| fcrpitrfawtdin^ef a-ColUgt iiyiti$££oltmy> •YAiLE^BOTViaRainnf- Gift of Nathan Easterbrook 1924 /Cc^L^u UPS AND DOWNS OF AN ARMY OFFICER. BY Col. George A. Armes. U. S. A,.___ /4d>£- /$**£-. Washimgton, D. C.i 1900, Entered according to act of Congress, in the year 1900, bv Col. George a. Armes, U. S. A., In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington, D. C. portraits anb Illustrations. PAGE Geo. A. Armes, TJ. S. A Frontispiece. General Grierson Entertaining His Friends 2 Just Landing at Castle Garden 3 The Army Lawyer Blowing His Own Horn 4 Calls on President in New Uniform of Brigadier General 4 C. H. Burgess 6 The Deerfield Home 14 Receiving Orders from General Washington 15 My Childhood Home 16 "Charlie" 17 The Jackson Tournament 23 Arrest No. 1, by Confederates 30 Cassius M. Clay's First Prisoner 31 Capt. Ball's Surrender at the Slave Pen ' 37 Tompkins' Charge through Fairfax Court House 45 Gen. Winfield Scott 48 Arrest No. 4, by Blenker's Soldiers 53 Stampede from Bull Run 55 Rescued from Amputating Table 56 The Watermelon Enterprise 58 Hon. Wm. H. Seward 62 Gov. Woodbury and Family. 79 Delivering Dispatches to Gen. Grant 87 Uuho.sed While Delivering Messages 90 Delivering Dispatches to Barlow 95 Prof. J. O. Armes 107 Gen. Hancock and Staff. 108 Inspecting Line in Front of Masked Battery 109 Charge at Hatcher's Run, Va., 1864 ' 125 Gen. Robert E. Lee 139 Ex-Gov. Thomas, of Va 146 Arresting Benham 176 Reporting to Norwood 184 Crossing Platte River 185 Greatest Cavalry Feat ou Record 186 Return to Fort Sedgwick 187 Rescuing the Woodchoppers 206 Return from the Rescue 207 General U. S. Grant 222 Fred Grant in 1867 225 Wm. E. Armes 232 Major-General W. S. Hancock 234 Wounded and Lifted on Horse 238 C. H. Armes 268 Cody Killing Buffalo for Supper 272 TheMa^ch 290 Feeding Indians 311 Powder Face 314 Custer to My Rescue 325 Governor and Mrs. Kirkwood 335 Commodore Vanderbilt 359 Amies' Knights 361 Awaiting My Antagonist 3°4 Blaine's Attack of Vertigo 411 Watterson Entertaining Garfield •; 4X7 Senator Wallace l 432 Col. Levi P. Maish 44° The Potato Lady -. 458 Trying to Procure Evidence 4°8 Gen. W. S. Rosecrans 538 Dr. Loring 54*> John Van Dyke 548 Mrs. Van Dyke 549 Gen. Berdan 557 Oxford Military Academy 564 Gen. George Stoneman 578 My Four-iu-Hand 580 The Assault 587 Resenting Gen. Beaver's Insult 589 The Beaver Court-Martial .' 591 The Beaver Medal. 593 W. Hector Gale 595 Senator Stewart 606 Discussing Plans with Senator Stewart 612 Cecily Armes : 614 My Children 619 My Family 623 Geo. Kerr Armes 636 Oscar St. John Armes 636 Hon. C. J. Faulkner 637 Mrs. Faulkner 637 Gen. Richard N. Batchelder 639 Herbert Claude 644 Cecily ; 645 Fairfield — My Residence 649 The Arrest 662 The Author at Various Ages 664 Henry Oliver 668 Major-General Nelson A. Miles 679 John Chamberlin 680 Gov. W. P. Kellogg 7.7.7 689 Mrs. Geo. A. Armes 691 Grover Cleveland Armes. 6qi Col. O. F. Hulser 7oi Jos. A. Buckholtz 743 Albion H. Droun *.-, Col. Ochiltree Leading 'Sibley's" Brigade at the Battle of Val Verde... 745 Asking the P esident to Appoint Me a Brigadier-General of Volunteers 749 Secretary of War Asking Advice 750 Queen Lilioukalani 7rT Mr. Parker " 77. 777.7.7. '.".."." 751 Prince David Kawanakoa, of Hawaii 777 752 My Daughter Ethel in Amateur Theatricals ....... 7<=1 Senator C. K. Davis „i Senator John W. Daniel ,r7 Wm. St. John .7.7.'.'.... .' 7.777.7. 7.7.77'. 754 Wm. Lyman and wife : 7.7.7 754 TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. 18(51. Parentage and early life, from first settlement of ancestors in Massachu setts, who distinguished themselves in Indian wars at that time — Great-grandfather selected by Washington to guard chain across the Hudson — Boyhood at Annandale, Va.— Riding at Secesh Tour nament without saddle or bridle — Arrest No. i, on way to Washing ton — Calling on Secretary Seward — Arrested and threatened to be hung by Cassius M. Clay (Arrest No. 2)— Ordered released by Sec retary "Seward and appointed his private messenger — Led the ad vance into Alexandria, Va., with Gen. O. B. Wilcox, and with one hundred men of the First Michigan capture Captain Ball at slave pen — Shot in right breast while leading a charge with Lieutenant Tompkins at Fairfax Court House, Va., May, 1861 — Arrested by order of General McDowell and General Scott (Arrest No. 3) — Im prisoned in the Marshall House and afterwards released by Secre tary Seward — Ellsworth killed by Jackson. CHAPTER II. 1861-2. Save a few dollars and obtain permission to sell necessities to soldiers, clearing over $1200 in three weeks — Stock my store and place it in charge of a clerk, who sells building and stock, disappearing with everything — By permission of Secretary Seward, go as scout to Gen eral Heintzelman — Arrested by twenty Dutchmen of General Blen- ker's command and thrust into an icehouse (Arrest No.. 4) — Wounded in First Bull Run — Second commercial enterprise in life — Buy a wagon load of watermelons and undertake to sell them to the Twelfth New York Volunteers; robbed of every melon — Start stage line from Alexandria to Manassas, and run the Union Hotel at Fairfax Court House — Charter a vessel and transport supplies to the Army of the Potomac — Invest $3000 in horses and wagons and contract to haul supplies to the camps around Washington — Stables catch fire and everything destroyed — Resign position at $50 per month and enlist as a private soldier at $13 — Promoted to the first vacancy as Second Lieutenant in the Regiment. CHAPTER III. 1863. Appointed Second Lieutenant in Invalid Corps — Missing roll-call while on duty at Hartford, am placed in arrest (Arrest No. 5) — Detained while on an excursion, and arrested when I return (Arrest No. 6) — Placed in arrest while taking a detachment of substitutes to the front, for receiving a testimonial of gratitude (Arrest No. 7) — Recom mended for a commission in the First New Hampshire Cavalry by Colonel Fearing and Maj. George H. Chandler and ten other offi cers — Served with Lieut. U. A. Woodbury (since Governor of Ver mont) in conducting substitutes to the front — Detailed by Secretary (v) VI of War Stanton to deliver in person to General Grant private dis patches and important documents — Request General Grant to assign me to duty in the field— General Grant gives orders to General Raw lins to assign me to duty as an aide to General Hancock — General Grant remarks, "He will give him his fill of fighting, if that's what he's after" — Report to General Hancock — Striker Shaw called in to see "what the gentleman would have"— Specially complimented by General Hancock for promptness in carrying an order to General Barlow under heavy fire, and advancing the First Division at Cold Harbor— Events daily from "Wilderness" to Petersburg — Make mis take in borrowing Vermont Brigade Band to serenade General Han cock while he is asleep — Hancock troubled by old wound — Assigned temporarily to duty with General Birney — While examining the lines with Capt. Clayton McMichael of the Ninth Infantry, of General Birney's staff, ride in front of a masked battery — Captain McMichael wisely declines to follow — Narrowly escape the shells from the fusil- ades — Apply to be relieved from duty on General Hancock's staff — Arrive in time to take an active part in the fight with Early in the suburbs of Washington — Endorsed by President Lincoln for captain in the Regular Army — Appointed by Governor Seymour of New York as Captain of the Second New York Heavy Artillery on recom mendation of Hancock and others — Report to regiment — Command ing officers and others look upon me as an intruder — Complimented by inspecting officers and others for having one of the best disci plined and cleanest companies in the regiment — My company ordered to be excused from all fatigue and police duty for one week — Men tioned, in general orders by Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles for leading a charge and capturing the works at Hatcher's Run. CHAPTER IV. 1865. Recommended for a commission in the Regular Army by General Han cock, C. H. Tompkins, Col. James T. Close and Senator Joseph Segar — Recommended for a commission as major in One Hundred and Twenty-fifth New York Volunteer Infantry by General McDou gall — Induced to decline, being recommended and endorsed by every officer of the Second New York Artillery for a commission as major in my own regiment — While in command of left wing of Second Corps, ordered to keep connection with the Fifth Corps, being fur nished but 25 of 500 additional men applied for by General Scott — Highly complimented for holding the line with such a small number of men — False charges preferred by Lieutenant-Colonel Hogg, in command of regiment — Placed in arrest (Arrest No. 8) — Ordered be fore first court-martial — Found guilty — Upon unanimous recom mendation of court restored to duty — Prefer charges against Colonel Hogg — The colonel sentenced to be dismissed, cashiered and dis- oualified from holding an office of trust — On the march through Richmond, returning from Appomattox, meet D. M. Lee — -Invited to call on Gen. Robert E. Lee — Accept and spend a pleasant hour, over taking command at Yellow Tavern that night — Placed in command of Fort Whipple, Va., with four companies of artillery — Ordered to appear before Secretary of War — Report to Mr. Stanton and ordered to accompany General Townsend to the Arsenal to identify Dan. Lee among the prisoners in arrest for conspiracy in the assassination of Vll Mr. Lincoln — Report that he is not among them — Contradicted by Colonel Baker, the secret service detective — Assigned to- the First District of Eastern Virginia under Gen. O. O. Howard, of the Freed- man's Bureau — Establish headquarters at Fairfax Court House, Va. — Give grand Union Tournament as an offset to Jackson's tourna ment in 1861 — Invite ex-Confederates to participate — -Upon proof of ownership order property in possession of negroes returned to right ful owners — Sustained in my action by the War Department — Mus tered out and return to civil life — Commence farming at my old home stead in Virginia — Dressed as a farmer, accidently meet General Han cock, who is delighted to see me — Advised by the General to give up farming and enter the regular cavalry. CHAPTER V. 1866. Take advice and accept commission in Second United States Cavalry — Obtain interesting letters from Secretary Seward, General Howard, Gen. C. C. Augur, Col. M. I. Ludington (now Quartermaster-Gen eral) — Report to Col. I. N. Palmer, Second Cavalry, at Fort Ells worth — Ordered to Pond Creek — Lieut. A. E. Bates (now Pay master-General) and I select the site and commence Fort Wallace — Made Post Adjutant at Fort Wallace — Placed in command of Troop M — Take possession of stage horses while in pursuit of deserters and continue search — Arrest General Superintendent, placing him in the guard house for finding fault — March command from Fort Wallace to Fort Sedgwick, through country never before crossed by white man — Swim two rivers and destroy a village of Indians — Compli mented in general orders for "Performing the greatest cavalry feat ever before recorded" — Specially promoted by General Grant over the heads of several hundreds of Army officers — Placed in arrest for adopting methods of exercising horses not found in established tac tics (Arrest No. 9) — Required to stay over night during buffalo hunt on account of being lost — Placed in arrest on my return (Arrest No. 10). CHAPTER VI. 1867. Captain Mix assumes command of the Post, making me Post Adjutant — Orders me to place Colonel Neil in close arrest — Complimented by General Dodge for successful management of my command through a blizzard, where twenty-seven of my men were frozen after rescuing a party of wood choppers from the Indians in Lawrence Canon — Highly complimented by Capt. John Mix for care and attention given my command while on scout after Indians — Report to Cavalry Board for examination — Recommended thirty days for preparation for examination — -Pass satisfactorily — Give farewell party to friends in Washington — Leave for the frontier — Report at Leavenworth and organize a company — Assigned to duty with Gen. A. J. Smith at Fort Harker, Kans. — Cholera — Bury four or five men per day in the prai rie — Loss of brother — Sent on scout duty up the Smoky Hill River — Ordered to Fort Hays and assigned to duty with Capt. H. C. Corbin — Desperate fight on the Saline River with overwhelming force ot Indians — Thirty-five men killed and wounded out of 70 — Shot in hip Vill and lifted on my horse — Complimented for saving command — Rec ommended for brevet lieutenant-colonel by Captain Corbin, General Smith, General Hancock and General Sherman — Severe Indian fight, where I command two companies of Kansas cavalry in addition to my regulars — Corralled for three days — Lose large number of men and horses — Complimented by my commanding officer and by spe cial letter of General Hancock — Placed in arrest by Captain Oven- shine, who acts on false statement (Arrest No. ii) — No explanation of act — Released next day — Upon my recommendation Governor Crawford of Kansas mentions volunteers in general orders for part taken in Indian fight — Placed in arrest for assaulting Post-Quarter master and resenting insult (Arrest No. 12) — Many complimentary letters on account of part taken in Indian campaign of 1867. CHAPTER VII. , 1868. Ordered to Leavenworth, Kans., to appear before court-martial No. 2— Tried before court-martial at Leavenworth for assault on quarter master — Court composed of gentlemen — Honorably acquitted — Social life at Leavenworth — Capture several deserters near Topeka, Kans. — Governor Crawford's guest — Request Court of Inquiry — Pleasure trip to Jefferson City — March with command to Fort Hays, Kans. — Entertain Governor Price, General Crittenden and several railroad directors on a buffalo hunt — Mischief-making officers pre fer charges, seeking trouble for me — Major Kidd placed in command of battalion — Officers conspire to fix up another set of false charges — Placed in arrest (Arrest No. 13) — Turn command over to mischief-making sneak posing as an army officer — Well-trained chickens — Incident of Indian campaign in Kansas — Ordered to Fort Hays to report for trial (court-martial No. 3)— Lieutenant Brownell, who shot Jackson, the slayer of Ellsworth, Judge Advocate of Court — Charge of "conduct prejudicial to good order and military disci pline" — Appear before court-martial composed of honorable and just men — Honorably acquitted — Sentence of court approved by Depart ment Commander — Reprimanded and released from arrest without explanation of cause (Arrest No. 14) — General Sully investigates and orders release — Ordered to relieve Major Kidd and take command of the battalion — Ordered after a band of Indians near Fort Dodge, Kans. — March to Fort Lyon, C. T. — Gen. William Penrose relieves me of command, and we start in Indian campaign without forage for animals — General Penrose orders horses shot in rear of command as fast as they give out — Placed in arrest by Captain Byrne (Arrest No. 15) — Prefer charges against Captain Byrne, who was also placed in arrest by General Penrose. CHAPTER VIII. 1869. Several months of scouting— Return of command to Fort Lyon, mostly on foot, and in a terribly demoralized condition — Garrison life at Fort Lyon — Complimented by Generals Carr and Penrose — Released from arrest and placed in command of four companies of Cavalry — Ordered to Fort Dodge, Kans. — Place Major Cox in arrest — Arrival at Fort Dodge — Order a Board of Survey in relation to horses — IX Prefer charges against Major Graham for selling Government horses and mules — Investigation by General Schofield's brother — Place Major Graham in arrest — Ordered to Fort Leavenworth — Court- martial convenes at Fort Harker for my trial (Court-martial No. 4) — Placed in arrest and ordered befor it by General Schofield (Arrest No. 16) — Order of arrest suspended after investigation — Ordered to Camp Supply, Ind. T. — Correspondence through Major Page in rela tion to Captain Graham — Lieut.-Col. A. D. Nelson takes command of Camp Supply — Arbitrary act and brutal treatment by Colonel Nel son — Colonel Carpenter assists me in bringing charges against Col onel Nelson and Captain Graham — Defense of Major Graham by General Schofield and Colonel Nelson — Indian entertainment at Camp Supply — False charges connived by Major Cox, Major Gra ham and Colonel Nelson — Major Page, in the absence of Colonel Nelson, places me in arrest (Arrest No. 17) — Lieutenant Williams, Third Infantry, places me in arrest by order of Colonel Nelson, with ten miles' limit (Arrest No. 18) — Prefer charges against Col. A. D. Nelson — Placed in arrest and ordered for trial at Fort Leavenworth, Kans., by General Schofield (Arrest No. 19; Court-martial No. 5). CHAPTER IX. 1870. Ordered before a picked court of army loafers — Maj. Lewis Merrill, Judge Advocate — Desperate effort of General Schofield and his conspira tors to force me out of the Army — Sent to common guard house in full uniform by General Sturgis, president of court — General Scho field declines to try Colonel Nelson and denounces me in violent terms — Inform a member of court I would not believe him under oath — General Custer comes to my defense — Purpose to force me out of the service — Bring civil action against court-martial, and have court arrested for false imprisonment — Court reassembles — Dismissed from the service — Ordered several hundred miles out on the frontier by General Schofield — General Miles and many other officers testify in my defense — Arbitrary and brutal action of General Schofield and his picked court — Sacrifice $10,000 worth of property and life-long savings to defend my commission — Borrow money to pay my way to Washington — Arrival at Washington penniless — Interesting let ters from Governor Kirkwood and others of note to Secretary of War in my behalf — Judge Moore and Justice Bright take me into their office free of rent and back me up in my expenses — Employ Judge T. W. Bartley, bother-in-law of General Sherman, and Hon. F. P. Stan ton and Judge Joseph Casey as counsel and attorneys-at-law to pre sent my case — Call on Secretary of War Belknap with letter from Governor Kirkwood — -Insulted and harshly treated — Meet with finan cial success in the real-estate business. CHAPTER X. 1871. Take in social features of the season — Appeal to Members, Senators and officials in my behalf — Correspondence with many sympathizing friends — Agreement made with Secretary of War to restore me to Army on condition civil suit against court at Leavenworth is with drawn — Belknap demands resignation in blank, which is given, but recalled — Petition to Congress, President and the Secretary of War. CHAPTER XI. 1872. Social features of the early part of the year— Captain Carpenter, now brigadier-general, turns traitor and sends a false and disgraceful peti tion to Congress to try to prevent my restoration — Endorse notes, loan money and lose it— Social features in the city of Washington and at watering places — Purchase newspaper and enter into politics — Active .interest of Senators and Members in my behalf— At Saratoga —Challenged by Governor Hoffman of New York to produce any Southern gentleman who was a better horseman than he could pro duce from the North — Challenge accepted— Commodore Vanderbilt becomes interested with Governor Hoffman— Select tournament given and the North challenged — Southern knights carry off the prize — Duel — Newspaper quotes "a fiery young colonel from the im petuous South challenges to mortal combat an inoffensive citizen from the frigid North." CHAPTER XII. 1S73. Committee on Military Affairs makes a favorable report in my behalf- Secretary Belknap writes a private letter to General Logan, Chair man of Military Committee in the Senate, to defeat me — General Logan acts on advice of letter — Makes adverse report without investi gation — General Coburn writes letter to Senator Morton requesting him to take my part — Successful real-estate transactions — Profit of $24,662.50 — Request authority of the President to organize a com mand to avenge the death of General Ryan and his unfortunate men who were butchered by the Spaniards — Two of the officers who pre ferred charges against me convicted, cashiered, dismissed, fined $500 and sentenced to the penitentiary for a term of years — ^63,000 net profit in real-estate transactions. CHAPTER XIII. 1874. Social features of the season — Letter of Secretary of War Belknap to Senator Clayton aiming to defeat my restoration — Petition of promi nent officials and citizens to Congress in my behalf — Many letters of recommendation from prominent men — Senator Clayton makes a strong report, which is agreed to by the Senate Military Committee — Bill passes both Houses granting an honorable discharge — Secretary Belknap tries to defeat it with the President — Major Graham tries to murder United States Paymaster Brookes — Success in real-estate business — Wed daughter of Hon. John Bozman Kerr of Maryland. CHAPTER XIV. 1875. Social features of the New Year — Introduce a bill for restoration to full rank — Many large transaction in real estate — Belknap's continued attacks — Reply to petition of officers of the regiment and others sent to Congress to prevent my restoration — Popularity of Speaker Blaine — Correspondence with Fred. Grant and Gen. James O'Bierne — Help to defeat Secretary Belknap for his Senatorship — Secure evidence of crooked transactions of Secretary Belknap — Prosperous year finan cially — -Fail to secure passage of bill for restoration to rank. CHAPTER XV. 1876. Social features during the year — Generals Palmer, Penrose and many other officers take an active part in assisting me to my restoration — St. Louis Times publishes charges against Belknap — Bring charges before Speaker Randall, who orders investigation, with Hon. B. B. Lewis of Alabama to assist in carrying them through — General Glo ver of Missouri makes a favorable report in relation to my restora tion — Write letter of warning to Secretary Belknap not to protest against my restoration — Threaten to force him out of his office if he does — Mr. Clymer tries to save Belknap from impeachment and ad vises him to resign — Exciting accounts of the downfall of Secretary Belknap and "how it came about" — Get passes to the floor of the House — Secretary of War Taft takes special interest in my behalf. CHAPTER XVI. 1877. Social features — Hon. Henry W. Watterson entertains General Garfield while my bill passes— Report of the Judge Advocate, General Dunn, in opposition to my restoration — Petition and letters from many prominent officials in my behalf — Bill having passed both Houses to restore me to my former rank, President Grant fails to sign it. CHAPTER XVII. 1878. Customary social features of the season — Have bill introduced in both Houses — Colonel Maish makes strong report — Bill passes through the Military Committee of the House — Senator Edmunds tries to de feat it in the Senate — Senator Blaine takes my part against Senator Edmunds — Carries bill with yeas and nays — Senator Edmunds has only six supporters — Given commission by President Hayes — Or dered to regiment in Texas — Received invitation from Hon. Charles J. Faulkner, together with President and friends, to be entertained at his house in West Virginia — Meet Col. B. H. Grierson — Obstacles thrown in my way by him to make life unpleasant — Brutal action of Major McLaughlin, my commanding officer at Fort Stockton — Placed in arrest by Major McLaughlin on account of the misspelling of a soldier's name by a sergeant of the guard (Arrest No. 20) — Gen eral Grierson and his conspirators determine I shall not remain in the regiment — Ordered before court-martial No. 6, convened at San Antonio, Texas — Over 400 miles by stage with witnesses — Dutch man ¦ Judge Advocate — Decision by Department Commander, after careful examination, charges do not warrant trial— Released from arrest and returned to duty— Complimentary congratulations upon my restoration — Palmer's opinion of me. Xll CHAPTER XVIII. 1879. Social features at Fort Stockton— Lieut.-Col. M. M. Blunt, Twenty-fifth Infantry, a boot-lick of Grierson, takes command at Fort Stockton — Makes contract surgeon out of a spy and mischief-maker and assigns him to duty in my command — Scout after Indians — Lieutenant Esterly and Dr. Price connive and fix up set of false charges — Ordered to San Antonio as witness on trial of Major Geddes, who was being tried under false charges by the Dutchman Testify in his behalf — Lieut. O. J. Sweet plays the part of spy, and examines the slops in order to try and find ground for charges — Several ignorant negroes induced to agree to swear to malicious and false charges fixed up by Blunt and his conspirators, and on recommendation of the Dutchman, General Ord is induced to order a court (Arrest No. 21 ; Court-martial No. 7) — Court ordered to meet at Fort Stockton for my trial — Specially selected to do the dirty work of those inter ested in my overthrow — The Dutchman Judge Advocate — President of the court and one of the members so drunk no justice to be ex pected of either — Sentenced to dismissal by the court — Dishonorable and tricky transaction by the Judge Advocate — Sentence of court commuted to one year's confinement at post or station — Brutal, dis graceful and arbitrary treatment of Colonel Grierson — Forced into a bare room and refused privilege of calling on any officer, soldier or citizen — Kept forty-eight hours without food — No apparent attention given by the court to witnesses in my behalf — Colonel Blunt deceives Department Commander in his wilful misrepresentations in my case. CHAPTER XIX. 1880. In arrest — Social functions of the New Year not agreeable — Second Lieutenant Esterly — Sympathy of the citizens of the whole country — Expressed disapproval of my harsh treatment — Another set of charges by Grierson and Clous on account of refusal to give up copy of Mornmg Report Book — Court ordered to meet at McKavett (Court-martial No. 8) — The old "fossil," Neil, President — Several "boot-licks," under the control of the Dutchman , compose the rest of the members — Forcibly brought before the court in weak and nervous condition — Sentenced to dismissal in accordance with the purpose for which court was organized — No evidence of grounds to warrant such sentence — Sentence commuted to six months' suspen sion and confinement at the post with half pay — Col. H. C. Corbin writes letter in my behalf. CHAPTER XX. 1881. Serving sentence at Fort McKavett, Texas — Colonel Shafter, First In fantry, in command — Indulgent commanding officer — Colonel Pen- nypacker. Sixteenth Infantry, also commands McKavett — Shows his sympathy — Officers of the First and Sixteenth Infantry very friendly — Paymaster and Mrs. Robison prove their true friendship — News papers comment favorably— Several real-estate transactions— Mali- Xlll cious charge questioning sanity — Ordered before medical board for examination — Comments of the press — Arbitrary proceeding — Pay master-General Terrell proves his friendship — -Medical board disap points my persecutors in their finding — Ordered to serve sentence at Concho — Colonel Grierson forbids me from accepting invitation to dine with Lieutenant Davis — General Vincent refuses transportation for family from San Antonio — Appears to be in collusion with the conspirators — Post Chaplain Weaver sends meals to prevent starva tion — Grierson issues orders forbidding me to visit any building, offi cer or citizen at post — Apply for transfer from regiment — Insomnia — Change headquarters from Concho to Stockton — Indignant com ments of friends on persecution of Generals Grierson, Ord, Vincent and Blunt — A miracle that I survive through it — Colonel Shafter for wards, approved and recommended my application affecting pay — Lieut.-Col. James F. Wade succeeds Blunt in command of post — Cor respondence with General Hazen — Letters from prominent officials and friends submitted to board. CHAPTER XXI. 1882. Allowed the limits of the post at Fort Stockton — Sentence expires — As sume command of my company — Colonel Wade shows hostility — Orders me on drill and tries to detect mistake — Colonel Wade repri mands me for associating and entertaining citizens — Real-estate transaction — Granted leave of absence and visit Washington — Enter into a large transaction with General Swaim and Colonel Ingersoll — Commence- building two fine houses — Secretary of War Lincoln shows his hostility — Adjutant-General Drum pretends to be an inti mate friend — Ordered bacl»to Texas, leaving family in Washington — Lieutenant Bullis proves his friendship — Major McClellan a just commanding officer — Colonel Wade doing all he can to find some excuse for charges — Colonel Wade disapproves application for a sick leave — Letter of Lieutenant Flipper — Form a stock company consist ing of General Hazen, Colonel Rockwell, Governor Davis, Hon. C. B. Farwell, Col. H. C. Corbin and Governor John C. Brown. CHAPTER XXII. 1883. Colonel Wade continues effort to find grounds for charges — General Vincent pursues course of hostility- — Forced to perform full duty when physically unable — General Drum proves "tricky"- — Ordered on scout after Indians — Colonel Wade encourages insubordination of men in my company — He makes false representations to Depart ment Commander — Medical board convenes, and three officers from the court-martial which sentenced dismissal made members — Scur rilous charges and false report fixed up by Dr. Carter and Colonel Wade — Board recommends retirement — Leave of absence given for six months — Revoked — Forcibly and arbitrarily retired as senior cap tain — Apply for order of retirement to be revoked — Colonel Wade placed in false light by written statement of officers at post — Call on President in person and protest against action of board — Engage in real-estate business, making several large transactions, XIV CHAPTER XXIII. 1884. Secure appropriation by Congress for the adoption of a pneumatic gun carriage — Take an active part as a member of Military Committee at Inauguration of Mr. Cleveland — Controversy with Secretary of War Lincoln in regard to retirement — Bill introduced into the Senate — Recalled through representations of Col. John Bacon of General Sherman's staff — Correspondence with Senator Williams— Memorial furnished Congress explaining retirement — Letter to President Aur- thur denouncing his Secretary of War Robert T. Lincoln's unjust act — Gen. James A. Denver my counsel. CHAPTER XXIV. 1885. Attend President's reception in full uniform — Large amount of property put into my hands exclusively to sell — Real-estate transaction with Hon. Washington McLean — Protest against Major Merrill's promo tion — Sell Secretary Whitney of the Navy a country resort — List of the many sales of property during the year — Real-estate transaction with Hon. Levi P. Morton — Correspondence with General Reno in relation to Colonel Merrill submitted to the Secretary of War — Beautify and improve my country resort — Entertain many guests. CHAPTER XXV 1886. Call on General Sheridan and march with the rest- of officers to call on the President — Spicy correspondence «in relation to Major Merrill — Appointed full colonel and Superintendent of Military Academy at Oxford by the Governor of Maryland — Take possession as General Superintendent of the Academy, and purchase all the property — Cor respondence in relation to the Dutchman Capt. L. T. Eades' interest in business transactions — Cause Major Merrill's nomination for Lieutenant-Colonel to be withdrawn from the Senate — Invitations to receptions at the Executive Mansion — Secure large subscription for purchase of home for Mrs. General Hancock — Transaction with Senator McPherson and Chief Justice H. E. Jackson — Select a coun try residence for President Cleveland — A train chartered for thirty- five days — Visit California and many Western States — Entertained by President Callahan- of the First National Bank of San Francisco — Invited on excursion by Governor Stoneman — For lack of time drop retirement controversy. CHAPTER XXVI. 1887. Social features of the New Year — General Drum's pretended friendship in securing an Army officer as inspector of cadets, afterwards dis covered treacherous — Assistant Superintendent Burgess proves de faulter and disappears with a large amount of funds, breaking up the school — Letters from members of Congress and others in relation to their sons at the Military Academy — Arrange with St. John's Acad emy to take charge of all cadets who had paid their tuition in advance —Sacrifice thousands of dollars' worth of property to satisfy obliga tions — Took active part in ovation given Governor Shepherd — Assist in getting up riding club and build Academy — President Cleveland and Cabinet take an active part. CHAPTER XXVII. 1888. Social features— Take active part in convention at St. Louis in the nomi nation of President Cleveland — Entertain Governor Stoneman of California, and assist him in getting on the retired list — Important letter of Mr. Lincoln in regard to saving the Union without refer ence to freeing any slaves — Write several letters in the interests of politics — Net profit of $14,600 over living expenses during the year. CHAPTER XXVIII. 1889. Call on President Cleveland — Social features of the season — Visit and interview with Congressman Kilgore of Texas — Governor James A. Beaver, a comrade whom I had served with and known for years, appoints me colonel and aide on his staff — Take an active part in making parade successful — Insulted by General Hastings — Several large real-estate transactions — Notified by General Hastings that Governor Beaver had telegraphed him I was not to ride on his staff — Assigned to duty as a special escort to President Harrison at the Inauguration — Assaulted on the parade by two drunken Army offi cers by order of Governor Beaver (Arrest No. 22) — Demand apology of Governor Beaver — Demand refused — Governor Beaver throws off his position as Governor of Pennsylvania while in Washington and defies me to resent his insult as a private citizen — Not wishing to strike him, I tweak his nose as my only course — General Schofield and his conspirators make capital and pick a court of Army loafers to force me out of the service (Court-martial No. 9; Arrest No. 23) — Sentenced to dismissal by the court — Commuted to suspension for five years and deprived of uniform — Washington city selected for con finement, with fifty miles limit for exercise — One hundred prominent citizens of Pennsylvania sign set of resolutions and present me with a gold medal costing $300 in approval of my act in resenting the insult of Governor Beaver — Ordered by General Schofield to refuse medal, which I decline to do — Return answer, "I propose to accept medal, and $10,000 would not be an inducement to return it" — Gen eral Schofield orders charges preferred, but finds my reply of use as a real-estate advertisement — Anxious to vent his spite, secretly orders medical board for the purpose of adjudging me insane- — Discovers his mistake — Comments of press on court-martial affair. CHAPTER XXIX. 1890. Interview with Senator Stewart, who enters into one of the largest real- estate transactions that ever took place in Washington — -Present plan for extending Connecticut avenue, and require $3,500,000 in cash to carry it out— Lease office and fill it with stenographers, clerks, etc., XVI invest $10,000 in horses and vehicles, hire a lawyer at $20 per day, and purchase hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of property to carry out plan of extending the only avenue of the city that has ever been carried outside the boundary to the District line — Donate ground through my country property for this purpose — Letters of General Spinner and others — Thousands of dollars cleared during the year's transactions. CHAPTER XXX. 1891. Under sentence of court — Unable to engage in official social features of the New Year — Complete my part in connection with purchasing land, extending avenue and building railroad — Associating with Sen ator Stanford, Senator Hearst and many other officials, who interest themselves in transactions — Deliver address in relation to the present and future of the city of Washington — Correspondence with the Pres ident in relation to unjust sentence being remitted — President remits sentence of five years' suspension, placing my status as before trial. CHAPTER XXXI. 1892. A_ttend President's reception on New Year's Day for first time since court-martial — Take in all social features of the season — List of prop erty accumulated in business transactions since retirement, with orig inal cost and present value — Entertain fifty men of the Second New York Artillery at my residence during the G. A. R. Encampment — Reception given to full regiment — Several large transactions nego tiated during the year. CHAPTER XXXII. 1893. Take active part in social features of the year — Aide on Chief Marsha! McMahon's staff at President's Inauguration — How General Grant got his Arabian stallion to this country — Letter from Governor Beaver — Reunion of the Second Army Corps. CHAPTER XXXIII. 1894. March with the General of the Army and other officers to call on the President— Other social features of the New Year— Attend brilliant wedding of Senator Charles J. Faulkner at Hampton. Va.— Take active part in meetings of the Sons of the American Revolution and Second Army Corps Association— Entertain several hundred promi nent guests at birthday anniversary— Catholic priest interferes with family affairs— Sisters of the Holy Cross Convent connive with priest in secreting daughter— Letters of Senator Redfield Proctor— Corre spondence with General Shafter— Correspondence with Cardinal Gibbons in connection with the dishonorable acts of Fathers Barry and Stafford and Sister Angelica— Catholic lawyers employed to se cure separation — Case compromised outside of court. XVII CHAPTER XXXIV. 1895. March with General Schofield for the last time to call on President Cleveland — Take in customary social features of the New Year — Re quest General Schofield to concur in act authorizing brevet — Special request made to General Schofield by the following-named Senators to make me brevet lieutenant-colonel as a personal favor: Charles H. Gibson, Charles J. Faulkner, J. R. McPherson, J. N. Camden, A. P. Gorman, W. C. Squire, W. N. Roach, Eppa Hunton, H. M. Teller, Charles F. Henderson, John H. Mitchell, C. K. Davis, William M. Stewart, William P. Frye, O. H. Piatt, E. O. Walcott, D. W. Voor hees, Nelson W. Aldrich, W. B. Allison. Justin S. Morrill, J. B. Gor don, Joseph M. Carey, J. C. Burrows, John P. Jones, S. M. Cullom, John W. Daniels, H. C. Hansbrough, N. C. Blanchard, T. C. Power, R. Proctor, John T. Morgan, Francis E. Warren, Stephen M. White, Edward Murphy, Calvin S. Brice, George C. Perkins — Also the fol lowing Members: J. E. Washington, W. M. Springer, W. S. Eng lish, T. J. Campbell, John J. O'Neill, S. B. Cooper, S. J. Schermer- horn, Joseph H. O'Neill, W. S. Holman, E. N. Lockwood, C. A. Cadmus, S. A. Geissenhainer, John Van Voorhis, M. T. Stevens, Charles S. Randall, A. C. Durborow, J. W. Wadsworth, James R. McCreary, Ad. Meyer, J. M. Allen, E. J. Erdman, T. W. Philips, Jos. M. Outhwaite, Charles Tracy, W. C. P. Breckenridge, Francis G. Newlands, George D. Wise, C. B. Kilgo-re, T. M. Pachel, Jason B. Brown, Henry H. Bingham. A. B. Wright, H. D. Money, Lewis Sperry, George F. Huff, E. E. Meredith, J. H. Walker, C. H. Gros- vener, Charles E. Hooker, Thomas J. Henderson, Walter I. Hayes, J. C. Kennon, W. J. Bryan, A. S. Perry, Elijah A. Morse, Marcus A. Smith, C. B. Culberson,. A. C. Harmer, J. S. W. Marshall, Seth L. Milliken, J. S. Sherman, Joseph Wheeler, W. I. Wilson, Peter J. Somers, W. J. White, John T. Heard, Joseph C. Sibley, Thomas Set tle, B. McMillan, William J. Cooms, Edward J. Duffy — General Schofield, having obtained his promotion as Lieutenant-General, ignores the Senators and Members who helped him to secure it — Spicy correspondence with General Schofield and the War Depart ment — False and malicious affidavits fixed up and signed by vaga bond negroes to ruin my character availed of as an excuse for ignor ing recommendations — Comments of the press on Schofield's under handed and arbitrary act — Before his retirement, remind General Schofield in a letter I had given him no cause for his persecutions and making my life a hell and trying to ruin me through my official . life by misrepresentations — General Schofield sends officers and guard to private house with orders to arrest and have me confined in a guard house at Washington Barracks (Arrest No. 24) — Appear be fore Justice Bradley on writ of habeas corpus — My release, and Gen eral Schofield scored. CHAPTER XXXV. 1896. Large assemblage at the War Department to greet new and popular Gen eral of the Army, General Nelson A. Miles, who marched at the head „ of the column to call on the President, making the most brilliant dis play witnessed for years— Take an active part in the social features XV111 of the year — Second Army Corps, Sons of the American Revolution and Army of the Potomac banquets — Private property seized by order of Justice Hagner — Correspondence with Gen. Daniel Butterfield and Hon. L. P. Morton— Take an active part in the dedication of the Hancock statue— March with General Miles to Seventh street and Pennsylvania avenue, where the monument of Hancock is erected— Renewal and withdrawal of divorce case — Newspaper comments in relation thereto — Purchase the famous Appomattox battlefields, where General Lee surrendered. CHAPTER XXXVI. 1897. March as usual with the Army officers from the War Department to the President's New Year's Day — Take in social features of the season — Turn my Appomattox battlefields into a sheep farm — Correspond ence with the War Department in relation to brevet — Take an active part in Second Army Corps banquet at Hotel Shoreham, furnishing Appomattox brandy for the punch — Attend Second Army Corps at Troy, N. Y. — Invited to lunch at the President's stand at Buffalo, N. Y., during the Grand Army Review — Visit Montreal — Correspond ence with the War Department. CHAPTER XXXVII. 1898. Attend reception at the Ebbitt House given by Queen Lilliuokalani and the Hawaiian Commission, who sang, played and entertained their guests with mandolin, guitar and piano — Colonel and Mrs. Horn give musical entertainment at their Corcoran street home— General C. H. Grosvenor appears to take a personal interest in my behalf — Gen. George B. Fielder appointed chairman of the committee in rela tion to the purchase of Appomattox for a National Park — Report General Schofield to the War Department in relation to his cowardice during the war — Suggest that Congress repeal act making him Lieu tenant-General on account of his disgrace to the American nation — Comments of the press — Letter to President McKinley — Special re quest and recommendations to the President of the United States to make me a Brigadier-General by the following-named officials: Amos J. Cummings, Hugh A. Dinsmore, John S. Rhea, V. Warner, A. S. Berry, John L. Brenner, J. W. Washorth, I. A. Walker, Richard A. Wise, John Lamb, Claude S. Swanson, R. B. Hawley, G. W. Curtis Charles T. Joy, J. Yost, William W. Sweet, Wallace T. Foote. Rufus E. Leiter, John F. Rixey, W. C. Jones, John W. Ross, John A. T. Hull, Benjamin F. Marsh, Michael Griffin, John H. Ketcham, Lucien J. Fenton, Rowland B. Mahany. Hugh R. Belknap, John McDonald, Walter P. Brownlow, William Sulzer, Charles H. Martin, Nicholas N. Cox, John J. Lentz, James Hay, Thomas M. Jett, Marcus A. Smith, Herman D. Reeve, William C. Mentzer, Lucien Baker, James D. Brady, Henry H. Bingham. T. G. Alvord, John W. Daniels. Thos. S. Martin, T. S. Sherman, J. J. Belden, Frank H. Hosford. John Rus sell Young, John M. Carson, D. E. McComas, A. C. Bradley. H M Teller, W. N. Roach, C. W. Grosvenor, J. M. Thurston— Underhand current in the War Department prevents favorable action of the Presi dent — Whitewash board appointed to investigate the case-— Explana tion of dishonest acts of officials in the War Department. XIX CHAPTER XXXVIII. 1899. Attend reception in full dress uniform as usual, meeting many friends — Take active part in social features of the season — Most of the year spent in trying to obtain justice of the President — Senator Daniels of Virginia takes a personal interest in my behalf — Secretary of War Alger controlled in his official acts by unreliable and untrustworthy subordinates — Correspondence with the War Department and Presi dent of the United States — Business neglected at great financial sacri fice, on account of time taken to seek redress at the War Department — General Miles concurs in Generals Hancock and Sherman's recom mendation for brevet lieutenant-colonel, making the record clear and ready for the President's action — President hesitates to act favorably on account of underhanded misrepresentations made to him — Copies of important documents in relation to my record denied me by Adju tant-General Corbin — The worst mixed and mystifying case ever be fore the War Department for investigation — Suggest that the War Department be investigated — Account of nine courts-martial and twenty-five arrests — Papers with recommendations still before the President for action. PREFACE The principal purpose of this book is to expose and, if possible, to correct the wrongs and injustice inflicted by unscrupulous and designing officers of the United States Army upon brave and honest junior officers, and not for self-adulation or to leave foot prints on the sands of time in my own personal and official career, and I believe the reader can readily observe that all through my experience my only persecutors have been men whose characters would not bear investigation and whose brutal natures are such that they should not be placed in positions where they can take advantage of the authority entrusted to them. Many men are of such caliber that they cannot bear prosperity. The reader of this book who concludes that I may have drawn an unreal picture of Schofield, unfairly indicating his career, should study his life as written by himself. Having kept a diary since 1861, I am enabled to refresh my memory from extracts, omitting many events that would prove interesting, but much too sentimental, but believe I will be upheld and sustained by all fair-minded persons. From my past career, some may be under the impression that I have been a mischief-maker, meddling with affairs that do not concern me, but the reader can readily see that my course has been taken only in self-defence ; that I have given the true caliber of my persecutors and in some cases exposed their unscrupulous dishonesty and brutal acts, showing that they should be classed more as animals than as human beings. There seems to be a de termination among Army officers of a certain class that a restored officer should not remain in the Army, and all kinds of under handed measures are resorted to to make his life unbearable or force him out. (1) In my case it was the determination of General Grierson and others to heap upon me all the indignities possible in order that I might be forced to resign and make room for some one else. When it is found from his record that he sprang up to the position of a Major-General from that of a common bone-rattler in a minstrel troupe you will appreciate the kind of characters that occasionally get into prominent positions. In the Graham case it was known by many that when under going a sentence in the peniten tiary for attempted murder and robbery he had been par doned and was finally com missioned a captain in the regular Army, and because I brought to light some of his dishonest and disgraceful acts General Schofield, Col onel Nelson, Colonel Merrill, General Grierson Entertaining His Friends. 