The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-03-15
Gen. Russell Absent Alger Again.

VII InUTStElN, TtuTNiIN II. IhE StN
printed certain statements concerning tho
military record of RUSSELL A. ALGEE of
Michigan. and tho circumstances under
which he left the army in tho middle Of
SHERIDAN's Shenandoah campaign.
These statements were n surprise to n
great many citizens whose knowledge OF
ALGER's record had been derived exclusively
from he unofficial and more or less auto
biographical literature OF vanity and boom.
In no sketch Of Gen. ALGER's career that we
have ever read-and since his appearance as
a Presidential candidate on II platform of
Patriotism and Pensions We have read
many such sketchcs-is there IA line or a
word indicating that ALGER did not serve
until the war was over. or that there was
anything peculiar about his discharge.
Nevertheless. every statement made by
The SUN month ago. and since that time
denied or evaded by this self-nominated
candidate for President OF the United States.
was true and exactly true. except as to
minor details hereinafter specified.
Gen. ALGER has been forced. much against
his will. to make public tho official dncu
ments relating to his absence without leave
from his post Of duty. and the recommended
lions for his dishonorable discharge from
the army. forestalled by his hasty rcsigna-
ton at Washington.
His brigade commander. Gen. CUSTER.
whom ALaER now accuses OF dishonoratlc
personal spite. reported rs follows Oh Sept.
16. 1864. to Division Headquarters:
~HlApouARrrxs 1sr BRIGADE, lsr DviIoS CAvALRY.l
MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION. Sept It, 1864.
~oap& 4. .. Daan. 4. A. g.. First Diri.i"a tara'D
''In compliance with tho Instructions of General
commanding tho division have tho honor t" submit
the following report in tho cass Of Col. r. A. ALGER
Fifth Michigan Cavalry stating the time at which he
left the command for what purpose by what authority.
and his present whereabouts.
"Col. AIGKR left this command the morning OF
Aug 20 It marched through lIhrprrs Ferry rcjon
the division Hailtown. lie has been absent since
] was not aware OF his absence when the brigade
halted to feed Hailtown. when Assistant Surgeon
St. CLAIR informed me that CO.. ALGrr owing to some
indsposltou. had remained Mt honse in IIarpe,'s
Perry. At the same time Surgeon ST CLA,n presented
for my approval an application from Col. AIHER for
leave or absence FOR twenty days
"AStoL AiG,R had. t"" ar three times previous T."
Tits applied for u simar leave ri absence when my
opinion he WIS NJ FOR duty. and which opinion snbse
grntiy pro, ell to he rorrcc IL has IA The
r,ierred 10 returned CO. AirnS application without
Ely apprU al lie In. | TO Join his iland | first
heard Of him again stopping AT the Euaw House in
aliimore.
~ now have anh-nti, Information that he is stay
,-en placed dIty IN the latter city ~ the member OF
y general court .nirtiui
"Ho~ he came To be detailed icannnt say. lie left
M, r"nmard without authority. and after having
b'"n refuse, leave, of nhsrurr AMI have directed
tat lie be reported absent without leave on the
ter rods nj has scs mt. Respectfully submitted.
t>igi-i "Gr a. CUSTER
HrIcad H." General commanding"
This statement of facts WIS received by
Gen. WESLEY MERRITT. and by him for
Nardcd Ia Gen. TORMENT. the Chief OF Cav
airy. with The suhiOin"d endorsement:
"HrAnqr,ur.i Is, w,rnv DIVISION. Sept. u, 1854,
Respectfully forwarded Tor the action or the Chief
OF cavalry.
tn" cas-, mtntiniiri within is ths third in which
Cpl. ALGKm has absentcd himself from the command
wirboW proper authority since the commencement of
the pres years campaign. Severe should
b. taken to prevent Il recurrence OF this EVIL.
Signed. wv. MEEGrr.
"Brgader General conlna nding"
And then it went to Gen. SHERIDAN bear
Ing also this recommendation from Gcn
1OEBERT:
"lifAnsuARrrRs c"iLr'. M'ppLt MILITARY Dr,: :,S,
Respectfully forN aided with the recoinm-n dation
that he be dismissed from the service far absence with
out leave. subject to the approval OF the n ssdent
Such ae too numerous and the scarcity OF officers
requires in,mc tie action to be taken
lSighrh j n IOhbfRf
"Bfv't MaJor.Gcner.l AMI chief of Cavalry"
Gen. SHERIDAN sent the report tnd the
Recommendation to Washington with these
remarks:
"iirApouARTsRs MlppLk MrirAm DlvisloN.l
sept. Is. lo,ii
"Reswctfuiiy forwarded | understand that COT
ALGpR IL duty III Washington. but is evident
that he hsI LEFT his command without authority. and it
spp~ark that he has done so before. have always
siderad Col A6kR good officer but cannot his
conduct or withhold my approval Of the recommends.
lion Of his ilnnieGiate comm anders.
lSgnedI "r II. SaERpAS. Major General"
Meanwhile. ut Washington. Col. ALGER
had resigned his commission and procured
his discharge ON Sept. 20, 1864.
Tho points at which we now desire to
amend our original statement OF Feb. II are
these:
First. it was stated by The Sun that Col
ALGER's application for leave OF absence
upon the refusal OF which he departed with
out leave. was for ten days. Gen. CUsTER's
report shows that Col. ALGER's application
was for an absence Of twenty days.
aaOoadly. II Vas stated by The Sun that