The evening times., 1900-05-12

The Committee on War Ciai-zs Of the
House. to which was referred Ine bill to
confer jurisdiction upon the Court of
Claims 10 hear and adiudicate 1heaclaim
OF the personal representations of William
Kiskadden. deceased. has presented a Ia
vorable report
On February %, 1862. William KisGad-
den. then OF the city OF Denver Territory
of Colorado. under the terms OF a verbal
contract made with Capt. S. II. MOer. Act
ing Assistant Quartermaster L 5. Army,
furnished thirty-two teams of four mules,
or horses and mules. each with wagon and
driver TO transport the camp and gafri-
son equipage and public stores OF the First
Colorado Volunteer Infantry from Denver
City to Fort Union in the Territory OF New
Mexico. The teams were TO be returned 10
William Kiskadden at Denver City in as
good condition as when received. ordinary
wear and tear only excepted. The train
reached Pueblo in good condition. At that
point news was received OF General Can
by's defeat by the COnfederates. at VAL
verde. near Fort Craig. and OF the enemys
advance up the Rio Grande on Albuquer-
que and Santa Fe and Of their intention
to march upon Fort Union. the depot OF
military supplies of all that country.
On receiving that information Colonel
Slough. commanding the regiment. against
the protests Of the wagOnmaster and the
foragemasteT Of Captain MOer. ordered a
forced march to Fort Union. The entire
distance OF about $50 miles was made in
eight days. At Red River. les miles from
Fort Union. fugitives were met who
brought the news that the enemy had al
ready driven in the outpOsts OF The fG-I
Camp and garrison equipage was thereap-
on. upon the order Of the colonel com
manding. thrown from the wagons the
troops ordered into the wagons and the
remaining distance OF los miles We maie
IN two days and nights.
The teams were overloaded from the
start Very poor and insufficient grain
forage was furnished and no
rough or long forage. The grain
was flint Mexican corn. which was very
bad for the stock As a result OF the
overloading. Of the asst marching. and the
poor forage. IL appears that over one-haIf
OF the horses and mules died or were
abandoned en- route. Il also appears that
the average value of the stock al that time
was $3.50 per head, wagons $500 each. and
harness $I5 per span
The facts OF this case are set forth at
length in affidavits on file in the War De
partment which bear date OF 1870. A copy
of these affidavits was filed with this com
mittee in support Of this claim. 1t appears
that these affidavits were, by misadventure
filed in support OF another case. and that
all Of Mr.. Kiskadden's efforts TO secure
the same were unavailing- II appears that
his store in Denver City, Col, where he
was engaged in business. was DESTROYED
by fire April, 1868. and the books and pa
pers relating 10 this transaction were
burned 1t appears that large business In
terests in Colorado. Montana and Utah
Territory engaged his personal attention
and prevented his looking after this claim.
and finally all the persons who had made
afidavits in his behalf, and the claimsn1
himself died.
1t appears that despite tie earnest ef-
forts of his legal representatives to secure
an investigation of and permission to copy
these affidavits. it was not until the 25th
day of January, 1899. that they were ena-
bled so 10 do. This. il appears. accounts
for the delay in following up this claim
This claim is for the destruction and dam
age to personal property which the Gov
ernment appears to have hired under con-
tract TO return 10 its owner in as good con
dition. ordinary wear and tear excepted.
as when received and the claim appears to
be a lust one