known as the
universal discussion Of tho present aspects OF
the caso has progressed. The story derived
from these sources Is TINT Representative
briggs and Senator Zachariah Chandler OF this
state were tho gentlemen who sought out Gen.
Alger while no was serving on court-martial
duty in Washington. and informed him OF Gen.
Sheridans recommendation to Secretary STAN
ton for the dismissal OF Gen. Algcr from tho
service for absence without leave. While this
fact was referred to in the last publication OF
THE Sun. the names Of the Michigan politicians
who succeeded in softeninE Mr.. Lincoln toward
Gen. Alger and procuring an order to Secretary
Stanton for the acceptance OF his resignation
woro not givcn. With this addition. tho story.
as then known in tho Office OF the Governor Of
this State. agrees in all essential points with
that presented by THE Sun. Tho understand
ing at the Governors Office seemed to DO tho
Same as that which prevailed ut tho various
headquarters in tho field. namely. that the sick
leave Of which so much is now said by Gen.
Ayers friends was more cover for IN absence.
where leave had been refused. than real case
Of sickness. In fact. the affidavit OF tho sur
geon. now brought forth to explain the matter.
seems. upon a critical examination. only to
have increased Gen. Ayers difficulties. This
arises from the fact. which all veterans know.
that 1t was not the custom at that time. or ut
any time in the war. for surgeons to ride along
the columns and direct officers to leave their
commands. and 60 to distant hospitals. with
out any other leave OF absence than such
verbal directions. Especially Is such a claim
on the part CT the surgeon absurd for q time
when tho column Of which Gen. Ayers COM
mand formed part was advancing upon the
enemy. and when every officer and soldier
was needed at his post. For this reason the
affidavit OF tho surgeon is regarded ms adding
to the unfortunate features OF the whole affair.
There are two points OF Gen. Ayers COM
munication in regard to THE SUNS publication
which have also increased his trouble. The
first Is the attack upon Gen. Clusters charac-
ter in the specific charge that he was SO des-
titute of soldierly honor that he did not hest
tate for the purpose OF gratifying personal
grudge. to make an official recommendation
in writing which. II approved. would forever
blast tho reputation of an officer who had per-
formed several years Of brilliant military ser.
vice. The second is Gen. AlGer's attempt TO
give the matter a political turn by conveying
the impression. in the conclusion Of his card
to the public. that his unfortunate record had
been made public from the War Department.
and. therefore. presumably in the interest Of
President Harrison.
Custer. and most of Gen. Alger's friends. now
that the case is being coolly considered. regard
this attempt to save himself at the expense OF
the reputation OF dead soldier. in whom tho
state Of Michigan especially and the country
at large. feels pride. as both rcprehensible and
damaging.
In regard to the intimation that the War De-
partment furnished tho record for tho recent
publication. it has become known hero that
Gen. Alger has been aware that iaN the fea-
lures OF the cnse have been in circulation
among n very considerable number OF politi-
clans and veterans ever since the last Chicago
Convention. They were quietly furnished
there by gentlemen who had relations with the
Governors Office Mt Lansing during tho clos
ing years OF the war Tho details came
into full possession OF Senator Shermans
friends at that time. and it was through some of
them that Con. Alger then became acquainted
with the fact that the record was known. His
friends here now say that he took immediate
steps to secure n full transcript from tho
official record in Washington. in order that he
might prepare himself to meet everything
which it might contain. While 1t is believed
that up to that time he had never seen the
entire record. he must have known OF its
general character from his interviews with
Mr.. briggs and Senator Chandler Mt the time
when they explained to him that it would DO
necessary to Offer a prompt resignation.
In order to savo himself from dismissal
Tho transcript was secured from Washington
by telcgraphing to Representative ODonnell.
still IL member OF the House OF Repre-
sentativcs from Michigan. to procure it and
forward it by a special messenger to Chicago.
this messenger being son OF ex-senator
Congcr Of this State. Friends OF Gen. Duflleld
OF this city are authority for the statement
that tho General received this record from Mr.
ConGer before the adjournment OF tho Conven-
ton at Chicago. and from that time to tho
present Gen. Algcr has been in possession OF
it. Tho forbcaranco OF Senator Sherman's
friends in declining to make use Of this record
Mt Chicago has heen n mAtter OF frannant ro-