New-York tribune., 1908-07-26

sat at my desk and written his signature IN my
albums he said Whenever he wishes to refresh
his memory Major Joeffer refers to one OF his
albums for they contain not only the autographs,
but also the dates
One of the albums is smaller than the rest.
Opening it frst Major Loeffier said: "I have been
offered everything for this little book. but don't
care part with it. It contains the autograph Of
every President Vice-President and Cabinet officer
since March, 1863, besides many Others
Here is one of General F1tzhugh Lee. written
when he came here Governor OF Virginia. IN
1856 said the major Il was very fond OF him and
always glad 10 him come had known MIN
from the time that served under him IN the ID
cavalry In Teas I was with him when he was
wounded and cared for him Albert Sidney John-
ston was the s,loneI OF tho ID Cavalry when was
assigned to its Company H IN 1888 at Camp Rad
ziminsky Texas. Robert E Lee. OF Virginia was
lieutenant colonel; j. w. Hardee. OF Georgia, senior
major and George H. Thomas was junior major
He was afterward the famous major general Earl
Van Dorm of Mississippi. was captain Of Troop 4:
Kirby Smith. Of Georgia. captain OF Troop B. and
shank Evans of South Carolina. was the captain
Of the troop in which L served
After referring to these Incidents IN his military
0v,ariance Major I.Oeff1er again turned the pages
Of his autograph books They contain the sigma
tures of ten Vice-Presidents. fourteen Presidents
1ro ternpore OF the Senate. ten Speakers OF the
House fourteen Secretaries OF State. seventeen
Secretaries OF Treasury, fifteen Secretaries OF
war fourteen Secretaries of the Interior. as many
of the Navy four Secretaries Of Agriculture. three
of Commerce and Labor and seventeen Attorneys
General all of whom had called TO attend C4Olhe-
meetings since 1S5S ..
eaid Major Ioeffier land then L don't Ike pub
Ifcitv During the thirty-nine years OF my SeINio9
here I have made II point 10 attend strle'iS 10
1,t,, and not TO court publicity. My relations with
,I - o. r-est5ents have been pleasant but make
~ a rrla never to talk about the occupants OF the
House 7 have seen many interesting incidents ana
some exciting times. but cannot discuss 'lei LUZ
publication. ..,
'T was discharged in March. 1858. and assigned
to special duty as scout with General Seth VIII
tarns adiutant general Of the Army OF the 70
touac 1 re-enIisted August z. lSt| and the GaJ
after the assassination of President Lincoln re-
ported 10 Secretary stanton for duty as his door
keeper and bodyguard. remaining with him day
GO ntobt a,rfne, the johnson impeachment trial
and witnessing some interesting Incidents After
General Schoheld was nominated and confirmed al
Secretary OF War and Mr.. SJanton's resignation
had been accepted. he Informed me ne had no rur-'
their claim on my services. and thanked me for
the faithful manner IN which performed my duty
When l reported to General SchOheld he simply
said Sergeant go on with your duties as you
have been doing 3
at served with him until General Grant was IN
aug1rated PRESIDENT on March 4. 1853. and General
Rawlins was appointed Secretary OF War When
he took charge he said 10 me: Sergeant. from what
I know and what General SchOfeld tells me I
am very sorry part with you. but they want
Won over at the White House. report 10 General
Horace Porter Thus entered upon the important
and responsible duties which still perform. having
earned from every President and officer under
whom I have served the highest recommendations
Major Loefier was discharged from the army
July u. 1872. by order of President Grant TO ac-
cept civil appointment. serving in civil capac-
ity from that time until July 10. 1855. when hs
resigned 10 take commission in the regular army
as military storekseper with the rank OF captain.
mounted. He wanted President Mckinley 70 send
him 10 the front The President replied there
were thousands Of young men anxious TO go to
Cuba. but that Major LOeffier's services were OF
more value TO him at the White House. The bill
creating military storekeepership was passed BY
Congress without opposition, because President
Mckinley had urped its adoption. and il was gen.
orally understood that Major Lofler was to be the
beneficiary Captain LOefier went the retired
list IN January, 1871. and three years later waz
promoted 10 retired majorship.