The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-17

/ meath fhe Colonel was man Of tad pro-
/ peasities. He was simply lacking in
/ moral fibre, and thought that he could
create position for himself IN the world
/ based wholly upon Misrepresentation.
When M-. Hayes became president Of the
United States the Colonel had sucn rria-
| fions al the White House tina. aii doors.
! opened before him. A cabinet officer
could no. have had easier access TO the
! president. Within very short tine after
Mr.. Hayes Inauguration the Colonel
WAS appointed 70 one of the best civilian
/ appointments IN the war department.
Here. If he had been quiet and content
with the good fortune thus far secured, he
might have remained undistarbed until
the end Of his lie. But his actually being
in the service Of the war department re-
yived ali Of his military actions and be
sought 8. once the right 20 wear the uni
form Of al officer OF the United States
army. He was told that no ex-Confederase
could be appointed 10 the army, and thus
he found tina. his first fiction stood
! IN the way OF what he might hars
otherwise secured He now went to the
governor OF Louisiana and through his
newspaper connections obtained 8 STAT ap-
pointment. The governor aftsrsard de-
MED that he made any such appo ntuent:
but IL Is probable that the Colonel told the
truth concerning this. The Colonel then
went 70 work and had uniform devised
copied after one OF the most brilliant in
the Austrian army. He appeared in IL
upon many public occasions. and
Of al army ofneer, Colonel Bacon,
then a member o. the staff Of General
Sherman Colonel Bacon was a Ken
fuckian and lived in the same hotel with
the Colonel. He thought thai she Colonel's
uniform made the war department
- vf5.r.. = - go =
Investigations which brought out the real
history OF the Colonel Bat before he was
successful the Colonel had captured fully
the regard and esteem Of Townsend, the
then adjutans general OF the army.
General Townsend was man Of the most
formal character. His mind was STEPPED
N the traditions Of military etiquette.
The Colonel battered him by paying him
the mos; marked attention. and OBJ
serving in his relations with him the
finest plnctilio OF military etiquette. A
man so obseryans OF sElca important forms
Genera, Townsend held must De trained
soldier. At any rate, the Co. onel had no
difficulty IN convincing him OF the sccura-
cy OF his military knowledge, and actually
got the general 20 issue an order thai the
Colonel should he addressed in military
correspondence as colonel. and that he
should be entitled 10 the salute Of colo
mel az ali military posts.
had the happiest period Of his romantic
career. He had obtained 3 leave OF ab-
senee OF two months from the war depart
ment. and. armed with letter OF intro
dueuon from the sdjutsnt general of the
United States. went TO Europe taking
with him in his trunk this special uniform
which he had made, and which was COW
cred with more gold lace and braid than
any uniform ever made before or since
he found nothing IN his pathway in En-
rope; he was accredited 70 Lord Woise.ey,
the actual conmander-ln-chlef Of the
British army. and was his guest at the an
nual maneuyres st Wimbledon. A per-
sonal friend Of mine saw him one day in
full military rig, seated II the righthani of
Lord Wo.seley. his most honored guest,
and heard afterwards compliment. after
compliment from English officers who ad-
mired the correct knowledge. the modesty
of this officer OF the United States.
Ii was a great pity that he ever returned
Fortified as he was he might have re-
manned in Europe for years, but he came
back 70 his fate. which was. Of course. dis
coyery and exposure. Colonel Bacon had
nothing poetic IN his nature. He could
not appreciate the ideal character which
the Colonel had built up for himself, and
80 with coarse rudeness he took upon him.
self. through very proper military
channels, 10 find out ius. who The Colonel
was A friend OF his. distinguished
ex-Coniederate officer. then in charge of
the bureau of rebellion records was then
engaged In making up the roster OF the
Confederate army Colonel Bacon's at
tack unon the Colonel was very indirecs.
He asked the chief of this bureau 10 call
upon the Colonel 70 give his regiment and
the rank occupied BY him in the Confeder-
ate service, SIS he xas then sending ont 10
every avsilable ex-COnfeders.e officer
for information necessary 10 CON-
~tn~A Q h - i
mistake OF giving definite and explicit
answer. 1t was found after examination
that there were FIVE men OF his name IN
tie Confederate service, and If he had
been little more careful in building be
might have taken the rank Of one Of these
gentlemen without so great 8 chance Of
discovery. as three OF them were then
dead. But not knowing this he gave his
former rank and position IS that OF
Northumberland OF the Fourth Arkansas
cavalry. / am ar loss 10 account for
this great h.unGer on the part OF the
Colonel. He had been so artistic up 30
date that he should have been better pre-
pared De made the tremendous blunde-
Of giving the former rank and posit on OF
gentleman then living The bureau had
IN its possession the correct rooster Of the
Fourth Arkansas regiment Even then
thls cruel fact Nigh, not have been pushed
too Sharply against the Colonel il il had
not been FOR an incident which occurred
The following day after the rooster was ex-
amineCi.
The occasion was a fashionable Wedding
in 81. Johns church. in Washington City.
Il Was ST the wedding al au officer Of the
army. General sherman. ont OF compli-
ment - the bridegroom. was present
with his siaf. among the invited guests
They al came N full uniform The
Colonel also came IN his uniform and
marched 70 the part 0: the church where
General Sherman and his STAT were