'Major Page and others took his part against me, although they knew well that he was one of the worst villains that breathed. Being a good gambler, however, some officers were largely in debted to him, and money goes a great way in some places. In regard to the Dutchman, , he has always had the "cheek" of a brass band and has succeeded in gulling many and making them believe that he is an individual of some importance. Landing at Castle Garden, he was afterwards put in the band by reason of his blowing his own trumpet, and, taking advantage of Just Landing at Castle Garden. the weakness of ignorant conspirators, he finally succeeded, when his brother-in-law was in great favor with the President, in being made brigadier-general. The Army Lawyer Blowing His Own Horn. Calls on President in New 1 mention only the foregoing as examples of those with whom I have been brought in personal contact. If there are others in the Army of the same caliber I leave it for some one else to single them out ; but these individuals have been my unrelenting persecutors for many years. There is no doubt but that an investigation will show many in official life of the same stamp as those I have just mentioned. Although their number is so great as to preclude individual mention in this place, I am proud of the stainless character of those who have ever stood by me in my trials and tribulations, and my gratitude to them shall be unfailing while life shall last. May the Giver of all good keep them, one and all, in everlasting remembrance. Among them I cannot forbear naming : C. H. Burgess, with whom I have been associated for over thirty- five years, now a director in one of our prominent banks, and one of the leading business men of the District, who has shown his true friendship and confidence in me by his acts and deeds. Nothing that has been said or published against me by my enemies or tra- ducers has had the least effect in shaking his confidence. There has not been an instance when I have been in need of funds but what he has come to my rescue, and when not having it to hand me in cash, has always managed to procure it in any amount that I required. Hon. M. G. Emery, a leading banker ; Wheatley Bros., well-known lumber merchants; J. B. Lambie; M.. C. Mitchell, stoves and tinware ; Brookes & Clark, hardware merchants ; Lans- burgh Bros., dry goods merchants ; Hahn, the shoe-dealer ; Muth & Co., paints and oils ; William McKnew, dry goods ; Saks & Co., clothiers ; King's Palace, millinery, etc.; Stinemetz & Son, hatters ; Crane, Paris & Co., bankers — are among the business men who have known me personally for years and have given me unlimited credit. Their friendship has been proven by their acts. Among others are three Waggaman brothers, whom I must not fail to mention as having done more towards the advancement, development and beautifying of the District and adding to its at tractions by laying out streets and parks than any other three men here— Thomas E., treasurer of the Catholic University; H. P., in regard to the beautifying of the suburbs ; John F., having been a large real-estate owner, and through his energy, foresight and advanced ideas originated features of great attraction for the welfare of not only the residents of and visitors to Washington, but for many other cities whose citizens who desire to enjoy the advantages at "Ocean City," which he has beautified at great C. H. BURGESS. expense, and which is one of the most desirable summer resorts around any of the cities in the Union. And I must not fail to mention Mr. C. C. Willard, one of the energetic and self-made business men of the District, owner of the Ebbitt, the established headquarters for the Army and Navy ; also J. W. Thompson, one of the leading bankers and one of the largest real-estate owners in the District, who came to my rescue at a time of need, advancing me several thousand dollars; T. Franklin Schneider, who has built over 3000 houses, and John Sherman, who was one of the principals in beautifying Cleveland Park. Among the popular and successful real-estate brokers are W. H. Saunders, Heiskell & McLeran, L. P. Shoemaker and W. F. Ellis, who represent facts without color. Among the lawyers are E. L. McClelland and C. G. Lee, with whom I have been associated for a number of years in the same office, where we have been brought in daily contact with each other in many transactions, with whom no disruption has ever oc curred and who are ready to lend a helping hand if necessary in any connection where their aid would be of service to me. Gen. William Birney, one of the oldest lawyers at the bar, has been on the most friendly terms with me for years; the firms of Douglass, Mackall & Maedel, E. Thomas, Henry E. Davis, Wm. C. Prentiss, Shellabarger & Wilson, B. F. Grafton and Ralston & Siddons, who have been my main attorneys in many transactions, and are still in matters that are continually coming to the front. Among the Senators I feel it my duty to mention by name Sen ator John W. Daniel of Virginia, who has given weeks of his time to looking over papers and records and keeping himself familiar with the attacks upon me and the source from which they come. Senator Cushman K. Davis is another one of the most prominent lawyers of our country who has kindly taken interest of a sym pathetic nature to see that I get justice. I flatter myself that I have in them two of the most eminent lawyers this country has ever produced to aid me. As they are so well known and idolized by the country it is not necessary for me to say- more. Senators Ii. M. Teller, F. M. Cockrell, Lucien Baker, Clarence D. Clark, Shelby M. Cullom, William P. Frye, J. B. Foraker, H. C. Hans- brough, George F. Hoar, William M. Stewart, J. P. Jones, J. McMillan, T. S. Martin, H. D. Money, J. C. Spooner, G. L. Shoup, J. M. Thurston, J. T. Morgan, E. W. Pettus, W. P. Kel logg, F. E. Warren and S. B. Elkins; the late S. B. Maxey and James G. Blaine have also shown a strong friendship for me, Among the members of the House of Representatives who have been my true and able supporters are Hon. John C. Coburn, chair man of the Military Committee; Joseph W. Babcock, James J. Belden, Henry H. Bingham, Charles A. Boutelle, Gen. B. M. Cutcheon, Gen. J. A. T. Hull, now chairman of the Military Com mittee, Robert G. Cousins, Amos J. Cummings, George M. Curtis, R, C. DeGrafenreid, Hugh A. Dinsmore, James Hay, William Sulzer of New York, C. H. Grosvenor, John H. Ketcham, Benton McMillan, Benjamin F. Marsh, Edwin R. Ridgely ; also the late Hon. Frank Morey, Levi P. Maish and Richard A. Wise, who took a personal interest in my behalf, as shown by their acts and deeds. I mention the following names of newspaper men with whom I have been connected personally and who nobly defended me on the ground of justice : John Russell Young ; L. A. Coolidge, Boston Journal, New York Commercial; F. P. Morgan, Boston Traveler; F. A. Richardson, W. W. Smith, Baltimore Sun; A. B. Atkins, Brooklyn Daily Eagle; C. A. Hamilton, Brooklyn Times; Walter Stilson Hutchins, Wash ington Times; Julius Guthridge, Buffalo Commercial; Frank H. Hosford, Anaconda Standard and other papers ; R. M. Lamer, Charleston News; W. L. Crounse, Detroit Free Press; John M. Carson, Philadelphia Ledger; William E. Curtis, Chicago Record; Gen. W. H. Roberts, of the press; Smith D. Fry, Des Moines Register; E. B. Smith, Washington Post; Raymond Patterson, Chicago Tribune; William C. McBride, S. E. Johnson, W. K. Eichardson, Cincinnati Enquirer; John S. Shriver, Cincinnati Times-Star ; Charles A. Edwards, San Antonio Express, Houston Post; Charles C. Carlton, Nezv York Herald; W. A. Edwards, Kan sas City Times; O. O. Steal ey and H. Watterson Stealey, Louisville Courier- Journal'; H. C. Stevens, Newburg Daily Neivs; J. M. Sarvis, New York Daily Neivs; R. Schroeder, New York Standard ' Zeitung; E. J. Gibson, Philadelphia Press; William B. Shaw, Phila delphia Inquirer; H. B. F. McFarland, Philadelphia Record; W. R. Bell, Pittsburg Leader ; A. E. Heiss, Pittsburg Dispatch; Charles W. Metzger, Pittsburg Commercial Gazette, Albany Journal and St. Louis Globe-Democrat; A. S. Ayres, manager of Scripps-McRae Press Association ; Albert J. Stofer, C. A. Boynton, Associated tress; G. E. Gilliland, Toledo Bee; H. L. West, Washington Post; Robert O. Bailey, Washington Times; Edward M. Boyd, San Fran cisco Chronicle; Gen. H. C. Boynton, Associated Press; Henry C. Hayes, New York Sun; J. A. Mathews, Chicago News; Charles T. Thompson, Associated Press; J. S. Van Antwerp, San Francisco Examiner and The Wisconsin (Milwaukee) ; Francis E. Leupp, New York Evening Post; George W. Rouzer, John C. Williams and C. O'Laughlin, New York Herald; E. G. Dunnell New York Times; Selden N. Clark, New York Tribune; Max F. Ihmsen and Mr. Stevens, St. Louis Globe-Democrat; Mr. Tighe, New York Journal; C. H. Ridenour and J. E. Jenks, Army and Navy Regis ter; Captain Church, Neiv York Army and' Navy Journal; Fred Crawford, Horace J. Mock, World; J. A. Sarvis, Wall Street News; J. A. Breckon, Denver Republican; Fred Schade, Washing ton Sentinel, and the late J. J. Noah. I think the reader will sustain me when I say the newspaper men on duty in Washington cannot be excelled in any city in the world for reliability, intelligence, uprightness of character, championship of justice and in representing the true state of affairs at the capital of the nation. Among my noted entertainers I must not fail to mention my personal friend, the late John Chamberlin, who was known for his genial entertaining qualities by almost every man of note in the country, whose pictures still grace the walls of his famous hotel. It is impossible for me to say anything that will add to his popu larity. Mr. Edward K. Somborn, his business associate and con fidential friend, has succeeded him, and the resort is as popular and as entertaining as ever, with additional attractions to satisfy the many noted visitors who naturally congregate to enjoy the hos pitalities and listen to the stories of their genial and entertaining host. I desire to mention also a few names of my personal friends of the Army who have proved their true worth through all my ups and downs, among whom are the following : Gen. U. S. Grant. Gen. W. T. Sherman. Maj.-Gen. W. S. Hancock. Maj.-Gen. Nelson A. Miles, George Meade. John R. Brooke. to Gen. Mansfield. J. S. Wadsworth. O. O. Howard. Horatio Wright. F. J. Porter. Daniel H. Rucker. John Sedgwick. I. N. Palmer. E. A. Burnside. B. P. Runkle. William Smith. John M. Wilson.- Edward Hinks. J. C. Kelton. John Moore. Rufus Ingalls. Seth Williams. William H. Penrose. William W. Averill. J. C. Breckenridge. Asa P. Carey. Arthur McArthur. Daniel E- Sickles. William H. Nash. William Ludlow. Adolphus W. Greely. Charles E. Compton. Thomas M. Anderson. William P. Carlin. Col. Charles Bird, Asst. Q. M. William H. Carter. J. W. French. D. S. Gordon. Peter C. Haines. William A. Elderkin. William A. Forwood, C. R. Greenleaf. Gen. Edwin V. Sumner. William Rosecrans. John Gibbon. John A. Rollins. O. B. Willcox. Rufus Saxton. S. P. Heintzelman. Francis Barlow. Daniel Butterfield. Philip St. George Cooke. William R. Shafter. Thaddeus H. Stanton. Leonard Wood. A. S. Divin. M. I. Ludington. James A. Hardie. Robert Williams. Ward B. Burnell. F. C. Ainsworth. R. N. Batchelder. Z. P. Bliss. Jacob F. Kent. John P. Hawkins. William S. Worth. C. H. Thompkins. Robert MacFeely. Guy V. Henry. William A. Hammond. Edward M. Hayes. H. B. Carrington. C. B. Comstock. B. E. Friar. John Green. H. C. Dunwoody. O. D. Green. J. P. Hatch. II James G. C. Lee. Albert P. Morrow. Galusha Pennypacker. Charles Porter. James S. Casey. Edward M. Coates. Charles Smart. Rodney Smith. Pettr D. Vrooni. PVank E. Nye. S. Van Vliet. Andrew Geddes. F. D. Baldwin. Lewis R. Hare. George W. Getty. Maj. Edmund Rice. Charles Bentzoni. John D. Black of General Miles' staff during both wars. John A. Darling. E. W. Halford. R. L. Hoxie. Frederick M. Crandall. John D. Hall. S. H. Lincoln. Edward G. Mathey. George C. Penney. Culver C. Smith. T. E. True. G. F. Robinson. Edward F. Glenn. Roland G. Hill. John G. Balance. H. Gardner. F. M. H. Kendrick. E. B. Kirk. George A. Forsyth. James Oakes. John S. Poland. A. F. Rockwell. Henry W. Closson. George M. Randall. Charles H. Smith. Thomas Whittemore. Henry C. Wood. R. G. Rutherford. John F. Weston. Edward Moale. Charles F. Humphrey. William P. Hall. Daniel V. Bash. William M. Black. John S. Bullis. William H. Clapp. John L. Clem. W. S. Edgerly. W. F. Halleck. Jessie M. Lee. Edward Field. Thomas T. Knox. H. G. Litchfield. William M. Manydear. Edward L. Randall. G. W. H. Stouch. J. C. Muhlenberg. W. Lyman. George F. Cooke. William Davis. J. W. Hanny. Thomas A. Buchanan. William H. James. William W. Tavlor. ii Douglass M. Scott. Thomas H. Barry. William- V. Richards. Samuel R. Whitehall. Alexander Rogers. James M. Burns. Capt. James A. Bates. John A. Depray. Mason M. Maxon. Peter Leary, Jr. Oscar F. Long. E. O. C. Ord. Herman Schreiner. Edward Burr, U. S. Eng. William H. Vinal. Thomas W. Lord. Edward P. Brewer. Edward Lloyd. John M. Carson. John T. Morrison. Guy L. Edie. Lieut. Mervyn C. Buckeye. V. G. Henry. John J. O'Connell. C. C. Cresson. Ezra Woodruff. Valentine McNally. Alexander Sharp. George II . Palmer. Philip Reed. J. B. McDonald. Henry H. Benham. C. E. DeRudio. L. W. Cook. A. M. Fuller. William P. Goodwin. John W. Bean. H. B. Lemly. Samuel W. Fountain. Robt. H. R. Loughborough. Percy E. Trippe. Edward Zalinski. Frederick D. Sharp. John C. Dent. Chaplain Francis H. Weaver. George E. Albee. Chas. P. Faulkner. Powell Clayton. UPS AND DOWNS OF AN ARMY OFFICER. CHAPTER I. Having been requested by many friends and acquaintances to give a sketch of my past life, I have obtained the following names and dates from relatives, records and other sources as to the Armes family. William Armes, a Scotch lawyer, located with his brother among the first settlers in Deerfield, Mass. In this beauti ful spot, with Deerfield mountains looming above them, with ter rors of Indian warfare on every side, they established their homes and reared their children. In the memorable massacre of 1675 several of their descendants met a dreadful fate, and again, in 1704, they passed through the horrors of Indian captivity. Several members of the Armes and Orcult families distinguished themselves in the French and Indian war, and for their active participation in that turbulent period the family presents a creditable record. I am also a descendant of the Lymans of Massachusetts, the families of Hudson, Van Dyck, Field, Kibbey, Wallace, Parker, Powell, Wilson, Burrell, Emerson and Orcutt. My paternal grandfather, James Orcutt of Goshen, Mass., was an officer in the Massachusetts militia. He commanded a company for a time at West Point, and served with honor in the Hudson river cam- (13) 14 paign. He was a personal and trusted friend of Washington ; one in whom the commander-in-chief placed great confidence, as was evidenced by the fact that, on the night after the treachery of Ben edict Arnold was discovered, General Washington selected Col- _ onel Orcutt and his command to guard the great chain across the Hudson river, one of the most important posts at that eventful time, My father, Profes sor Josiah O. Armes, was born in Deerfield, Mass., in 1807. He was a gentleman of high literary and scientific attainments, and a distin guished, pop ular and suc cessful lec turer on edu cational top ics for many years before and after our ... ISP i i-lj-,1" The Deerfield Home. Civil War. He traveled extensively through the Union, meeting with brilliant success in his lecturing tours and becoming per sonally identified with the leading men or our mid-ceiiturv. T5 My mother, Olive Caroline Older, shortly after her marriage, located in Fairfax county, Virginia, near Annandale, pur chasing an estate and erecting a magnificent stone mansion, which was known as "Hope Castle." This was a spacious structure, con taining thirty-six rooms, fur nished in the best style of that day, and the surrounding grounds were laid out in a beau tiful and diversified manner, There were, besides, thirteen outbuildings and cabins, mak ing a complete home, with every convenience. Receiving Orders - Prom General Washington. My mother was accomplished and talented, of great musical ability, and a charming hostess. I shall never forget the good times I had at "Hope Castle," which became noted for its delight ful social entertainments, its unrivaled hospitality and attractive ensemble. It was a resort for friends, and strangers as well. In the absence of my father my mother, with great managerial ability, looked after the various business matters conected with the estate,, in addition to looking after three boys, who naturally took a great deal of her time. i6 In this beautiful home we three brothers, Charles H., William Edward and myself, spent our happy days of childhood until the shadows of rebellion shrouded us in gloom, and the fiery torrent of war, sweeping as a desolating fury over the country, engulfed our lovely home in its destructive track. My Childhood Home. I was born on the 29th of May, 1844, and as far back as I can remember have been doing something different from the or dinary ; but, while at first I have been censured by many for alleged irregularities of judgment and for exhibiting advanced ideas, I have most always proved in the end to have been right. When I was a young boy a love for horses developed, increasing as years passed on, until in time my love became a passion. When only six or seven years of age I took a fancy for an old horse on the farm called Charlie and induced my parents to present him to me. It was not long before I had the docile animal trained to kick il and bite almost everyone but myself who approached him, and he soon refused to pull a wagon or work for anyone else. I had a great deal of amusement with the horse, goin'g to the postoffice at Annandale, situated about a mile from my home, to which village I rode frequently after the mail, which in those days was carried by the "Whaleys and Latham stages." Often the stage would be delayed at the request of passengers, who would beg me to put "Charlie" through his many little tricks. Removing saddle and bridle, I would say "Go," and off he would gallop for a few yards, and at my command, "Come," would lay back his ears and charge Charlie. at me, his mouth wide open as if ready to bite viciously, and end by putting his head on my shoulder and standing perfectly still. At the motion of my hand Charlie would kneel, sit down like a dog, lie flat, stand on his hind legs, pick up a pail of water and carry it in his mouth or pull off my boots in obedience to orders. We had in our family at this time a governess and a German tutor for the children, but I could not be induced to remain in the house, and much of the time managed to avoid my teachers in one way or another, and would be found with old "Charlie." Finally I became so neglectful of my studies and "Charlie" so dangerous, having bitten several of the darkies, the cook, the nurse, the governess and the tutor, that violent opposition devel- 1 8 oped against the poor beast ; but despite this opposition I man aged to retain my four-foot companion until he bit the overseer of the farm, who, prevailing with my parents, obtained their per mission to dispose of the vexatious animal. Shortly after my loss of this favorite horse I was sent to a board ing-school at Vienna in my native county, where I soon became dissatisfied, and succeeded in securing a change to a school at Centerville, Va. Here I was allowed to have a Bell Founder colt, which was named "Mary Ann," and soon trained to perform all sorts of tricks for the benefit of my schoolmates. In these days of my boyhood I took great interest in reading all kinds of histories relating to war. I acquired a habit of sitting up until the early hours of the morning, absorbed in the campaigns of Napoleon Bonaparte and Washington. The tactics of war elicited my admiration, and I soon had all the boys in the school organized into a company, armed with sticks and corn stalks, and it seemed as natural for me to engage in this mimic warfare as it was to eat. The following is a letter written by my mother while I was at tending school at Centerville, Va. : 19 GC~^ (%u^ /f-ea ' i i t5 *****££ <^c*^c^ /&***&£ />? f e*6 &''fre'/&e44fi/ &x~6e*£&0-At4 &id2£' -&j>-l*. /€&&^ ^o~e ^&y*>i£l ¦£/tt>s+-c~££ /&&£& /lA.i-£&. c"-tu-*-c^£" /&tci* J^tOsCct. 0^" Sfc /elm *-&**£¦. t&j£~t%j. ^tt^*< £su jfi&fA*** (ffT 20 I must not fail to call attention to what was considered at the time a remarkable transaction, which gave me notoriety through out my section of the country as doing something unheard of be fore. When only eight or ten years of age I was driving up the Leesburg pike near Falls Church, Va., in a sulky, and for several months had been wishing to be the owner of a buggy, watching every opportunity to obtain one. Finally a good-looking horse and buggy with a gentleman driving appeared coming towards me, I mustered up courage enough to stop him, although I had never seen him before, saying: 'Excuse me, sir, but I would like to know how you would exchange your horse, harness and buggy for my horse, harness and sulky?" He got out and examined mine very carefully, and after a few questions about the pedigree of my horse, he giving that of his, and our names and addresse's hav ing been exchanged, he said he would trade even, whereupon he got into my sulky and I into his buggy, each flattering himself that he had made the better bargain. We became warm friends after wards. During the war of the rebellion he obtained employment in the Treasury Department, and most of the time kept up his residence at Falls Church, Va. He was a well-known Union man of that section, his name being Mr. Spencer Coe. After that transaction old horse-traders advised me always to require a "cash-to-boot" difference and never trade even with any one. So I made up my mind to make a horse trade the first chance that offered, and as I was allowed to have my own way, I could order any horse on the place that I wanted to, although I had two of my own. I had a grudge against the overseer for harshness to me, and knew he greatly valued a large bay horse called Sam. So I ordered Sam hitched up to the buggy, and driving towards Fairfax Court House, met quite a number of six-horse teams on the way to Alexandria. In one case, spying rather a good-looking small horse in the lead, I stopped the team. The owner soon came along on horseback, when the driver of the team, a good- natured and polite old darkey, pointed him out to me, and I asked him how he would trade his little sorrel for my big bay. After looking my horse over, he said he would give me $10 to boot. I said, "Make it $25 cash and I will trade." He said, "All right," and had his teamster put his horse into my buggy and mine to his wagon, and we parted without even asking each other's riames. I felt proud of the trade and thought I had made a big bargain, but knew the overseer would go wild when he saw the little horse, and sure enough he did. The next morning after my return home I told my mother at the breakfast table what a big trade I had made, when she smiled, stating the overseer was very much vexed, said the little horse was not fit to be on the place, and had turned him out in the road as being worthless, and let hirn go. Finally my mother suggested that I ought not to trade away any more horses until I grew older, and I took her advice. Sam being a $300 horse, and $25 all that was realized for him, furnished a les son too costly for repeating. Before the war the pride of the Old Dominion was largely in the great number and fine breed of horses which were a part of every manorial domain. It was the custom for the Southern boys to have their own racers, and naturally each boy tried to keep the best breed and fastest steed he could procure, creating quite a rivalryin blue-blooded equine pedigrees. Through woodland glade and over abounding field, with clang of horn and sweep of dogs, careened the jovial huntsmen, as did their forefathers in days of yore in "Merrie England." The coterie to which I belonged con sisted of about sixty young men. Most of our time was spent in fox and deer hunting, attending fairs, getting up tournaments, horse races, etc. — generally speaking, having what was then con sidered a good time. Our parents indulged us to an unlimited ex tent in these rural pastimes, delighting in our innocent sports, into which the young people entered with the most hearty zeal, dis porting themselves with that exuberance of animal spirits charac teristic of the Anglo-Saxon race. When the State of Virginia seceded,- April 24, 1861, Capt. James W. Jackson (who afterwards killed Colonel Ellsworth) then kept two hotels, one in Alexandria, Va., known as the Marshall House, the other at Fairfax Court House, known as the "Union Hotel." He was very popular among the boys, being the principal in nearly all the tournaments and other entertainments. After the State seceded the "boys" were called together at Fairfax Court 22 House and a grand "Secesh" tournament was largely advertised by Captain Jackson. Seats were arranged to accommodate sev eral hundred persons, a band of music was secured and extra trains were run from Alexandria. Crowds of people came from all the surrounding country to see the sixty cavaliers ride for the "ring" and the "fair one" they hoped to crown. Many drove their four-in-hand teams, others had their negroes in livery, and with their splendid, even gorgeous, equipages and fair ladies in elegant attire made a brilliant and imposing pageant. Not a few of the "first families" rode on their thoroughbreds, with their grooms and valets in attendance ; country carts of the poorer people, filled with their motley occupants, and numerous pedestrians plodding along the dusty roads, all formed a scene which in its thronging intensity and noisy ensemble might well be likened to the great "Derby Day" in old England. As, perhaps, a few readers may not understand how these tour naments were conducted, a description may be of interest. These happy days of the Virginia youth Jhave passed into history with the olden days of chivalry, but many a Southerner who reads these lines will go back in memory and for a brief hour live over the days of "Auld Lang Syne." A post fifteen or twenty feet long is firmly planted, and a bar from four to six feet long fastened securely on top, to which a piece of wire is attached to connect the "ring." Each of the con testants is named and known, for instance, as the "Knight of the Ring," "Knight of Fairfax," "Knight of Washington," as the case might be. As the name of each knight is announced he starts from a point about 300 yards from the "ring," rides at a walk for a distance of ten yards, trots twenty yards, gallops forty, runs sixty, then aims his lance, which is from seven to nine feet long, and charges it. If he is the only one who takes the ring three times in succesion he is entitled to crown the "Queen of Love and Beauty," and has the privilege of going among the spectators and choosing the prettiest girl by pointing his spear or lance at the one he selects. If he is not known to her personally he is escorted to her carriage or to the hotel by a mutual friend and properly introduced. If more than one knight takes the ring three times 23 in succession they ride in competition until it is settled who among them is the best man. There are generally seven maids of honor and one Queen. The first knight crowns the Queen, the next the first maid of honor, and so on throughout. The crown ing takes place in the ballroom, on a stage or platform, where the Queen sits in the center with the maids of honor on either side, gay flowers and garland vines artistically blending into a bower of exquisite color and beauty. After an address appropriate to the The Jackson Tournament. occasion delivered by some prominent person, the ceremony of crowning the Queen and maids ensues ; then sets are formed, and the music of the darkey band echoes sonorously through the hall, and dancing commences ; and usually it is not until sunrise next morning that the foot-patting melodies cease and Terpischore closes her revel. Returning to the tournament in question, after the heralds had secured the title of each knight who was to ride, sixty of the finest 24 young horsemen in the State, the "chivalry" of Virginia, formed in line and stood to horse to await their turn to start for the "ring." The writer rode as the "Knight of the Planet," and just before his name was called had his groom remove the saddle and mounted his Bell-Founder colt bareback. When he was called the bridle was pulled off and the colt jumped forward like a cat. -Being guided by my lance, she dashed like lightning through the course three times, her rider each time taking a ring off the hook, and then dropping the lance, reached forward to the colt's mouth, riding on her neck to the starting point, where the bridle was re placed. This was considered one of the most extraordinary feats of the kind ever known to have taken place on such an occasion. It created great excitement, and the air rang with cheers from many hundreds who had watched in breathless expectation that the rider would be killed. When the tilting equestrian exercises were concluded the con testing "chevaliers" were brought up in line before Col. William Dulaney, the orator of the day, who delivered an address, an nouncing that George A. Armes of Annandale, the "Knight of the Planet," was the triumphant victor and entitled to crown the Queen of Love and Beauty. Then for a few moments saturnalia reigned, hats were thrown into the air, handkerchiefs and parasols were waved, cheer after cheer rent the air and the shrill fanfare of trumpets from the "small boy" deafened the ear. When the tur moil had in a measure subsided the youthful hero was directed to select the Queen, but in his diffidence it was impossible for him to muster up the requisite courage to undertake the honor, and he therefore deputed his rights to one of his comrades, a Mr. Philip Goodwin, who selected and crowned Miss Nannie Thomas of Fairfax Court House, daughter of Gov. Henry W. Thomas, who made a charming and beautiful Queen. At eight o'clock that evening the grand ball at the "Union Hotel" opened, and not until the rays of the morning sun shone into the hall of merriment did the festivities close. This was the most successful and grandest affair ever given at Fairfax either before or since the war. It was not long after this that, with the exception of the writer, every young man of this 25 party of sixty was engaged in active service against the Union, and their leader, Capt. James W. Jackson, was the first to give his life in a cause which he believed required him to make any sacrifice necessary for the honor of his flag. Soon after this tournament the "boys" were called together, and their captain, Mott Delaney Ball, delivered an address on "State Eights." in i860 Robert E. Lee had held that his primary alle giance was due to the State, and if such duties conflicted with the law and interests of the national sovereignty the State should assert its independence in the face of the disruption and disin tegration of the organized whole ; in other words, the standpoint of patriotism was limited to the narrow confines and local interest of a State's boundary. At the close of Captain Ball's address he announced his desire that all should enroll themselves in the Con federate service. I declined to accept the gray equipment, shook hands with my comrades, and in spite of the most earnest entreaties to remain with them and stand by my State, bade them good-bye, stating that, in my opinion, patriotic loyalty to one's country was superior to sectional sentiment ; that I had decided to uphold national unity and to devote all my energies, at whatever sacrifice to the support of the Union which had been established by the blood of our fore fathers. Although a boy, I had been a passionate reader of history, especially books relating to the colonization of America and the struggle for independence, and had become deeply interested in the fearless efforts and impressive sufferings of the founders of the nation. The narratives of the Revolutionary epoch had left a vivid imprint upon my heart, and the principles of patriotism were firmly imbedd'ed in my mind. . I believed that the throes of tribulation which had ..given birth to a new republic on the shores of this Western continent should not have been in vain, the new creation to be again merged in dis solution, but that it should remain intact, "one and indivisible," and with the increasing strength of maturity and close interests and reciprocal obligations, develop into one of the most powerful governments on earth. The blood of the Pilgrim Fathers was in my veins, and the voice of the Continental Congress and of 26 Faneuil Hall was now echoing from the soil of a Southern State, the State of Washington and of Jefferson, in protest of the agoniz ing principle of disunion. Upon my arrival home that evening I informed my mother and younger brother of the stand I had taken. My brother flew into a rage, denounced me as a traitor to the State, and said he for one would do his part in repelling any attempted invasion of the State. Our father was in New York at this time, also my other brother, who was attending school in that city. Mother tried to reason with me, but without avail. She then said that it would be impos sible for me to remain at home, and that I would have to make my own way in the future. I at once resolved to leave "Hope Castle," with all its pleasures and luxuries, to give up family and all its beloved surroundings, for the sake of patriotism, which imbued my entire nature. Making a few meager preparations, I started for Washington city, arriving there with merely a change of cloth ing and four dollars in my pocket. As all my friends in that city were sympathizers with the South, I determined not to make my presence known to any of them ; so I repaired to a hotel, where I very soon found, to my sorrow, my four dollars reduced to the small sum of twenty cents. After much consideration I finally decided to invest my remaining twenty cents in newspapers. In all exciting times the newsboys' cry strikes the chord of every heart, and with the palpitating fear and hope of him who seeks the weird fortune-teller, the anxious and waiting multitudes cross the hands of the gypsy news vendor with the silver bit as he receives the Sibylline leaves from the unkempt fingers. Repairing to the office of The Evening Star, then, as now, a standard journal, I invested to the extent of my small funds, and the first day of this mercantile venture I found that I had made a profit of sixty cents. But I readily saw the unsuitable- ness of this vagrant business for one who had been reared amid the surroundings of a luxurious Virginia home, and contact with the rough and uncouth Arabs of the streets was repugnant to my proud spirit. I therefore endeavored to devise other means of support. 27 Having read a great deal of Hon. William H. Seward, at that time Secretary of State, I mentally discussed the advisability of calling upon him and asking his assistance. Not being able to see him at his office, I waited on the steps of the "Kirkwood House," then located on the corner of Twelfth street and Pennsylvania avenue, one afternoon, until I saw him pass. I knew him only by the pictures I had seen of him, but walking up to him whilst he was engaged in conversation with another gentleman, I asked, "Is not this Mr. Seward?" I received an affable reply in the affirmative. The Secretary kindly requested me to come to his house, saying that he would then listen to me. I accordingly acompanied him to his home, there gave him my history and told him I desired a place as messenger in the State Department. Mr. Seward then reminded me that while I was an utter stranger the stand I had taken was highly commendable and deserved en couragement, and that if I could assure him of the facts as stated by me he would do something for me. He told me to return home and secure a line from some one whom he knew who could vouch for me, and also to report to him the condition of affairs in that section. I therefore returned at once to Fairfax Court House and re quested Gov. H. W. Thomas to give me a letter of endorsement that would be of service to me among strangers, informing him that I intended remaining out of the State until the existing troubles were settled. Governor Thomas expressed his sorrow at this decision, and regretted that he could -advance no argument' to alter it ; then writing the following, requested the several gen tlemen present to sign it, which they all readily did. This being the first recommendation I had ever received, I nat urally felt proud of it, and hastened to my home in quite jubilant spirits, only to meet with rebuff. My mother and brother, still further incensed at my insistent determination to renounce my home and all associations for what I believed to be a patriotic duty, again strongly endeavored to dissuade me from this purpose, but their attempts were fruitless. 28 Office of Henry W. Thomas, Attorney at Law, Fairfax Court House, Fairfax County, Virginia. March 10, 1861. ??^z- £-<— Jz~^ £-4*ej/£^sL^L. ^*- A~-r t^i-e^Tx- 2$ A^r ^2^Ser«*<^ U*S fr While passing through Alexandria on my way to Fairfax Court House, I had learned from the best of authority that plans were being perfected to capture the Arsenal and get possession of the capital. I purposed to circumvent this design, but being aware that all avenues of entrance to the city were watched, and that on my return I was liable to be taken into custody, my pronounced views being well known, I resolved upon a plausible excuse should I be questioned. Calling my colored boy, I ordered him to put into the market-wagon some butter and eggs, and drive me to the city that evening. Nothing of any moment occurred until we reached the Long Bridge, crossing the Potomac, about eleven 3° Arrest No. 1, by Confederates. 3i o'clock that night, when we were arrested (Arrest No. i) by one of my former associates, who was on guard at that place. Telling him that our family needed groceries and that the boy had some marketing to dispose of and that he would return the next day, we were allowed to pass over the bridge, and proceeded on our way without further molestation. After having the horses put up at Burch's livery stable on Fourteenth street, I gave the boy direc tions to go to the market at sunrise, sell what he had, buy the groceries and return home. Cassius M. Clay's First Prisoner. I then started for Mr. Seward's house, although it was one o'clock at night. When I reached the corner of Fourteenth street and Pennsylvania avenue, in front of Willard's hotel, I was halted by a sentry, but refused to obey until I heard the click of his gun and the threat that he would shoot if I took another step. I was soon surrounded by six or eight men, with their guns, and all de- 32 hianded of me the reason for being on the street at that hour of the night. I told them that I was on my way to Secretary Seward's house, and had something of importance to communicate to him. At this two men grasped hold of me, and I was put under arrest and roughly marched to the rear of Willard's Hotel and into the hall, where there were about one hundred more men drilling. This was the second of the many arrests to which I was destined to be subjected during my career. (Arrest No. 2.) I was then taken into a side room and Gen. Cassius M. Clay summoned, who requested me to give my reasons for wishing to see Mr. Seward at this unwarrantable hour. "No one but Mr. Seward shall know my business," I replied. I was then roughly searched and the recommendation given me by Mr. Thomas taken from me. They then crowded about me, a noisy and excited mob, threatening to hang me if I did not dis close my reason for wishing to see Mr. Seward. Some of them fixed their bayonets and swore they would run me through, but I remained firm, and refused to say anything except to Mr. Seward. Finding that I could not be moved from my determination, Gen eral Clay and some others had a conference and decided to take me to the United States Marshal, Col. Ward H. Lamon. I was therefore marched up to his room. We found him in bed, but he at once arose, dressed himself and questioned me closely. I told him that I had nothing to say except to Mr. Seward, so they de cided to march me to the Secretary's house, which was done. Leaving me in charge of the guard, Colonel Lamon entered and aroused Mr. Seward, who immediately sent word that he would see me. The guard appeared very much surprised that I should be ad mitted to the Secretary's presence at that hour of the night. Col. Ward H. Lamon accompanied me to Mr. Seward's room and then retired, leaving me alone with the mature man of state. I in formed him that I had just returned from Virginia, and while there had learned through credible sources that an attempt would be made that night or the next to capture the Arsenal or Treasury by an organized force consisting of Southern infantry, cavalry and artillery ; that most of the troops were in Alexandria or near the 33 Long Bridge and Chain Bridge, and that boats were in readiness for use at any moment. The Secretary quickly summoned Marshal Lamon and told him to make haste and see Gen. Winfield Scott and to have every able- bodied man in the city armed at once and sent to the river front. Mr. Seward then thanked me heartily and ordered a room for me at Willard's Hotel, which I reached between two and three o'clock in the morning, and I immediately retired. But, weary as I was, I could not sleep, for the streets resounded with the tread of march ing feet, the clashing hoof of dashing cavalry and the mighty rush of hurrying artillery. The wings of the god of war hovered over the nation's capital and the voice of impending conflict echoed from every quarter of the city. First Lieut. Amos Beckwith of the First United States Artil lery has since told me that a message was brought to him in the early morning hours to proceed with his battery to the Long Bridge at once, whereupon he sprang out of bed as though the house were on fire and ran to the stables situated near where the War Department now is, and in less than half an hour was at the Long Bridge with his battery. An accident to a train loaded with troops from Richmond caused a delay in carrying out the plans of the enemy as early in the night as was intended, and the appear ance of the United States military in such large force prevented any further attempt to capture the city that night. Immediately after breakfast I called at the hotel office to pay my bill, but was informed that it was already settled. At the same time a message was handed me from Secretary Seward requesting me to call at his office at eleven o'clock that morning. When I appeared before him the Secretary took me by the hand and said : "Young man, your patriotism to the Union cause deserves en couragement, and you may report to me for duty tomorrow morn ing, as messenger in this Department." I thanked him, and was directed to go with a young man whom he had summoned to another room, where I received my appoint ment, at a salary of $50 per month. 34 Nine o'clock the next morning found me at Secretary Seward's office, and at ten o'clock I was handed a message to deliver to President Lincoln, which was the first duty I performed in my new office. Thenceforward I found myself, in the performance of my duties, frequently vibrating between the Department of State and the White House, and I was thus brought into close contact with President Lincoln and the many public and eminent men of that most eventful period. My employment was very agreeable and interesting, and I soon became, a general favorite. In the letter of recommendation given me by Governor Thomas the name of "James W. Jackson, secessionist," had attracted the attention of Mr. Seward, and one day, while conversing with the the President, he asked me if I had the letter with me. I replied that I did not, but would bring it to him later, which I did. It was by him exhibited to the President, who was very much amused, and showed it to others present, little thinking that the most peculiar signer of that paper would be the man to kill our then most distinguished Colonel (Ellsworth), paying for the deed the immediate penalty of his own life, as will be explained in more de tail further on, but such was the fact. On still another day, at a Cabinet meeting, Mr. Lincoln and his Cabinet obtained the letter again, and became very much interested over it, laughing, talking and commenting upon the addition of secessionist to the signature of James W. Jackson. My duties at the State Department generally ended between three and four o'clock P. M. After that time I was at liberty to go wherever I pleased, and took advantage of this spare time in watching and studying the military operations wherever possible. Troops were coming into the city by thousands. I went to the camp of each regiment, learning the name of every Colonel, and soon ascertained that preparations were being made to cross the river and camp on the Virginia side, which, from mv knowledge of the boys on guard on the other side of the Potomac, I thought would be a very difficult thing to do. When the time was fixed to move I asked Mr. Seward for a note of introduction to the Commanding General soliciting his permission to go over with 35 the troops, and a three days' leave of absence was granted me. On my reporting to the General and showing him the note he said he would be pleased to allow me to accompany him, and then in troduced me to Col. 0. B. Willcox, commanding the First Mich igan Volunteer Infantry, now Brigadier-General, U. S. A., re tired ; to Gen. Daniel Butterfield, commanding the Twelfth New York Infantry, and to several others. By the 28th of April, 1861, there were 10,000 troops ready for duty, and the Military Department of Washington was founded, Gen. Joseph K. Mansfield, U. S. A., assuming command. Only two days before Gen. Winfield Scott was so alarmed that he issued an order from headquarters of the Army stating in substance that "from the known assemblage near this city of numerous hostile bodies of troops it is evident that an attack upon it may be ex pected any moment," and proceeding to detail measures and posts of officers to be taken for "the defense of the Gevernment, the peaceful inhabitants ofthe city, the, public buildings and archives." The danger increased on all sides of the city of Washington faster than Union troops could be mustered in, until May 13, 1861, when Gen. B. F. Butler, with the Sixth Massachusetts and some other troops, seized Baltimore, fortified Federal Hill, and the city was coralled. Gen. Robert E. Lee was placed in command of the Confederate forces immediately after he had resigned from the United States Army, and adopted- a defensive policy, having thor ough military discipline in his command. On May 5, 1861, Lieut.