The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1892-02-20
THE FACTS IN THE CASE.

The Attack on the Military Record Of
Gen. Russell a. Alssf. Of Michigan Net
by the Sworn, Statement of Brigade
Surgeon Wooster. Under Whose Orders
tho General was Sent to Annapolis.
which P,;s Been Forwarded to the War
Department.
WAsHINeroN, Feb. 15.-Gen. J. c.
Kelton, adjutant-general of the United
States army, has received the following
sworn statement from Samuel E.
Wooster, late surgeon of the First
Michigan cavalry, and acting brigade
surgeon, with reference to Gen. Z. A.
Alger's Dilitary record:
1enlistA as assistant surgeon Of the Eighth
Michigan infantry August 10, 1861; was pro-
NOTED to surgeon Of the First Michigan cav
airy February %, 1868; mustered out Octobei
Is. 1854 The First cavalry was one Of
Custer's Michigan cavalry brigade during
the campaign Of 1s63-4, aud up
to the time Of my discharge from the service
1 was acting brigade surgeon on Gen. Clusters
staf. AT the battle Of Sheppardstown, Va, at
which was present and where we were forced
great strength Of the enemy, knew that Gen.
Alger. then Col Alger. of the Fifth Michigan
cavalry, was detailed to protect the crossing of
the balance of the command with the artillery
and train, which he accomplished. During this
campaign Gen. Alger's health was very
much impaired, and the night after
our crossing into Maryland from Shep-
pardstown he was very Ill. The fol-
lowing morning as we were gathering the sick
and wounded together to send to the hospital
informed Col Alger that he was not able to
march, and must go to the hospital. This was
customary for surgeons in the field to do when
the command was on the move, and accord
ingly directed Col. Alger sent to Annapolis with
others, and distinctly remember that told
him l would for ward the proper papers to him
there, as we wished to get the sick and wounded
away at once.
/ made application for his leave to Gen. Gus
ter, reporting the facts. and supposed that it
was granted, and never heard to the contrary
until yesterday. In my opinion there never
was a more unjust act committed against SOL
der than that which is reported to have been
done by Gen. Custer in his reporting him as
absent without leave. and recommending dis
missal. All who knew Gen. Alger in the war
knew he was very prompt and punctual
in his duties, and he would have been
one of the last men in the world
to disobey an order or fail to
perform his duties. II there is any person re-
sponsible for his being sent TO the hospital,
without the proper order accompanying. ! am
that person. Will you do Gen. Alger and me
the justice to file this sworn statement with his
war record in your Office: l have the honor to
be, general, very respectfully, your obedient
servant SAMUEL R. WOOSTER,
Late surgeon Of the First Michigan cavalry,
acting brigade surgeon.
Detroit, Mich, Feb l2 1892
State Of Michigan, county Of Wayne, IS:
Samuel R. Wooster, being duly sworn, de-
poses and says that the above statement is true
| in substance and fact
| SAMUEL R. WOOSTER
Sworn and subscribed to before me- William
7. Degroof, notary public, county Of Wayne,
state of Michigan.
Gen. Alger has requested Adjt- kel-
ton to file the above with his war rec
ord.