The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-24


of my absence from my command.
BY permission from Brig. Gen. Custer
II while at Washington / remained behind the
brigade and was ordered to report AT Harp
er's Ferry on the 9th inst, which failed t
do by tallIng to Connect with the morning
train at Washington on the 9th by being mis-
| informed as to its time of starting / ar
rived at Harper's Ferry on the morning OF
| the 10th inst. and was unable to find trans
| portation until evening of the same date, my
horses having been forwarded with the
| regiment.
| have the honor to be,
| Very respectfully,
| Your obGt servant,
(Signed) Il. a. ALGER
| Colonel.
CAPT l.. W. BARSHARr,
| a. A. Genl.
| Brig Div. Cavalry
| HEAD QUARTERS,
/ Brig. L Div C. c.,
| Aug. II, 1864.
Respectfully forwarded.
(Signed) "A. Custer.
Brig GeuI
| Not until eight days later was the follow
ing recommendation made:
Hd Qr's. 1st Cav'y. Div'n.
Aug. 20, 1884.
Respectfully referred to Brig. Genl Custer
for his opinion TO whether further action
is necessary in this matter.
BY command of
Brig. Gen. Merritt,
(Signed) A. E. DANA,
A. A G..
Nearly a whole month elapsed before
General Custer made the recommendation
which follows, Col Alger having been with
his regiment up to Aug. IS, when he went
into hospital at Annapolis:
HEADQUARTERS 1ST BRIG
1sT DIV. CAV. MID. MIL DIV,
Sept. 10th 1864.
Respectfully forwarded. Not deeming this
officers explanation of his absence TO be
based on good grounds, it evidently being
his duty and within his power to inform him
self correctly as to the time at which the
train started, 1 of the opinion that
further action" should be taken in his case.
(Signed) G.. a. CUSTER,
Brig. Genl.,
Comndg. Brig.
Clusters Astonishing Report.
Following this Endorsement came General
Custer's report, which is the basis of the
New York Suns attack upon General Alger,
and we print it entire, with all of the In
dorsements thereon, exactly as it comes
from the War Department.:
Headquarters 1st Brig, 1st Div. Cavalry,
Middle Military Division, Sep. 10, 1864
Capt A. E. DANA
A. A. c. 1st Eiv. Cavalry:
In compliance with the instructions of the
Genl. Comndg the Division have the honor
to submit the following report in the case
of Col K. A. Alger, 18th Mich. Cavalry, stating
the time at which he left the com
mand, for what purpose by what
authority, and his present where
abouts." Col. Alger left this command the
morning of the 2Sth of August, as it marched
through Harpers Ferry TO rejoin the divis
ION near Halltown he has been absent since
that date. was not aware of his absence
until this brigade halted to feed near Hall
At Of
Mich. Cavalry informed me that Col AIger
owing to some indisposition, had remained
at house in Harper's Ferry. At the same
time Asst Surg. St Clair presented for nv
approval, an application from Col Alger TOR
leave OF absence FOR twenty days. AS Col
Aiger had. two or three times previous to
this. applied for similar leave of absence
when in my opinion he was fit for duty and
which opinion subsequently, proved to be cor
rect as 1t has in the case now referred to
returned Col Ayers application without nv
approval. He failed to join his command L
first heard of him again. as stopping at the
Eutaw House, in Baltimore Nd. / now have
authentic and rell be information that he ia
staying at one of the hotels in Washington.
D. c. and that he has been placed on duty in
the latter city. 4 member OF a General
Court Martial. How he came to lie det lied
cannot say He left this command without
authority and after having been refused a
leave of absence from these Headuuarters
And l have directed that he be reported
absent without leave" on the muster rolls
Of his regiment. Respectfully Submitted.
(Signed) 6. A. CUSTER.
Brig. Genl Com Brig
HEADQUARTERS, 1sr CAyY, DIVE, Septem-
Der 18th, 1864.
Respectfully forwarded for the action of
the Chief of Cavalry. The case mentioned
within is the third in which Col Alger has
absented himself from the command without
proper authority since the commencement of
the present years campaign Severe meas
urcs should be taken to prevent a recurrence
of this evil
(signed) w MERRITT
Brig. Gen Comdp
HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY.
MIR NH. DIV,
September II. 1864 /
Respectfully forwarded with the recon-
mendation that he be dismissed from the
service for absence without leave subject to
the approval of the President. Such cases
are too numerous and the scarcity of officers
requires immediate action to be taken.
(Signed,) A. r. a. ToREERr.
Brvt. Maj Gen and Chief of Cavalry
HEADQUARTERS
MIDDLE MILITARY DIVISION
September iS. 1864.
Respectfully forwarded. understand that
Colonel Alger is on some duty at Washington.
but it Is evident he has left his command |
without authority, and it appears that he has |
done SO before. L have always considered |
Colonel Al2er good officer but cannot excuse |
his conduct withhold my approval of the |
of his INN ediate command |
ers.
(signed) H. SHERIDAN,
Maj. Cen. =
WAR DEPARTMENT, A. q. o.
September %, 1854