-Col. A. S. Taylor (Confederate) was in command at Alexandria, Va., and from reports made to him about a large force of Union troops being on their way to capture the city, he ordered his command to fall back, taking with him two companies of Virginia cavalry commanded by Captains Powell and Bonham. General Lee did not place him under arrest, but had him ordered back through General Cocke, and on May 10 Col. G. H. Terrett was assigned to the command of Alexandria and all troops from Fairfax, Loudoun, Prince William and Fau quier counties, Va. May 21 Gen. W. L. Bonham of the Confed erate Army, was placed in command of all the forces in Alexan dria and as far as Manassas Junction, where he was ordered to post 36 his South Carolina brigade. Colonel Terrett's command in Alex andria and General Cocke's at Culpeper Court House were in cluded in General Bonham's department. Thus matters stood on the Virginia side of the Potomac. On May 23, 1861, General Mansfield was ordered to advance into Virginia. The command moved in three columns, each by a separate route, namely, by the Aqueduct, by the Long Bridge and by steamer down the Potomac. The Aqueduct, an adjunct of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, was recognized as an important mili tary point, and was subsequently converted into a bridge by shut ting off the water and flooring it. General Heintzleman, then a Colonel on General Mansfield's staff, superintended the crossing of the Long Bridge with the First Michigan Infantry, Col. O. B. Wilcox commanding the regiment. General Stoneman, with the First Cavalry; a section of the Fourth Artillery, commanded by Lieutenant Dresser, and the Twelfth New York, Col. Daniel But terfield commanding, accompanied General Willcox, who led the way. The writer was with the first-mentioned command, riding his own horse, which had been purchased with the first money earned by him in the State Department. He was overjoyed by again having a mount, for he had felt lost without one, never having been without a horse for one week from the time he was four years of. age until landing in Washington and there left "a-foot." Colonel Ellsworth, with the Fire Zouaves — i. e., the Eleventh New York, went down on the steamers Baltimore and Mount Vernon. The orders to Colonels Ellsworth and Wilcox were to the effect that they should act in concert near Half- Way Creek at early daybreak the next morning, and so marcii on Alexan dria simultaneously — Ellsworth by the river and Wilcox by the Washington pike. They were to cut off telegraph communication with the interior, attack whatever forces should oppose them, take military possession of the towns and tear up the track of the Orange & Alexandria Railroad as far out from the depot as pos sible. That depot had been seized by order of General Scott April 19, 1861. 37 General Mansfield marched to the Long Bridge with us, where he halted until eleven o'clock. Senator Zack Chandler of Mich igan acompanied General Wilcox as a volunteer aid. Capt. Sam Owens of the Washington City Cavalry went with them as a guide. Capt. J. A. Smeade, Second Artillery, crossed the bridge, leading the advance guard. This force consisted of one battalion of District Volunteers, the Twenty-fifth and Seventh New York, the Third New Jersey, one troop of the Fifth Cavalry and a bat tery of Artillery. After crossing the bridge with General Wil cox's command they wheeled to the right towards Arlington Heights, under command of General Heintzleman, the Seventh New York going into camp on the hill, where they afterwards built Fort Runyon. Captain Ball's Surrender at the Slave Pen. After reaching Half-Way Run near Alexandria I requested General Wilcox to allow me to take fifty men and with them ad vance into the city to capture Captain Ball and his company of 33 cavalry, who were then quartered in a slave pen on Duke street near the depot. The. General ordered Captain Butterworth to report to me with one hundred men. We then marched ahead of the command, slipped around by the depot, and were just coming to the slave pen when General Wilcox marched up another street and demanded the 'surrender of Captain Ball and thirty-five of his men, who had been suddenly awakened, and were in the act of mounting their horses. In the meantime Willcox had destroyed the first bridge and torn up the Orange & Alexandria Railroad, thus preventing the transfer of stores, which had been hastily loaded on cars for shipment south, and saving for our Gevernment a large amount of supplies, which proved very useful to our Army. When Lieutenant Dresser, U. S. A., who was in command of the artillery, unlimbered and loaded a twelve-pounder and sighted it at the little bunch of cavalry, they saw at a glance there was no chance of escape. Everyone seemed paralyzed, and no one came forward or raised a hand. Some were mounted, some with a foot in the stirrup and some standing at their horses' heads. All sat or stood as motionless as statues until Colonel Willcox rode for ward and demanded their surrender, when Captain Ball drew his sword and handed it to the Colonel, who said : "You can keep your sword, sir; but who are you, and what is your command?" "Captain Ball and company of Virginia cavalry, sir," was his reply. The prisoners were ordered into the slave pen, under a guard from the First Michigan Infantry. The regiment then went for ward to the depot of the Orange & Alexandria Railroad. It was just sunrise when Captain Ball surrendered, and he claimed that he should have until 9 A. M. -to evacuate the city. This point was referred to Washington, and the following dis patch forwarded : Alexandria, Va., May 24, 1861 — 5.30 A. M. "Alexandria is ours. One company (Captain Ball), mounted, thirty-five men and thirty-five horses, captured. I regret to say that Colonel Ellsworth has been shot by a person in a house. Yours, (Signed) O. B. Wilcox, Colonel." 39 Already the foUowing had gone forward : May 24, 1 861— 5.18 A. M. To General Mansfield, Alexandria, Va. : Sir — It is my painful duty to inform you that Colonel Ellsworth, commanding officer of the First Fire Zouave Regiment, New York Militia, is no, more. He was assassinated at the Marshall House after our troops had taken the city. I am ignorant of the details of the order issued to the regiment. I await further in structions. My men are posted advantageously in the streets. (Signed) Noah L. Farnham, Commanding First Zouaves. The news of Colonel Ellsworth's death was brought to Colonel Willcox by the Captain commanding the Zouave company. Great excitement prevailed, and matters looked serious for awhile. He then began tearing up the railroad track. He had burned the first two bridges near the city, when it was discovered that the enemy were retreating up the railroad and burning bridges also. After exchanging a few shots, Colonel Wilcox halted his men and put out pickets. Captain Ball and his dragoons were placed under guard on a steamboat, which was anchored out in the river near the Navy- Yard, where their friends were allowed to visit them. I called the next day and found that there was nothing I could do to add to their comfort, as they were supplied with everything they could wish for and every attention being paid them. The captain and each one of his command seemed as glad to see me as if I had not taken part in their capture, wliich they all joked about, as if they rather enjoyed it than otherwise. Captain Jackson, who had placed the flag on his hotel in person, had remarked after doing so that the first man who attempted to take it down would have to walk over his- dead body ; that he would be prepared to shoot any one who should attempt it. Colonel Ellsworth landed with his regiment at the foot of King street a little before sunrise. One shot was fired by the enemy's guard, who immediately retreated. 4d The following account of the untimely and tragic death 'of Col onel Eilsworth was furnished the writer by Col. E. M. Coats, U. S. A., who was a First Lieutenant in Colonel Ellsworth regi- tnent at that time : "Colonel Ellsworth passed by the regiment about 5.50 A. M. on his way to the telegraph office to communicate with the War De partment, and when passing called for a couple of men to place on guard over the office. His route to the telegraph office lay past the Marshall House, and, being on the opposite side of the street, he saw the flag float ing from it. With the remark, "That must come down," he entered the house, mounted to the roof, hauled down the flag, and was on his way down when a door opened, and Jackson, leveling his double-barreled gun at him, fired, the charge of slugs entering his left breast and tearing his body to pieces. Jackson then turned on Brownell, who had hurriedly retreated to the end of the hall, and just as he pulled the trigger of the sec ond barrel, Brownell fired, and the bullet from his rifle struck Jack son just below the eye. The shock threw up Jackson's gun, and the contents entered the casing of the bedroom door, just high enough to clear Brownell's head. Therefore his chance shot just saved his own life. Had it been an instant later he, too, must have been a dead man. The body of Colonel Ellsworth was placed on board a gunboat • — the Pawnee, I think — and taken to the Navy- Yard, where it was prepared for burial, and, later, placed in the East Room at the White House. After the furneral services, which were held here, the remains were taken to Mechanicsville, N. Y., the home of his parents." The death of Ellsworth created a storm of indignation all over the North second only to that which followed the firing on Fort Sumter. In Alexandria the feeling was divided. Most of the citizens deplored the act as uncalled for and in violation of the rules of war. Now, on the other hand, the South considered that Colonel Jackson had fallen in defence of his flag, and in the eyes of his fel low-countrymen he, too, had become a martyr, his body being taken to Fairfax Court House, Va., and buried with all the honors possible. 4i This tragic event and the firing upon Fort Sumter stirred up the North and satisfied that section that coercion was necessary. It also fired the Southern heart and swept away the last vestige of "passive resistance." In Alexandria, then, and under these, ap parently minor happenings a spark was blown into flame which raged for four long years. Colonel Willcox soon received the unconditional surrender of Alexandria from the Mayor, Hon. Lewis McKensie, and steps were taken to insure law and order. A military police force was established, pickets thrown out and a proclamation, headed "Order No. 2," was issued, printed by two Michigan soldiers (Gal loway and McDonnell) from the type found in the office of the Alexandria Gazette, which had been abandoned by the editor. The Sentinel newspaper office was also found deserted, and its last paper ready to issue, with the large heading, "We are able to meet our foe, eye to eye, front to front, column to column, and chase them back from our soil," etc., etc. In this connection the following letter is of interest : Soldiers' Home, Washington, April 20, 1889. Dear Major — In reply to your letter of the 19th inst., received this evening, I have only time to state that you rendered me an efficient assistance as guide at Alexandria, Va., at the threshold of the war, under the following circumstances : My regiment, the First Michigan, was suddenly ordered, with a detachment of artillery and Stoneman's small troop of cavalry, to Alexandria, in conjunction with Ellsworth's Fire Zouaves. I remember you brought me a letter of commendation from Secre tary Seward, owing, I think, to some previous good service of yours in a critical period, and this decided me to take you along. While Ellsworth led his men down the river in steamers early in the morning, I marched my command across the Long Bridge, and we all arrived at Alexandria about sunrise. The gallant Ells worth was killed at once. I was unacquainted with the suburbs, and entrusted you with the guidance of Captain Butterworth's company around. in rear of the town to the railway depot tracks and nearest bridges, which I had been specially ordered to break up. 42 You piloted Butterworth right to the spot, and by this means enabled him to begin, under fire, the work of destruction, and thereby stop the shipping of rebel troops and stores, while I was engaged in securing the capture of the town and Ball's Cavalry, left behind to guard it by the rebels in their precipitate flight. Your part in this little affair, which at the time was considered as one of the first bold strokes in the war, had its due weight, and certainly, considering all things, it was a loyal, zealous and patri otic, as well as valuable service. Your obedient servant, O. B. Willcox, Brig.-Gen., U. S. A., Retired. Bvt. Maj. Geo. A. Armes, Washington, D. C. The three days' leave of absence granted me by Mr. Seward having expired, I returned to the Department. The war fever daily increased, and troops by the thousand began camping in and around Washington. I now took special pains to get the name of every Colonel and the location of his regiment, and after 4 P. M. would make occasional visits to the camps with Mr. Seward, who took great interest in walking from one camp to another after dinner or office hours. My little excursion to Alex andria only augmented my desire to take further part in the de fence of my country, therefore I began to visit the camps on the Virginia side of the river, and obtained passes, of which the fol lowing are samples. Drake DeKay was known throughout the Army by his heroic signature. On the back of all passes the following oath was printed, which every person had to sign who obtained one : It is understood that the within-named subscriber accepts this pass on his word of honor that he is and ever will be loyal to the United States, and if hereafter found in arms against the Union, or in any way aiding its enemies, the penalty will be death. All approaches to the Virginia side were so closely guarded that it was impossible for anyone to cross the river without a pass. 43 Tbbk o»q»*S30 ^tfUxJei&B^. -.03***, fyats ©luartcrs, iTlilitctrg ©eportmtnt ofy toash'ington, ?....&h<^. lfz^z***C: ^ 1861 ^7» elc&r?. c/ 'jZ&actaS &KoaMte&i Sianrmandvea tT^xtA^Jt^dsC TUBK OVER. =£# Gen. Irwin McDowell was placed in command of the troops in Eastern Virginia, with headquarters in Gen. R. E. Lee's mansion on Arlington Fleights, which he and his family had only a few days before vacated, leaving a portion of their furniture with trusted old family servants in the house, little dreaming that never again would they have possession of it. In fact, the entire property was confiscated. Afterwards it was decided by the Gov- 44 ernment that the heirs of General Lee should be paid for the property, but it is retained as a National Cemetery. Since the new bridge was completed on the site of the old Aqueduct large num bers of visitors drive over there and to Fort Myer (formerly Fort Whipple), and the locality is no doubt familiar to thousands now scattered to different parts of the world, who well remember old Fort Whipple, Arlington Heights, Minor's Hill, Upton's Hill and Bailey's Cross Roads, where so many of the Union troops were encamped before the final move was made for active work. On the afternoon of May 30, 1861, while visiting the camps on the Virginia side, I called on Lieut. Charles H. Tompkins, Second Cavalry, afterwards Assistant Quartermaster-General, U. S. A. (now retired), who was in camp near Ball's Cross Roads. After sugesting that they make a little scout, and assuring Lieutenant Tompkins that I would lead the way, knowing, as I did, nearly every foot of road and by-path in the county, we fixed the next afternoon to start. I returned to the city that night, full of excite ment at the prospect of the lively time awaiting us on the next day ; told Mr. Seward what I had done, and asked his permission to be absent for two days. This he granted, with a caution not to go far beyond the Union lines. I reported to Lieutenant Tompkins a little before sundown, arrayed in my scouting suit, with two pistols, ready to go to Richmond if it was so desired. So off we started with this little force, confident that we could whip the whole Southern Armv if necessary. The regulars at that time, as well as now. had a verv high opinion of themselves, and never lost an opportunity in try ing to impress it upon the volunteers. We made our way in the direction of Fairfax Court House, and went along nicely, until charging up the main street, when we found most of the houses were filled with the enemy, who fired upon us from the windows. The regular order in which we had proceeded up to this time was now dispensed with, and for a time every Regular looked out for "number one," and it was some time before all got together again so as to march back to camp in regu lar army style. When he began to compare results Lieutenant Gorman found he had been shot in the left wrist; Lieutenant 45 Tompkins had one horse killed under him and another shot in the neck, which he afterwards presented to a beautiful country. girl who lived near Ball's Cross Roads. Tompkins' Charge Through Fairfax Court House. The writer received a shot in the right breast, but managed to keep on his horse and empty his pistols, trying to hit someone, but was never able to determine whether he was successful or not. Lieutenant Tompkins was also slightly wounded in his foot, but did not allude to it in his report. Capt. J. W. Bean, now retired, took a conspicuous part in the charge through the village. As this battle was considered such a great achievement at the time, a report of it seems worthy of reproduction, and may prove of interest, showing, as it does, the utter carelessness and reck lessness of many at the beginning of the rebellion. It follows : 46 Camp Union, Virginia, June i, 1861. Sir — I have the honor to report, pursuant to verbal instructions received from the Colonel commanding, that I left camp on the eve of the 31st of May, in command of a detachment of Company B, Second Cavalry, consisting of fifty men, with Second Lieut. D. S. Gordon, Second Dragoons, temporarily attached, for the purpose of reconnoitering the country in the vicinity of Fairfax Court House. Upon approaching the town, the picket guard was surprised and captured. Several documents were found upon their persons. On entering the town of Fairfax, my command was fired upon by the rebel troops from the windows and house tops. We charged on a company of mounted rifles, and succeeded in driving them from the town. Immediately two or three additional companies came up to their relief, who at once commenced firing upon us, which fire I returned. Perceiving that I was largely out numbered, I deemed it advisable to retreat, which I did in good order, taking five prisoners, fully armed and equipped, and two horses. Nine horses were lost during the engagement, and four wounded. The force actually engaged at the commencement of the engagement were two companies of cavalry and one rifle com pany, but reinforcements coming in from the camp adjacent to the Court House, which, I hear upon reliable authority, increased their force to upwards of 1000 men. Twenty-five of the enemy were killed and wounded. Captains Carey and Fearing, and Ad jutant Frank, Fifth New York S. M., accompanied the command as volunteers, and did very effective service. I regret to say that Captain Carey was wounded in the foot. Lieutenant Gordon of the Second Dragoons, temporarily attached to Company B, Sec ond Cavalry, accompanied me and rendered me valuable service. The prisoners, horses, arms and equipments taken have this day been turned over to the proper authorities. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) Charles H. Tompkins, First Lieut., Second Calvary, Commanding Co. B. Col. DAvro Hunter, Commanding Brigade. The writer having received his "baptism of fire," was plastered up, and on the third day reported to Mr. Seward at the Depart ment, who congratulated him upon his return and excused him for several days until he should have fully recovered. Soon after my return to the Department again Secretary Seward sent for me and read the following letter : 47 Headquarters, N. E. Virginia, Arlington, June ii, 1861. Hon. William H. Seward, Secretary of State : Sir — Mr. Geo. A. Armes, a messenger in the State Department and a resident of these, parts, can obtain valuable information for this part of the Army if he can have a short leave of absence. Can the Secretary give him one for a few days without prejudice to his situation, and order him to report here at once? Very respectfully, (Signed) Irwin McDowell, Brig-Gen. Commanding. Mr. Seward immediately granted me five days' leave of absence, and upon reporting to General McDowell at Arlington, he or dered me to report to General Heintzleman at Alexandria, who in turn ordered me to report to Col. O. B. Wilcox, with instruc tions for him to send about 300 men with me on a scouting expe dition outside the lines. I cannot recall the name of the com manding officer at present, but we marched out the little river turnpike, passed Clouds Mills to Annandale, where we halted and made our plans to send a detachment to the right and left. One command went up as far as Accotink and one within three miles of Fairfax Court House ; and the latter had a little skirmish with the "Johnnies," who were dressed in citizens' clothes. These scat tered into the fields, when the Major in command immediately sent orders to take possession of all the horses that could be found, after which the command, with myself, returned the next after noon, when I verbally reported to General Heintzleman, while the commanding officer of his detachment reported to Col. O. B. Wil cox of the First Michigan the result of his- scout, and took -with him all the horses that had been captured. Among those horses were two that were reported to belong to General Lee, which had been left with Mrs. Fitzhugh, a relative of his and the owner of Ravensworth. Soon after making my report I started for Washington, and before reaching Four Mile Run was overtaken by a squad of cav alry (Arrest No. 3), while on my own horse, which I had pur chased a few weeks before in the city of Washington. They ar- 48 rested, disarmed, carried me back to Alexandria and imprisoned me in the Marshal House with some of the men I had helped to capture, no reason being given. Upon my reporting to the General, he had seemed to place as much confidence in me as if I were a man fifty years of age, asking my advice and plans for moving his Army to Richmond, also the condition of the roads, the size of the streams to cross, and if, in my opinion, there would be much resistance offered by the rebels when he made a display of his grand army, straightening GENERAL WINFIELD SOOTT. up with a most exalted opinion of himself and acting as if all he had to do was to march right through the whole country to Rich mond with his army and drive everything before him. I reminded him that he would have no easy task if he expected to march to Richmond without strong opposition, as the kind of material the Confederate Army was composed of could not be bluffed. It did 49 nottakehim long to see that he was ignorant of the section of Coun try he had to go through and the class of men he had to oppose him. He must have been severely reprimanded by General Scott in relation to Mrs. Fitzhugh's horses, and not knowing how to Vent his spite on anyone else, arbitrarily pounced Upon me in stead of the commanding officer of the scouting expedition, who naturally was responsible for all movements, I only being a scout and guide. Orders were strictly given to prevent me from communicating With anyone, but through the kindness of a sentry, to whom I explained my situation, he sent a little note that I had written in lead pencil to Mr. Seward personally, who immediately sent Mr. Webster with the following note to General McDowell : Department of State, Washington, D. C, June 20, 1861. My Dear General — This note will be handed you by Mr. E. D. Webster, one of the clerks in the State Department, who comes over at my request to enquire into the case of Geo. A. Armes (un der arrest at Alexandria), and to see whether anything can be done with propriety in his behalf. Mr. Webster will explain to you my impressions in reference to the matteh Very truly yours, W. H. Seward. To General McDowell, Arlington Heights, Va. The following order was then issued : Colonel Heintzleman, Commanding Brigade, Alexandria, Va. : Sir — Through the intercession of Mr. Seward, Secretary of State, I am induced to order that Geo. A. Armes, now a prisoner under your guards, be returned to his place in the State Depart ment on his own recognizance. (Signed) I. McDowell, Brig. Gen. Commanding. June 21, 1861— 7 A. M. (4) 5° Headquarters Department Northeast Virginia, Camp at Arlington, June 14, 1861. Mrs. Fitzhugh, Ravensworth, Fairfax Co., Va. : Madam — I have the honor to transmit herewith a letter to your address from the General-in-Chief, which, together with yours to him of the 31st inst., he has sent me to read. Before receiving these letters I had heard of the outrage without knowing whose property had been taken, and had instituted measures to redress the injury. Your letter gave me. to suppose that you had been one of the sufferers, and I immediately made an investigation, confirming this supposition. I have given orders to have your horses re turned, as well as those of your neighbors, and will see, so far as I can, that such things shall not again occur. I take the liberty to enclose you a copy of the order which I have just issued, and beg to assure you that I will spare no pains to protect everyone in the vicinity of the troops under my command. I have the honor to be, madam, with great respect, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) Irwin McDowell, Brig. -General. Not having copies of this correspondence of Mr. Seward and General McDowell in my possession until lately, I addressed a letter to General Wilcox, who immediately returned a reply, which, as the reader will see, fully exonerates me from being responsible for any horses taken by the troops, I being only a scout at the time, and should not have been arrested for doing what the commanding officer ordered. The following is the cor respondence : Washington, D. C, November 10, 1898. Gen. O. B. Wilcox, U. S. Army, Retired: Dear Sir — having lately received a copy of the correspondence between Hon. W. M. Seward, Secretary of State, and General McDowell, in relation to the capture of a number of horses in Fairfax county, Virginia, during the month of June, 1861, I de sire a statement from you in relation to the facts, a portion of your regiment being sent with me on a scout into the Confederate lines, and during that scout, when several prisoners were taken and 5» quite a number of horses* two of which were said to have belonged to Gen. R. E. Lee, and left at Ravensworth in care of Mrs. Fitz hugh. All I desire is a statement showing that these horses were turned over to you, and shortly after returned to the owners, as per order of General McDowell; and the further statement that I could not have been responsible, occupying, as I did, the position of a guide and scout, as long as there were commissioned officers in command of the troops, which I was guiding into the enemy's country. Yours, very truly, (Signed) G. A. Armes, 1405 F street. 2022 R street N. W., Washington, November 12, 1898. Major Geo. A. Armes: Dear Sir — In reply to your letter of the 10th inst., so far as my recollection and understanding of the event in question go, the scouting party which brought in the horses was guided by your self and as scout, but commanded by an officer of the First Michi gan Infantry, Vols., who, and not yourself, must have been re sponsible; and, further, that the horses were turned over to the Quartermaster's Department on their arrival at Alexandria, and there held until ordered to be returned. Respectfully yours, (Signed) O. B. Wilcox, Late Col. First Mich. Vols., Bvt. Maj.-Gen. Note.— The District of Columbia Battalion referred to on page 37 was commanded by Captain Lemuel Towers, afterward Colonel of one of the Dis trict regiments. He took a very active part in the defense of the Capital. CHAPTER II. I continued visiting the various camps, and perceived that num erous persons were making money selling edibles, and necessaries to the soldiers, and thought that while the new troops were pre paring themselves for active service I would try to make a few extra dollars, so long as it did not interfere with my official duties. Procuring a wagon and loading it with a variety of articles, upon an investment of $42 I made a profit of $160. This encouraged me to further ventures in the same line, and during the month of June I cleared over $1200. Investing this in a stock of goods, I established a portable store beyond the bridge near Bailey's Cross Roads, and secured a young man to take charge of my interests there. This young man resided in Washington, and having known him for some time, I had entire confidence in him ; but just before the battle of Bull Run, having occasion to ride out and see how my business was progressing, I found to my astonishment that the store, with all the stock, had been sold, and this valued clerk had disappeared with the proceeds. So my little fortune having been lost, and the troops prepar ing to march to Richmond, I was compelled to fall back on my monthly salary of fifty dollars, and did not undertake any further speculation until after the battle of Bull Run. Having arranged to go with General Heintzleman on his march to Richmond, I obtained ten days' leave from Mr. Seward and reported to the General two days before he broke camp. Then, as he wanted to know the best roads to take, I thought I would venture out as far as the picket line at different points in order tc intelligently report concerning the shortest and best roads to Centerville. Just the night before they were to march I was halted and placed under arrest by about twenty Dutchmen of General Blenker's command, and in spite of all attempts at explanation and endeavors to find some one who could read my papers, I was 53 thrust into an old icehouse and there closely guarded. (Arrest No. 4.) About three o'clock in Arrest No. 4, by Blenker's Soldiers. the morning an order came for my release, and an officer was ordered to accompany me to General Blenker's headquarters. Here wine and beer flowed freely. After the General and his staff were satisfied that they had not captured Jeff Davis or General Lee I was invited to join them, and we parted good friends. How ever, as I was the first prisoner the division had taken, the gal lant soldiers who had, as they thought, won a great victory in surrounding a lone boy, on his own horse, on a public road, at least half a mile within their own lines, just before sundown, felt that they should all be mentioned in general orders and commis sioned as officers as a reward for their alertness on guard. When released I reported my little experience to Mr. Seward, and, instead of sympathizing with me, as I expected he would, he simply smiled and remarked to those present, among them Col. Amos Webster, that the soldiers seemed to be very watchful and should do well if they ever met the enemy. Moving out with the command from Alexandria, up the old Braddock road most of the way, until we got near Centerville, where we met a party who informed us that the Confederates had left that town, having placed a few logs in the intrenchments to imitate cannon, and left only a few men in the works ; that the 54 main body had fallen back to Bull Run, and were there thoroughly intrenching themselves. I told General McDowell that by a prompt movement to the left of Centerville and over to Cub Run there would be a good chance to cut off and capture a large number of the enemy, but he pompously replied that he had force enough to accomplish what he wished and was fully posted as to the movements of the enemy. I found myself so abruptly "sat down upon" by the great General, who evidently felt at that time that he could whip the world, that the wind was completely taken out of my sails, and I felt as if my patriotism was not appreciated as it should be. Pos sibly he perceived that I was beginning to feel myself a most important personage to the Army, and that the General was de pendent upon me for advice in regard to the movements of the Army. As he did not seem to appreciate the advice and informa tion given him, I returned to General Heintzleman, with whom I remained until after the "great battle," where the General was wounded in the arm and myself in the right knee, just about the time the retreat began, near Blackman's Ford. It was a memorable sight to witness, carriages of all descrip tions, from six to ten abreast, loaded with sightseers, starting on the top of the hill at Centerville and crashing down pellmell to the foot, where the road was only wide enough for two vehicles to pass at one time. The ford was soon so blocked with horses, mules and vehicles of every kind, smashed and pitted upon each ¦ other, that it was impossible to use the turnpike, so that thousands had to abandon their carriages and make their way through the fields, some afoot, some on mules or horseback, paying as high as fifty dollars for the privilege of riding a horse or mule, without saddle or blanket. Many of the teamsters left their wagons behind and hired out the horses or mules to sightseers, who had only a few hours before been enjoying their luncheons and had expected to have a good time at a safe distance from the scene of conflict. They had gone out to witness General McDowell in the act of driving the Confederates before him to Richmond. So great was the panic and bewilderment of the men and animals that many were killed and injured in the crash at the ford. 55 Thousands of men threw their guns, equipment, ammunition, blankets and clothing into the fields, which afterwards proved a rich harvest for the farmers, who had no crop to gather that sea son other than that abandoned by our Army and by the many citi zens who had accompanied our Army as far as Centerville and Cub Run, a goodly number of them having gone even to Bull Run, the scene of that notable conflict. Stampede from Bull Run. As I had been shot in the knee, and the wound had become very painful, I was placed in a wagon, taken to Alexandria and placed in a hospital. Thence word was sent to Mr. Seward of my condition, and was therefore necessarily excused for some weeks. The day after reaching the hospital it was decided that amputa tion was necessary to save my life. I was placed on a table, and some medical students began preparations to perform the opera tion, whereupon I raised such lively objections that the old chap lain, Manuel J. Gonzales, later of the Ninth U. S. Cavalry, inter fered, and said that I should not be forced ; thereupon they de- 56 sisted, and I was allowed to retain my limb. With good medical attention and careful nursing, in a few weeks recovery almost en tirely was made, and now, thirty-eight years later, it is only after a severe storm that any pain is felt from the wound. mmmm Rescued from Amputating Table. Soon after I was able to mount my horse, I learned that the picket line had been extended beyond my home at Annandale, and not having heard from my family for some time, I rode out to see them. The effects of war were visible on every side. Just before the battle of Bull Run, Gen. J. E. B. Stewart paid my mother a visit, and informed her that it would be necessary for him to take all the horses, mules and cattle back into their lines, to prevent the Yankees from getting them. He invited my younger brother to become a member of his staff, saying he could keep and ride his three-year-old Morgan colt, a beautiful animal, and that no one should take it from him. So all the stock was driven off, and my brother became a member of his staff. 57 The trusted overseer, who had been with our family for many years, told my mother that he did not wish "to go to the war," and that he had heard that Missouri was a good State in which to settle as a farmer. She therefore paid him $600 in gold, and he left Fairfax at once with his. wife and baby boy. Soon after he had left a company of Stuart's Cavalry encamped in the yard. The Captain said it would be necessary to use the carpets for his men and horses, and to move the piano and furniture back within their lines, as the Yankees might charge in at any time and rob the house. So the beautiful carpets were made into horse blankets, and the piano and furniture in the end confiscated. Shortly after the company retired, leaving the house between the two lines, and as the firing was kept up for some days, it was dangerous for anyone to go out of the house night or day. My father, being a Union man, found New York a more com fortable and safer place. Being compelled finally to abandon her home, my mother gathered all her portable valuables, including silverware, and putting them into the only vehicle left on the place, the old colored coachman, Ben, was ordered to take them into the Union lines to a neighbor's for safe-keeping, but before he reached the Union picket line he was captured by a scouting party of Confederates, and to this day nothing has ever been heard of driver, horses, carriage or its contents. Becoming anxious about my mother, who had insisted upon remaining at home, and between two fires, I secured permission from Mr. Seward to be absent three days. He gave me a note to General Heintzleman, commanding at Alexandria, who allowed me 100 men as an escort. We immediately proceeded to my home, and found my mother still there. I induced her to return with me to Washington, where I rented a small house on E street, between Ninth and Tenth, to which my father soon came. He could not, in the excited condition of the country, succeed in his lecturing tours, and the burden of supporting the family fell upon my shoulders — all trying to exist upon my $50 a month. So, hiring a wagon, in the hope of improving our condition, I bought sixty watermelons for $15, expecting to make at least $20 profit. Loading them into the wagon, I drove to the camp of the 58 Twelfth New York Volunteers (Thirteenth and K streets), now Franklin Square, and, having lost all confidence in clerks, felt sure of success by attending to my own affairs. As soon as I halted the wagon in camp the boys crowded around to learn the price of The Watermelon Enterprise. the melons. I sold one for seventy-five cents, and a $10 bill was handed me to change. Just at that moment my attention was called to a soldier slipping away with a melon. I ran after him, but he disappeared among the tents, and I failed to find him. I at once spoke to one of the officers, who said that he would go with me to the wagon, and that he would "fix" any man who dared to take a melon without paying for it. On our return to the wagon not a single melon was found. He then kindly told me to go with him and show him anyone who had taken a melon. We found 500 men eating melons, but they declared with great unanimity and superb equanimity that they had either purchased them the night before, or had just bought them from some one else. So I drove home very much disappointed, but determined to try again. 59 The next day I hired a man to hand them over as I received the pay, and in that way cleared $40 on three loads. Within ten days I cleared over $400, which I invested in two teams and wagons, and hired them out for $25 a day each, to haul goods for the sut lers, who made it pay by charging accordingly. At the time of the advance on Richmond by General McClel lan I again obtained a few days' leave of absence, and reported to General Heintzleman at Yorktown. In the charge at the battle of Williamsburg, where so many were stuck in the mud, I was shot in the groin. Then I was taken to Fortress Monroe, and the next day sent to Washington by way of Baltimore, where, after a few weeks of careful nursing, I resumed my duties at the State Department. I still continued my speculations after office hours, and soon had realized over $5000 in cash. The Union lines were now beyond Fairfax Court House, and 1 was advised to rent the "Union Hotel," formerly kept by James W. Jackson, and to run a stage to and from Alexandria, which I proceeded to do at once, investing $2000 in the enterprise. I em ployed a man to manage the hotel and another to run the stage, as I was anxious to retain my office in case of emergency. These men sent me very encouraging reports, saying the stage was always well filled and the hotel always crowded, but that the soldiers, who constituted the bulk of travel, did not have any money until pay-day, when they would settle. As the demands upon me for horse feed and provisions were so great, and little coming in, I determined to go and see for myself just how matters were. 1 found that most of the travelers were soldiers who had either been discharged or who were going home, and had been imposing on the men in charge, they believing that a soldier could be fully trusted, having only taken the word of some and the note of others, to be liquidated on the next pay-day. The night after my arrival at Fairfax four of the horses and all of the stage harnesses were stolen, so I made up my mind to sell at auction what was left, realizing only $100 upon my investment. My patriotic and business friends, who had such confidence in the honor and promises of the soldier, turned over to me notes 6o and agreements they had taken from the soldiers to the amount of $2600, settlements to be made on the first pay-day, which, so far as my interests are concerned, has not yet arrived. Capt. Samuel B. M. Young of one of the Pennsylvania regiments prom ised to return and see that I was compensated for transportation and hotel bills, but he did not keep his word. One of my next experiences on a large scale was to charter a vessel and arrange to load it with supplies for the front. And as no goods could be shipped without special permission of the Secre tary of the Treasury, I obtained a letter to him from Mr. Seward, and after an interview with Secretary Chase he gave me the fol lowing letter : Treasury Department, April 29, 1862. Sir- — you are hereby authorized to grant a clearance to George A. Armes for his vessel to Cheeseman Landing, with the follow ing sutlers' supplies needed for the Army near that place, viz.: Apples, dried apples, oranges, figs, lemons, butter, cheese, milk, syrup, molasses, raisins, candles, crackers, wallets, brooms, com forters, boots, pocket looking-glasses, pins, gloves, leather, tin washbasins, shirt buttons, horn and brass buttons, newspapers, books, tobacco, cigars, pipes, matches, blacking, blacking brushes, clothes brushes, tooth brushes, hair brushes, coarse and fine combs, emery, crocus, pocket handkerchiefs, stationery, armor oil, sweet oil, rotten stone, razor strops, razors, soap, shaving soap, suspenders, scissors, shoestrings, needles, thread, knives, pencils and Bristol brick. You will insert the following condition in the clearance : "The vessel and all her cargo to be forfeited to the United States if any other goods are found on board of her than those specified above, on examination by the custom-house officers, or by the military or naval authorities after clearing for Cheeseman Landing." You will also require a suitable bond that none of the articles so con veyed shall be used to give aid or comfort to the insurgents. I am, very respectfully, S. P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury. Judson Mitchell, Esq., Collector, Georgetown, D. C Mentioning only part of what I was allowed to take in the ves sel, and that it had to be inspected by the Collector of George- 6i town, D. C, resulted in further disappointments for me. I em ployed six good men to carry out my directions, and I made a net profit of $4700 on that one trip to the Army. As my hotel and stage business had ceased to exist, I rented the southeast corner of Tenth and H streets N. W. in the city of Washington, investing $3000 in horses and wagons, and entered into contracts with sutlers to haul their goods to the camps in and around the city. I put six teams to work at $10 each per day, which returned me a net profit of about $50 per day. But my prosperity was not destined to be of long duration. One morn ing, not long after, about 2 o'clock, I was aroused from bed by the alarm of fire, and springing up, found, to my dismay, that all my property was being rapidly destroyed by the flames, and that all I had owned was lost. My mother was heartbroken over this new misfortune, for she was very proud of the business success of her young son, and to see him lose everything in this pitiless man ner, following so closely the banishment from her own home and the giving up of all her possessions, seemed more than she could endure. I did not undertake any further speculation, but attended strictly to my duties at the Department as if nothing had hap pened, little thinking that added, and even more, bitter misfor tunes were in store for me, for soon the news came that our ele gant residence, together with the thirteen outbuildings, had been burned and entirely destroyed by the Union troops. Going out there, I found that the reports were indeed only too true. The property had been ordered to be burnt by Colonel Hart of one of the New York regiments, to prevent the Confederates from using it. This shock was more than my poor mother could bear ; she became prostrated under this additional affliction, and soon after died of the sorrows of her rapidly accumulating misfortunes. After the loss of my mother, I secured leave of absence from the Department to visit relatives residing in Iowa, then quite a 62 Western State. While there (although only a boy) I was asked to drill the men who were being enlisted for the war, and found that my little experience at a military school in Virginia was of great ser vice, and I became a very pop ular drill-master. I helped or ganize and drill a company, which we were unable to get in the State service, the State of Iowa having already filled its quota, and after receiving the following from Mr. Sew ard, I called on Captain Marsh to see if he would be willing to join the regiment which Colonel Close was or ganizing in Alexandria, Va. He gave me a letter, which I presented to Colonel Close, who failed to get transporta tion from the Government for this company from Cedar Rapids, but it all shows the interest I took as a boy in the cause of the Union. The military fever now began to grow on me, and I thought I would like to enter the army as a private soldier ; so wrote Mr. Seward asking his advice, and received the following reply : Huc/h&. 