The times., 1892-03-18

when in my opinion he was fit for duty,
and which opinion subsequently proved
TO be correct, as it has in the case now re-
ferred to, / returned Colonel Alger's ap-
plication without my approval"
The Report Was Passed Along.
Custer says that he first heard of Alger
at the Eutaw house in Baltimore, and later
vt Washington, where Alger had detail
on court-martial; Custer had Alger re-
ported absent without leave, and says:
"He left this command without authority
and after having been refused leave of
absence from these headquarters The
next officer to have anything to do with
the foregoing report was General Merritt,
who forwarded it to the chief of cavalry
with the remark that severe measures
should be taken. Chief of Cavalry Tor
bert took severe measures, recommending
dismissal from the service, because the
evil OF absence without leave was a grow
ing one and needed checking.
What Phil Sheridan Wrote.
General Phil Sheridan passed on the
report next saying that it was evident that
Aiget had left his command without
authority, "and it appears he has done SO
before. Ihave always considered Colonel
Alger good officer, but cannot excuse his
conduct or withhold my approval of the
recommendation of his immediate COM
nIand ers."
The Colonel's Honorable Discharge.
The last of the official documents reads
as follows
WAR DEPARTMENT, A. G. o., Sept. 20, 1884,
Respectfully returned. This officer was honora-
bly, discharged from the service by s. o. 81,
Sept 20 1854, from this Office
Il. M. VINCENT,
Assistant Adjutant General.
On Aug. 9, 1864, month and ten days
before General Custer's report Colonel
Alger wrote letter to Secretary Stanton
rendering his resignation because his pri-
vate business was in such shape as abso-
lutely to require his presence at home if he
would save himself from ruin. The presi-
dent indorsed the letter Aug. 8, 1854, "Let
this resignation be accepted"
Went Back to the Ranks Again.
This acceptance by the president was
dated month and eight days earlier than
the date of General Clusters letter regard
ing Alger. After leaving the president,
with his accepted resignation in his pos
session, Colonel Alger learned that there
was prospect of an active campaign in the
Shenandoah Valley. He did not present
but hastily rearranged his business as
well as possible and started for the scene
of operations, arriving, on account of. mis-
information as to the time of the departure
OF the train, one day late.
Had to Resign Anew.
Six weeks later, on Sept. 16, 1864, the
date of General Clusters report, and seven
days before it had received its final in
dOrSemantS he tenderad his restoration
anew. The same day it was accepted by
the president. The acceptance was in
dorsed by the secretary of war on Sept. IL,
and by special order of Sept. 20, 1864, signed
by Adjutant General e. ID. Townsend, he
was honorably discharged from the serv-
ice of the United States.
Some StOng Endorsements.
A letter is included in the record from
General Custer to the secretary of war,
dated Oct 10, 1868, in which Custer re-
commends him for a brigadier generalship,
saying: "As an officer and gentleman
Colonel Alger justly enjoys the highest
esteem OF both his command and his COM
manding officers" and some more of the
same if not more so Jan. 26, 1864, the ap-
plication was renewed, endorsed by Phil
Sheridan and approved by General Meade
and General Grant, while Sheridan wrote
VI have brigade to give him."
That Title of General"
General Alger was afterward brevetted a
brigadier general of volunteers and on
Feb. %, 1867, by order of Secretary STAN
ton, was ordered appointed brevet major
general of volunteers. These brevet COM
missions were signed by President John
son, to whom General Alger was political
lV ODDOSed