The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1892-03-16
Sheridan a colonel. is extolled in the stronges

Sheridan colonel, is extolled in the strongest
language by Sheridan, under whose eyes the
dash was made.
In the campaign which eliminated In the
battle Of Perryville Major Alger frequently
distinguished himself. subsequently,. when
he was colonel Of the Fifth Michigan Cav
airy, he maintained his record for valor.
His command was the first to enter Gettys-
burg In the campaign under Grant from
the Rapida River to the James River he
Courthouse. Va, on June II, 1854 his regi-
ment suffered the greatest loss of any OF the
commands in the cavalry division.
FAMOUS CAVALRY CHARGE.
With Colonel Alger In the lead. the Fifth
Michigan charged down the GordonSvills
road, and after meeting with desperate
resistance it routed vastly superior force
of the enemy's horsemen and followed them
in a running fight with the saber distance
OF more than four miles. In the affair
Colonel Alger captur ed 800 prisoners, 1900
hcrses. ] stand of colOrs, calssons, 40
ambulances and 80 army wagons. He left d
small force behind him to guard the pris-
oners and captured property. He had fol-
lowed so far in pursuit, however, that
another body of the enemy passing around
his column attacked his guards in rear and
released the prisoners before he could return.
This exploit of Alger was one Of the most
noted cavalry dashes OF the war
On another occasion, at Todd's Tavern,
Colonel Alger made charge which re-
suited In the capture Of large number of
prisoners, two locomotives and ninety-flye
wagons filled with supplies. The Richmond
Dispatch, at the time, estimated the loss TO
the Confederacy al $40. coo. 900 in this affair.
Doubtless the reckoning WAS made in Con-
federate currency, but 1t was very d sas-
trous day for the enemy. At Yellow Tay-
ern his regiment dismounted aud drove
away large force, killing the noted Con-
federate cavalry leader General j. L. b.
Stuart.
With such a magnificent record. Gen ral
Ayers comrades feel that he stands before
them superb soldier in approved skill,
courage and valor. Their respect for his
sOldierly qualities has not been lessened by
the unearthlng of papers which show that
he has been more sinned against than sim
ming, ana Is, as they believe, the victim OF a
Stealthy assault upon his well-earned fame
inspired solely by personal motives. Other S
Of his friends will doubtless believe that he
is also the victim of one of those numerous
intrigueS for which the Army of the PotO-
mac was specially noted. Every mail brings
10 General Alger resolutions adopted by
Grand Army posts and Loyal Legion com
manderleS, testlfying TO their confidence in
him and esteem for him notwithstanding
the attacks made upon him, which are the
direct Outgrowth Of partisan spleen.
1t is a curious fact in favor OF General
Alger that on June II, 1865, nearly Que year
after his resignation, the President con-
feTred upon him the brevets of brigadier-
general and major-general OF volunteers
Nothing could more clearly reiute the
charge that he resigned under cloud. since
breyet ranks, being tokens Of honor for dis
tlDguished and mertorious service, are n t
conferred upon off cers whose record is In the
slightest degree taIuished.