63 t^t^*^&C4~<-*£e. 't?00 f) A j '^'^CtJLcCC LJfVl*UL* -^haJ 'f?ory' &. 7/e- A*aJ CtAutuw <~4lMnt-t.J> flUvi^iX/ afci** Cu*_4 e-jlfx ^-t^CC ' CUI Oa~ (XfifntXyt,. &J l CJ O&sUst-trlxo aft &MjULi^isisi.a JULl. ^-a^jaZtjiy <& ajisltx. e-a- c*a> £tr/u_tsAv /a&&.e ^u P / -ij—t- / v-'^y jY f C&£^ (tx^f^u IsUaAt (4*^*- till/us AtltM. tAj l**j lUtrvow /A-^-x-t-"-*-*-- /6B frv-uiasit) tfaA* (irii-uJ3, '/in ,1/7 /7 68 Soon aifter, my regiment being required to perform outpost duty, I returned to it, and for several days thereafter had some lively experiences. It was a difficult matter for an officer to get away, even for a few hours, but I procured a pass, which I still have in my possession. The following; is a copy : Headquarters Sixteenth Virginia Vols., December 29, 1862. Guards and Patrols : Pass Lieut. George A. Armes to Washington and return at 2 o'clock, December 30, 1862. Capt. F. M. Malone, Commanding Co. A. S. W. Snyder, Lieut.-Col. As the original orders will be of interest to look over as the years roll on, we reproduce a few of them to remind our soldier readers of the days of old on the tented field. The following is a copy, in my possession, of a privileged pass just before going on outpost duty with my regiment : Headquarters Sumner's Division, Camp California, December 1, 1862. Lieut. George A. Armes, the bearer of this, is acting under the authority of the General Commanding the "Division." He is not to be molested by anyone or interfered with. By order of General Heintzleman. J. W. Taylok, Capt., U. S. A., A. Adg. CHAPTER III. To those on duty there during the winter of 1863 it is not neces sary to describe the way soldiers lived in and around the city of Washington, but as thirty-eight years have rolled by, the new generation will no doubt read with interest a brief description of the soldier boys, who, ragged and dirty, grew fat and hearty and appeared to enjoy life. Every day there were detailed from each company from four to fifteen men, according to the numerical strength fitted for duty. These were provided with from one to three days' rations, and marched to Brigade or Division headquarters, inspected, then marched to the front line, and placed from six to ten yards apart, where they dug holes in the ground in which to remain for pro tection. Some fifty or 100 yards in front of this line would be the vidette line of pickets, hid behind anything that would afford shel ter from the enemies' bullets, and the "Johnnies" -were always looking for a chance to slip between the pickets and surprisethose in camp, who were resting and waiting their turn to go to the front. There was a reserve detachment of from fifty to 100 men be tween the camp and picket line, ready to deploy to the right or left, if necessary, in case the two lines in -front were driven "back ; so those in camp were not liable to be surprised. While on 'this duty neither officers nor men were allowed to close their eyes day or night, the penalty being death if caught asleep. Hard tack, a little coffee and fat bacon constituted the rations. As the men on this duty were compelled to stand, walk or sit, often in the mud or snow, for twenty-four hours, and as each one had to perform this duty every two or three days, the reader will per ceive that there was not much fun in doing outpost duty. Soon after the Sixteenth Virginia was mustered out, and July 1, 1863, I was appointed Second Lieutenant in the Invalid Corps. This Corps was composed of men who had been wounded or par- (69) 7o tially disabled and incapacitated for active service in the field. They were put on duty in cities and in the interior, taking the places of able-bodied soldiers, who were sent to the front for active service. The following is a copy of the first order I received after being transferred to the Invalid Corps, enclosing my commission as Second Lieutenant : Provost Marshal General's Office, Washington, D. C, July 2, 1863. Second Lieut. Geo. A. Armes, Invalid Corps: Sir — Enclosed you will see your appointment in the Invalid Corps. You will immediately acknowledge the receipt of this communication to me. If you accept the appointment, send your acceptance, with the oath, etc., to the Adjutant-General, U. S. A., Washington, D. C, as your appointment requires. You will put yourself in uniform as quickly as possible, and hold yourself in readiness to obey special orders from the War Department, which will be sent you in a few days. Upon receiving your orders, you will acknowledge their re ceipt, and will report to me, in writing, your arrival at your sta tion. I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) Rich. H. Rush, Col. and Asst. to Prov. Marshal Gen. I at once reported to Captain Anderson [now Brigadier-Gen eral, U. S. A., who so distinguished himself in the Philippine war] for duty at the new camp on Meridian Hill, between Fourteenth and Fifteenth streets, about one mile north of the White House. The Captain's command then consisted of six privates and one Lieutenant, besides myself. Our camp was composed of three tents, but the next day the men began to report, and we soon made a fine appearance, having a regular Army officer to com mand us. Orders were freely issued, which we had to obey to the letter. Within ten days after I reported we were strictly complying with them. A few of the old soldiers who were fond of their "bitters" would occasionally be caught out of camp, unable to perform their duties. 7i tt is hardly necessary to explain to the soldier readers of this book that they would get drunk, because such a charge against an old soldier is only of the past, but Captain Anderson was obliged to issue the following order, which had a good effect : Special Orders, No. 3. A Regimental Garrison Court-Martial, to consist of Capt. Geo. P. Sherwood, Eleventh Company, First Batt., I. C. ; Second Lieut. William R. Tillotson, Fourth Company, First Batt, 1. C; Second Lieut. Geo. A. Armes, First Company, First Batt, I. C. Lieut. George A. Armes will be Recorder of the Court, which will con vene at 9 o'clock A. M., July 15, 1863, or as soon thereafter as practical, for the trial of Privates Edward Herman and Frederick Spintie, both of Third Company, Second Battalion, Invalid Corps, and such other prisoners as may be properly brought before it. By order of Capt. T. M. Anderson, Twelfth U. S. Inf., Com'd'g I. C. (Signed) F. R. Rice, Acting Adjutant Invalid Corps. On July 18, 1863, four companies were ordered to Philadelphia, under command of Major Sewell, and we had not been established in camp in one of the beautiful parks of the "Quaker City" but a short time before we were ordered to Hartford, Conn., where we went into camp with several other companies. We then furnished men to guard the substitutes, and gave the soldiers who had not been to the field an opportunity tohave a little active life. On the eve of July 25, 1863, I attended a party given by Miss Davis, and was so highly entertained that I did not reach my tent until after 12 o'clock, and then forgot to notify my sergeant to call me in the morning in time to attend reveille, which I missed, and at 10 A. M. received the following order : Headquarters Invalid Corps, Hartford, Conn., July 26, 1863. Second Lieut. Geo. A. Armes, Ninth Company, First Battalion: Sir — You are ordered to report yourself in arrest in your quar ters for disobedience of orders. You will send your sword to these 72 headquarters immediately. By order of Maj. F. D. Sewall, Commanding. (Signed) James A. Weeks, First Lieut, and A. A. Adj. (Arrest No. 5.) Note.^As this was my first arrest as an officer, it left quite an impression upon my mind. After two days' close arrest I was released and reprimanded by my new commanding officer, who put on the airs of a Second Lieutenant in the absence of his General. I reported for duty in time to comply with an order, and was glad to get away from such a martinet as Sewell. He was superseded by Maj. D. K. Ward- well, and we broke camp under orders, Maj. Wardwell assuming command of our battalion. After reporting at Boston, we were ordered to go into camp at Wendham, about twenty miies from Boston, where Major Ward- well took command, First Lieut. Urbon A. Woodbury command ing my company, there not being any Captain assigned. The following is a list of the officers of the First Battalion, In valid Corps, commanded by Maj. D. K. Wardwell, stationed at Portsmouth, N. H., during the month of August, 1863 : David K. Wardwell (Major), July 23, 1863, commanding Camp Fry; David T. Corbin (Captain), June 3, 1863, commanding Sev enth Company ; Geo. P. Sherwood (Captain), July 3, 1863, com manding Eleventh Company ; Harry W. Benton (First Lieuten ant), June 13, 1863, A. A. Q. M. and A. A. C. S. ; Urbon Wood bury (First Lieutenant), June 17, 1863, commanding Ninth Com pany since organization; Geo. A. Armes (Second Lieutenant), July 1, 1863, Acting Adjt., assigned to Eleventh Company. Headquarters A. A. P. M. General's Office, State of New Hampshire, Concord, N. H., August 27, 1863. I certify that the within-named officers are officers of the First Battalion Invalid Corps, and stationed at Portsmouth, N. H. (Signed) O. A. Mack, Major, U. S. Army, A. D. C. and A, A. P. M. G. Station A, N. H. 73 A copy of the above order was furnished each officer of the battalion for the purpose of showing authority on the part of the Paymaster to pay him. While in Portsmouth our duties were principally to guard the substitutes, who were furnished by the drafted citizens of that part of the State, and who received from $500 to $2000 each for taking the places of the party drafted, and released from being sent to the field as soon as his substitute was accepted. From the moment the substitute was uniformed, or received his money from the party whose place he had taken, he was at once made a prisoner, in one sense of the word, as he was placed under guard in some secure building or camp, with a sentry over him with loaded musket, and orders to shoot or kill anyone who at tempted to escape. After twenty-five or fifty substitutes had been collected, they were bunched together, a strong guard put around them, and sent to their regiments in the field. So it was an impossibility for one tc escape, unless through the treachery of the guard or a non commissioned officer, who would possibly, but very rarely, accept from $100 to $500 as a bribe and let a man go. After being assigned to their companies and regiments, and mixed in with the volunteers, who carefully watched all their movements, it was next to an impossibility for them to get away, unless by deserting to the enemy from the advanced guard, which often occurred. Such men were of little or no use, as they could not be trusted anywhere, and it required much of the time of good soldiers, taken from important duties, to watch them. Camp Fry was a beautiful place in summer, terraced on three sides with large shade trees, and on the fourth by a lake or pond, full of fish and good row or sailboats. As I ranked Lieutenant Reeder, I felt that he could not assume authority over me in the absence of the Major, although he was Acting Adjutant of the battalion. So, as Officer of the Day, I obtained a larger tent from the Quartermaster for the guard than they had been in the habit of using, and fixed it up. When Lieutenant Reeder found out that I had taken such a liberty without first consulting him, he ordered me to take it back. I asked his reason. He replied 74 the order was sufficient without any reason. I then demanded the order in writing, which he furnished at once as follows : Headquarters Invalid Corps, Camp Fry, August n, 1863. Lieutenant: You will assemble your police guard at once and have them take the guard tent back to the Q. M. The Major Commanding desires me to say that hereafter you will obey all orders coming through me without replying back or asking for their reason. The tent will be taken down under your own superintendence. Very respectfully, (Signed) F. W. Reeder, Lt. and Asst. Adj. To Lieut. Armes, Officer of the Day. The order was at once carried into effect by me, but upon the return of the Major, I appealed to him to know if his Adjutant had a right to use his name and issue such an order without any cause during his absence. He sustained his Adjutant, and told me that a soldier should never question or disobey an order when given by order of his commanding officer through his Adjutant. I accepted it as good advice, and as Lieutenant Reeder was older than I, and had been in service in the German Army, I copied after his ways to a great extent, but as he was a good and strict soldier, we were always friends after that. While on duty in Portsmouth I made quite a number of warm friends of the best class, having preferred from childhood no asso ciates at all unless of good standing. Among the most pleasant families were the Wendals, Thompsons and General Whipple and J. R. Stanwood, the latter having kept up a correspondence with me for years. Having been one of the military escort at the funeral of Major- General Whipple, and not meeting his family until ordered to Portsmouth, I took a great interest in the two boys, Willie and David, who used to go boating and fishing with me. Willie, or Chas. W., as he was called by some, went to West Point the next year, and was afterward assigned to the artillery and latterly to 75 the ordnance. David I met in Washington occasionally after he became a Lieutenant in the Marine Corps. He married a Miss Colgate of Washington, who has since died, and was greatly affected by her death, as they were very devoted. A better-hearted or more popular officer did not belong to the Corps. Miss Lizzie, their sister, was one ofthe most cultivated young ladies I met in the State of New Hampshire. She accompanied ns on one of our excursions around to old Fort Constitution, to wards Rye Beach, in a sailboat, where we fished for mackerel, or, at least, I attempted to ; bUt'as I became so seasick, I did not make much headway. On our return the tide was going out, and we boys had to take turns at rowing. As I had only obtained permis sion to be absent until retreat, I was more than doubly anxious to reach shore, and worked until my hands were in a terribly blis tered condition ; but, in spite of my exertions to be on time, I did not reach camp until one hour after retreat. Of course, I had been reported absent to my commanding officer, and upon arri val I at once reported to the Major. He said, "Go to your quar ters in arrest, and I'll teach you a lesson about shirking your duty." "Major," I began, but he interrupted me with, "Not a word, sir." "Will you let me explain?" I insisted. "No," he answered; "obey my orders at once," which I did, though the pain of my blistered hands, and suspense for my sec ond military arrest (arrest No. 6) for what I could not help, kept me awake all night. As soon as I thought he was up, I applied for an interview, which he approved, to take place at 2 o'clock P. M., and every hour of that time seemed a day. When we met I explained how the tide went out, and that instead of our boat sailing back, we had to row it, and that I used every endeavor possible to return on time, showing him my hands as evidence of my truthfulness. He let me off with a reprimand, saying that by right no excuse should be taken, but as this was the first offense he would indulge me this time ; I must be careful in the future, however. I thanked him, and went to my quarters, and I do not believe I ever asked permission to go out of camp again, feeling ashamed to call on 76 any of my friends or go to General Whipple's house. After that the boys came to my camp to see me, seemed to have a great sym pathy for my misfortune, and wanted to take the blame upon themselves, but as the matter had been settled, I did not attempt to bring it up again. I afterwards found my Major to be one of the best-hearted men in the service, and when I left him he explained that what he did was for my own good, and that if I had been his own son he could not have taken a greater interest in me. Young Stanwood I have not heard from for years. During the month of September, 1863, Lieutenant Woodbury and our company were ordered to West Lebanon, N. H., where a drafting station was established, and Captain Pike placed on duty as Provost Marshal. We fixed a nice little camp near the depot, and our duties were to place substitutes under immediate guard after being brought to our camp, where they were held until we would get a squad of forty or fifty, which were put in a car, under close guard, and taken to Concord, N. H. There they were to be uniformed and drilled and prepared for the field. My principal duties were to take them through, and it required extra vigilance on my part to manage these desperate characters, for whom I was held responsible. Many tried to bribe the guard, .paying from $500 to $1000 to be allowed to slip by, but in most every instance I got the sentry, though not always the bounty- jumper. We punished the bribe-takers so. severely when caught that very few dared to run the risk of being bought off by substi tutes. As my company was composed of intelligent and trusty men, and Lieutenant Woodbury (a married man) preferred to remain in camp most of the time and attend to the sending off and the taking care of the substitutes, it gave me all the time I wished to ride and drive over the country, going to the White Mountains and every place of interest, drawing my pay every month being one of my most important duties. I became very much attached to Lieutenant Woodbury, who has since been Governor of Vermont, and we got along nicely. He was a splendid officer, whom I respected and obeyed to the letter. And he indulged me in every way reasonable. While at 77 West Lebanon I made many acquaintances, and was invited to parties and sociables continuously. I became very much attracted by Miss Julia, daughter of Richard B. Kimball, who was visiting her aunt, Mrs. Haddock. Among other families who made me feel at home were Dr. Crosby's, at Hanover; Mrs. Lyman's, near White River Junction; Colonel Hosley's and Captain Pyke's. ¦ Lieutenant Woodbury being promoted to a Captaincy, and the quota of the district of which we had charge having been furnished, our company was ordered, during the month of November, to Concord, N. H., where the rest of the regiment were on duty, un der the command of Colonel Wardwell, who had been promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, our battalion numbering the Thirteenth Regiment, and my company F, and my duties and work com menced in earnest. My first detail for a large and responsible command took me away from the regiment to the front, as per following order : Headquarters Supt. Volunteer Recruiting Service, Special Orders, Concord, N. H., November 23, 1863. No. 87. A party of one hundred and seventy-six (176). volunteer recruits will proceed at 9 o'clock A. M.. tomorrow to Long Island, Boston harbor, thence by vessel to join the Second. Regiment N. H. Vol unteers at Point Lookout, Md., or wherever else the regiment may be. Geo. A. Armes, Second: Lieutenant "F" Company, Thirteenth Regiment, Invalid Corps; Amos B. Holden, Second Lieutenant "D" Company, First Battalion, Heavy Artillery; Corporal John Fowler, Company "D,"' First Battalion; Private A. H. Jacobs, Heavy Artillery; Private E. R. Preston, Massachusetts Volun teers, will accompany the party to its destination, and will return to rendezvous when they have been delivered to the commanding officer of the regiment. One day's cooked rations will be issued to the party at this de pot, and rations for the remainder of the journey will be drawn at Long Island, Boston harbor, by the commanding officer. Transportation will be furnished by Captain Holmes, Asst. Quartermaster at this post. The attention of the officer commanding the party is called to, 982-3-4 revised regulations, edition of 1861, the provisions of which will be strictly complied with, report to be made to 'the commanding officer of this rendezvous. 78 By order of Brig.-Gen. Edward Hinks. Solon A. Carter, Capt. and Asst. Adj.-Gen. While I was complying with the above order the detachment raised a subscription of $50, with the request that with it I pur chase a sword in remembrance of the Twelfth N. H. I felt very proud of my popularity with the men, but it was considered a breach of Army discipline by my commanding officer, Colonel Wardwell, who thought it would be a feather in his cap to take official notice of it. I was therefore placed in close arrest (arrest No. 7) and charged with conduct prejudicial to good order and military discipline, but after a thorough investigation I was re leased without a trial by order of General Hinks. Lieutenant Woodbury, after being mustered out, returned to his home at Burlington, Vt., where he became manager of the Booth Lumber Co., was elected mayor of his city during several terms, then Lieutenant-Governor, and finally Governor. We have kept up a correspondence for years and visited and revisited each other's families. I present, the reader with a few extracts from some of his private letters, having obtained his consent to my making them public : Concord, N. H., March 24, 1864. Friend Armes: Yours of the 21st received today. I was glad to hear from you and to learn that you had arrived safely at home. You seem to think that you would rather be here than in Washington. I do not wonder, for of all the places this side of that "abode of wicked ness" I detest Washington. But we are soldiers, and shall go cheerfully where we are ordered. * * * I am as much pleased with the change of the designation of the Corps as you are. We are progressing finely here; expect to be examined every day. The board is in Boston. All send regards to you. Write again when convenient. Yours, truly, (Signed) U. A. Woodbury, Captain, etc. 79 QOV. WOODBURY AND FAMILY. 8o Concord, N. H., May 26, 1864. Friend Armes : I received your welcome letter last week, and was glad to hear from you and to learn that you had passed the examination un scathed. Sergeant McKillipp got back last night. He does not know whether he will be commissioned or not. I hope he will, for he is a good fellow. Henderson, Wallace and Schregot's time, will soon be up. Barnard is at Philadelphia school applying for a commission in a colored regiment. Quite a number of the* old men have been discharged by reason of expiration of term. ? * * * * * * * * * I am in command of the camp now, and am having quite a soft thing of it. I have had quite a number of inquiries for you from the softer (?) sex. They send their regards to you generally. * * * * * Yours truly, (Signed) U. A. Woodbury, Captain, etc. Upon arriving- at Long Island, General Diven gave us a close inspection, and after three days' preparations, we embarked on a vessel, which landed us at Point Lookout, Md., where these sub stitutes were immediately assigned to companies in the regiment, where the old soldiers watched them so closely it was impossible for them to escape, but were forced into the front ranks and taught their duties. Men were treated very much as horses and cattle ; they were gathered up from all over the country wherever they could be found, put on cars or vessels and hurried to the Army of the Potomac. The death of a soldier was so common that no one seemed to give any more thought to it than if he were an animal, and as fast as one died others supplied their places; but such is War. While stationed in Concord, N. H., I not only met a great many acquaintances socially, but made myself very popular with the pastors, who professed to be very much gratified with my bring ing my soldiers to the churches. The following is a sample of the passes which had to be approved by my commanding officer before I could attend church : Headquarters Co. F, Thirteenth Regiment, Invalid Corps, February 7, 1864. Pass the bearer, Geo. A. Armes, Company F, Thirteenth Regi ment, I. C, to church and back to camp, till 7 o'clock P. M., for the purpose of going to church with thirty-six men. (Signed) Geo. A. Armes, Commanding Company. Approved : D. T. Corbin, Capt. Commanding Thirteenth Regt, I. C, Commanding Camp. Being on such friendly terms with all the officers on duty at Concord, and being anxious to go in the cavalry arm of the service, I procured the following recommendation, but was ordered to an other station, however, before an opportunity was offered to use it, but it shows my standing among the officers with whom I served : Headquarters General Rendezvous, Concord, N. H., February 20, 1864. To His Excellency, Joseph A. Gilmore, Governor of the State of New Hampshire: We, the undersigned officers, do cheerfully recommend Lieut. Ceo. A. Armes, Company F, Thirteenth Regiment, U. S. Invalid Corps, as an officer of good habits, and industrious in any capacity in which he may be employed, as an officer. He wishes a commission in New Hampshire cavalry. We would be most happy if you can grant his request, he being well ac quainted with the country of Virginia and other States in the South, would prove himself very useful. H. Fear tng, Col. ist Regt., N. H. Cav. Solon A. Carter, Capt. and A. A. A. G Wm. S. Ryan, Capt. 13th Regt., I. C. A. G. Cummings, Capt. 13th Regt., N. H. Vols. Inf. Geo. H. Chandler, Maj. 9th N. H. Vols. Jno. A. Cummings, Capt. 6th N. H. Vols. L. P. Wilson, ist Lieut. 13th N. H. Vols. J. B. Fay, ist Lieut. 5th N. H. Vols. T. A. Ripley, Capt. 14th N. H. Vols. C. II. Carter, ist Lieut. N. H. Vols. J. S. Dugin, Capt. Com. 7th Regt. N. H. Vols. 82 Lieutenant Armes has been well spoken of and highly recom mended by Gen. S. P. Heintzleman, U. S. A., under whose notice he has performed meritorious service. Edw. W. Hinks, Brig.-Gen. N. H. Vols. Lieutenant Armes is well acquainted with the cavalry drill and service, and, in my opinion, ought to have a situation in the First N. H. Cavalry. M. Carr, Lieut.-Col. Second Regt. N. H. Vols. I am acquainted with Lieutenant Armes, and have no doubt that he is competent to fill a position as Captain or Lieutenant in the cavalry. W. H. Donohue, Col. Tenth N. H. Vols. Upon, my return from Boston and other places where I had visited I received orders relieving me from duty at Concord and directing me to report for duty at Washington. I immediately packed up, bade friends good-bye and landed in Washington, where I was assigned to duty with the Nineteenth V. R. C. Regiment, Colonel Dayton commanding. A letter received in those days of interest now is the following : Headquarters, Camp for Drafted Men, Concord, N. H., March 27, 1864. Dear Lieutenant: I received your letter yesterday, and was very much pleased to hear from you. I suppose you often thought I was strict with my duties, but you will find that I have been more lenient here than I would be in Washington. You can tell Colonel Wisewell that General Hinks says that our battalion is the best in the service, and was never in finer condi tion than at present. We are waiting anxiously to receive the order to proceed to Washington. The Board of Examination has convened at Boston, and I expect that our officers will be ordered before it for examination before long. Lieutenant Benton has re turned to duty as Post Adjutant. General Hinks has been re lieved and ordered to General Butler's Department, and Colonel Fermg of the Eighth N. H. is Superintendent of Volunteer Re cruiting Service. §3 I do not fear the duty that we would be compelled to do if we got to Washington, for I think that I have a battalion that is fully able to do it. They may talk about General McClellan holding secret communication with General Lee, but I do not believe it. He is as loyal a man and as good a General as there is on the continent, and if he is nominated for the Presidency there is no man in the field that can beat him. I saw several of your lady friends today, and they send you their kind regards. I think you will find it more difficult to get back to Concord than to get away. We have enough cavalrymen here now to make five companies. Major Wyman leaves for Washington tomorrow, to be gone a few days. We are getting along very well, and our men are im proving in doing guard duty every day. We have fine weather here now. I am, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) D. K. Wardwell, Lieut-Col., U. S. A. The three following recommendations will indicate the measures 1 adopted to accomplish my desire to obtain a little more active service at the front before the rebellion was entirely ended : To Whom It May Concern : The bearer, Lieut. Geo. A. Armes, is a particular friend of mine. He has already served one term of enlistment, and has been wounded three times in the service of his country. Upon a sur geon's certificate he was admitted to the Veteran Reserve Corps, in which he has served for some months, part of the time as Lieu tenant under me. Having sufficiently recovered, he is anxious to return again to active service. I find him to be an excellent offi cer and a gentleman, and if there is a probability of your helping him to a position, your kindness will be greatly appreciated. I remain, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) F. W. H. Kendrick, Capt. V. R. Corps. Washington, D. C, May 2, 1864. Note. — Captain Kendrick is now the senior Captain of the Sev enth U. S. Infantry. 84 Soldiers' Rest, Washington, D. C, May 4, 1864. Brigadier-General Martindale: Sir — I have the honor to recommend to your consideration Lieut. Geo. A. Armes, formerly of the Sixteenth Virginia Volun teers, now of the V. R. C. He has been long and favorably known to me as an officer and gentleman. I remain, General, yours, (Signed) E. M. Camp, Capt. and Q. A. A. D. My duties at Concord had been very agreeable from the fact that I was kept on the move all the time, which suited my roving nature. I reached Washington, D. C, and was made an assistant Pro vost-Marshal and inspector of new troops being organized and prepared for field duty. The Veteran Reserve was substituted as a new name for the Invalid Corps. It was the general impression in May, 1864, that General Grant would march into Richmond with the enormous number of men at his disposal, he having five soldiers to every Confederate, each one fully armed and equipped, with plenty to eat, while the Confed erates were poorly armed and equipped and half starved. The fighting at the front had begun in earnest, and the heavy artillery, which had been quartered in forts around the Capital, so long living on the fat of the land, were suddenly hustled to the field. The daily news of Grant's victory made many believe that the war would not last much longer, and I became so anxious to get to the front that I requested the following letter of introduc tion to General Augur from Congressman Whaley, hoping that he might be able to find some way to get me to the front : House of Representatives, Washington, D. C, May 4, 1864. Maj.-Gen. C. C. Augur: Sir — Please give Lieut. G. A. Armes an interview. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, K. V. Whaley, M. C. 85 He placed the following endorsement upon the letter, which I presented to General Hardie at the War 'Department: Referred to Colonel Hardie. This officer can be spared if his services are deemed necessary at the front. (Signed) C. C. Augur, Maj.-Gen. I applied to General Hardie at the War Department May 16, 1864, for an appointment for service at the front. He said that he did not know of any way to oblige me just then, but for me to call the next day. I did so, and he informed me that he had some very important dispatches from the President and Secretary of War that he must send to General Grant by some trusted officer, that he could not think of anyone who could perform that duty better than 1, and that, after delivering them to General Grant, I might ask him to assign me to duty, and he thought the General could find a place for me. He then issued an order relieving me from duty with my regiment, and(the next morning I was handed the following : Headquarters, Military Department, Washington, D. C, May 18, 1864. Col. R. H. Rush, Commander of First Brigade, V. R. C. : Colonel — The Secretary of War directs that Lieut. Geo. A. Armes, V. R. C, at Sherbourne Barracks, be ordered to report immediately for duty at the War Department. Fie will be required to proceed to the Army of the Potomac. Please direct that the notice of his reporting be given without delay to these head quarters. By order of W. N. Wisewell. Theodore McGowan, A. A. G. Within one hour after receiving the above order I was at the War Department. General Hardie told me that orders had been given the Quartermaster to let me select any horse I wished, di rected me to go to the corral and take my choice, giving me instructions to return and see the Secretary of War as soon as I had obtained my horse, as there was a boat ready to take me to Belle Plain, and that I was to be entrusted with very important dis patches, orders and commissions for several officers. S6 (NolTruifgrablt. Arriving at the corral, I received every attention and assistance that could be rendered in helping select a horse. As there were thousands of them, it took me some time to make a selection. At last I found one, a beautiful bay, seven or eight years old, as sound and as active as a horse could be, which I soon mounted and dashed up to the War Department, reporting to General Hardie, who went with me into the room of the Secretary of War, also handing me the following pass in his own handwriting : SJlar gtwfnunt, "MasMntj-ton^S). 0.,<^/K//.iJ' ;0 ,._ ., Ke// Sl/Hnif crf~>6fe /fr-£p^:f*^t £gj, .up ./ia. ^a^,,t,.y ./ -»;,, , Mr. Stanton handed me the dispatches, commissions, etc., giv ing me verbal instructions. Finally, he took me by the hand and wished me success. I was soon on the boat and on my way to Belle Plain, where a special escort was furnished me and the fol lowing order: ^u gUpriranii, 3^. /ft ) Sttu*. 6fec&le***s C4je*£j&z^r-£, jG?*~z,Jt*4 . *4t*^cJL,. G^isuet rfjeft^is/ £c- /&£, ^-rir-irt fi-wavf ¦ , 87 ^Zl^> o/l& (Mutely of 7#t«3. f-jc^,j. , &:§lyZ~. MT** Asxistaitf Adjutant General. rlccQj&*iA_j Gs44c6/%U~t C-CcOa 4&-^*^x*& Upon arriving at Belle Plain, my escort was found waiting, and we galloped on into Fredericksburg the next day, passing thou sands of soldiers en route to the front to replace the thousands who only a few hours or days before had been killed or wounded. At Fredericksburg wagon-load after wagon-load of dead soldiers were being hauled to and piled along the edge of a long ditch or trench, where the bodies were being wrapped in blankets, placed side by side in the bottom of the trench and covered up. It was indeed a sad sight General Shriver, if I remember right, was in command there at that time, and upon my reporting to him, a fresh escort of cavalry was furnished me, and by dark on the 20th of May I was at General Grant's headquarters. DELIVERING DESPATCHES TO GENERAL GRANT The General was sitting near a log fire in front of his tent, talk ing with members of his staff and General Meade. An orderly announced my name to General Rawlins, who was chief of staff, who informed me that he would receive any papers from the War Department. I declined to hand them to him, on the ground that the Secretary of War had directed me to hand them to General Grant in person. He then called General Grant over to the front of the tent and introduced me, when I at once handed him the commissions, dispatches, etc. He handed them to General Raw lins, who opened them, and, after reading the contents, passed them back to the General. I was requested to take a seat by the camp fire, while Generals Grant and Rawlins had quite a long discussion, after which they joined the party. After a short conversation with General Raw lins, I told him I would like to remain in the field, explaining my reasons. He then acquainted General Grant with my desire, and the latter asked General Rawlins where he could assign me. Gen eral Rawlins recommended either Generals Hancock or Sedgwick. General Grant then said, smilingly : Order him to report to General Hancock, who is one of the best generals in the Army; he will give, him his fill of fighting, if that is what he is looking for. Bidding General Grant good evening, I went with General Raw lins to his tent, and he placed the following endorsement upon my War Department order, which I still have : 89 Cfr s£y,. 4L~. a£yf/d%fc As soon as the above endorsement was written, General Raw lins sent an orderly to show me the way to General Hancock's headquarters. There I reported for duty in compliance with the endorsement, which General Hancock read, and at once called his staff and introduced them to me ; at the same time he called his orderly (Shaw), who fixed up the "toddies." My work now began in earnest, and the next day I rode to the lines near Spottsylvania Court House, Va., visiting some of the Division and Brigade Commanders in company with Captain Parker, one of our staff. May 22 we camped at Hanover Junc tion, and at about 8 A. M. took down headquarters tents for a grand move. When we reached the Richmond & Fredericksburg Railroad we found it necessary to put our artillery in position, and by 4 P M. the fighting commenced. General Birney's Division go charged over the works at double-quick time. General Hancock exposed himself in the hottest of the fire and wherever his pres ence was most necessary. While returning from delivering a message to General Tyler a shell passed between my breast and my horse's head, the shock from which caused my horse to fall. As he was going at full speed I struck the ground fully twenty feet in his front, but was not badly hurt. My horse was dead in a few moments, and securing a riderless horse, I was soon on my way again, and reported to the General, who congratulated me upon my narrow escape. .¦,'»w*"siiil;!fK>-'!:f^ Unhorsed While Delivering Messages. The firing ceased at dusk, when the dead and wounded were gathered up. We lost about 200 killed, but captured several hun dred of the enemy; in fact, we gained a signal victory. It was a miracle that the General was not killed, as the shot, snell and bul lets were flying all about him, but he sat his horse as if he was on dress parade, and gave orders to his aides as pleasantly as though he were just having a little fun. On May 23 we skirmished most of the day, capturing about thirty prisoners near Hanover Court House, but did not have the battle we expected. May 24 the Corps left the river. Then we had brisk skirmish ing all that day, until we reached the bridge over North Anna, which was protected by a strong force of Confederates, but after some very hard fighting we took the bridge. On May 25 General Hancock had us all out very early, and we were kept in the' thickest of the fighting most of the day. Shortly after the departure of Generals Meade and Burnside, with their staffs, who had been at headquarters most of the morning, a report came to General Hancock that the Ninth Corps were shelling our men at the bridge. The General immediately sent me to General Burnside to have it stopped, and while carrying the order it was necessary for me to pass through an open space, which was cov ered by a masked battery of the enemy, the bullets from which were as thick as bees in the air. Just before returning I told Lieu tenant Fletcher of General Wilcox's staff, who was preparing to return with me, of the danger, but he said that the important orders he had to deliver required him to run the risk, so we started across the field together at full speed. When I looked back I saw that he and his horse were down, where they remained until after dusk, when it was discovered that he had received several bullet wounds. After my reporting back to the General, he and all of us rode, up to examine our lines a little before sundown, but the Confederate sharpshooters made it so disagreeable that we could not go very far; so we returned and prepared ourselves for the flank move ment which was to take place the next day. May 26, 1864, we were at Hanover Court House, fifteen miles from Richmond, and our headquarters were established in the Jones House, where Dr. Dougherty, our Corps surgeon, ordered me to bed and fixed up my leg, which had become quite lame from the effects of a bruise caused by coming in contact with a tree while delivering an order to General Tyler, who then com manded an artillery brigade, but the doctor found it impossible to carry out tliat order, as I was determined to be on the go all the time. 92 May 27 we were on the march most of the day, and it was after 12 o'clock before the command halted for the night. May 28 we were on the flank movement by 6 o'clock, and the skirmishing was kept up briskly until 4 P. M., when it was made extra lively, General Sheridan losing several hundred men and sixty-five officers of his command. Most of the wounded were taken to Salem Church, near Pamunky river, when we crossed and rode to the head of the column, through fields, woods and over ditches, in order that the men marching in the road would not be annoyed or inconvenienced by our horses crowding them. May 29, while at Dr. Pollard's, General Hancock sent Barlow's Division out to reconnoitre. Captain Wilson and myself were sent with him out on the Richmond road, and just as we reached the road that turns to Hanover Court House we were fired into. I at once reported to General Hancock, who sent me to General Meade for reinforcements, which were immediately put in action, and a very lively fight took place. May 30 General Hancock had us all up about 4 A. M. General Barlow moved his Division in advance, with General Gibbon on his left and General Birney on the right. After the General had selected a prominent position for headquarters, he sent me after 600 of Berdan's sharpshooters, who advanced beyond the skir mish line, where they did excellent service. Both sides kept up a heavy fire, and hurled shot and shell at each other most of the day, without any particular gain on either side. Many good men were killed on both sides. Before the artillery commenced firing, General Hancock sent word to Mrs. Shelton, who occupied a very fine house, with many of her lady friends as guests, that she could have protection within our lines, as her house, being between the two lines, was liable to be destroyed ; but she declined to leave, and soon after shot and shell were crashing through it. That evening the whole family were found in the cellar, safe and unharmed. During the engagement General Hancock sent me with orders to General Tidball, commanding the artillery, to fire more to his left, so as to give General Birney an opportunity to advance on the right. 93 This incident was witnessed in front of the Shelton, house May 30 : Early in the morning General Grant rode up, and was scan ning the enemy's lines through his field glass, and was but a few feet from a caisson. The women in the house sent a negro with a shovel of coals, who, raising the lid of the chest, threw the coals in. An explosion quickly followed. The General showed no signs of being disturbed. It was no doubt known by some of those in the house who he was, and th.ey hoped by performing the above to remove him from earth. Their scheme failed. The firing was kept up most of the night, and on the morning of May 31 Generals Barlow and Birney advanced their Divisions and took the breastworks, which were soon utilized by the Second Army Corps. General Whistler did some gallant work with the Second New York Heavy Artillery. General Hancock worked us very hard all day, and it seemed almost a miracle that none of us were hit, as we were under a continuous fire most of the time. General Grant and staff were fired upon while passing near Colo nel Shelton's house. Colonel Batchelder, our Corps Quartermaster, lost twenty wagons and three officers, which were en route to Port Royal after provisions. During the night I delivered the following cir cular to each Division Commander : Headquarters Second Army Corps, May 31, 1864—12.30 A. M. If Division Commanders in the advance require support, and cannot obtain it on their right or left, they can call upon the Major- General commanding the Corps for reinforcements. He will be found at the Shelton Fi ouse. W. S. Hancock, Maj.