Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-02-15
ALGER'S WAR RECORD
Defended by Brigade
Surgeon Wooster.
A SWORN STATEMENT MADE
Ordered Alger's Removal to Hospital
and Speaks ofhis Bravery.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15--General j. c.
Kellon, adjutant general OF the United
States army, has received the following
sworn statement'from Samuel r. Woos-
ter. late surgeon of the First Michigan
cavalry and acting brigade surgeon, with
reference toGcncral Ayers military rec
ord:
] enlisted as assistant surgeon Of the Eighth
Michigan infantry Aug. 10. 1861, was promoted
20 surgeon of the First Michigan cavalry Feb.
~, 1895 mustered out Oct. ID, 1861. The First
cavalry Vas one OF Custer's MICHIGAN cavalry
brigade during the campaign of 1853 and 1904.
and up 10 tho time of my DISCHARGE from the
service I was acting brigade surgeon on Gen.
cral Clusters staff; at the battle OF Shepards-
town, Va, nj which I was present, and where
we were forced 10 retire across the Potomac on
account NJ the great strength Of the enemy
knew that Genelal AlgoI. then Colonel Al
ger OF the Firth Michigan cavalry, command
inR his own and the Sixth Michigan cavalry.
was detailed 20 protect the crossing of the bal
anoe of ihe commend with the artillery and
train, which he accomplished. During this
campai~n General Alger's health was very
much impai rel. and the night after our cross
ing into Maryland from Shepardstown he was
very III. The following morning, as we were
CATHERINE tho sick aud wounded together 10
send 10 hospitals, Informed Colonel Algor
That he Was Not Able to March
tor'arv for surgeons IN the field Ia do when
the command was on the move, and ! accord
ingly directed that Colonel Alger be sent to
Annapolis with others, and distinctly re-
member that told him that would forward
proper pr pers To him there, ns we wished 20
get the sick and wounded away at onca
made application for his leave To General
CUSTER reporting the facts, and supposed that
was granted. aGd never heard g. the con-
uary until yesterday. In my opinion there
never was "a more unjust act committed
against, soldier than that which was reported
GO have hccn hY General Custer In his report
Ing him a. absent without leave. and recon-
mending bis dismissed. All who knew General
Alger at the war knew that he was very
prompt ard punctual in hs duties, and he
wonld have been one of the last men In the
world 10 dlsobey at order or fail 10 perform
his duty.
IL there is anv person respon sible for his be-
Ing sent To the hospital with ut the proper or
der accompanying, | am that person. viii
you do General Alger and me the justice TO file
this sworn statement with his war record In
your officer have the honor to be, general,
very respectively, your obedicnt servant,
SAMUEL II. WOOSTER,
Late Sur"eon First Michigan Cavalry; Acting
Brigade Surgeon.
Ihe AFFIDAVIT.
DETROIT. Mich, Feb. 1889
STATE OF MICHIGAN, COUNTY WAYNE, S.SI
Samuel II. Wooster. being duly sworn, de-
poses and says that the above statement is
true in substance and fact.
SAMUEL r. WOOSTER.
Sworn and subscribed 10 before me, William
I. Degrees, notary public county Of Wayne,
state of Michigan.
General Alger has requested Adjutant
General Kelton to file the above with his
war record.