The National tribune., 1892-03-24
has. and which is all in. tdncol,

has. and which is all in. ldnooli
writing:
Sec. OF war: Please see Col Aiger, who:
| has come up on our invitation IN regard.
| Ito the proclamation.
A. LINCOLN.
Febr. 10, 1864.
|
After fun consultation between the Presi-
| dent, the Secretary of War and Colonel Alger
the following orders were issued;
War Department
Washington City,
| February 10th, 1864.
Col Townsend will issue an order detach-
| ing Colonel Alger from the Fifth Michigan
| Cavalry, on special duty.
(Signed) EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
War Department,
Adjutant Generals Office.
washington, February 10th, 1864.
Special Orders
No. &C.
20. Colonel r. A. AIger, 5th Michigan
Cavalry, is hereby detached from his regi-
ment on Special duty.
BY order of the Secretary of War,
(Signed) E. d. TOWNSEND.
Asst. Adjt. Genl.
Assignment to special Duty.
War Department. Adjutant Generals
Office, Washington. February IA, 1864.
Colonel-Having been detached from your
regiment for special service by instruction
from the President, the Secretary of War
directs that you take charge of number of
copies of the Proclamation of the President
dated December 8, 1863. which you will dis
tribute in such manner as you deem most
effective to reach the rebel armies and in
habitants.
You VIII report to the Commanding General
within whose command you may be operat-
ing at the time, and this is authority for
asking of him such aid and protection in
your duties as may be consistent with the
interests of the service
Report your address to this ONCE every
ten days. 1 am sir, very respectfully, your
obedient servant,
(Signed) e. D. TOWNSEND,
Assistant AID iutant General.
Colonel R A. Alger,
Fifth Michigan Cavalry, Washington, D. c.
Headquarters. Armies of the u. s. In the
Field, Nashville, Tenn March 1s, 1864.
orders: Guards, pickets, and military
authorities throughout the Armies of the
United States will pass Colonel r. A. Alger,
Fifth Michigan Cavalry, at will and without
any hindrance whatever until further orders.
Military authorities will furnish him every
assistance to facilitate in the execution of
duties entrusted to him by the Honorable
Secretary of War. Military railroads and
government steamers will furnish him free
transportation upon presentation OF this
order. BY command of Lieutenant General
Grant,
(Signed) T. S. Bowers,
Assistant Adjutant General.
Anxious Ese at the Front.
That Colonel Alger performed well the i'm
portant special service intrusted to him is
shown by his report which we print below.
VRIRUNE ial AZ IN
the request which he makes to be permitted
to rejoin his command while active opera
lions were in progress. Itexhibits again the
utter falsity and cruel injustice of any pre-
tense that he ever shirked duty or sought
to avoid danger. Alger was always ready
for service, and during the whole period of
the war never heard from superior officer
a reprimand or censure. Following is
Colonel Ayers report:
WASHINGTON, April 30. 1864. General
Obeying instructions dated War Department
Adjutant Generals Office Washington, Feb
ruary IA, 1864 which were to carry into
effect the circulation of the Presidents Am
nesty Proclamation dated December 8, 1863
among the rebel armies and inhabitants, for
which purpose it was printed in small pamph-
let form, together with General Orders No.
sc from War Department dated February 18.
1864, giving instructions to the DISPOSE
ton to be made of rebel deserters and refu-
gees coming within our lines and taking the
prescribed oath-attached-I have the honor
to report:
To secure as far as possible a general cir
culation of the proclamation and order and in
such numbers that they cannot be sup
pressed the following numbers were ordered
to be sent to the different Departments,
Armies and Districts:
Here follows list showing the distribu-
ton of about l. 900, 900 copies of the proc |
lamation)
have visited the different Departments. |
Armies and Posts named, except the Depart |
ment of the South, where L have communi- |
Gated to the Commanding General by mail, |
and plan has been organized for the work |
from each which is to consist principally of |
the employing of scouts and cavalry e8pedi- |
lions. This work has been strongly endorsed |
by all the commanding Generals to whom L |
have reported, all of whom are of the opinion /
that it will aid materially in spreading dis
affection and dissatisfaction among the |
rebel soldiers.
have also the honor to report that 1 am |
forming a secret mail organization for this
object. Much work yet remains to be done
but being DESTROYS to be with my command
during the coming campaign. I have the
honor to ask that may be allowed to at least
join my regiment while active
operations are going on
Please address Inc at Headquarters, Army
of the Potomac. Very respectfully, your
obeQ1ent servant,
(Signed) r. A. ALGER,
Colonel Fifth Michigan Cavalry.
Gen. E. d. Townsend,
Assistant AdjutSnt General, Washington.
Headquarters Cavalry Corps, Army of the
May 4. 1864. Colonel Il. A. Alger,
Fifth Michigan Cavalry. having reported to
these headquarters, will in compliance of S.
o. No. 20, Headquarters Armies United
States, proceed to the First Division and
there take command of his regiment. BY
of Ma General Sheridan.
(Signed) c. KINGSBURY, Jr. A. A G.
Colonel Alger Immediately reported for
duty, after having been highly complimented
for his work in the circulation of the procla-
nation by the President and his superior
officers. From this time until the date of his
in September his record was no
less gallant and honorable than it had been