-Gen. Commanding Reaching Cold Harbor during .the night of June 1 on our march, the old Second Corps was firing pretty lively by 4 o'clock A. M. On the 3d of June the "Johnny Rebs" soon let us know that they did not intend to fall back any further. We made up out- minds that they were going to give us hard work, and by sunrise there was a line at least six miles long, pouring a continuous fire 94 at each other. The artillery went at it in dead earnest ; it was an interesting sight. The Fifth Army Corps was soon in need of assistance, and Gen eral Birney, commanding the Third Division, went to General Warren's support, wbo was opposed by a very strong force. These Confederates seemed determined to break our line if possible, and when General Tyler, commanding the Fourth Brigade, charged, he was shot in the foot, and everyone of his staff was either killed or wounded. Colonel Brooke, commanding the Brigade (now Major-General, U. S. A.), was shot through the stomach, and Colonel Porter, commanding the Eighth New York — one of the most popular officers in the Army at that time — was killed. Col onel Haskel of the Sixty-sixth New York, another gallant officer, with eight other Colonels whose names I do not now recall, were also killed. General Hancock stationed himself, with his staff, upon a prom inent knoll, where he could witness almost every movement, send ing his officers at all necessary times, which seemed to us exceed ingly numerous, to the Division Commanders with orders. He directed General Barlow to occupy a position on the crest of a hill which the Confederates seemed determined we should not hold. Captain Mclntire was ordered to deliver this, but had not gotten out of sight before his horse was shot under him, and he had to return, when Capt. Isaac Parker was told by the General "for God's sake get that order to Barlow." Parker had gone but a short distance when bis horse was shot in the eye, reared up and fell over dead. General Hancock, clasping his hands together, said, "Poor Parker is killed." Turning to Captain Wilson, he told him to get the order to Barlow at once. Just as Captain Wil son started one of our orderlies was killed, and a few bullets went through the headquarter's flag and one through the rim of the General's hat, when he quietly said, "Gentlemen, it is a little close here," but still sat on his horse, which was firm as a rock. Just then Captain Wilson returned, his horse having been killed. General Hancock then'turned to me, and said: "Now, Mr. Armes, it is your turn, and for God's sake get this order to Barlow." 95 The battle was now raging its hottest, and shells were bursting all around us, tearing up the ground under our horses and cover ing us with dirt. I headed my horse for General Barlow, who could be seen sit ting on his prancing steed, in the midst of the firing. Lying at the side of my horse's neck, I sent him forward at full speed, and in less than four minutes was at Barlow's side. Delivering Despatches to Barlow. The charge was made, but it was found impossible to drive the enemy out of their stronghold. The old Second Corps now went to work in earnest, and dug rifle pits, and soon had a strong line of breastworks, which proved to be good protection against the bullets and shells, which filled the air like a swarm of bees. Upon my return, General Hancock grasped me by the hand and thanked me for my promptness. Colonel Mitchell then rode up to me, and said that General Meade, who was talking to Gen eral Hancock when the latter gave me the order, asked him, "Who is that young officer that just started for Barlow?" "It is Mr. Armes," Hancock replied, "and he would carry an order into hell if I should tell him to take one there." All were 96 very tired and hungry that night when we went into camp, where the coffee without milk and a little fat pork and hard tack, which our cooks had prepared for us, was relished. About June io, 1864, after marching all night, we reached Wil cox's Landing on the James river, and General Hancock at once placed me on duty to superintend the crossing of the troops, with orders to report every hour the number who had crossed and facil ities for getting them over as rapidly as possible. All the boats were loaded to the water's edge, and not a man or horse was lost out of the entire Corps. As fast as the men landed on the other side they marched to the Christian farm, where the General made his headquarters, and I then superintended the crossing of the artillery. It was after 1 o'clock before I had an opportunity to get a moment's rest. I believe General Hancock would have sat on his horse and kept up all night if Dr. Dougherty had not made him get into an ambulance at 1 o'clock and try to get a little rest. The troops were supposed to be on the march, but the roads were so narrow, the men so tired, that we made very slow prog ress, and by 5 o'clock the roads were so blocked with artillery, troops and wagons I could not get the ambulance, in which the General had fallen asleep, along the road. I took the responsibil ity of riding ahead until I found a large field, when I ordered the whole command to turn in and park. For a few moments I could see each regiment as it came to a halt at the place assigned it drop sound asleep almost the moment the order of "Place, rest" was given. I say it was only for a few moments that I saw it, for I was soon sound asleep myself, although on my horse, and saw very little for nearly two hours, as I had been in the saddle most of the time for two nights and three days. As soon as the rear of the column was in the field, the General's ambulance came up, and I was suddenly awakened, and took my place by his side. He was wide awake, but still remained in the ambulance, which was driven along by the side of the Corps. When we reached Long Bridge, orders were given me to remain there until the entire command had crossed, and then have the bridge taken up and burned. 97 Colonel Mcintosh was in command of the rear guard. At half- past 5 o'clock in the afternoon his men were destroying bridges ; half an hour later my orders had been carried out, not a bridge or crossing remained, and I started for headquarters, twelve miles away, at Clark's House, arriving there at 9 o'clock. This delay was due to the darkness of the night and the blocked condition of the road. Owing to these adverse conditions three hours were necessary for what would have ordinarily required but an hour. A cold dinner awaited me, an excellent hot one having been served but an hour or two before to Generals Grant, Meade and Hancock and their entire staffs, with the exceptions of Captain Meade, Lieutenant French and myself. We never lacked appetite, and had no cause to find fault with the food furnished, our great trouble being want of time to eat. I formed a habit of writing something home every day, if it was not more than three lines in pencil, on scraps of paper or anything I could find to write on ; and as hundreds of my letters and notes have been preserved, I find some very interesting matter in them. The following are extracts from some of the letters written to my father and brother during the campaign before Petersburg and Cold Harbor, Va. : Virginia, June 4, 1864. General Hancock had all of his staff called out before 4 o'clock this morning, and we were in our saddles, as the indications were we would be attacked by the "Johnnies," who seemed anxious to drive us from the line of breastworks and trenches we had made so strong, but after a few thousand shots were fired by our in fantry, they seemed to abandon the idea of getting us out so easily as they first anticipated, General Tidball having set his ar tillery to work throwing shells into their ranks, which made them scatter and look for shelter, and the only thing they could do was to return the fire, which was kept up all day at a lively rate. Very few men have been killed on either side, but a good many wounded. I have been greatly provoked at the General, since starting to write this, for keeping our headquarters in such an exposed position, as I have had to move five times, trying to find a safe place in which to write. A short time ago a shot went through the kitchen tent, knocking our mess table to splinters. The General sits on his camp stool in front of his tent watching the shelling as if it were a sham affair, instead of a very serious one, but no matter 7 98 how anxious any of us may feel for our safety, we dare not show it, but have to keep ourselves within hearing of his voice, and be in readiness at any moment to ride through the midst of the firing and the bursting of shells. Those around Washington who see staff officers dressed up in their gay and showy uniforms at the theaters, receptions and balls no doubt think it is grand to be on the staff, but if they could be at our headquarters for an hour they would soon be convinced there was a little work attached to the position, and I am now convinced that the remark made by General Grant to General Rawlins, that "Hancock would give me my belly-full of fighting," seems to have come true, for I am not hankering after any more than the General seems fit to furnish. After delivering an order to General Barlow this afternoon, upon my return, while riding along the trenches and breastworks the Second New York Heavy Artillery had just completed, Colo nel Whistler, who commands that regiment, and who has been so energetic in holding his line, asked me to dismount and inspect his work. So, securing my horse out of range of the enemy's fire, I accompanied the Colonel. It seemed certain death for a man to show his head above the trenches, as the rebel sharpshooters would put a bullet through him almost as fast as one appeared. Three of the regiment and one officer were killed as the Colonel and myself were going along the line, and the old Colonel would sing out in each case, "Keep down and don't expose yourselves; you must be careful and obey orders." I told General Hancock about Colonel Whistler's coolness and ability, and the hard work he had done with the Second New York, and the General remarked, "Yes, he has made the Second a good regiment." General Nelson A. Miles, one of the youngest officers of his rank in the army, whom I met in Washington some time ago, is bound to make his mark. After leaving General Whistler, I met Miles, who asked me to ride along his line with him, which I did, and he did not seem to mind the bullets and shells buzzing past him any more than if they were so many bees. I have written you a longer letter than usual this time, and it may be my last, as it seems impossible to escape being hit. June 5, 1864. By 6 this A. M. the fire was very lively on both sides, but we had no regular battle. Captain Miller of our staff, who runs our mess, got up an elegant dinner, and keeps a good supply on hand of everything the market affords, and promptly collects our bills. My share for the past five days is only $12.55, so our being in the saddle such a great part of the time makes our board bills very 99 light. I think Miller's object in collecting so promptly is that in case any of us are killed he won't be out of pocket on the mess. June 6, 1864. Just after my letter was closed last evening, and we were all through a good dinner, the "Johnnies" made up their minds that our headquarters must be moved if their shells could do it, and they seemed to have the range on every tent and our headquarters. So about 3 o'clock the shot and shell were being hurled among us so fast that the General gave orders to get our horses, and while in the act of mounting Captain McCune of our staff had a leg taken off below the knee, and was at once carried into his tent, where Drs. Dougherty and Smart gave him every attention possible, and had him sent to the field hospital, which is out of range of the enemy's fire. I shall never forget his answer to Dr. Dougherty when he was asked if he was badly hurt. His reply was, "Yes, doctor; my leg has gone to hell." We had quite a force of soldiers and engineers at work today undermining the rebel works, so as to blow them up, it being almost impossible for us to shell them out. • Gaines Mills, June 7, 1864. I have been very busy with the engineers most all day, laying out new. roads and in moving our headquarters from Cold Harbor to this place, also in seeing about the burying of the dead, which in some cases have laid unburied several days, after it was settled by a flag of truce we could have two hours for that purpose. Division Commanders were at once notified of this, and our troops and the "Johnnies" were soon mingled together and en gaged in this work, seemingly as contented as if there was no hos tile feeling existing between us. Very few words were spoken, as strict orders had been given on both sides prohibiting conversa tion between us, but, of course, this could not be fully enforced. The bodies of many of our men were found right along the Con federate breastworks, where they had been killed in their attempt to get over, many being swollen up almost as large as a horse and perfectlv black. June 8, 1864. This A. M. I received my first letter in three weeks from home, we having been so continuously on the march the mail could not be distributed, but letters we wrote could be forwarded, everything being rather quiet. June 9, 1864. There has been but little firing today. There is a fine spring of water between the Confederate and our lines, and arrangements made by which both use the water/where we meet as long-lost s IOO friends and joke each other. I must not forget to mention the scolding I received from the General last night, and you bet I will always remember it. I am very fond of music, you know, and I wanted to hear something besides what I have been hearing the last few weeks — the hum and buzz of the bullets and shells. None of our bands have played for some time, and I accidentally met the leader of the Vermont Brigade Band, and asked him if he would not like to come to Second Army Corps headquarters and play a few pieces for the General. He gladly jumped at the opportunity, and brought all his men over, and I assigned them a place in front of the General's tent, fixing candles on sticks, so they could see to read their notes. I had not said a word to the General about it, who, by the way had just laid down for a nap, and was asleep, but I did not know it at the time. As soon as the candles were lighted the members of the band turned to their notes and the music started in earnest, and so did the General. He sprang up from his bed half asleep as suddenly as if a shell had burst under him, and the first expression I heard from him was, "What in the h is that?" Not one of us said a word, but awaited developments. He stood at the door of his tent a few moment until the band was through with the piece it was playing, when he walked up to where they were and enquired for the leader, who reported, and the General asked, "What command do you belong to, and how came you over here?" After being informed that one of his staff had requested him to come, the General thanked them very politely, but excused them. and they withdrew. Then he asked Colonels Mitchell and Parke if they knew who of the staff dare go out of his command and get a band to play for him at that hour of the night, just as he was trying to get a little rest. They did not know who it was, but I waited a few moments until he had cooled down a little, when I tapped at the door, and was invited in, when he immediately ordered Shaw to bring in two "toddies." While we were enjoying these I changed the conversation to the band, and said that, believing him to be very fond of music, and having accidentally run across this band, I thought I would agreeably surprise him. He remarked in a very pleasant manner, "Mr. Armes, I have bands in my own command, and when I wish music I don't propose to call it from another command, but I will overlook it this time." Then he im mediately ordered Shaw to bring in two more "toddies," which we drank to the success and good intentions of the band, after he highly complimented me upon my success in making some new short roads and bridges during the day, and at 10.30 I bade him good-night. 101 Gaines Mills, June io, 1864. I slept soundly all night, until called by General Morgan, Chief of Staff, who sent me to Major Brainard, Chief of Engineers, to see how many tools he had on hand that were available. Upon my return he sent me to get the detail to use them from General Gib bons' Division. June 11, 1864. General Wright of the Sixth Corps and General Gibbons of ours came over to headquarters last evening, when General Hancock, Major Mitchell and myself went with them to General Grant's headquarters, where a long discussion took place, and I discov ered there was to be a grand move soon, but, of course, I dare not put the purport on paper. I will let you know more tomorrow. Headquarters in the Saddle (as Pope said in 1862), Near the Chickahominy, June 12, 1864. All I can say now is that all our baggage, tents, etc., have been sent to the rear, and the General and all of us are in the saddle, ready to make a sudden move — only known to a few. It may be several days before I can send you another line. Headquarters, Second A. C, Near Petersburg, Va., June 16, 1864. We have been making what is called a forced march the past four clays. General Hancock has kept along with us at the head of the column most of the time, sharing the same fare — hard tack, muddv, warm water and fat bacon. After marching most of last night, we halted at 7 this morning at a clump of shade trees in sight of Petersburg. The Ninth Corps has been ordered to co operate with our Corps, and I have been riding back and forth the most of the day to try and get General Burnside to hurry his men forward, but to no purpose. I am confident that if General Grant would come forward and hurry General Burnside up we could march into Petersburg tonight without much trouble, but it looks as if there was a disposition somewhere not to go to Richmond or bring the war to a close just yet. There has been a good deal of firing on both sides most of the day, and we have lost a good many men. The General's wound has given him a great deal of pain and worry all day, and his want of rest and something proper to eat and drink has been very trying, not only for him, but your humble servant also. Will try and get a few lines off tomorrow. June 17, 1864. We are trying to hold our ground, and at the same time watching for an opportunity to advance. The General and all of us have been on the front lines most of the day. An arrangement has been made for General Burnside to make an attack on the works in our io2 front at 9 o'clock tonight with 5000 men, and our Corps is in readi ness to go forward if necessary. General Warren came over to our headquarters at 10 o'clock this forenoon very much surprised that Burnside had not fired a shot General Hancock requested me to go with General Warren and find Burnside, which I did, but we got no satisfaction, and 1 have just returned and reported the result to the General, and it is now after 11 o'clock P.' M., and I can hardly hold my eyes open. June 18, 1864. The General kept the old Second Corps under arms all of last night, and was up himself, with all his staff within range of his voice. At 12 o'clock I was sent to see why Burnside had not made .an attack, and he told me to say to General Hancock that he would make a charge in a short time with 5000 men deployed. Upon that report nearly every regiment of our Corps was ordered to stand under arms, and not an officer or man dared sit down, but many fell sound asleep, standing and resting on their guns; they were tired out. Nearly an hour passed, and still no sign from Burnside. The General sent to him again, and I found him sound asleep under a tree, with nearly all of his staff. I woke him up, and stated that General Hancock had sent me, with his compli ments, to inform him that the Second Corps had been under arms since 9 o'clock last evening, waiting for him to advance, and it was now 1 A. M. The only excuse he was able to offer was that his men had not come up as expected. After delivering this reply to General Hancock, his remark, addressed to all of us, was, "Gentle men, poor old Burnside is so slow," at the same time telling me to remain on the lookout and report the first sign immediately. After waiting until 2 this A. M., I took the responsibility of going to see Burnside. again. He was still lying under a big tree talking to some one, and told me to tell General Hancock that he would make the attack within an hour and a-half. Not caring to disturb the General I galloped to General Birney's headquarters and gave him the information. I found him, with his division, all ready, but it was after 4 o'clock this morning before Burnside charged, when he captured six pieces of artillery and 400 or 500 prisoners. I at once took the news to General Hancock, who ordered me back to the front line to watch developments, and report anything of im portance to him. I returned at n A. M., expecting to get a little rest, but after two hours of sound sleep I was informed that the General desired to see me. Rushing into his presence half asleep, I found Generals Grant and Meade, with their staffs, all around in full uniform and looking- as gay as if they had just returned from a review, and soon saw that Shaw (the General's orderly) had not to3 been idle. General Hancock gave me a message to deliver to General Gibbon. Upon returning, General Hancock was in his bed in the Jones House, where Dr. Dougherty had ordered him to remain quiet, as his wound was still in a terrible state, having had a number of small pieces of bone taken out. The command of the Second Corps devolved upon General Bir ney, he being the senior Major-General in command. Lieutenant French and myself were sent to the front lines with him to watch matters, and we have been under a very hot fire several times dur ing the day, as the General seems to make a target of himself by wearing his full-dress uniform of a Major-General, yellow sash and stars shining so conspicuously above everything else. We captured a few Johnnies, and this evening a detail of men went be tween the two lines to gather up a few of the dead and wounded, but several were shot down by the enemy before they could re cover anyone. It seems hard to be so situated that a man who lies in the hot sun, shot to pieces, cannot be reached, and has to die for want of proper treatment. If General Hancock was only in command of the Army of the Potomac it would not be many days before we would be in Richmond. He would have marched right into Petersburg yesterday, and have been in Richmond today, with scarcely any loss on our side, if allowed to. But the specula tors, officeholders and many of those in power do not want the war ended this year, judging from the movements made. We have a good, strong line today, but 1 am completely tired out. Two and one-half Miles from Petersburg, June 19, 1864. This being Sunday, the Army is resting as well as they can un der the circumstances, as General Birney took command of the Corps yesterday, and was fighting most of the time. I did not get much rest. Our Corps has not gained much ground, except what General Barlow, with his First Division, took, and now holds all he gained, railroad and all. Colonel Morgan, Lieutenant French and myself inspected our front line with General Birney about 2 o'clock, and then went to General Barlow's headquarters. No charges have been.made today. In spite of the continuous fir ing, several burying parties went out tonight to gather the dead and wounded. 1 , June 20, 1864. I received a very small mail last night, the first we have had for several days. I commenced answering letters before breakfast, and had not replied to more than twenty-five, when several of Gen eral Burnside's staff came to General Birney's headquarters, where I remained during the day (but slept at our own in the Jones House. General Birney ordered me to accompany them and show io4 them our front line, which was pretty close to the enemy s works in some places. After our return, Captain Miller had a fine supper prepared for us, which we all relished, you bet, as we did not carry any lunch with us, and could not have eaten it if we had, as we were in the saddle most of the time from io A. M. until dark, and were watched so closely by the Confederate sharpshooters. The Ninth Corps is to relieve us at 8 o'clock this evening, and take the place on our front line. Generals Grant and Meade and staffs vis ited our headquarters during the day. General Hancock's wound is in such a condition that the doctor finds it necessary to insist upon his keeping as quiet as possible this hot weather, in order to save his life, but he has a hard time in carrying out his wishes, as the General is so restless and anxious to be in his saddle and on the front line with the boys. We all do our best to keep him posted on every movement and everything of importance. General Bir ney works hard and seems anxious to do something that will im mortalize him. He is very dignified, and feels his importance as the Commanding General of the Second Corns, and well he may, as it is as high an honor as a person could wish for to say that he was ever a member in any capacity of the Second Army Corps. We all like General Birney, but he is not able to handle so large a command just yet; after a little more experience he may improve. One great element in his favor is that he is a man of extra good habits. June 21, 1864. General Birney moved out early with the Second Army Corps, General Barlow commanding the First Division, General Gibbon the Second, General Mott the Third (General Birney's), in the rear. This movement looked as if we were trying to flank the "John nies." Tlie firing began to grow very lively as soon as we reached the Jerusalem plank road, where we were obliged to halt, and feel our way slowly, and fortify as we advanced. General Hancock became so excited that he rushed out of his room in the Jones House, and wanted his horse brought up, so as to go to the front line, where the fighting- was taking place, but Drs. Dougherty and Smart made him return to his bed with the greatest difficulty. The General keeps saying, "I am afraid some thing will happen to the Corps." He wants to be with it in action all the time. General Birney did well today with the Corps, as we have taken quite a large number of prisoners. Among them is a General Baker, who had a beautiful white thoroughbred horse, which our staff, as well as General Birney's, all wanted, but could not be used by all of us, so we decided that as General Barlow had done most of the work he should have the horse. There seems to be a tremendous force of Confederates in our front, and all the tools we can get hold of are used by the men throwing up breast works, being obliged to work in reliefs all night, in order to be able to hold our own, as we are liable to be charged upon any moment. If so, we will be in a bad fix. 1 have carefully inspected our entire front line twice today, and the men are completely worn out. Gen eral Tidball keeps the country well lighted up with his mortars, which throw the shells by the thousands into the camps of the enemy, many of them bursting in the air, it looks like the whole country was ablaze with fireworks. Almost everyone seems ex cited, as it is the impression that we are on the eve of a great bat tle, and as the men are almost worn out from the forced marches we have just made, and from the hard work of digging ditches and throwing up breastworks, we are not in a very favorable condi tion to. do more than hold our ground, if we can do that. The weather is very hot, and we cannot procure anything to drink but warm, muddy water, made so- by men, mules and horses all rush ing' into it. Canteens and tin clips by the hundreds can be seen by the side of a mule's or horse's front or hind leg or nose in the water, and other men hurrying out of their way, so as to dip their caps in and drink, as if the water was from a nice cool spring. Gen eral Birney seems extra wide-awake this evening, doing all he can to prepare for the worst. If I live to write another letter it will be one of interest, I think ; so good-bye until you hear from me again. From yours, truly. June 22, 1864. As everything seemed quiet, with the exception of the usual fir ing on the picket line, this morning, after breakfast, I lay down tb take a nap, and had barely gotten asleep, when General Morgan woke me up to go with General Meade, to show him where Gen eral Barlow's headquarters were. Then I delivered a written order to General Mott, commanding the Third Division, to have his command all in readiness to attack at a moment's notice; came back to headquarters, and while eating my dinner Gen. F. A. Walker, General Hancock's Adjutant-General, who is temporarily assigned to duty with General Birney, told me to get ready to go with General Birney to the front line, as he wished all of our (Han cock's) staff to accompany him. By the time we were ali mounted a tremendous firing was heard in front. The General ordered me to ride out as fast as I could and ascertain the cause. I soon discovered several regiments in full retreat, and reported the fact to General Birney, who rode to Gibbon's front line, where he saw for himself the terrible condition we were in, and that we had lost McKnight's battery of artillery, io6 the first one captured from our Corps since its organization. -He sent me with orders to General Gibbon to recapture it at once, and then to General Meade to get reinforcements. I stopped by the Jones House and reported to General Hancock the result. He sprang out of his bed, wild with excitement at the bad news, but, of course, the doctor would not let him go to the front, as he wished to do. He told me to hasten to General Meade, who said we could get help from the Fifth Corps if we needed it. I then went to see if the battery had been recaptured, Captain Parker go ing with me, and soon saw that it was no use to try to get it with our troops. I reported the fact to General Hancock, who said: "For God's sake get a division from the Fifth Corps at once," and in a few minutes was with General Griffin, at the head of his First Division. Although he was temporarily in command of the Fifth Corps, he remarked to me that he had been in readiness for some time, as he had expected that we would need help. He brought his division up at double-quick time, and reported to General Bir ney, who told him to hold the inner breastworks, while he made another attempt to- get back the battery. Griffin said to me it was impossible to do so, and offered to take his division and do the work, but Birney seemed too proud to have it said another Corps could retake a lost battery that he had failed to take with such a force as he had engaged, and seemed to display a feeling of jeal ousy for fear Griffin might receive the credit he desired for himself. General Griffin seemed displeased at the refusal of General Birney to allow him to send a force from his Corps to try and recapture the battery, and so expressed himself to me. Of course, General Birney failed to get back the battery, as his men were all tired out and too much demoralized to make a successful charge the third time. , We have lost a great many veterans and valuable men to day, gaining nothing worth mentioning. It is unfortunate that General Hancock is not able to be out among the men, as he would create an enthusiasm, which appears lacking under General Birney, who, nevertheless, does the best he can, regardless of his own danger or fatigue. I do not believe there is an officer in the Army who can excel General Hancock in handling a large body of men in action, and my only hope is that his wound will not keep him away from his command much longer. It is now after 1 1 P. M., but the roar of artillery and bursting of shells around us will not prevent me from sleeping, as I am getting so accustomed to it I would not wake if one were to burst within ten feet of me. June 23, 1864. General Birney had us all accompany him at 4 o'clock this morn ing to inspect the front line of works, and found that each Divi- to7 sion Commander had established a strong line, which was proved this afternoon, when the Confederates charged us, and were forced back into their works, many being killed. Our loss has been small compared with that of the enemy. General Barlow has lost five of his staff officers, killed and wounded, this week, giving a chance for five more ambitious young men, who like active work, to take their places. Upon my return to headquarters I found a very doleful letter from my father, who seemed to be in a distressed condition of mind, fearing he would never see me again. The following is an extract of my reply : PROF. J. O. ARMES You must bear in mind that there are thousands of fathers, North and South, who have their only child-son in the Army, ex posed to the same danger and hardships that I am, and as you have two sons left, in case I am killed you have no good cause to worry, but should feel blessed and thankful that you are so much better off than many fathers. Of course, I cannot tell what moment my time may come, but if this should happen to be my last letter, you iod can obtain my photograph at Brady's, which was taken a few days ago at Cold Harbor, standing by the side of General Hancock and the rest of his staff, which is good of all of us. Dear father, I fur ther wish to remind you that you ought to feel proud of the fact that you have one son out of the three who is doing his best to help save the Union. If you have the good luck to have one killed while doing his duty in the field, it will be to your credit. Generals Hancock, Birnhy, Barlow, Gibbon, Tidball and Staft. In this letter to my father I wrote as I then felt, that it was the duty of every able-bodied man to come forward and do his might in saving the Union. Under such circumstances the thought of life or danger was not to be thought of. June 25, 1864. After breakfast the firing on both sides began to be lively, and General Birney ordered us all to accompany him to the front lines, where we remained until 10 o'clock, when General Morgan sent me after the Corps officer of the day, whom I found with Captain Crafts, who commands the Fifth New Hampshire, the field officers having all been killed or wounded. Upon my return I was sent to inspect the whole line of the Second Corps, a very dangerous duty to perform, as the Confederate sharpshooters were on the 109 alert to try to pick off anyone they could who appeared in sight above our breastworks, both sides amusing themselves all day shooting at each other from behind the works. Capt. Clayton McMichel, Ninth U. S. Infantry, one of General Birney's staff, rode with me along a portion of the works, until we came to an open space, which was covered by a masked battery, when he said ms Inspecting Line in Front of Masked Battery. he was not going any further. I told him that my orders were to inspect the whole line, and that I would have to do it alone with my orderly. So we started across this open space, when this bat tery opened upon us, and I put spurs to my horse and headed for a ravine, running right in range of the shot and shell 'for a few mo ments, but soon had the satisfaction of hearing them pass over our no heads. Neither of us were touched, but Captain McMichel tried to make fun of us among the officers for turning so suddenly and making such good speed, and, as he said, trying to outrun the shell, but admitted that Uncle Sam had not enough money in the Treasury to induce him to try to cross the same place. I am his guest, and we are occupying the same tent tonight, at this writing, and a popular, good-natured, entertaining man he is. His father is one of the leading men of Philadelphia. June 26, 1864. After breakfast I was sent to inspect our lines again, but as the Confederate sharpshooters were so extremely lively, I felt that it would be impossible to get through alive on horseback; so I left my orderly to hold the horses in a safe place, and made the trip on foot, stooping and dodging through the trenches as the bullets passed me. Very few men killed on either side today. June 27, 1864. As matters seemed sort of quiet, I had a detail of soldiers plant a lot of shade trees in front of my tent, as the weather is very hot, and I am about broken down from overwork and need of rest. This afternoon I got General Barlow's band to play several pieces for General Hancock, who seemed to appreciate the music this time. He is much better than he has been, and assumed command cf the Corps this evening, sending General Birney back to his (the Third) Division. We are all fixed up comfortably in our tents. Everything is very quiet, but we are all wide-awake and on the watch not to be taken by surprise. It is now after n o'clock P. M., and we all have had a pleasant evening, and enjoyed our re freshments. June 29, 1864. We have been fixing up strong works all along our front lines ; regiments are establishing themselves in permanent quarters, as the main fighting seems to be held up on both sides for the time being, except the exchange of a few shots at each other as pastime. General Morgan had me procure a large number of entrenching tools and distribute them to the front lines, in order to make the works a little more secure. This afternoon Dr. Robertson and I took a ride over a number of the battlefields which we have left behind us, but will be mentioned in the annals of history in coming years. General Hancock was able to take a horseback ride this even ing, his staff accompanying him. He is much better, but still keeps his quarters in the Jones House. General Barlow loaned me his band again to play at our headquarters, and he came over for awhile, and we spent a very pleasant evening. Ill Being pretty nearly broken down from hard work, and in need of rest, I made application to General Grant to be released from staff duty and returned to my command at Washington until such time as active hostilities begin again. He having assigned me to duty with General Hancock, it requires his order for a release. July 4, 1864, My application to be relieved from the staff was returned today by order of General Grant. Extract from letter to my father the night before the above order was received : July 3, 1864. From the appearance of affairs here there must be an agreement on both sides not to do any more fighting for awhile. The breastworks have been so secUrely made that no sudden attack from the "Johnnies" will allow our lines to be entered. Many of the officers who were able had their blooded race-horses brought to the Army, and a nice race-track was made, and the racing was commenced in earnest. Col. James Brady of General Miles' staff is the principal leader in getting up all these horse races, and is generally the winner, and socially he is a great fav orite with everyone. Theaters have been built, and all kinds of attractions are re sorted to for the entertainment of the soldier boys of the Army of the Potomac. Old Fat Andy, Chief Sutler of the Army, has dis tributed his supplies at different convenient points, and thousands of the boys can be seen smoking their cigars and patrolling back and forth in squads of from four to twelve, enjoying themselves as much, if not more, than if they were in their own country town and Barnum's circus had just opened. Many of the beautiful horses that are now on the track have been captured or taken from their owners' stables as our Army marched through, but I do not believe that General Hancock knows anything about it, or he would make it warm for some of those who have obtained their horses in this manner. Nor will I ever forget his orders to me, when marching through the country, which were to shoot anyone who dared to molest private property of any kind, or enter a pri vate house unless invited into it. It is a grand sight to gaze upon the churches, houses, theaters, awnings and arcades the men of our Army have built and made out of green boughs of trees dur ing the past three or four days. I would greatly enjoy an active part in the horse racing if I were able, but my doctor advises me to obtain a rest and change, or I 112 will be unfit to perform duty if active work begins again. So you may expect soon to see the boy you have been so anxious about during the past two months, unless the steamer blows up, or some accident happens to me en route home. I enclose the following letters handed me by two of the bravest and most daring Generals any Army ever produced, or that any Army could wish for — men who do not know what fear is, but know how to command and handle their men under fire until they are killed and wounded by the thousand. As this is my last letter to you before I leave for home, I will cut it short, and say no more until we meet at home. The following are the letters handed to me by Generals Barlow and Miles when I bade them good-bye ; the originals I still possess and have never had occasion to use, but hold them as precious mementoes from gallant men with whom I was daily brought in contact on the field of battle : y&-\ C^-.p^ ~& "3 ay^t^i u^&j-i yy~< >-, Headquarters First Brigade, First Division, Second Army Corps, July 3, 1864. Lieut. G. A. Armes has served on staff duty in this Corps during the campaign from Spottsylvania to Petersburg, Va., and in the engagements of Spottsylvania Court House, Talapotony, North Anna, Cold Harbor and before Petersburg. He has conducted himself with great credit and advantage to the service. Nelson A. Miles, Brig.-Gen. Commanding Brig. Besides verbally complimenting me several times during the campaign from the Wilderness to Petersburg, General Hancock 6t>?/S 4-mrcJeyiZ 4^aZm&^ iy'^af ***- •/™ ^L&L*^ ii4 handed me as strong a letter as he could well pen, requesting my promotion to a Captain, which position was afterward given me in the Second New York Heavy Artillery. The preceding letter from General Grant was handed me before I left the front, on which I obtained the following endorsement : o£-e^ jYP^i hrU£. 0-»s /y£Z/ /ax^wh#ka/ After bidding General Hancock and staff good-bye, and parting on friendly terms with all, I proceeded to City Point, General Grant's headquarters, where I remained several days, and then H5 reported to my regiment at Washington for duty. I was just in time to take an active part in the defense of that city, being put in command of the front line during the attack made by General Early, near Fort Stevens, in July, 1864, where the firing was kept up quite lively for a time. When Early assaulted Fort Stevens, where Brightwood is now situated, President Lincoln came out to witness the battle, and persisted in climbing upon the parapet, thus exposing himself to the fire of the enemy. Being frequently cautioned by the com manding officer not to make a target of himself, he was finally told that if he again exposed himself he (the officer) would be forced to place him under arrest. Mr. Lincoln smilingly replied : "Well, I reckon I had better obey orders, then." And yet at that moment Mr. Lincoln was Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy oi the United States. This was the first instance in the war that he was personally on the field of battle and under the fire of the enemy, and at that time Fort Stevens was under a very hot fire from the batteries of Jubal Early. This earthwork, called Fort Stevens, is still in a fair state of preservation, and the same is true of the little cemetery, about three-fourths of a mile north of it, on the Brightwood road, where the Union soldiers who fell in that battle were buried. It is now a National Cemetery. But for the timely arrival of the Sixth Corps and a portion of the Nineteenth Veteran Relief Corps Jubal Early would doubtless have captured Washington. It was owing to the existence of Fort Stevens and the neighboring rifle pits that our troops were enabled to repulse General Early's attacks on the 12th of July, 1864. This and Fort Reno-, on the bluff at Tennallytown, were the two forts out of the whole chain of fortifications surrounding the city of Washington that were the means of keeping the Confederate Army out of the city. The guns of Fort Reno during the Gettys burg campaign prevented the Confederate General Stuart and his splendid cavalry command from entering the city from that di rection. The author participated in the battle at Fort Stevens, and, although quite ill, not until his regiment was relieved and ordered'to Arlington Heights did he give up, and b" order of his n6 doctor take to his bed. Feeling that his regiment might have some active work on hand, he obtained a pass to join it at once, unknown to his doctor or any member of his family. I took with me the following letter for use, if necessary, as everyone granted a pass had to be identified in some way, for the capture of Washington seemed certain unless the strictest meas ures were adopted : Soldiers' Rest, Washington, D. C, May 5, 1864. Brigadier-General Martindale: Sir — I have the honor to recommend to your consideration Lieut. G. A. Armes, formerly of the Sixteenth Virginia Vols., now of the "Veteran Reserve Corps." He has been long and favorably known to me as an officer and gentleman. I have the honor to remain, General, Yours, (Signed) E. M. Camp, Capt., A. Q. M., A. A. D. C. Washington, D. C, July 16, 1864. Lieut. George A. Armes has served under my command several months; he is active, energetic and efficient, and I earnestly rec ommend him for promotion. Edw. W. Hinks, Brig.