The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-05-27
Alrera Military Record

Alger's Military Record
The Norfolk Landmark gives the
history Of Alger's record as complied
from official military records as follows
"Gen Custer on the 10th Of Septem-
Der, 1864. sent this report to headquar-
t'rs:
In compliance with the instruc-
tions Of the general commanding the
division have the honor to submit
the following report on the case Of
Colonel II A Alger, Fifth Michigan
cavalry, stating the time at which he
left the command for what purpose. by
what authority, aud his present where.
abouts Colonel Alger left this CONF
mand the morning of August 2S, 1861
as il marched through Harper 3 Ferry
10 rcj1in the division near Halltown.
He has been absent since that date
was not aware Of his absence until this
brigade halted 10 feed near Halltown
when Assistant Surgeon 81. Clair, Of
the First Michigan cavalry, informed
me that Colonel Alger, owing to some
indisposition, had remained at a house
in lIlrper's Forry At the same time,
Assistant Surgeon ST. Clair presented
for my approval an application from
Colonel Alger for leave Of absence for
twenty days.
"As Colonel Alger had two or three
lines previous to this applied for a
similar leave of absence. when. in my
opinion he was fit for duty, and which
opinion subsequently proved to be cor
rect, as il has in the case now referred
10, | returned Colonel Ayers applica-
tion without my approval lie failed
To join his command. | first heard OF
him again rs stopping at the hutaw
House, in Baltimore, Md. | now have
authentic and reliable information that
he is staying at one Of the hotels at
Washington, ID. @ and that he has
been placed on duty in the latter city
as member Of the general court-mr-
tial. How he came TO be detailed
cannot say. He left his command
without authority, and after having
been refused leave Of absence from there
headquarters. and | have directed that
he be reported absent without leave
on the muster rolls of his regiment.
General Merritt made this endorse
ment: Respectfully forwarded for The
action Of the chief Of cavalry. The case
mentioned within is the third in which
Colonel Algar has absented himself
from the command without proper au'
thority since the commencement Of the
present years campaign. Severe meas
ures should be taken TO prevent recur
renee of this evil
And General Torbert said " Re.
spectfully forwarded, with the recon-.
mendation that he is dismissed from
the service for absence without leave,
subject to the approval of the president.
Such cases are too numerous and the
scarity Of officers requires immediate
action to be taken.
To this General Sheridan added
Respectfully forwarded. understand
that Colonel Alger is on some military
duty at Washington, but it is evident
that he has left his command without
authority. and it appears that he has
done so before. | have always consid'
cred Colonel Alger a good officer, but
cannot excuse his conduct or withhold
my approval to the recommendation OF
his Immediate commanders.
"On the 9th Of September Alger sent
his resignation directly to the secretary
Of war, giving as his reason for throw
ing up his commission the necessity
for his presence at home. This resig'
nation reached the president, and Mr.
Lincoln wrote on it, Let this reslgna
tion be accepted No action having
been taken, on the 10th Of September
Alger filed another resignation. very
much in the same terms as that OF tel
days before. The same day Mr.. Lin
coin wrote on it, Let this resignation
be accepted. The next day Mr.. Stanton
endorsed it, Accepted, and on Sep
tember 10, 1854, Edward Townsend, act
ing adiutant general, announced in spe
cial orders No. 81 that Colonel II A
Aleer was honorably discharged. "