-Gen. U. S. Vols. My duties were to drill, go on duty as Officer of the Day, patrol the city, etc. On the first of August I was made an Inspecting Officer in ad dition to commanding a company. The performance of this duty apparently proved satisfactory, for I was relieved from garrison duty, although in command of a company, and assigned as a special inspector. My company having been ordered to Elmira, N. Y., while I was on inspection duty, the Assistant Quartermaster endorsed the following on my order : Washington, D. C, September 5, 1864. Transportation furnished to Elmira, N. Y. Benj. Burton, Capt., A. Q. M, Upon reporting to my company, I was detailed as Officer of the Guard about three times a week, to keep watch of the Rebel pris oners, who were held in frame barracks, surrounded by a high board fence, where sentries, inside and out, paced their beats at all hours. When not on duty I enjoyed the hospitality of many of Elmira's best citizens, who gave parties, dined and entertained the military in their midst to the best of their ability. But my stay was not destined to be of long duration in the comparative quiet of Elmira. An order came from Washington sending our company to Utica, N. Y., and during their stay in that city our men were quartered in the basement of one of the principal churches, while the Cap tain and myself lodged in a private house nearby. Among the pleasant people who made us feel perfectly at home I recall especially the families of Senator Kernan, Colonel Mc- Quade and Mr. Hopkins. Captain Kendrick, being a member of the Seventh New York Regiment, would often take a seven days' leave and visit New York city, to mingle with such of his com rades as were not in the field, leaving me in command of the com pany. We used to drill in the public square, which would often be filled with spectators, and it afforded the Captain a great deal of amusement, at times, to see me deploy his company as skirmish ers, with fixed bayonets, and charge the crowd, which would scat ter pell-mell in every direction. Having little duty to perform aside from the daily drill, I took advantage of the opportunity to visit Albany, Rochester, Rome and many other places around Utica. One could not wish for a more enjoyable time than we passed while on duty in this pleasant little city of Central New York. The headquarters of the regiment at Buffalo, N. Y., where the band was kept by the commanding officer for his amusement and entertainment, at the expense of the officers and such men as would contribute may serve to remind many how it was in war times, especially those who paid to keep up the music, but never heard the band play. Readers can see that I was responsible for the men placed in my charge, to deliver, as much so, as if they were negro slaves, n8 being conducted from one State to another before the war, only then, on the escape of a slave, the civil law would have taken hold, and, in my case, if a soldier should happen to get away from me, I would have to appeal to the military. I must not fail to mention that just before complying with the above order I learned that I had been especially recommended to the Governor of New York for a Captaincy in the Fifteenth Regiment N. Y. Engineer Corps, and by calling upon the Adjutant-General at Albany would re ceive my commission. I at once made application for leave, which was granted. Upon reaching Albany I met Lieutenant-Colonel Palmer of the Second New York on the street, and he seemed delighted, as he had not seen nor heard from me since I had bidden him good bye only a few weeks before at the front. I soon informed him of my status, and showed him my notice of appointment in the Fifteenth New York, and he at once requested me to come into his regiment, and upon his endorsement, which was made upon the notice I had received from the Adjutant-General, Governor Seymour consented to change me to the Second New York Heavy Artillery, and my commission as Captain was made out and handed to me before I left the Governor's room, who enter tained me in his usual pleasant way and explained that General Hancock had made a strong and special request in my behalf. So I was greatly indebted to Colonel Palmer for his endorse ment and advice to go in the Second New York, which I have never regretted to this day. Upon my return to Elmira I called upon General Diven and showed him my commission as Captain. He asked my age. I told him nineteen. He at once grasped my hand, congratulating me and wishing me further success, and at once wrote the following letter to help me get out of the V. R. C. : Headquarters A. A. Provost Marshal General and Superintendent Recruiting Service, Western Division, State of New York, Elmira, October 13, 1864. This is to certify that Lieut. Geo. A. Armes has been on duty in this district in the Veteran Reserve Corps; has discharged his duty faithfully. Having been commissioned a Captain in the Sec- ng ond New York Heavy Artillery, I recommend that he be mustered out of the Veteran Reserve Corps, to enable him to accept such commission. He should be allowed a short time, if he so desires, to settle the business connected with his company. (Signed) A. S. Diven, Brig.-Gen. Com. Mil. Dist. Western N. Y. I soon learned that I could not be mustered into the Second New York until my resignation was accepted as Second Lieu tenant, V. R. C, which I sent to the War Department as soon as I returned from Baltimore, at once transferring all my prop erty and funds, was ready to start for the front. But the accept ance of my resignation had not come, so I applied for and received the following : Special Order Elmira, N. Y., October 5, 1864. No. 364. — Extract. Leave of absence for seven days is hereby granted to the follow ing-named officer: Second Lieut. Geo. A. Armes, Nineteenth Regiment, V. R. C. By order of Col. B. F. Tracy. (Signed) Chas. S. Barton, Capt. and Asst. Adj. -Gen. The night before I left Elmira a farewell party was given me >y my brother officers, among whom was my Captain, who is now an officer in the Seventh United States Infantry, and I am sorry to say I have not met him since he bade me farewell at the Elmira Depot, October 31, 1864. November 2, 1864, found me in Washington, when I called at the War Department to find out the cause of delay in acceptance of my resignation, and was informed that it had been accepted, being sent through my Colonel at Buffalo. As I was anxious to reach the front, I requested and was given a copy. Within five days after receiving the above I was on duty with my regiment and in command of one of its best companies in the field in the front of Petersburg, Va. The following is an extract from "muster-in roll of Capt. G. A. Armes in the Second Regiment of New York Artillery, Volunteers, commanded by 120 Col. Joseph Whistler, called into the service of the United States by the President on the 7th day of November, 1864, for the term of three years, unless sooner discharged :" Remarks: Appointed vice Captain Clark, discharged; muster to date, November 7, 1864. I certify I have carefully examined the above-named officer who is borne on this roll, and have ac cepted him into the service of the United States for the term of three years, unless sooner discharged, from the 7th day of No vember, 1864. (Signed) W. S. Wood, First Lieut, and A. C. M. Mustering Officer. Station near Petersburg, Va. Approved: (Signed) M. H. Stacy, First Lieut. Twelfth U. S. Infantry, Second A. C Upon reporting for duty I found Major George Hogg in com mand of the regiment. I was sent out on picket duty with my company (E), where I would remain from twenty-four to forty- eight hours, and then be relieved by some other company. Then I would return to camp and there go on duty as Officer of the Day, but would drill my men in addition. There being a number of vacancies and non-commissioned officers scarce, uninformed of the reason of that condition of things, I issued my first order, making the following promotions : Corporals were promoted to sergeants as follows : Isaac P. Clarke, A. Cook, Myrick and Tlieodore H. Musson. A like number of privates were made corporals. I at once began to take pride in having one of the best com panies in the regiment or division, as it did not take me long to find out that the men were of a more intelligent class than the average soldiers I had been dealing with previously, and in spite of my ups and downs I have never regretted belonging to it, al though I entered it under very unfavorable circumstances. Being a perfect stranger and from an outside State, it is not to be supposed that everyone in the regiment should be my friend. It was perfectly natural that many of the members would look upon me as an intruder on my accepting a commission which each one thought should have been tendered to himself. Further, the 121 fact that a boy of nineteen years was placed over men and officers many of whom were old enough to be his father, and in a few in stances his grandfather, was another obstacle I had to contend against. And, above all, the commanding officer being so dif ferent in his habits, was hostile towards me from the day I re ported for duty. In addition to being in command of my com pany I was required to go on duty very often as Brigade Officer oi the Day, the field officers of the command being so scarce that the senior Captains of regiments were selected to perform the duty. I was very fond of the duty in spite of the danger attached to it, as I felt proud of the very important responsibility with which I was entrusted. After we had fixed up our dug-outs, which were very comfort able when the mud chimneys worked well and did not smoke us out or when a shell thrown from the enemy's works into our camp did not suddenly hustle us from a sound sleep. We felt as if we would at least remain there through the winter. General Grant would not or could not have the heart, we thought, to take us away from our nice little houses which we had worked so hard to build and put us in the mud and snow where there was no prospect of getting fixed comfortably again during the winter. Especially would he not move us to a place where the shell would burst over and around us during the night only to make a fine display as a substitute for fireworks. Feeling, therefore, that I could get off, I sent in an application for two days' leave, which was approved until it reached Gen. Nelson A. Miles, who disap proved it. In consequence of this the application came back to me through the regular military channels from Second Army Corps headquarters disapproved. Camp Second N. Y. H. A., December 6, 1864. To Benson Stedman, Adj. Second N.Y. H. A.: Sir — I respectfully request permission to go to City Point on business for two days. I have the honor to be, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) Geo. A. Armes, Capt. Com. Co. E, Second N. Y. H. A. 122 I was badly worried, and at first could not account for what I thought Was a snub or rebuke for something I had neglected, although I had not missed an hour from duty sinCe I had joined my regiment. The fact that I believed General Miles to be friendly and to read his disapproval endorsed upon my. applica tion after it had been approved up to him made me very despondent. I could not help but feel blue, being of a very sen sitive nature. I was in need of a few things which could not be procured except at City Point, and supposed, of course, the com manding officer of the regiment could grant me the two days I wished, but he could do nothing but forward every application to corps headquarters, no discretion being allowed any officer under the Major-General to grant permission for officers or men to go from their commands. As it was the first disapproval I had ever had upon an application of any kind since entering the Army, it made me sick, and while trying to think of something I had done to give cause for the disapproval I was sent for by the Major commanding the regiment, and until I appeared in his presence imagined something terrible was going to happen to me ; but upon reporting — I found him in his usual condition, drunk — he mumbled out that he had sent for all of his company commanders to quietly inform them that the regiment was to move during the night, and to have our companies in readiness to move at a moment's notice, with three days' rations in the haversacks and one hundred rounds of ammunition to each man, and to go in light marching order. I at once begun to cheer up, and grew perfectly well in less than an hour at the prospect of again going into active service. I gave the necessary orders, and my company was ready to a man. In a very short time I had a close inspection, and let all the men who wished go to sleep, put ting extra sentries to warn them when necessary to fall in line. On December 9, 1864, we were all on the march before daylight, and made a halt about nine o'clock in the woods near Hatcher's Run, where we listened to the heavy firing along our front and the lines to the right and left, expecting every moment to be called into action. About 12 M. Gen. Nelson A. Miles rode up to Major Hogg, who was then in command of the regiment, and 123 asked for volunteers to take the works at Hatcher's Run. The Major referred him to me as the only one whom he thought would volunteer to attempt such a dangerous task. I was then in comamnd of the right wing of the regiment, and was called upon to volunteer, but I told General Miles I would not volunteer to undertake a job of that kind, but if it was his orders to charge the works I would take them if I lived and was not disabled be fore reaching them. He then gave me the order and to select as many men as I wished from any regiment in his division. I pre pared to take my own company, E, and the color company, C, of the regiment. General Miles then explained that two regiments of his division that had undertaken to capture the works had been driven back with many men killed and wounded, left where they fell, some of them being still in the water where they were shot down. The stream had- been dammed up below, causing the water to overflow the banks on each side, and the men had to wade in water from one to three feet deep before they would reach the main stream, where they would step off the edge of the bank and suddenly go down, some men sinking out of sight with the heavy weight of cartridges, equipments, etc., they wore. While the men were in the water Johnny Reb was behind his entrenchments on the other side firing at the men of the first regi ment who undertook the job of getting the works, and which, after getting into the bed of the stream, lost all hope, and instead of trying to crawl up into the works, did their best to get back to where they entered. Many could not swim. The Second Regiment charged. They acted as if they would go right into Richmond before they stopped, but they didn't. They only got out into the water a little way when the bullets buzzed like swarms of bees, and instead of trying to cross over, the whole regiment turned back. Then it was that General Miles became excited and called for volunteers ; but the moans and cries of the dying and wounded who were covered by the guns of the rebels who were behind these entrenchments, and many being in the water, made it look like certain death for any human being to venture across. So the General could not get a volunteer. He told me he was con fident of winning the day if a few of the men would only go into 124 the works; that he would follow with his division and secure them. The signal was to be the firing of five guns, and at the fifth I was to charge. I marched down as near the works as I could, when the bullets began to come past us lively, when I or dered the men to lie down, and I protected myself as well as possible behind a big tree and took a view of the situation, which looked very discouraging, though I did not show my thoughts, but between the firing of the guns ordered the men to divest themselves of everything unnecessary to use in the charge; to fix bayonets and prepare themselves for a hand-to-hand contest, and if there was a man in the command who felt as if he could not go into the works to say so before we started, as I did not wish a man to turn back, and if there was but one more left I wanted him found in the works. Only one man of the command com plained. His excuse was rheumatism, and a large family de pended upon him, and if killed they would be in a terrible condi tion. I told the first sergeant he might leave Mr. (?) Carr in charge of the knapsacks and property left by the men. That order seemed to please Carr in spite of the boys reviling him. All my men seemed in the best of spirits, and at the sound of the fourth gun I commanded "Attention !" when every man sprang up, and at the fifth gun I gave the command "Forward, guide center, march !" After reaching the water we charged through it, crawling up and working our bodies through the obstacles placed in the space between the bank of the stream and the breastworks ; then over we went into the works, many of our brave boys being shot or bayoneted through while dragging themselves with their heavy wet clothes up the steep embank ment, behind which Johnny Reb thought himself secure, but to his sudden surprise found it necessary to let the Second New York Heavy Artillery take charge of them, while they thought it would be more beneficial to their health to be nearer Richmond, as the climate around Hatcher's Run was a, little too warm. It must have' been an interesting sight for the spectators to sit and watch Companies E and C struggling in the water with the bullets whizzing past like bees and spattering the water in our faces while we were endeavoring to cross over and charge up the ramparts, which we could not have held but for General Miles' 125 - Charge at Hatcher's Run, Va., 1864. promptness in following right after us with his division, which saved us, as I do not believe one of the Second New York would have been spared after he had got inside the works if the large force of General Miles had not followed us so close with his pioneers, who bridged the stream with the roofs of stables and sheds and old wagons, logs, benches and everything that could be thrown into it to aid the troops in crossing. I was unfortunately stunned in a hand-to-hand encounter with a "Johnnie" as I was going into the works, and after coming to, I have been since told, my first question was to know if we had captured the works. Your humble servant was bayoneted in the jaw and throat, and for some time left for dead, while many of the men were stabbed through and through while crawling into the works. Quoting from my diary of December io, 1864, 1 said I am sorry we failed to go right into Petersburg, as the command made such a desperate effort to do so, butwe have gained a good deal of ground 126 with small loss on our side, but rather heavy for the other. The rest of the regiment crossed over and came into the works close after Companies E and C, Major Hogg commanding the regi ment until it reached the water, but there he and his horse, I have been told, had some trouble about crossing. After my return to camp I soon discovered that I had not committed any offense by applying for a two days' leave, as the reason for not granting it was that my services were needed in the contemplated move General Miles had planned to take place December 9, 1864. The fact is, that within a week after the capture of the works at Hatcher's Run, to my utter surprise and without the least hint or expectation that I had been noticed any more than thousands of others who had been in larger — as I thought — and more severe fights or battles than Hatcher's Run, was the announcement of my name in General Orders No. 266 from the headquarters of the First Division, Second Army Corps, December 14, 1864, of which the following is an extract : The Brigadier-General commanding desires to express his gratification at the gallant manner in which the passage of Hatcher's Run was forced on the 9th inst, in the face of an en trenched enemv and other obstacles, by which he had made it so difficult. To Capt. George A. Armes and Second Lieut. O. F. Bliss of the Second New York Artillery, who crossed at the head of the troops, is credit due for their gallant conduct and example. The affair, with that of October 27, when 100 men of the One Hundred and Forty-eighth Pennsylvania Volunteers, under Capt. J. E. Brown, assaulted and captured a fort of the enemy opposite Fort Morton, proves that any position can be carried by resolute and determined soldiers, when led by skillful and gallant officers. Captain Brown's gallantry has been recognized by promotion to rank of Brevet Ma jor, and it will give the General commanding pleasure to recom mend for brevet the officers who distinguished themselves at Hatcher's Run. By order of Brig.-Gen. Miles. W. R. Driver, Maj. and Asst. Adjt.-Gen. Headquarters First Brigade, First Division, Second Army Corps, 127 December 14, 1864. Official: (Signed) Saml. S. Kerr,- Capt. and Asst. Adjt.-Gen. Headquarters Second New York Artillery, December 31, 1864. Official: (Signed) B. F. Stedman, First Lieut, and Asst. Adjutant. From the fact that after two veteran regiments had failed to capture or get into the works ours in a charge not only took the works, but forced a general stampede of the whole rebel line, causing our side to win the victory of the day and Brigadier- General Miles to gain the extra star of a Major-General, being mentioned in general orders for one of the most gallant charges made during the war, our regiment was further confirmed in its gallant record. Not only will it be mentioned in history, but every man who was engaged there cannot but feel proud of the notice and complimentary orders by General Miles recognizing and giving them credit for performing their duty so faithfully. I was sorry not to see the names of Sergeants Musson and Oliver in the order of General Miles complimenting me for cap turing the works, as those two brave and gallant soldiers followed close to me in the desperate charge, and deserve a medal of honor for their brave conduct, considering that this was one of the most desperate and dangerous assaults, which could not have been car ried through but for the assistance and gallantry of the men who did the work and deserve the credit as much as myself; in fact, great credit is due every man who followed me on that desperate charge. As General Miles says in the complimentary order pub lished to the Army, "It is proven that any position can be car ried by resolute and determined soldiers when led by skillful and gallant officers." I must not fail to mention the name of Private Hector Hale. who, since the war, has made himself very popular and useful in purchasing and publishing the Oneida Free Press and keeping together the organization of the old Second New York Artillery. Among others I feel it my duty to mention Maj. O. F. Hulser, who proved his true friendship to me by acts and deeds in times 128 of need, and who is now enjoying life at his retreat in the Adiron- dacks, where he entertains his friends in princely style. Up to that time the officers of the regiment, including the commanding officer, Major Hogg, had done everything they could to make the position disagreeable for me. He was in a drunken and disgraceful condition most of the time, but soon after this general order was promulgated there was a sudden change, and I became one of the most popular officers in the regi ment from the simple fact that I was the means of its being men tioned in general orders and complimented for the first time dur ing the war, notwithstanding the many battles and engagements in which it had participated during the campaign from the Wil derness to Petersburg. However, it created quite a jealousy and envy among a number of outsiders in the first division. The first time I had occasion to notice the feeling outside of my regiment was in a report "made by Colonel Crafts of the Fifth New Hampshire Volunteers, which was referred to me for a reply. As Colonel Crafts had been absent from his regiment most of the time when it was composed of good men and officers, who were most all killed and wounded in battle, he was advanced in rank and got command of the regiment after it had been filled up with recruits and substitutes, and not having been noticed in orders by any of the officers over him, he felt jealous of any public notice in the part I took at Hatcher's Run, and made an uncalled-for report to the General commanding the brigade. CHAPTER IV. January 6, 1865. I always made it a rule not to show partiality to men of my company, but as young Collins (Brown) was a bright boy and a good penman I selected him as company clerk. His father's let ter to me was only a sample of hundreds I have received from parents whose sons were in my command since I entered the Army. Some of the best men North enlisted in the artillery regi ment, as it was given out that they would be placed oh duty in defence of the Capitol and would not have to go into the field and endure the hardships of the common soldier. Under those circumstances most every profession or trade, and men from nine teen to sixty years of age, from the minister who sacrificed the duty he was required to perform to the patriotic crossroad farmer, who would leave his farm and stock in charge of his young sons, and then the gambler, who enlisted in order that he could get better acquainted with the boys after payday, were all put together. I shall never forget many of the complaints made to me as Captain. The preacher would often come to my quarters to let me know that men were playing cards for money, and that it would be much better for them to be reading their Bible or praying. The steady old farmer would complain of the preacher continually annoying them with his prayers and advice to prepare for death, etc. Smith would complain that Jones was putting on too much style for a soldier, and that he and his tentmate did not want him in their tent or dugout; that Sergeant Brown or Cor poral Simmons were not fit to be over good men ; that they be longed to a low class with whom they would be ashamed to min gle at home, and did not wish to serve under them. I would change them from ope tent to another until I had them classed off ih very good shape. I still remember the many com plaints brought to me against Van Allen, whose father was a broker, and the only fault they could find was that he put on too much style for a non-commissioned officer. It was not long be fore I had peace and good feeling in the company, but I had to work hard to accomplish it, as my Lieutenants were not of much service, they being of a rather complaining and fault-finding dis- i3° position. Much better material existed in the ranks for officers than they. Two months had not passed ere I had my company in such a good condition that the steadiest and most careful inspectors, who would examine not only the general appearance of the company, but would carefully inspect each gun, the equip ments and clothing, quarters, cook-tent, company books and all papers and records, but he would require me to drill and maneuver the company in his presence, and it would make me feel quite proud after the inspection to hear him say, "Captain, I am well pleased with the appearance of your com pany and its management, and have no fault to find or sug gestions to make more than to say, continue as you have started and you will always get a favorable report from the inspector." The most of my time was required in looking after the men, who had a hard time in keeping everything clean and in order, as many of them had to sleep in mud and dirt most of the time during the fall and winter of 1864 and 1865 while in front of Petersburg, as it snowed and rained, froze and thawed, so that the red mud was over the shoetops in many places in camp, which the men were obliged to walk through, being without stoves and scarcely any thing in the shape of fuel except green pine wood in fireplaces with our mud chimneys, which would smoke us all out of quarters at times, while we would have to stand in the cold mud until the chimneys were fixed or the quarters made more comfortable. Our guard duties were about the same from one day to another. The men were in camp from three to six days at a time, and would have to drill, do police duty, perform general guard duty and be on the watch day and night to keep from being surprised by the rebels, who were encamped within a few hundred yards of us, all the time watching for a chance to gobble us up ; and as some of us had very comfortable little houses plastered with mud, we were not going to let them be taken from us if we could help it. In ad dition to the camp duties the men were obliged to go out on picket duty from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. On that duty men were not supposed to lie down, take off their clothes or go to sleep, but many had deep holes dug in the ground where they could sit and talk and keep warm the best they could from the little fire allowed in the hole in the ground which protected them from the bullets of the rebel pickets or sharpshooters when careful I3i not to expose themselves ; but often careless men were shot, which, however, made but little impression upon other soldiers, as it was such a common event to see a wounded or dead comrade. It was astonishing how contented most of the men were, some of whom had lived in their brownstone fronts, with every comfort in life that money could afford ; but we made up our minds that we were soldiers and those over us had put us where we were, and that it would not better our condition to find fault or appear the least -discontented ; so we obeyed all orders and kept up as cheer ful a front as possible. Although a mere boy, I was obliged at times to assume the dignity of an old judge. I took such a pride in having a company of my own that I felt as if I would like to remain in the Army all the time. On January i, 1865, I wrote to my old Colonel, who had gone into civil life, for a letter of recom mendation for the regular Army, and the following was his reply: ¦0*- ^ /U_ e*4& y%zt- £#** A^. -^y^s ***** ¦^~-2- yy<*pyi~~~-'! /iZ~ Sffc-Ze M. /9-- -4ts*o yij^n v^ft^C Sfe- A. <&£LJ^^Z. & ,$, trf* ~6-i~t -Ct^-cc/ Jt /ft a./1/^i --A-f c<_ ,/ ^_<^ sl.t.rf a^i 2 JTi dLL, £m-~ (X-Asi^y +J iS(r^j^a^ COL. J? lo' Greatest Cavalry Feat on Recor-d. the tepees and gather up the arms and equipments which he could find, another sergeant to take charge of all the stock, and start them towards the post, and send two of his men on the best horses or ponies he could catch and start them to the Platte river, with instructions for the men there to remain until we arrived. We quietly advanced to the upper end of the village, and dis covered two old squaws on guard, sitting over a little fire in a hole in the ground. Just as they started the alarm, I ordered the charge, firing our carbines and revolvers into the tepees, Green 1 87 making the mountains ring with the blast of his bugle, starting the animals through the village. The Indians were all in a state of confusion, and ran out of their tepees into the underbrush, leaving most of their clothes, arms and equipments, which were gathered up by Sergeant Kane and his men and loaded on the old pack mules. There being several hundred Indians to contend against, I made all possible haste to CLTfaylQr Return to Fort Sedgwick. get out, and caught up enough fresh horses, ponies and mules to remount my men, and turned my horses in with the captured stock, and drove all to the North Platte, where I found the rest of the company waiting. They assisted in getting all. the stock over the river, and when within forty miles of the post Captain Norwood met me with his company and some infantry in escort wagons, which had been hurried forward to my assistance. Captain Norwood congratu lated me, saying he would not forward the charges he had been preparing, as long as I had been so successful. After waiting for an hour, and enjoying a good breakfast of bacon, hard bread and coffee, Sergeant Miller had one of the ponies saddled up and dec orated with all the Indian chief's regalia, and requested me to ride him to the post, and as I did so, hundreds of the people came from all the country about to congratulate me and thank me for the way I had punished the Indians. Only seven men and thir teen of the horses out of the twenty-five were wounded, and I brought them all safe into the post, with 300 head of cattle, 200 mules, a large number of Indian ponies and horses, buffalo robes, bows and quivers, rifles, pistols, pipe shields, war bonnets and one lance, with the scalp locks from thirteen persons, including the locks of two little girls' scalps, who no doubt had been mur dered, mutilated and scalped. The Indians were so suddenly surprised that they did not have time to gather up anything in their flight, and before they could return to their tepees my men had gathered most of their weapons. Had the Indians known at the time the strength of my command, not one of us would have been left to tell the tale. I was fortunate myself in not getting worse hurt, as one bullet went through my hat, grazing my head and slightly stunning me, and one struck my canteen, one my saber hilt, and one made a slight flesh wound in my side. Three of my men are very badly wounded, and Dr. Latham says he will have to amputate the arm at the shoulder of one of them, as the head .of the arrow is driven into the bone so far it will be impos sible to get it out. I am. very proud of the fact that I got all of my men back and arrived safely at the post, and in spite of my being tired out, the congratulations of so many people, some of whom have come many miles to see me, makes me feel as if I were a man of great importance in this part of the country, as they claim that it is the first time the Indians have been punished for years. Fort Sedgwick, C. T., October 24, 1866. My plans were carried out like clockwork, and every man did his duty faithfully and as intelligently as if he had been especially trained for that kind of work. It was about 12 o'clock last night 189 when we advanced to the £dge of the village, where all were as still as death but the tingle of the bells on the ponies, which were grazing with the cattle, horses and mules. October 27, 1866. During my scout Colonel Green left, with his command, for Fort Laramie. News came in this morning that the Indians are committing depredations all over the country. Captain Neill sent Captain Norwood and fifty men to More's Ranch after them. I ad dressed my report of the scout to the Assistant Adjutant-General of the Department of the Platte, through the post Adjutant, but Colonel Neill returned it, with orders to address it to him. I obeyed his order, and sent one copy direct to headquarters over his head, explaining my reason for doing so. I must call attention to the following names of my Company M, who supported me in performing, perhaps, one of the greatest cavalry feats ever heretofore recorded, and who proved them selves by their acts and deeds one of the most remarkable com panies of soldiers in our Army : Roll of Company "M," Second U. S. Cavalry. First Sergeant George C. Miller, Sergeants Henry H. Todd, Frank H. Allison, Christian Widman, Thomas Keane, Daniel FitzPatrick, Corporals Robert T. Lyons, George Zimmerman, Jeremiah J*. Gosman, Philander Freeman, Bugler Wm. Oster- hold, Saddler Edw. Sanzonsi, Farrier Joshua Hooker, Privates Henry Buch, Joseph Bucholtz,* William Beese, Michael Casper, Rodgers Curry, Maurice W. Curry, Oscar Close, Andrew F. Car- rick, Michael Connell, Martin Cullen, William Carney, Thomas Clark, John Castello, John C. Caldwell, Henry Callow, Thomas Connely, John F. Donley, John Derlin, John C. Davis, John W. Davis, Michael Delaney, Henry Donnan, Peter Dolan, Jesse E. Dewey, Albion H. Brown, George Dimmick, Henry Desmar, Vic tor Dungan, Robert Dawson, Alonze Dufour, Henry Entriken, Charles Erskine, John Ellis, Francis Edwards, Albert H. Furnice, George Fessenden, Frank B. Flanders, Joseph Foster, Henry Gordon, William Gibson, Charles Green, Michael Groman, Wm. Garrison, Michael Hoffnagle, Wm. J. Humphreys, Edw. Homel, Wm. Henicke, Jacob P. Hischberges, Chas. H. Haynes, Patrick Hefron, David Hall, Michael Haley, Almon Hacket, Jas. Hand, igo Edw. Handford, Rudey Hertsman, Gollieb Kischner, Daniel Keith, Jno. Kimmel, Wm. P. Leakey, Saml. McCullom, Jas. S. Mills, Bernard Martin, Barney McKean, Wm. Moore, Peter Myer, Christian Pagh, Jno. Sullivan, Washington Sutton, Edmund Smith, Henry Stoffel, Jno. C. Sergeant, Charles F. Senior, August Emil Tetzner, Chas. Telton, Michael Van Kennan, Jno. Williams, Albert Wolfe. *On November 17, 1899, a man by the name of Burnside handed me the following memoranda, saying that Mr. Bucholtz was re ceiving a pension of only $12, he having been disabled in a march with me after Indians in the fall of 1866. On looking up the com pany roster I find that he was one of the men that was with me in that fight. October 28, 1866. lt was my turn to go on duty as Officer of the Day, but Captain Mix insisted upon taking my place, on account of my being so badly used up. He and Colonel Neill had a lively discussion in regard to the details of enlisted men. It seems that Colonel Neill used the men from both troops to help build and complete the infantry quarters, and now he requires the cavalry to build them over, and will not let any of the infantry help. Fort Sedgwick, C. T., October 29, 1866. The following is an extract from my report sent last night : * After pursuing the Indians ninety miles, I surprised them in their village, located on a small stream north of the North Platte. After a spirited skirmish, we recaptured the stolen stock and fifty- three horses, twenty-two Indian ponies, 175 mules and 300 cattle, arms and camp equipage of the Indians. After setting fire to the village, and fearing an attack from a large party in the vicinity, I hastened to this post, which 1 reached at 5 P. M., the 24th inst, having marched at least 170 miles in thirty-seven hours. My men and horses started without their breakfast, and had nothing to eat until their return this side of the North Platte, except some buffalo meat found abandoned by the Indians and what Captain Norwood brought when he came to my assistance. We crossed the North and South Platte rivers twice each, and our wet clothes were soon a sheet of ice. The Indians left on the ground four of their killed and seven wounded. Three of mv men were badly wounded, and thirteen horses, but I was able to get them all back to the post. My command submitted cheerfully to the hardships of the march and behaved beautifully under fire. Had my men igi beep armed with more revolvers but- few Indians would have es caped, for we effected a complete surprise. Respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) G. A. Armes, Second Lieut. Co. M., Second U. S. Cav. Through Commanding Officer Co. M, Second Cav. Headquarters Company M, Second U. S. Cavalry, Fort Sedgwick, C. T., October 28, 1866. Respectfully forwarded. The energy displayed by Lieutenant Armes in following the trail, under very discouraging circum stances, with a tired and hungry command, and the cheerful sub mission to privations and hardships by the whole command, are certainly worthy of admiration. The within case seems to furnish conclusive evidence that the revolver is almost indispensable in our Indian warfare. (Signed) John Mix, Capt. Second U. S. Cavalry, Commanding Company. Captain Norwood returned from his scout this evening, but did not see an Indian. November 3, 1866. I received a reprimand from Colonel Neill today because I let the sergeant of the guard take some hay from the stock for the men to lie on in the mud at the guard tent. He claimed I should have taken the hay from my company, being Officer of the Day, and I claimed the hay should not come from the company allow ance, but from the Quartermaster. As the Colonel is still on a drunk, I did not worry over the reprimand. November 7, 1866. While on duty as Officer of the Day yesterday, Private Daly, Company K, burned all his, clothes up, thinking it would be an excuse for not doing fatigue work, but I had him taken under guard behind the stable, where, he dug a hole three feet deep and four feet wide, and when it was completed I had him fill it up again, and after he had dug and filled it up three times he begged off from further punishment, and I sent him to the quartermaster- sergeant, who issued him a new suit of clothes ; so he did not make much by his singular behavior. General Weitzel, with four companies of the Eighteenth Infantry, arrived today, and Lieu- 192 tenants Fenton and Joshua W. Jacobs (now Captain and Quarter master) are my guests. November 20, 1866. Corporal Foster returned last night with a deserter and Cap tain Mix's horse. Colonel Neill and Captain Mix had quite a row. A ranchman brought a load of potatoes into the post and Captain Mix bought them. Colonel Neill ordered the man out of camp, and would not let him deliver the potatoes. Captain Mix wanted them, and told me to take the company wagon and go after them. Colonel Neill stopped me, and would not let me go. I then hired a private team for $4, and we soon had the potatoes in the stable. Colonel Neill got very angry, and ordered all Cap tain Mix's men from the. carpenter shop, and would not let them take the furniture and chairs they were repairing or anything they had taken into the shop. November 21, 1866. A large party of Northern Cheyennes crossed the river below the post yesterday, going south on a hunting expedition. They have forty squaws along to skin the buffaloes, take care of the stock and wait on the Indian warriors, as they consider it beneath their dignity to help cut up or take the hide off a buffalo, or per form any manual labor. When a warrior rides up and kills a buf falo, his work is over, and he will jump off his pony and lie or sit down and smoke, letting the squaws catch the pony the best way they can and unsaddle and care for him. Post Chaplain Wright, U. S. A., from Fort Laramie, arrived today on his way to Wash ington. I gave him a large number of Indian trophies to present to friends, who will appreciate them, as a lance, with the scalp- locks of fifteen or twenty persons, some of them taken from women and children, who were afterwards burned and tortured to death in camp, will be quite a curiosity, as well as the shields, bows and quivers, war bonnets, tobacco pouches, pipes, etc. Johnny Keller, an old friend and brother-in-law to Colonel Camp, Quartermaster, U. S. A., is my guest, and we had a splendid horseback ride this afternoon. November 24, 1866. Mr. Keller left for Fort Laramie yesterday. Captain Mix had the men shoot at the target, 100 yards, with the new Spencer car bines just issued to the company, and only six shots struck it. '93 November 25, 1866. While exercising my horses, as usual, and training my men to spring on and off as the horses jumped over a bar, without sad dles, which made a very interesting sight, many collected around to see the men and horses go through these exciting exercises. Many of the men would stand up on their horse's bare back and ride around the ring at a gallop, and run, in many instances, and spring on and off their horses while running and jumping over the bar. In fact, I never saw as active a set of young men in the Army as I have in my troop. Although the drill I have adopted is not in the tactics, it will eventually be adopted m exercising cavalrymen, and will prove of great advantage, not only in an In dian fight, but in remounting and dismounting while in pursuit of an enemy. Colonel Neill came out, with his orderly, and stood watching the maneuvers for some time, which I supposed he admired, and I felt proud to see my men and horses doing so well, and naturally supposed that he was pleased with my new tactics. Suddenly the orderly reported that the commanding officer wished to see me at once. Complying with his order and approaching, I saluted, and was immediately ordered to my quarters in close arrest (arrest No. 9). I felt for a few minutes as if I would sink into the ground, but complied with the order, not having the least idea why so unjust (as I thought) an order should be given, except that Colo nel Neill was drunk and was not responsible for what he was doing. November 29, 1866. I am still very sick, and have my meals sent to me, but I man aged to obey Captain Neill's order and report to him. He had nothing of importance to say, being drunk as usual. I made an excuse and left. Lieutenant Halleck and Post Adjutant called upon me twice today. He informed me that Captains Mix and Neill had a lively spat, and that charges would soon be preferred by Captain Mix, my company commander. 13 194 Headquarters Fort Sedgwick, C. T., November 30, 1866. Lieut. Geo. A. Armes, Second U. S. Cavalry: Sir — By direction of the. commanding officer you are hereby released from arrest, and will report to the commanding officer of your company for duty. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Walter W. Halleck, Second Lieut. Eighteenth U. S. Inf., Post Adjt. Upon receipt of the above order, releasing me from arrest, Col onel Neill reprimanded me for adopting a drill outside of the tac tics, and cautioned me never to again drill regular soldiers as circus-riders and jumping jacks.- But at this date (1899) I observe at Fort Myer the same mode of tactics in the riding-school has been adopted by Colonel Gordon, and appeared to be approved by everyone present, officials and others ; but my only mistake was that I was over thirty years ahead of the time when I advanced the idea of drilling- regular Army soldiers in such exercises. November 30, 1866. Colonel Neill ordered the command out on inspection at 10 o'clock this A. M. Captain Mix was sick, and Ltook command of the company, sick as I was. Captain Mix preferred charges against Captain Neill this afternoon as the last resort on account of abuse. December 1, 1866. Gen. I. N. Palmer and Lieutenant Peale arrived at 2 o'clock this afternoon and drove to my tent, as they did not care to call on Colonel Neill, the commanding- officer, but just as they had accepted my invitation, Colonel Neill came in and insisted so earnestly they should stay with him that they accepted. Lieut. A. H. Bowman, Twenty-seventh Infantry, who is with General Palmer, remained as my guest, but Captain and Mrs. Mix got up a splendid dinner, and had all the officers of the post, except Col onel Neill, dine with them, giving me a chance to get better ac quainted with General Palmer, who is on his way to take com mand of the regiment and establish his headquarters at Fort Laramie. 195 December 3, 1866. After a careful inspection yesterday, General Palmer and party left for Laramie, but not until he had expressed himself as highly pleased with the splendid condition he found the troops in. I do not believe there is a more perfect gentleman in the Army. He seemed to take a special interest in me, and is proud of the suc cessful scout and Indian fight I had a few weeks ago, as it goes to the credit of the regiment. December 6, 1866. Captain Mix is still on the sick report, and I am in command of the company. Colonel Neill thought he would vent his spite toward Captain Mix today by ordering me to send the best laun dress in the company away. So, in order to head him off, I told the first sergeant that if he could find a man in the company who would marry her she would not have to go. Soon after he ap peared with Sergeant Widman, who said he would marry her. There not being any minister or Chaplain near, 1 sent for Lieuten ant Halleck, the Post Adjutant, who agreed to marry them. After sending out a number of invitations, the ceremony took place in the barracks at 4 o'clock in the presence of Major English, Cap tain Mix and wife, Captain Norwood and myself. This evening Major English selected ten or twelve of the best singers at the post to serenade the bride and groom, and then wound up at Col onel Neill's headquarters. The Colonel then went to the sutler's and drank with the men, and had a row with two of them. One man struck Colonel Neill in the face, and then the fun had to stop. December 10, 1866. Captain Brown, chief engineer of surveying party for Northern Pacific Railroad, passed through the post yesterday and dined with me. While drilling the company below the post I looked over the Platte river and discovered Paymaster Armistead, who was unable to cross. I sent the company to the barracks by First Sergeant Miller, and undertook to cross the ice, but my horse broke through seven times before reaching the Paymaster, and I came near being carried under the ice by the current, which was very strong. Major Armistead was glad to see me, as he was nearly frozen and half starved, not being able to get fuel for a fire to cook with. I managed to get back to the post, selected twenty 196 men, secured a flat-bottomed boat, and with a long rope got the boat over all right, and told the Paymaster and his clerk, Stephen Jecko, his young nephew and son of Judge Jecko of. St. Louis, to get in. After the iron safe was placed in the boat, the men started, and about the middle of the river the ice gave way and the old Major thought he was gone, but by careful management my men got him safely landed, and he showed he appreciated their action by giving each soldier a good big drink of whiskey, which pleases a soldier more than anything else, as whiskey is scarce in this part of the country. The Paymaster has agreed to stand by me in case of any trouble I may have with my commanding officer, Colo nel Neill, and he says he will never forget the kindness I have shown him. He blames Colonel Neill for his neglect in not try ing to get him into the post last night, when he knew he was across the river without fuel or anything to eat. On the Prairie, C. T., December 12, 1866. I obtained permission to go buffalo hunting yesterday, and I took Bugler Green and Sergeant Allison. Mr. Newman joined at Julesburg, and after a ride of ten miles, we discovered a small herd. I killed one after a half-mile chase, and stopped to cut his tongue out and cut his tail off, supposing the rest of the party knew where I was, but as the buffalo scattered in different direc tions, and the men after them, I was soon lost sight of. It being sundown and a storm approaching, and about twenty miles from the post, I knew it was useless to try to get back tonight ; so I unsaddled my horse and secured him with a lariat, and made im bed by the side of the buffalo, as I thought it best to remain until sunrise tomorrow morning. Fort Sedgwick, C. T., December 14, 1866. Just as the sun rose yesterday my horse threw up his head and neighed, when he was answered by horses at a distance. I sprang from under my blanket, with my pistols and carbine, making a breastwork of the buffalo, thinking Indians were coming, but I soon discovered Sergeant Allison, Green and Mr. Newman com ing toward me. They had hunted for me for awhile, then unsad dled and remained all night in one place. Reaching the post about 3 o'clock this afternoon, I reported to Colonel Neill and i97 presented him with a nice tenderloin buffalo steak, which he ac cepted, and then ordered me to my quarters in arrest. I felt pretty bad, as it was impossible for me to have returned sooner. (Arrest No. io.) Upon our return we came out at Bovey's Ranch on the Platte river, where we met Captain PI art, who is on his way to his regi ment, and after a good dinner, which was gotten up specially for us (we had had nothing to eat for forty-eight hours), we came to the post in Captain Hart's ambulance. During the night we were out Captain Mix sent all the men he could spare from the post to look for us, signal fires were made on the highest hills, but we were unable to discover them. We had been given up by most everyone at the post, as there are so many Indians on the war path, trying to capture just such parties as ours. Captain Nor wood had taken some artillery out several miles from the post to fire, thinking, perhaps, we might get the direction of the post from the sound of the guns. Captain Mix did not return with the company until this evening, and he was glad to see me alive, in spite of the long and tiresome hunt he had made for us. December 16, 1866. Being still in arrest, I have had plenty of time to read and rest. I finished a book on the "First Battle of Bull Run," and wrote twenty-two letters. At 7 o'clock this evening Colonel Neill had me marched to his quarters under charge of a sentry, and gave me orders to explain why I did not return to the post the day I left it. He was just sober enough to be in a good humor, and ac cepted my explanation, ordered the sentry to his quarters and released me from arrest. December 18, 1866. We had three hours of mounted 'drill today. Being Officer of the Day, I had to superintend having the three deserters securely ironed, as they were brought in this morning. Lieut. H. S. Gal- braith, Eighteenth Infantry, who has been Colonel Neill's guest, was ordered out of his quarters today, and is now my guest. December 20, 1866. While at a target with my company today, and explaining to Lieutenants Harmon and Galbraith and the ladies who came out 198 with them how nicely the new carbines worked, a shell exploded in the breech and almost put my eyes out. Dr. Latham and the hospital steward worked on my face for several hours this after noon, picking out the powder, and I am much better tonight, although suffering a great deal of pain. December 24, 1866. The Indians set fire to the prairie a few miles from here, and the danger of the hay and post buildings being burned required me to take all the men I could gather together and try to stop it. Cap tain Mix gave me his secret of acting, which I shall never forget, as it may prove valuable to me in the future. I carried it out with effect by setting fire to the grass near the post and starting it towards the fire that was working this way, and when the two fires met they went out, and thus the post was saved. Captain and Mrs. Beebe have invited me to a party at their house tomorrow night. Lieutenant Fitch, formerly of the Nineteenth, V. R. C, arrived by stage and is my guest. Christmas, December 25, 1866. After breakfast this morning Lieutenant Fitch and I, with twenty-five mounted men as an escort, went on an antelope hunt, and af£er selecting a large buck, I started after him at a full run, firing my revolver at every jump, and after a chase of a mile one of my shots broke his leg, when I rode up and killed him. It took two men to lift him on a horse, and as he was the first I ever killed, I felt rather proud, and was congratulated by all my friends at the post this afternoon. December 26, 1866. It was four o'clock this morning ere the party broke up. I never saw people enjoy themselves more than they did last night. We had music and dancing and supper at twelve o'clock. Mrs. Scott was the belle. Mrs. Captain Mix and Latham deserve a great deal of credit for the good supper and tasty display of every thing. After two hours of mounted drill this afternoon, which I conducted in the absence of Captain Mix, with Lieutenant Fitch as spectator, he left on the stage for his post. Just after dinner this evening news came to us all here that Lieutenant-Colonel 199 Fetterman, Twenty-seventh Infantry ; Captain Brown and Lieu tenant Gennmond of the Eighteenth Infantry, and Lieutenant Wandless, commanding Company C of the Second Cavalry, with ninety enlisted men, besides a number of citizens, had all been killed by the Indians at or near Fort Phil Kearney. Such news is sad, but we expect further details tomorrow. December 28, 1866. Captain Norwood and I were on a board of survey yesterday. The news of the massacre is confirmed, and troops have been sent after the Indians from Fort Laramie. Twenty-five four-mule wagons had gone several miles from. the post after wood. While returning fifty or one hundred Indians charged at the train, and Colonel Fetterman, who was guarding it, started with ninety en listed men and thirty-one citizens after the Indians, who ran into a deep ravine about a mile from the main road. They were im mediately ambushed by several thousand Indians, who were hid den behind the bushes, rocks and hills. Not one man of the one hundred and twenty-one was left, all being killed and many bodies being mutilated. _ December 29, 1866. Captain Mix was placed in close arrest before guard-mount this morning by Colonel Neill, who also forbade my going near his quarters or speaking to him on company business. He also forbade me from speaking to- Mrs. Mix on any pretext, or a guard would soon be placed over me. Of course I have to obey orders. CHAPTER V. extracts from diary, etc. January i, 1867. I came off duty as Officer of the Day this morning, seeing the old year out and the new one in. Captain Mix relieved me. Col onel Neill received orders to turn over all quartermaster's stores to Captain Norwood, who has been appointed Post Quarter master. I can hardly realize that I am just starting another new year. In looking back on- the contrast of my last year with my present surroundings and what I have been through during the past six months, settled and established hundreds of miles from civilization, surrounded by rattlesnakes, Indians, buffalo and other wild animals, it seems almost like a dream. I am thankful to God for giving me health and strength to abstain from the many wicked vices surrounding a young Army officer on the frontier, and hope and pray that I may be able to continue an upright course and not yield to the many temptations and snares to which so many give way in this coun try, but follow the advice and teaching of my dear mother, to whom I was devoted, and -who died a true Christian. January 2, 1867. Private Sullivan was reported absent at reveille this morning. I started a searching party after him, and about eleven o'clock his body was found on the ice in the middle of the river holding a hen in one hand and a rooster in the other. All three were frozen to death — Sullivan, rooster and hen. Mr. Sullivan had been in the habit of crossing the river during the night to get whiskey from a ranch opposite the post, and being fond of chickens, concluded he would have an extra dish that Uncle Sam does not furnish his boarders. The owner of the ranch had made complaint that his chickens were being stolen, but the thief was sly enough to keep from being caught. He must have taken more whiskey than usual, or stopping to meditate, fallen asleep and frozen to death. I ordered Sergeant Miller to send me a detail from the com pany to dig a grave, selected a place on the river bank, and Cor poral Lyon with five men soon reported, wrapped a blanket 20 i around Private Sullivan and his chickens and buried them four and one-half feet deep. The owner of the ranch, who witnessed the ceremony, seemed greatly relieved, and now feels that his chickens will be safe in the future. January 3, 1867. An order came from department headquarters today placing Colonel Neill under arrest and Captain Mix in command of the post. January 4, 1867. I -moved into my new quarters this morning. News came to the post today that two men have just been killed and scalped by the Indians near Fort Casper and the telegraph wires cut so that we cannot get particulars. January 5, 1867. The Indians are murdering ranchmen, emigrants and all people they meet. The settlers are frightfully alarmed as they see that we have not half enough soldiers to protect them. Returning to my quarters, I found an order from Capt. Mix appointing me Post Adjutant and the following letter from Gen. Hancock : feMi^ ©*&, .We. .. .-^T'' . . /-..-,.-' -M*a o/c^sL, ' v*7%t^. &w~s i£JL<>^-* e>C^ *«Zy faLjLt &*>r r/<*y/ AmJU o^,<2t. J^cy^. t T r 7 . / Y 203 r, January 6, 1867. Entered upon my duties as Post Adjutant this morning after attending stables for Companies K and M ; drilled Company K two hours, mounted, this forenoon. The Paymaster paid all the companies this afternoon. Campany M's stables caught fire in the saddler's room this evening and burnt up my double harness, saddle and bridle and over $100 worth of my traps. Major Bur bank and Mr. Beebe, his clerk, are guests of Captain Mix. Dr. Latham, Captain Mix, Major Burbank, Mr. Beebe, Wentworth (the scout) and I, with ten enlisted men as an escort and a six- mule wagon, went on a buffalo hunt yesterday. Captain Mix killed two, Mr. Beebe one, Wentworth five, I only one, bringing back the wagon loaded all within three hours from the time we left the post. Captain Norwood returned from Fort Laramie, re lieved me from command of his company today and started with it for Fort Laramie. I have to attend to all the calls, stables, guard- mount, drills, etc., and go on duty as Officer of the Day in addi tion to my duties as Post Adjutant. 204 \ January 13, 1867. They had a lively time today. Colonel Neill sent word to Cap tain Mix that he was going to take command of the post. He broke his close arrest by going to his first sergeant and trying to get him to fall his company in line to arrest Captain Mix. I was ordered to put him back in his quarters, when he rushed into the sutler's store, where he backed up in the corner of the room with two loaded revolvers, threatening to shoot any person who dared to molest him. I marched the sergeant of the guard and two men into the room and took a loaded revolver in my hand, intending to get Colonel Neill to his quarters dead or alive, and just as the Colonel and I were about to shoot at each other Dr. Latham rushed in and sang out: "Colonel Neill, I have something im portant to tell you," and walked up to him. They were soon on their way to his quarters admiring the Colonel's pistols, which the Doctor managed to get possession of., I at once placed two guards over the Colonel in his quarters and took possession of his revolvers. January 15, 1867. Governor Cummings of Colorado and Major Lewis Thompson, Second Cavalry, his military secretary, arrived yesterday. The Major is my guest. Colonel Neill having sobered up a little and given his word to Captain Mix that he would not give further trouble, the guard was taken off. Reports of a large war party of Indians being near came to the post during the day. I am ready to go for them with three companies, and can be on the march within five minutes after receiving orders. Captain Dewees, Lieutenants Cahill and Neill left today for Fort Laramie with their command. Three better officers than they cannot be found in our Army. Captain Mix sent me with a sergeant and ten men to Julesburg this afternoon after a band of robbers who had broken in and stolen a lot of goods from one of the stores there, but had gotten away before I got there, going northwest with hundreds of dollars' worth of goods. I am in command of the post in Captain Mix's absence. January 16, 1867. Captain Mix gave me orders to assume command of Com panies B and D, Eighteenth Infantry. Have been kept busy all day. 205 Meig's Ranch, D. T., January 21, 1867. Orders came yesterday afternoon to take four six-mule wagons and twenty-five men of my company, proceed to an old canon fifty miles from the post and take possession of a large amount of stolen goods reported to be there and capture the robbers if pos sible. I left the post at daybreak, and in crossing the Platte river the wagon broke through the ice. I was detained four hours, and am now camping out in a very cold snowstorm without wood or anything to burn, even to make coffee. Mr. Hughes, owner of the ranch, has kindly let us have the use of his fireplace to cook what coffee we need, but cannot give us any further comfort. Pole Creek, Twenty Miles from Laramie Ranch, January 22, 1867. During last night, just as I had gotten half asleep under my blanket in the snow, thdsergeant of the guard reported that he be lieved a party of Indians were trying to break into the camp. Quietly having all the men placed under arms, with instructions not to let an Indian or robber get away alive, I went to the outpost and soon heard my name called in English, and Sergeant Widman re ported with twenty-five men, handing me the following letter : Headquarters Fort Sedgwick, C. T., January 23, 1867. Lieut. G. A. Armes, Second U. S. Cavalry: • Sir— I send you a wagon loaded with forage and rations, about four days each, also your saddle horse Ranger, some bandages and lint. You must not take your wagons too far in a fight. They would ruin you. Leave them at a safe place. When you get near the Indians, use your own judgment, always keeping in mind that your horses have much hard work to do after this trip. I cannot spare you any more men, for we must keep enough here to protect the post and keep matters quiet around us. I think you have men enough to fight all the Indians that you are likely to meet. At all events you must do the best you can with the men at your dis posal. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) J. Mix, Captain, Commanding Post. 206 I sent a sergeant back to the post with a request that at least fifty more men be sent to me, as some forty or fifty men who were sent to Laramie, coming to Sharp's Woods, were surrounded by- Indians and almost starved out. One man had ventured out and got to me with this information. Not waiting for reinforcements, I started out at three o'clock this morning in the snowstorm with fifty-five men and five wagons for the wood-choppers' camp, about forty miles up in the canons. I halted at eight this morn ing at Lewis' Ranch on Pole creek, and at nine o'clock was again on the march to rescue the citizen wood-choppers. We had not marched more than twenty miles when a band of Indians came dashing at us. I at once had my wagons parked and left them in charge of the teamsters and ten soldiers. Then I deployed my men, placing Lieutenant Jenness in command of the left, and charged the Indians, who wheeled and ran over the' hills into the deep ravine full of snow, my little command after them, firing our Rescuing the Woodchoppers. carbines, yelling and making as much noise as we could. After a chase of three miles the Indians disappeared, and all we got was one Indian pony with a war-bag full of dried meat, saddle and bridle, bow and quivers, shield and a number of Indian trinkets, with six or seven head of cattle they had just stolen and driven 207 from the wood-choppers' camp, which is only ten miles further on. My scout thinks all the men have been murdered, and that the Indians are making for the village with the stolen stock, so I will not wait for reinforcements, but go forward tonight and search the camp if possible. The snow is over a foot deep on a level, and five and six feet deep in the canons. I first sent in a request to the post to hurry me forward more men if possible, stating that I will go forward tonight, and that one of my men was killed or captured by the Indians, but I lost no time in spite of the suffering of myself and men. If it had not been for the assistance of Lieutenant Jenness I hardly believe one of us would have been left, but he helped to cheer the men forward and charge when, judging by the large band of Indians, it was hopeless. t Return from the Rescue. Pole Creek Crossing, Lewis' Ranch, D. T., January 24, 1867. After taking the captured cattle and ponies to the wagon camp we got a little coffee and something to eat. No signs of reinforce ments coming, we started for the wood camp, about twenty miles northwest in the mountains, which we reached about ten o'clock last night in the midst of one of the coldest Dakota blizzards I ever experienced. The Indians who had been holding the wood- choppers prisoners scattered the moment the little command was 208 discovered, when the citizens rushed out wild with excitement and rejoicing over our arrival and their rescue from starvation and death. They had been out of provisions for two days, and were boiling their shoes and boots to appease their hunger. My men divided their rations with them, got a hasty meal, and after getting warmed up a little by the good fires they had there, we started on the trail of the Indians, hoping to surprise and capture their village, about ten miles further on. Twenty of the wood- choppers, well armed with Winchesters and revolvers, volunteered to go with me, the rest starting on our back trail for the wagons we had left behind, taking orders to the sergeant in charge to return to this ranch and wait for further orders. We discovered the village about four o'clock this morning, and charged into it to find it empty. Not a live Indian could be seen, and my scout soon informed us that from what he had discovered he judged the vil lage had been abandoned about five hours, and that the Indians who had held the wood-choppers prisoners, discovering our ap proach in the night, supposed I had a large force, hastened to their camp with the alarm, and the Indians got their families out as quickly as possible, starting for the mountains in a panic. After following their trail about ten miles I found it useless to attempt it further, as the horses would plunge in the ravines filled with soft snow from five to ten feet deep, and as the men were begin ning to grow numb with the cold, I started for the ranch about twelve o'clock, lt has taken rne eleven hours to come twenty-five miles. Meigs' Ranch, C. T., January 25, 1867. It was between eleven and twelve o'clock last night when we reached Lewis' Ranch. When I was taken off my horse and car ried into Mr. Lewis' room, whicli he kindly gave up to me, and as soon as the ice had melted from over my mouth so I could speak, I requested runners to be sent in to the post for two or three am bulances for the frozen men, who are unable to sit on their horses without great suffering. Lewis gave his cowboys orders to have all my horses put under his sheds and well fed and to bring a lot of dry hay into the ranch and make all the men as comfortable as possible, while he and his clerk gave their personal attention to me. I was bathed in cold water and rubbed with towels until the doctor thought I 209 would pull through without losing any fingers or toes. Many of the men who had to be taken off their horses will lose their fingers and toes, and in one or two cases, I am afraid, their hands and feet. I must mention the kind attention of Mrs. Major Kellogg. After she had started on to Fort Laramie the blizzard became so severe that she came back to this ranch, and upon her arrival, although suffering from the cold herself, she at once lent a help ing hand to us all. It was after ten o'clock this morning before I could get away from Lewis' Ranch, as I had to put my frozen men in six-mule wagons, making them comfortable as possible, and after being placed on my horse and my feet and hands bundled up, we started for this ranch. About three o'clock this afternoon the only ambulance from the post met us, and after placing seven of the worst cases in it I sent it to the post with orders to hasten back to this ranch for more men who are unable to sit on their horses at all. The ranch being too small to give us shelter, we are all camped in the snow tonight, and as fire only makes us worse, we are doing without any. Thirty-two of the forty men who went with me to the Indian village are badly frozen, which gives the other ten men a great deal of extra work, as they have the care of the horses in addition to waiting upon their frozen comrades. It is a good thing the Indians did not discover the strength of my little command, for if they had and we had met them in their village not one of us would have been left, as the scouts say there were ten Indians to one of us, and with the assistance of their squaws could have massacred us in a few moments. Fort Sedgwick, C. T., January 26, 1867. Two ambulances arrived at my camp during last night, and I sent fourteen more of my frozen men to the post, then saddled up and marched the rest of the command in, reaching the post at twelve o'clock, where I was placed in a cold room by Dr. Latham and every attention shown that could be to cure me. Captain Mix called on me with General Potter, Colonel of the Thirtieth 210 Infantry, who are now in camp near the post waiting for the storm to abate before going forward to Fort Laramie. Several of his officers called to see me during-the day, but 1 am in such a suffering condition that I could not talk or entertain them. I feel considerably cheered up from the fact that I return to the post without the loss of a man or horse being left on the plains, with the exception of the man killed or captured by the Indians during the first day's fight. Meeting Mr. Coad last night, he gave me proof that "sixty-seven head of cattle and one pony which Lieu tenant Geo. A. Armes, Second United States Cavalry, captured from the Indians belong to me and my company. Witnesses, Thomas Randall, Alva Wylie. (Signed) J. F. Coad." Mr. Coad being the contractor, the recovery of his cattle will be a godsend to him as well as the families at the post, as he can bring his wood here now, which we were in great need of. Mr. Coad is now one of the prominent business men in Omaha, Neb. I prepared and submitted my report as follows : Fort Sedgwick, C. T., January 26, 1867. Capt. J. Mix, Second U. S. Cavalry, Commanding Post, Fort Sedgwick, C. T.: Sir — I have the honor to inform you that Sergeant Weidman, with twenty-five men, overtook me at 11 o'clock P. M. on the 21st inst. twelve miles from this post, at Meig's Ranch, where I stopped a short time. I left Meig's Ranch, with thirty-seven men, at 3 A. M. on the 22d; reached Lewis' Ranch, at Pole Creek Crossing, thirty miles, at 9 A. M., ate breakfast, and left at 10 A. M. for the canons on Lawrence Fork, thirty-eight miles, to rescue Coad and his men; proceeded up Pole creek twelve or fifteen miles, when I discovered Indians; sent my wagons to a safe place and parked them, and started after the Indians with thirty-four men; followed them four miles, when they scattered in the bluffs and hid behind rocks, etc. They tried to decoy me with traps, by sending one or two out at a time. I sent a sergeant and four men out, and cap tured one pony, which an Indian had ridden out most too far; the Indian escaped behind the rock. I dismounted my men, climbed up the bluffs, and tried to get in rear of them, but failed; the snow was so deep it was impossible to follow them. I then mounted and started, and in trying to cross gullies the horses would sink in so deep it was with the greatest difficulty that the men could get them out, even by dismounting. I concluded it was not policy to risk my men in the canons, as it was growing dusk, and the Indians ten to one. So I returned to the wagons, after a round trip of fif- 211 teen miles, then fed the animals, and started on to Lawrence Fork, which was twenty-three miles; reached there, and rescued Coad and twenty-one men at 2 A. M., the 23d inst.; fed and rested until 7 A. M., then started for the Indian camp, eight miles; found it deserted, and took fifty head of cattle, which they had left behind in their hurry. I returned to Lawrence Fork at 1 1 A. M., took four mules from the teams, packed them with grain and blankets, and started on the trail at 3 P. M. ; marched all night until 4 A. M., the 24th, when I stopped near Pine Bluffs, making forty miles; fed and started again at 7 A. M., marched twenty-five miles, when I lost the trail, as the wind had blown the snow in and filled it up so that it could not be found. I then started for Pole Creek Crossing, which I reached at dusk, making a march of fifty-eight miles; left Pole creek at 10 A. M., on the 25th, and reached Meig's Ranch at 7 P. M., thirty- miles; stopped all night, and left this morning, the 26th, at 7 o'clock, and arrived at this post at 10 A. M. Twenty- seven of my men are frozen, or are in such a condition that I am afraid they will not be fit for anything more than garrison duty as long as the cold weather lasts. I have not lost any horses. I lost one man, who, I think, was captured by the Indians when I charged into the bluffs, as I have not seen him since. I turned over sixty-seven head of cattle and one pony, which I captured from the Indians, to J. F. Coad & Co., after having sufficient proof that they belonged to him and his company. Second Lieut. John Jenness, Twenty-seventh U. S. Inf., who was on his way to join his regiment, volunteered his services, which I accepted. I furnished him with a horse, and he rendered valuable service in the charge, and behaved himself in a gallant manner. When in the canons, and in great danger, he set a fine example to the men by his coolness and determination. It is my opinion he will be a daring and useful officer to the Government. Great credit is due the five citizens whose names I will send in to you soon, with the recommendation that they be employed in the Quartermaster's Department, as they are now out of employment and badly frozen. Most of the Indians were dressed in blue overcoats and mounted on American horses. Citizens whom I have talked with, and who were near them six or eight days ago, state that some are armed with Spencer carbines, and seem to think they are the same Indians who partook in the massacre at Fort Phil Kearney. Sergeant Keane, Corporals Furniss and Dimmock, and, in fact, all the men, behaved themselves in a gallant manner, and endured the hard ships like true soldiers and men. From the appearance of the ar rows found, the Indians were Cheyennes. A war bag was taken from the captured pony, which I judge contained at least twenty days' rations of dried meat, etc. I omitted to mention that seven teen head of cattle, were found along their trail, which they had left in their retreat when I charged into the canons after them. It is the opinion of all those with whom I have talked that the Indians from above are coming this way for the purpose of meeting those from the Republican and attacking this road some time in Febru ary. Total number of miles marched since I left this post, two hundred and forty-nine (249). The horses seem to be still in good condition and not much worn. G. A. Armes, Second Lieut., U. S. Cav., Commanding Detach. Capt. Mix endorses my report as follows: "Lieut. Armes has in this case, as he always does, carried out his instructions with energy and discretion. The severe loss in frost-bitten men is to be regretted, but the citizens on Lauren's Fork would doubt- have been massacred but for the assistance sent. ' ' Notb. — A paper in McClure's for June, 1899, by W. T. Carney, gives a detailed account of this terrible experience, but it is colored to suit the writer whom I had reprimanded for inciting lo mutiny. I had no more to eat or wear than the command ; no pack-mule to carry supplies personal to myself; went as far and suffered as much as the balance. In one instance I now recall I gave my ovtrshoes to one ofthe men. taking them off my feet to do so. Capt. Mix — not Fox — did not reprimand me, nor did any other of my superiors. During the entire time I did not leave my command ex cept as stated in my report. Fort Sedgwick, C. T., January 27, 1867. My frozen fingers caused me so much pain and suffering during last night that I did not sleep. Of course I did not have to mount guard as Post Adjutant, although I am not on the sick report. Mrs. Captain Mix is doing all she can to make me comfortable, and has fixed a bed in her side of the house for me, my quarters being taken by some of the families of the Thirtieth Infantry, who cannot be made comfortable in camp. February 5, 1867. Mr. Foot from Washington left by stage yesterday for Fort Saunders. Captain Mix placed me in command of the post today- while he and General Potter went on a buffalo hunt. In addition to being post commander and Officer of the Day, I am Post Ad jutant, commander of Companies B and E, Thirtv-sixth United States Infantry, and Company M, Second Cavalry, Post Treas urer and Provost-Marshal, which duties take about sixteen hours of my time out of the twenty-four. 213 Lately looking through the records of the War Department I found the enclosed letter from Governor Kirkwood. But my pro motion had been made by General Grant before they reached the department without any request of mine : Senate Chamber, February 8, 1867. Hon. Edw. M. Stanton, Secretary of War : Sir— I enclose a letter forwarded to me by John Clark, Esq., for you. 1 am well acquainted with Mr. Clark, and take pleasure in com mending him as a worthy and reliable gentleman. I have understood that Lieutenant Armes has been promoted for his gallant conduct, and trust my information may be correct. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) S. J. Kirkwood. Jefferson City, Mo., February 4, 1867. Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War: I take the liberty of an old friend and supporter during your early career in Ohio, and who has had the good fortune (or rather sense) to agree with you in all the trying times through which we have recently passed, to call your attention to the case of Lieuten ant Armes of the Second U. S. Cavalry at Fort Sedgwick. Many without half the service or merit rose to be Brigadier and Major-Generals. He rendered the most important service at the first battle of Bull Run, for which he received the acknowledg ments of Generals Heintzleman and Wilcox. He continued to serve wherever duty called and where energy and courage were wanted, particularly distinguishing himself in a charge at "Hatch er's Run." Having been appointed Second Lieutenant in Second U. S. Cavalry, he has on two recent occasions performed extraor dinarily dangerous and valuable service against superior numbers of hostile Indians, and was astonishingly successful in both. In the last, however, he and his command were badly frozen. Such conduct, I think, where you have the power, will not be allowed to pass unnoticed or unrecognized. A short time before his fight he wrote me that he would be obliged to leave the service, as he could not afford to remain in it; that his pay was $120 per month, and that $60 of that went for boarding, $35 for servant, $5 for washing, and the balance would not pay for his clothing and other necessary expenses. But I think he ought to be promoted and retained in the service, and have written to call attention to his case for that reason. 214 I would respectfully refer to Hon. S. J. Kirkwood and the Hon. J. W. Grimes, U. S. S. Truly appreciating, as I believe, the eminent services you have rendered our country, I am, as ever, Your fast friend and admirer, (Signed) Jno. Clark, In this connection an extract from a letter of my father is per tinent : Washington, D. C, January 19, 1867. Good-morning, George: I have taken upon myself to ascertain what they thought of you at Army headquarters in relation to your glorious and successful Indian achievement, and in conversation with General Townsend last evening he told me that General Grant, who knows you per sonally, was highly pleased and satisfied you ought to be promoted, and that ever since complimentary orders had been issued he had been trying to find a place for you, but after a talk with General Kelton, I learned that General Grant had recalled an appointment of some other officer, and put you in his place, and that notifica tion of your appointment had been forwarded for vour acceptance. * * * Colonel Dodge, then in command, released Colonel Neill from arrest, who relieved me from command of his company. February 15, 1867. I detailed Colonel Neill for Officer of the Day for tomorrow, ¦ and after guard-mount I wrote out my resignation as Post Ad jutant and handed it to Colonel Dodge, who declined to accept it, stating that he desired me to remain his Adjutant. After dinner Colonel Dodge and I took a horseback ride, call ing on General Potter and his officers of the Thirtieth Infantry, still in camp opposite the post on the other side of the Platte river. The following is self-explanatory : Headquarters Thirtieth U. S. Infantry, Near Fort Sedgwick, C. T., February 19, 1867. Lieutenant : Can you let me have one hundred and twenty (120) gun slings (Springfield rifle)? If so, please let the orderly bring them over, as we. need them to equip the men at once, and if you will send the invoices and receipts I will receipt for them. 215 Very truly, Your obedient servant, J. S. Tompkins, First Lieut. Thirtieth U. S. Inf., Acting Adjt. To Post Adjt., Fort Sedgwick. Captain Mix will comply with the request of Lieutenant Tomp kins. Geo. A. Armes, Lieut. Second Cavalry. February 19, 1867. Fort Sedgwick, February 19, 1867. Respectfully returned to Lieutenant Armes, and attention called to Par. 450, Revised Regulations. J. Mix, Capt. Second Cavalry. The above orders to my post commander was an unintentional oversight, and if my commanding officer at this time had not been a gentleman I might have been severely punished and much capital made of my endorsement. February 19, 1867. After guard-mount this morning, upon returning to my office, Colonel Dodge read a telegram and congratulated me upon my appointment as Captain. I told him I had received it some days ago, but did not want it He argued that it was a very important position, and advised me to accept it. I agreed to decide by tomorrow morning. February 20, 1867. Dr. and Mrs. Latham sent me an invitation to their party last night, and the dance did not break up until after three this morn ing. Colonel Dodge and I had a long chat, and after his calling my attention to the fact that my promotion would place me over the heads of several hundreds of officers who now outranked me, and that the promotion was for gallant and meritorious conduct, and that it was a great honor fo be mentioned in such a way by my superior officers, I made up my mind to accept, and Colonel Dodge swore me in today. News of a large party of Indians on the warpath was brought to the post tonight by Mr. More of More's Ranch, fifty miles above here. 2l6 February 21, 1867. Lieutenant Haughey relieved me as Post Adjutant yesterday forenoon, when I was ordered to go with Captain Mix, sixty-four mounted men and four six-mule teams to carry our supplies while after the war party of Indians reported near the post I invited Captain Ray to go with us, and as he had been in the artillery, Captain Mix let him take charge of the piece we had. More's Ranch, C. T., February 22, 1867. We got an early start this morning and reached this place be fore sunrise. Mr. More was delighted, and did everything in his power to maks us comfortable. The Indians stole fifty or sixty of his horses and have gone towards the Republican river. Summit Springs, C. T., February 23, 1867. We started out at daybreak, having marched nearly fifty miles in a cold rainstorm. No signs of the Indian trail. Camp Lookout, C. T., February 24, 1867. We all had to be up most of last night to keep the animals from freezing, and it was eight o'clock this morning when the com mand started. Nearly all the horses had to be led, as the plains are one sheet of ice, not a tree nor brush of any kind in sight, and it has been a difficult matter to make any headway, as all the ani mals are smooth-shod. Camp Sandy, C. T., February 25, 1867. We started at daybreak this morning and have marched fifty- seven miles. After the first few hours we reached the sandhills and got along much faster, as the men and animals would break through the crust of ice into the soft sand and did not slip nor slide so much. The command is comfortable tonight, as the great piles of sand break the cold wind off. Many of the men have dug into the sand to keep warm. Camp on Republican River, C. T., February 28, 1867. Marched on the trail thirty-five miles yesterday and followed it down Chief creek to this river, which we reached at three o'clock this afternoon. Just as the horses were unsaddled one of the videttes discovered an Indian in a canon and fired at him, when he and his pony soon disappeared. 217 Captain Mix ordered me to take thirty men and try to locate the Indian camp, as it is not very far off. As soon as I was out of sight of our camp twenty or thirty Indian warriors appeared in my front, when I charged them, and in less than five minutes I discovered several hundred Indians forming a circle around 'us. I then galloped to one of the highest bluffs and dismounted and prepared my men to receive the charge from the Indians, who appeared in a large, force prepared for battle. Seeing there were at least fifty Indians to one of my men, I began to prepare for the worst, giving orders to be very careful and let each shot make one Indian less. Having thirty of the best men ever commanded as soldiers and knowing them to be good shots, I felt much better than if they had been unaccustomed to fighting Indians. Only a few moments elapsed before I was entirely surrounded by the red devils, who made up their minds I was going to fall an easy prey, judging by the slow manner they formed their circle around us. First, they made their ponies almost fly, then come to a run, a gallop, a trot and down to a slow walk, all the time getting nearer ' and. nearer, until they were within easy reach of our carbines. Having every man on his knees with his gun at a "ready" and in a circle around our horses, which were held by six men, we were in a pretty good position to defend ourselves for a while at least. Just as I was about to give the order "Fire!" an Indian and a half-breed rode out from the mass of Indians and called out "Don't shoot ! Don't shoot !" Taking a sergeant, I met them half way between the lines, when I discovered my old friend Spotted Tail, chief of a large tribe of Northern Sioux. The half-breed was a Mr. Lee, owner of a ranch on the Platte river, who had a number of wagons loaded with goods in the Indian village, where he was trading. After shaking hands and saying "How, how," I explained that I was after horse-thieves and was not trying to get up a fight with them. Spotted Tail stood straight up, saying, "My men no steal horses from white men. Cheyennes steal horses. Cheyennes thieves gone South. My men good. Fight no white man unless white man shoot first." I then invited him to select fifty of his war chiefs and acompany me to camp, where I introduced him to Captain Mix, who was 2l8 enjoying a good cup of coffee, with some hard-tack and bacon, before a fire, around which some twenty of the Indians seated themselves and began to smoke the pipe of peace. Spotted Tail became very talkative, denounced the Cheyennes to Captain Mix and praised his own tribe as the friend of the white man. After a powwow Captain Mix gave each Indian some coffee, hard bread, tobacco and meat, which took nearly all we had, when they all shook hands, saying, "How ! bye-bye." Before leaving Mr. Lee told me that it was just as much as Spotted Tail could do to control his warriors, as they were so anx ious to fight ; that he ordered one young chief shot on the spot and had several others punished, and that some twenty or thirty of the young men left him and threatened to kill us anyway ; that it took great determination on Spotted Tail's part to prevent an attack upon us, and that if we had fired first he could not have stopped them at all. Under the circumstances, I feel that I am in luck. Camp Plains, C. T., March i, 1867. As our rations are out and we are over one hundred miles from our post, we gave up the chase after the horse-thieves and started back, making about thirty miles today, and went into camp early to protect ourselves from a terrible "Norther," which is freezing us almost to death. Camp Starvation, C. T., March 2, 1867. Not having anything to eat for men or horses last night nor any wood, we had to cut up and burn two of our wagons to keep us from freezing to death, but got an early start this morning, and have marched all day through snow from one to four feet deep, with a crust frozen just hard enough to let us break through about every other step. From nine to three o'clock this afternoon neither man nor horse could be seen thirty feet away, and the legs of the men and horses were so badly cut by sharp ice and snow that our trail could be followed by the blood. Not having recovered from the effects of the previous fearful storm, I was not able to take my share of the work with Captain Mix, and it is as much as I can do to keep breath in my body. The skin has peeled off entirely from my face and nearly all over my body, and I have suffered terribly during the past twenty' hours. 219 We went into this camp at four o'clock ; not a mouthful of anything to eat ; only one wagon left to burn for fuel tonight, and as we can hardly expect to get away from here alive, Captain Mix has named this spot Camp Starvation. We are now quartered in the snow from three to five feet deep. Beauvais Ranch, C. T., on Platte River, March 3, 1867. To our surprise we found our party all alive at daybreak this morning and started for this place. Fortunately, a few miles' march took us out of the deep snow, and we had good weather and fine marching all day. We now feel at this hour, ten o'clock, as if we were quartered in a palace, so comfortable, lying on the dirt floor on our buffalo robes in front of a big blazing fire and drinking our black coffee. Fort Sedgwick, C. T., March 4, 1867. We got an early start and reached this post at two o'clock this afternoon, being met by Colonel Dodge, Dr. Latham and a num ber of anxious ones, who had expected never to see us alive again, as they had given us up. The following is an extract of Captain Mix's report upon our return : March 5, 1867. I started at 11 o'clock this morning, the 21st ult., with Lieuten ant Armes and sixty-four enlisted men. Mr. Ray, ex-officer of artillery, volunteered his services, and was placed in command of one three-inch ordnance gun. The men were furnished with eighty rounds of carbine and fifty rounds of pistol ammunition per man. the piece with fifty-five rounds. I gained the following information : Mr. More's stock was stolen by "Little Horse" — Skum-sono-ches-che-to — and "Horse-in-the- Road" — Skum-ko-no shum-ko — both of whom belong to "Big Horse's" band of Cheyennes. "Little Horse" is a son of "Big Horse." They have taken the stock down to the Arkansas river, and had passed eight days be fore our arrival. I determined to return, and then the real diffi culty commenced. We left the Republican March 1. .220 It was only by the most violent exercise that the men could be kept from freezing. To add to our difficulties, we struck a snowdrift, which lasted all day, with snow from two to five feet deep. The crust cut the horses cruelly and left a trail of blood behind us. We could not see twenty feet in front of us. At 3 o'clock this afternoon the men and animals were unable to move further, and selecting the best shelter that the wind-swept plain afforded, we camped without forage for our horses. Next morning, without breakfast, in a piercing wind and sleet in our faces, we marched. Fortunately, we got out of the deep snow in a short time, and were enabled to reach Beauvais Ranch at dark, where my ex hausted men and horses found shelter and food. I cannot speak in too high terms of the whole command, who, through the terrible storm of the 2d and 3d inst, displayed the highest qualities of the soldier — cheerful submission to great hardships and privations, and a prompt obedience — qualities which will ensure their honor on a more glorious, but not more trying field. Quite a number of the men had been frostbitten a short time since while on a scout with Lieutenant Armes, and their sufferings were very severe. Their comrades were untiring in their efforts to alleviate them. The best overshoes, comforts, etc., were cheerfully- and without orders given up by the men, who were themselves half perished. It has never been my fortune to witness so many instances of self-sacrifice. I am happy to report that no loss of limbs, or few, if any, fingers or toes will occur in the company, though many of the men will suffer for some time. The above report is endorsed by Colonel Dodge, the post com mander, as follows : Respectfully forwarded to Department headquarters. Captain Mix deserves the greatest credit for his conduct through the scout. But for his care, foresight and energy many men must have been lost during the terrible storm which he en countered. I notice, with great satisfaction, the noble conduct of the men while undergoing suffering sufficient to daunt the stoutest heart. It is hardly an exaggeration to say no troop ever performed service under greater hardships than Company M experienced in tbe scout of January, under Lieutenant Armes, and under Captain Mix in March of this year. General Rodenbaugh, an officer of the regiment, in writing up its history, refers to reports and official records as follows, on page 380, in relation to the rescue of the wood-choppers : Among the incidents of the year was the scout made by Lieu tenant Armes in January after a party of Indians in the neighbor hood of Lauren's Fork. This scout, which resulted in the capture of sixty-seven head of cattle captured by the Indians, and other Indian property, was ac complished with the usual energy of this officer, and under difficul ties that can best be understood by the following quotation from his report: "Twenty-seven of my men are frozen, or in such a con dition that I am afraid they will not be fit for anything more than garrison duty as long as the cold weather lasts." Captain Mix endorses his report as follows : "Lieutenant Armes has in this case, as he always does, carried out his instructions with energy and discretion. The severe loss in frostbitten men is to be regretted, but the citizens on Lauren's Fork would doubtless have been mas sacred but for the assistance sent. Nearly all the stock stolen was recovered." The General also publishes the following order on page 374 in his history of the regiment, which is considered one of the most complimentary ever issued by our Army : General Cook, in his order on the subject, says: "Lieut. Geo. A. Armes, Second U. S. Cavalry, being sent with twenty-five men of his regiment from Fort Sedgwick October 23 in pursuit of a war party of Sioux Indians, which had driven off the preceding day several hundred head of stock, found and followed their trail, un der the difficulties of crossing two wide rivers, forks of the Platte, and of darkness, ninety-eight miles, from 5 o'clock this morning to 1 1 o'clock at night. "Then he surprised the party, instantly attacked, killed and wounded nearly all of their superior numbers, captured twenty- two of the Indian horses, burned their camp, and brought off safely most of the stolen stock. This young officer has set a fine example to the Department of overcoming difficulties that would have dis couraged many without loss of credit, of bold determination to succeed, and of striking without stopping to count his enemies, and he has presented to the profession perhaps the greatest cavalry feat heretofore recorded." General Grant immediately referred the order to the Secretary of War with the. following endorsement thereon : 222 Headquarters Army of the United States, November 20, 1866. Respectfully forwarded to the Secretary of War, with the rec ommendation that this officer be appointed Captain in the Tenth Cavalry, instead of Capt. J. W. Blunt, Second N. Y. Cavalry, rec ommended by me in my list of November 15, 1866. (Signed) U. S. Grant, General. GENERAL U. S. GRANT. This carried my promotion from Second Lieutenant to Captain over the heads of several hundreds of my seniors in rank. The following notice came from Department headquarters by mail today, it not being known there at the time it was issued that I had accepted : 223 Headquarters Department of the Platte, Omaha, Neb., February 22, 1867. Lieut. Geo. A. Armes, Fort Sedgwick, C. T. : You have been appointed a Captain in the Tenth Cavalry. Let me know if you accept, that I may order you before the Board. (Signed) C. C. Auger, Brevet Major-General, U. S. A., Commanding. Also the following order by telegraph : Headquarters of the Platte, Omaha, Neb., March 5, 1867. Special Order No. 44. Capt. Geo. A. Armes, Tenth U. S. Cavalry, is relieved from duty at Fort Sedgwick, C. T., and will proceed without delay to Wash ington, D. C, and report for examination to the President of the Examining Board for cavalry officers in that city. By command of Brevet Major-General Auger. H. G. Litchfield, Brevet Major, U. S. A., Aide-de-Camp. Omaha, Neb. Being relieved from duty as a Lieutenant, I turned all my prop erty over on the 5th, bade my friends good-bye and left Fort Sedgwick on the 6th for this place with several letters of intro duction and recommendation from General Potter, Major Dallas, Captain Spencer and Captain Mix. Mr. and Mrs. Mark Broad head, who have been stationed at Fort Laramie until the death of Colonel Camp, Quartermaster, IJ. S. A., which occurred a few days ago, came part of the way with me in the same ambulance. They are on their way back to Washington. We had a very good time, and my promotion seemed to be appreciated by my friends as by myself. We were caught in a severe snowstorm, but being supplied with good buffalo robes and plenty of lunch, we did not suffer any hardships. The whole country is covered with snow and ice, and we are blocked in this city, as trains cannot come in nor go out. The Quartermaster paid me mileage this afternoon. 224 Washington, D. C, March 26, 1867. I am home at last, after having been blocked by the snow for several days en route' here and in Omaha. I met Gen. Napoleon Buford, who handed me the following letter in acknowledgment of his appreciation of me for taking such good care of his son, Temple, who had been my guest at Fort Sedgwick: Omaha, March 15, 1867. Capt. Geo. A. Armes: Dear Sir — A very short acquaintance has endeared you to me very much. Your commencement of life is noble. Your country required your services, and without waiting for rank or position you shouldered your musket and marched to the front. Noble- minded men observed your devotion, and have recommended you for promotion. Now a yrouth, you are a Captain of cavalry; you have already distinguished yourself. Let all this success make you more prudent and laborious, striv ing only for the true and the right. Every man is the author of his own education. If it is in him it can be gotten out by hard labor and perseverance. Continue your good habits — your temperance, your modest de portment. Seek the society of the pure, the patriotic. Improve your mind by thought and the best books. Your kindness to my son has endeared you to me, and while I live I will continue to consult the records of the Army to learn of your fame, and I will pray for your welfare. N. B. Buford. I also met Gen. Phil St. George Cook, commanding the De partment of the Platte, and family for the first time. He seemed pleased to see me, and I thanked him for the complimentary orders he had published in my case for the fight with the Sioux on Pumpkin creek, D. T., last fall. I shall never forget the kindness he extended and the promo tion he has aided me to receive. Buying a suit of citizen's clothes, I called on Gen. C. IT. Thompkins, Assistant Quartermaster- General, and Captain Montgomery, recorder of the examining board, and have come to the conclusion that nothing but hard study for a few weeks will enable me to pass. 225 March 28, 1867. I took a room at the National Hotel yesterday ; also called on Gen. David Hunter, president of the examining board, who seemed glad to see me. Col. John G. Gilmore called upon me this evening, and is doing all he can to help me along. I made an application to General Grant for an extension of sixty days' delay in reporting before the board, and gave it to Major Leet, who said he would let me have the General's action soon. March 29, 1867. I shut myself up in my room to study, but have had little time for that purpose, as so many people have called upon me today. I also received permission to delay reporting for examination for thirty days. FRED GRANT IN 1867. April 4, 1867. I employed Professor Williamson as instructor. Fred D. Grant, son of the General, called and spent two hours or more with me last night. I remained in my room all day. Captain Boden, late Sixteenth Virginia Volunteers, and Lieutenant Roe made me a short visit. 15 226 April 15, 1867. Last evening Captain Potts of the Navy called and we at tended Dr. Hall's church. Lieut. C. B. Stambaugh spent five hours studying with me, as he is preparing to go before the board also. Washington, D. C, April 21, 1867. Yesterday Captain Potts and I called on Secretary Wm. H. Seward, who seemed as glad to see me as if I had been his own son. April 23, 1867. The professors have been giving me their attention all day, and they are well paid, for I do not intend to fail in my examination if teachers can save me. April 28, 1867. Yesterday gave all my time to studies until two o'clock, when I took Miss Colby to Fort Whipple and Arlington Heights in a buggy, as I could not induce her to go on horseback. After our return, at seven o'clock this evening, I called on Gen. David Hunter, president of the board of officers before whom I am to appear for examination. After asking a few questions, he told me to report before the board Monday, so, instead of attending church, I devoted my whole time to study. April 30, 1867. I reported at ten o'clock yesterday morning to General Hunter, and found the other officers composing the examining board present. After an informal conference, I was informed that they would recommend me to the War Department for an extension of leave for thirty days to prepare for examination. May 9, 1867. Professor Phill has several officers in his class whom he is preparing to pass the board, among whom are Lieutenants Graf ton and Robinson. May 14, 1867. Yesterday Professor Phill highly complimented me on my progress with my studies. Afterward I called on General Emory, one of the members of the board, who seems deeply interested in my success. He introduced me to his daughter, and I passed a very pleasant eyening with them, 227 May 18, 1867. Captain Grafton and Lieutenant Derlin, who are taking lessons with me under Professor Phill, came to my room last evening, where we worked over our tasks like troopers until twelve o'clock. Professor Phill, after examining me for two hours today with out my missing a question, encouraged me by saying that I need not be uneasy about passing my examination, as I would get throUgh without any trouble. Captain Grafton, who has re ceived his appointment as Second Lieutenant of the Twenty-ninth Infantry, called upon me during the day at three o'clock. Miss Ida Kendall and I went on horseback to the Soldiers' Home, and upon our return stopped at the President's to listen to the music by the Marine Band. May .22, 1867. Captain Grafton called and assisted me this forenoon. This afternoon my father called and requested the loan of my blooded mare, which I declined to let him have on the ground that she might throw him. He became enraged at my thinking he was not able to ride any horse that I could ride. I finally consented, and assisted him in mounting, but within three minutes he was landed plump on the ground, receiving quite a severe jar. He is all right this evening, but I hardly think he will attempt another horseback ride on her. May 29, 1867. This is my twenty-third birthday, one of the most agreeable and pleasant I ever passed, and if I owned the world and all that is in it I could not feel better than I do tonight. After being questioned for three long steady hours by the members of the board, which consists of Gen. David Hunter, Gen. William H. Emory and Gen. Pike Graham, three of the most distinguished and gallant cavalry officers of our Army, I was handed the fol lowing : 228 isatd of (g-avaltj #xai&i»ation, va,n^ 9 i,....M^y...^.......nan4r y AC O^C/tce^/^ -Jt^T^e- t^p^^, £Z~ZZ, A^- S (Pl£w<- /fc»«>v< — l£ft*~ /A*n-*-r*"'^J<^:n' •*** c-*-*-^ J?*^=~^-? tf~ ¦<*-¦ ¦» y (j*t / __«_ . -, — y y ><. ' /A^t^— A—^to. jrcwiL-* m-n***-*? -r&Zsr&ej. ^^-^-y^-r-^t^^ ^.^.^--^^,j^ -/<>t-i s~ ^^>-^T^L /*^^«J /ZZr~t^-t*-L. yi^. /%££¦ *st-t^-&T-c- >£t~~-. **_ -*£<53s-*-«„ //* «-* S^»*- &*&£<- ^-**-tz ^2^^-C *^<«-_^C *«_t ~y**^-*f, ysz^**r„ Senate Chamber, July 13, 1870. Sir — 1 would call in person to introduce Captain Armes, the bearer of this note, if my duties in the Senate chamber would per mit. I wish you would see him and hear his case. He brings let ters to me from valued friends, who think he has been unjustly treated. With great respect, your obedient servant, (Signed) Jas. Harlan. Hon. Mr. Belknap, Secretary of War. 335 To show the indignity, arbitrary and disgraceful action of the president of the court and of General Schofield, who knew the sentence and expected it to be carried out, fearing that I might be able to bring some influence to bear in my favor, immediately ordered me to return to my post, hundreds of miles away, there to await the promulgation of the sentence. In spite of my appeals to be allowed to await the result at Fort Leavenworth the order was enforced, thereby causing me great inconvenience and put ting me to the terrible expense of having to pay my own way from Camp Supply, I. T., to Washington city after the sentence of dismissal went into effect. Upon the advice of counsel I brought a suit at Leavenworth City for ten thousand dollars damages for false imprisonment and the arbitrary treatment suffered at the hands of General Scho field, Sturgis and his court. Gov. and Mrs. Kirkwood. Immediately upon receipt of my order of dismissal at Camp Supply I was forced to sell everything I could convert into cash at a sacrifice, and after paying my counsed fees and the enormous debts that I had contracted in the effort to save my commission, 336 I borrowed money from the post trader, Mr. Wright, to pay my expenses home, and landed in Washington city without sufficient means to purchase a change of clothing. In the meantime I had written to friends, among them Governor Kirkwood, who sent me a letter, which I took in person to W. W. Belknap, then Sec retary of War, asking a re-opening and reconsideration of the case ; and after handing him this letter from the Governor, who had made him what he was, giving him a start in the Army- by commissioning him as an officer of volunteers, he treated the let ter with contempt, throwing it in the waste-basket and insul tingly remarking to me that under no circumstances would he re-open the case or give any attention to it ; that I had preferred charges against several of the best officers in the Army, and that an officer who would interfere with the actions of other officers was not fit to be in the service. I stooped down and picked the letter up and said, "If you have no objections I would like to retain it." He said, "Yes, you may keep it if it will do you any good." I then found it necessary to get employment of some kind. Meeting Judge Moore and Jessie Bright, a son of the late Senator, and after an explanation of my circumstances they kindly invited me into their office on Seventh street, between E and F, assign ing me to a desk with all the stationery I needed, with the as surance that I need not feel uneasy about having to pay them for any courtesies extended until I was in a position to do so without embarrassment. Feeling thus encouraged, I started as a real- estate broker. * * * * ****** Not being able to make arrangements with Chipman & Hosmer, I called on Judge T. W. Bartley (brother-in-law of General Sherman) of the firm of Bartley & Stanton, who took charge of my case, prepared an argument and called upon the Secretary of War, from whom they failed to get any satisfaction. Then they submitted the case to the President, after which they informed me that the principal obstacle in the way was the suit pending against the court at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and ad vised me that if I wished to be restored I should send out an ap plication withdrawing the suit pending against the court, which I did. 337 Not having had any experience in the real-estate business, 1 found it rather an up-hill matter to succeed. My first encour agement was with Colonel Eaton, whom I had known for several years, applying to me for a loan, which I carried through, making a commission of three hundred dollars in cash, which greatly en couraged me to continue, it being the first money I had earned in my new pursuit. Of course the first thing after paying a portion of my debt was to purchase a horse and buggy, which gave me an opportunity to take customers around and show them property, and in addition to my business matters I had an opportunity to take in social functions,- being encouraged to visit and attend receptions at Gen eral Sherman's, whose daughter, Miss Minnie, introduced me to many of her friends, who entertained me, feeling that if received by the Sherman family my sentence of court-martial did not os tracise me from good society. I shall never forget the kind hos pitality extended to me by Miss Minnie, who knew me well enough to know that the sentence of the court was unjust and brutal. I received many letters of sympathy from friends all over the country, and was encouraged in my real-estate business by hundreds of capitalists and owners of property giving me the exclusive right to sell or rent their holdings, and it was not long before I purchased a house on Sixth street, between O and P, bought, me a pair of horses, furnished my house and kept bach elor's hall, where I could entertain my friends to my own satis faction. In the meantime I secured letters of recommendation from many friends who had known me from boyhood, among them being Colonel W. G. Moore and others. National Hotel (F. Tenney & Co.), Washington, D. C, September 20, 1870. To President Grant : Sir— I take great pleasure in saying that from a personal knowl edge of and acquaintance with Capt. George A. Armes, U. S. A., I believe him to be one of the most efficient officers that has been on duty on the plains, and that he is in every way worthy. To be more particular, I was at Forts Laramie, Mitchell and Sedgwick during the winter of 1866-67, and know from personal 22 33» observation that the service that Captain Armes performed in the pursuit and punishment of the Indians, and recapturing citizens' stock, and General Cook's complimentary order to Captain Armes for his services so well performed in midwinter, caused much envy and jealousy towards Captain Armes, and I state that I heard many officers speak disparagingly of Captain Armes, owing, as I believe, to his great activity and persistence in his Indian cam paigns. Captain Armes bears the name and has the reputation of being a strictly sober and otherwise moral man, and in this respect far above the average of his fellow-officers. I can but think this charge on which he was tried as the merest pretext. I will say that, in common with ten thousand (and more) other citizens of Kansas, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming and Mon tana, I earnestly trust your Excellency will restore Captain Armes to his rank and place in the Army, to date from the time of his dismissal, so that he may continue to serve or be at liberty to hon orably resign the place he has so successfully filled. If your Excellency requires it, in order to his restoration, I would engage to get such a number of signers to a petition as will show how Captain Armes is appreciated in the West, where he has served for four years, or nearly so. Respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) J. M. Chivington, Member National Central Committee of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Convention. To the President of the United States : Capt. Geo. A. Armes of the Army of the United States has re cently been tried by court-martial, and sentenced to be dismissed from the service. The evidence was vague and contradictory upon which he was convicted, and can hardly be said to warrant a finding of guilty of the allegations. But we are satisfied that the whole matter has its origin in malice, and has no foundation in truth. Major Armes is a most gallant officer, and has shown his bravery on many occasions. We respectfully ask that the sentence may be disapproved, and Major Armes restored to his position. James W. Nye. Luke P. Poland. C. H. Van Wycic. Lewis McKenzie. I respectfully concur. Amasa Cobb. 339 This officer is very highly recommended to me by gentlemen in whom I have the fullest confidence for his gallant services, both during the war and more especially during the Indian disturbance on the plains and in Kansas, and I ask for him the kindly consid eration of the President, and that his meritorious services may be permitted to offset, as far as may be consistent, any irregularities that may be charged against him. (Signed) E. G. Ross. I concur. (Signed) S. C. Pomeroy. 1 know nothing of the facts, but hope this young man may have a hearing. (Signed) John A. Logan. I concur. (Signed) R. S. Ayer. (Signed) Wm. Milnes. This is a case that ought to be reopened. There are strong rea sons to believe that malice was at the foundation of this matter, and that this officer has not had a fair trial. I hope he may have justice done him. (Signed) Sidney Clarke, M. C. CHAPTER IX. Washington, D. C, January i, 1871. I made the rounds New Year's, calling all day, and met many of my old friends whom I had not seen for several years; was snubbed by quite a number who, I thought at one time, were ladies, and who appeared as friendly and sociable as possible when I was an officer, but now, when I appear to be under a cloud, they seem ready to add another kick. My guests noticed the coolness displayed, but it made them more attentive to me, as they understood my case thoroughly, and nothing that could be said by anyone could change their opinion of me. If I had been in full uniform and on duty with the President I could not have received more attention than was given to me by Miss Minnie Sherman, who introduced us to a bevy of beautiful girls receiving with her. The Misses Mackey, daughters of Dr. Mackey ; Miss Alice Bartley, daughter of Judge T. W. Bartley, whose mother is a sister to General Sherman, made my party feel at home and did all they could to make our visit as pleasant as possible, and so did Miss Julia Clephane, a sister of the Hon. Lewis Clephane, one of our leading and prominent citizens ; also ex- Mayor M. G. Emory and his daughters, and the Misses Kidwell of Georgetown, the Misses Welch, Witherell, Woods, Newmans, Clarks, Polkin- horns were among those who made us feel like welcome visitors. It is now 12 o'clock, and after being assured by my friends of their enjoyment all day, we parted, to meet again soon, I hope. January 2, 1871. I have been in my office most of the day looking over old let ters, bills and papers of last year, and find that of the nine officers against whom I filed charges at the War Department I have had the satisfaction of knowing that three have been court-martialed and convicted. So I have no cause to complain when I consider the fact that I landed in this city without money enough to buy a change of clothing, disgraced and looked upon as an outcast by many who had been my pretended friends, but with the assistance of Judge Moore and Jesse Bright, whom I have mentioned heretofore as 341 taking me in their office, gave me encouragement and a good start in business, and the lady friends whom I mentioned as hav ing called upon New Year's Day, set me all right ,in society, which braced me up with encouragement to persevere and seek redress from the. officials in power to have the wrongs righted and render me the justice to which I am entitled. Members of Congress, Senators and other officials took a great interest in me socially, among whom I made many personal friends, as the ex tracts from a few letters submitted will prove. All the property that I had in the world had been sacrificed by me in trying to save my commission, except a few lots at the corner of Seventeenth and R streets, worth $5000, which I deeded to Judge Bartley, Stanton & Casey as their fees for taking charge of my case. They being big lawyers, naturally required big fees, but they earned all I gave' them, and more, too, as they called on the President and Secretary of War, Judge-Advocate-General and many other offi cials in my behalf, making arguments and doing everything pos sible to have me restored. Finally, they made arrangements with Generals Grant and Belknap to have me reappointed as a Captain of cavalry on condition that I would withdraw the suit for $10,000 against the members of the court-martial pending at Leaven worth, Kan. Knowing I had a clear case and was sure to win, I at first hesitated, but upon their advice and explanation that it would put me right and in good standing before the world, and having made over $25,000 in my business since July, I felt as if I could easily sacrifice the $10,000 in order to have my record clear at the War Department, and therefore consented for them to go ahead. Immediately after the said suit was withdrawn and dismissed Belknap sent for me and said, "I have decided to require your resignation before sending your name to the Senate for appoint ment as Captain in the Army." When I remarked that I did not see how it was possible for me to resign from a place I did not hold, he touched a bell and directed a clerk to write out a resig nation, ordering him to leave it in blank, saying, "You sign that paper, Mr. Armes, and I can put the date in after you have been confirmed and commissioned." Upon the spur of the moment, without stopping to think of the predicament! would be placed in, I signed it in blank, but upon returning to my room began to consider the matter seriously, and felt that some underhanded means were on foot to use me in trying to stop the proceedings 342 at Leavenworth against the court-martial and save the War De partment the scandal which that suit was liable to bring upon it. And feeling that it was only a trick and an excuse, and that I would be in a worse position in the end, being made to appear as if I could not remain in the Army, I immediately sent a letter re questing that the paper I had signed be returned to me. Washington, D. C, January 4, 1871. Hon. W. W. Belknap, Secretary of War: Sir — At the time when the President was about to send my name to the Senate, restoring me -to my position as a Captain in the Army, you required me to deposit with you my resignation, with blank date, saying that otherwise I would not be nominated at all. Under the compulsion of these circumstances, I was induced to do as you required, but I have since come to the conclusion that I committed an error in giving my resignation as the condition of my nomination. I therefore now withdraw my resignation, and if, in consequence of this, you should cause my nomination to be withdrawn from the Senate, I prefer that result to the present posi tion of the matter. * * * I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, (Signed) Geo. A. Armes, Late Captain Tenth Cavalry. Before the above letter had reached the Secretary of War my nomination had been sent to the Senate, but my letter recalling the blank resignation appeared to have offended the Secretary of War to such an extent that I was not confirmed, and soon dis covered that the inducement offered to have me restored was only a ruse to get the suit at Leavenworth against the court with drawn and dismissed. I immediately requested that a copy of any charges or reports that tended to reflect upon me be fur nished in order that I might submit them to Congress for an in vestigation, which was refused and further correspondence with the War Department denied me. Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, January 10, 1871. Mr. Geo. A. Armes, Washington, D. C. : Sir — I have respectfully to inform you that your application for a copy of all charges, specifications and reports on file against you 343 in this office is not favorably considered, and that the Department declines further correspondence with you on the subject. It is proper to remind you that you are already familiar with all charges against you which have received official notice. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) E. D. Townsend, Adjt-General. The following letter addressed to an Army officer other than myself, is self-explanatory : Fifth Ave. Hotel, New York, January 30, 1871. My Dear Captain : Being informed that Colonel Merrill while on duty as Judge- Advocate had solicited by letter, a fee from you for securing your acquittal, I very- much desire a copy of this letter — or the origi nal — to use in a certain quarter and hope you will kindly send it to me at your early convenience. Give me any further informa tion you may have. I am, very respectfully, Csf /&" While going on with my real-estate transactions I kept up a large correspondence all over the country, receiving letters of recommendation and endorsements from friends who desired to aid me in regaining my lost commission, among them the fol lowing : March 8, 1871. Hon. F. P. Blair, Jr., U.S. Senate: Dear General — Permit me to introduce Capt. Geo-. A. Armes, late of the Army, whom I well knew when serving on the plains as a gallant and efficient officer and a terror to the Indians. I know nothing of the charges which caused his dismissal from the Army, but have heard that they are of a trivial nature. Since my ac quaintance with him I have never heard anything derogatory of his character. He desires your assistance in getting him restored to his former position, and should you, upon investigation of his case, find it as it has been represented to me, you will confer an obligation on me by giving your aid. I am, most respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) W. A. Carter. 344 Mr. Belknap having failed to furnish me any copies of charges or anything that reflected upon my character on file in his office, I had to work somewhat in the dark, but in order that my resig nation should not remain on file in blank I sent a second request for its return. Of course no attention was given to it. In the meantime I got up a petition to the President of the United States, which was en dorsed by those who had known me personally for several years, as follows: Washington, D. C, March 4, 1871. His Excellency, U. S. Grant, President of the United States : The Senate having failed to act on the nomination of Capt. Geo. A. Armes before the adjournment today, we respectfully request your Excellency to renew the nomination, as we are confident it will be confirmed at the present session. We feel great interest in the restoration of Captain Armes, as we know that he has been unjustly dismissed from the Army. The charge was trivial at best and the evidence contradictory, although it was plainly insti gated by the malice of his accusers. The faithfulness and good conduct of Captain Armes during the war, for which he was several times commended and promoted, and his upright character as a gentleman, entitle him to this act of justice atthe hands of his country. L. P. Poland. T. C. Theaker. Jno. C. Underwood. Saml. Ross. F. E. Spinner. B. F. Grafton. A. M. McDonald. Leroy R. Tuttle. J. B. Donley. Geo. P. Fisher. Jno. A. Smith. G. W. Sampson. Wm. Herring. J. J. Johnson. Jos. Casey. A. C. Bradley. T. W. Baktley. Geo. F. Wright. O. H. Dockery. S. H. Hoge, Jr. Jno. A. Mitchell. Chas. O'Neil. R. F. Van Horn. R. R. Butler. Fred P. Stanton. Jacob C. Stevenson. Sydney Clark. Leonard Myers. Jas. H. Pratt, Jr. C. H. Van Wyck. Geo. P. Van Wyck. Jno. Hill. W. P. Wylie. P. Filetus Sawyer, R. M. Hall. J. Buffington. Amasa Cobb. Willts Musson. 345 Jno. Nye. D. K. Carter. W. D. Colt. H. O. O'Connor. Geo. Burgess. W. B. Donoylien, T. W. Ferry. New York Democrat. M. G. Emory. Jas. Burr, Chas. Ewing. Washington Chronicle. Allen Rutherford. W. R. Collins, J. S. Asper. Washington Star. I have known Captain Armes from his boyhood; he belongs to a good family, and has always borne a high character. (Signed) S. B. Noyes. I have the honor to state that if my name is sent up today I will abide by the decision of the Senate, and not again trouble the President. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) ' Geo. A. Armes, Late Captain Tenth Cav. March 8, 1871. Judge Bartley, Judge Stanton, Judge Casey and Judge Poland all called upon President Grant with the above petition and several strong letters, and after quietly listening to what my friends had to say, General Grant informed them that Mr. Belknap had stated that he would resign his office as Secretary of War before he would consent to my being restored to the Army, and he could think of no other resort but to apply to Congress and get a bill passed authorizing my restoration. I therefore had a bill intro duced, which was referred to the Military Committee. In the meantime I received letters from Governor Harvey of Kansas, whom I helped to elect to his office ; Judge Upsher, who was Sec retary of Interior, endorsed by Treasurer F. E. Spinner, and also a letter from Hon. A. E. Garrett of Tennessee, the sentiments of which show that I had not lost their friendship on account of the action of the court-martial. I also submit one from General Sherman to his brother, which I requested him to write and which I have not had occasion to use in applying for any Gov ernment office, but secured his friendship and active co-operatio'n and assistance as a Senator, who has since taken an active part in my behalf. 346 Headquarters Army of the United States, Washington, D. C, April 3, 1871. Hon. John Sherman, U. S. Senate: Dear Brother — The bearer of this, G. A. Armes, was an officer of the Army of good repute, but got into some scrapes that re sulted in his dismissal. At this time I regard it as impracticable for him to regain his lost commission, but I know of no good rea son why he may not undertake some civil affair or position, if he applies to you for assistance to this end. I know of no good reason why you should not give it. Affectionately, (Signed) W. T. Sherman, General. The following was from the Secretary of the Interior: Washington, D. C, March 22, 1871. Sir — I frequently met Capt. Geo. A. Armes on the plains in Kansas while he was in the military service. He at all times bore himself like a gentleman, was neat and clean in his person and respectful in his manner. He always appeared devoted to and proud of his profession. I hear with much regret the difficulty in which he has become involved, and join with his friends in the request that you will, if practicable, relieve him of the dishonor under which I cannot but think he is unjustly suffering. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) J. P. Upsher, Secretary of Interior. The President: Believing that Major Armes was unjustly removed from his position in the Army, and that he is a meritorious officer, I do hope he may be restored to his former position in the Army. (Signed) F. E. Spinner. Having been dropped as a member of the Socjety of the Army of the Potomac on account of the action of the court-martial at Leavenworth, I could not but feel very sore, as we there had very interesting annual meetings and banquets, where we could meet each other and talk over the past. Being anxious to remain on the rolls, I sent a letter to Gen. George G. Meade, our Presi dent, for his views, to which he sent the following reply : ITeadquarters Military Division of the Atlantic, Philadelphia, May 1, 1871. 347 Geo. A. Armes, No. 614 Twelfth street, Washington, D. C: Dear Sir — Upon my return from an absence from home I find yours of the 27th ult. Under the constitution of the Society of the Army of the Potomac, your dismissal from the Army (whether just or unjust) would prevent your admission as a member. Should the Senate confirm your application this would be a re versal of the judgment of the court and would restore you to the status, rendering you eligible to election as a member of the Society. Very truly, yours, (Signed) Geo. G. Meade. The following is a portion of the correspondence in connection with charges and statements in relation to Maj. Lewis Merrill of the United States Cavalry, one of my principal persecutors in the Army, commencing immediately after the complimentary order of General Cooke was issued in relation to my successful raid and destruction of an Indian village, for which I was specially pro moted over several hundred officers, causing Merrill to undertake to break me down through jealousy and envy, he being a gradu ate of West Point, and avoided running any risks of exposure dur ing his whole career : War Department, Bureau of Military Justice, February 8, 1871. Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War: This person having recently been dismissed from the Army upon conviction of "Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentle man," it is conceived that charges made by him against an officer of the Army in good standing, and presented in a general form, without specification or support, cannot be entertained by the Sec retary of War. When the circumstances and details of tne alleged offenses are fully exhibited, and the charges are so supported by the affidavits of credible witnesses (other than the writer himself), as clearly to indicate a prima facie case against the officer accused, the same may, in the opinion of this Bureau, properly be consid ered by the Secretary of War. J. Holt, Judge- Advocate General. Concurred in by the Secretary of War. Ed. Shrivee, Ins. -Gen. The reader cannot help but observe from the endorsement of Judge Holt, the Judge-Advocate-General, that he was already prejudiced against me; therefore I could not expect justice or a 34« favorable opinion in the action of any case affecting me which was before him for investigation; and he had a great deal of weight with other officials who had a disposition to help me. Many were prejudiced by him until a personal investigation of facts convinced them that there was a conspiracy formed to force me from the Army, believing or feeling that I was too quick to notice the failings or dishonesty of officers. December 31, 1871. During the past year, in addition to the recommendations and correspondence submitted, events show that I took an active part in trying to defend myself against the persecutors who were de termined that I should not be restored under any circumstances, but as my salary from the Government had to stop and I had no income from any source whatever, I gave a great portion of my time to real-estate transactions ; was very successful in many, and was enabled to meet a good class of people, who became greatly- interested in my behalf. Hon. Frederic P. Stanton, attorney-at-law, 1303 F street, wrote: Washington, D. C, May 27, 1871. Gen. S. C. Pomeroy, U. S. Senator: Dear Sir — At the request of Capt. Geo. A. Armes I write this note to say that I have thoroughly examined the record of the court-martial which tried and dismissed him from the service, and am satisfied that great injustice has been done him. There was nothing developed in the whole case which in the slightest degree affected his honor and integrity. The charge on which he was convicted was, at the worst, only an indiscretion, which, even if he were guilty, ought not to have been punished so severely, but I am satisfied from the record of the trial, and also from my knowl edge of the man, that he was not guilty, and that the whole prose cution was the result of malice and envy on the part of civil officers. It is the universal testimony of leading officers of the Army that Captain Armes was a good soldier and distinguished for his energy and gallantry. I have talked with Major-General Hancock and some other officers on this subject, and derive my knowledge on this subject from them. I esteem Captain Armes as a gentleman of unusual freedom from the vices of young men in the Army, and I have no doubt he is well qualified for almost any civil employ ment he would undertake. It is with a view to some civil employ ment, as I understand, that he .asks for this note. I have no hesi tation in recommending him as worthy of confidence, in spite of the persecution he has suffered in the Army. Very truly, yours, (Signed) Fred P. Stanton. CHAPTER X. January i, 1872. I drove my team around to the Arlington at 10 this A. M., when Mr. W. W. Batchelder, Judge Zering and Lieutenant Hardie got into my carriage, and we made New Year's calls. Of course we called on old friends and new acquaintances, as follows : The Misses Morgan, the Misses Larner and the ladies of the Cabinet, and made many other official calls. Below are given samples of the efforts made by my enemies to accomplish|my downfall : y ' ii*- &f ~ ¦ — -> <&±. 350 Fort Sill, Indian Territory, January 3, 1872. To the Honorable Chairman Military Committee, U. S. House of Representatives, Washington, D. C. : Sir — Many of the officers signing this paper served for a num ber of years in the same regiment with the individual above men tioned, and they all know him intimately, personally or by reputa tion, and desire very respectfully to submit for the consideration of your honorable committee the following: Mr. George A. Armes was formerly a Captain in the Tenth Cav alry, and he was notoriously incompetent for the position which he afterwards was dismissed from in disgrace by the sentence of a General Court-Martial for conduct unworthy an officer and a gen tleman. He was incapacitated by want of education alone, being unable to write or even spell correctly, and a want of veracity and integrity of character in his ordinary dealings was apparent to those of his brother-officers who came in contact with him during the time that he remained in the service. Many of them, becom ing disgusted with his, general character, declined at length to as sociate with him, and, upon this, he afterwards raised capital and excited sympathy in some quarters by claiming that he was un justly persecuted by his regiment, or that he was disliked because he came from Virginia. Both statements are entirely false and without foundation in fact. He received every consideration from his comrades until he no longer deserved anything at their hands. In making the statements to your honorable committee the un dersigned have confined themselves to facts which have become notorious, but they have been informed and believe that he was notorious for the same ungentlemanly and unofficer-like conduct in the Second U. S. Cavalry, where he served before joining the Tenth. The officers signing this paper most earnestly represent that they have not been influenced by any vindictive spirit against Mr. Armes, or by any political reasons whatever in pursuing this course, but by the simple conviction that he is an unsuitable per son to be commissioned as an officer in the Army. A number of them ranked him or were superior to him in grade, and all are de sirous that these facts should be placed before you to forward the best interests of the service. John B. Vaude Viele, L. W. Carpenter (Ret'd), Capt. 10th Cav. Capt. 10th Cav. P. Lindwell Lee, J. H. Walsh, Capt. 10th Cav. Capt. 10th Cav. S. R. Colloday, Geo. T. Rolinson, First Lieut, toth Cav. Capt. 10th Cav. 35i Jno. D. Myrick, Alex. S. S. Keyes, First Lieut. 10th Cav. First Lieut, ioth Cav. Silas Pepoon, J. M. Kelley, Second Lieut, ioth Cav. First Lieut, ioth Cav. S. L. Woodward, ¦ Chas. L. Cooper, First Lieut, and Adj. ioth Cav. First Lieut, ioth Cav. R H. Pratt, J. Will Myers, First Lieut, ioth Cav. Second Lieut, ioth Cav. Wm. H. Beck, L. P. Hunt, First Lieut., R. Q. M., ioth Cav. Second Lieut, ioth Cav. Thos. S. J. Spencer, Wm. R. Harmon, First Lieut, ioth Cav. Second Lieut, ioth Cav. S. T. Norvell, C. R. Ward, Capt. ioth Cav. Second Lieut, ioth Cav. Thos. Little, J. S. Morrison, Capt. ioth Cav. First Lieut, ioth Cav. (Endorsement.) Headquarters Tenth U. S. Cavalry, Fort Sill, Indian Territory, January 6, 1872. From what I know of Mr. Geo. A. Armes, formerly a Captain in my regiment, I consider him incompetent and totally unfit to be commissioned in the Army. (Signed) B. H. Grierson, Col. Tenth U. S. Cavalry. At this writing only six of the officers who signed the above petition are now in active service in the Army, and if they were fully investigated I believe facts as to their character would be brought out showing they are unfitted to hold any place where a gentleman should be installed. That all but six of these officers have left the service in disgrace is comment sufficient. During the month of February the State sociables were in full blast, each State trying to outdo the other in their grand enter tainments with music and refreshments, dancing until sunrise in many instances. I will not forget the Illinois State Sociable, which gave a grand masked ball On February 14, 1872, and was attended by General Grant and most of the Cabinet. I scarcely missed an evening during the social season from at tending receptions, parties, weddings, balls, etc., among which I may mention a fine reception at Dr. Mackey's house, where I met the Hon. John Bozman Kerr, his wife and daughter, Miss Lucy Hamilton Kerr. The latter inspired me with special interest. I had a very pleasant conversation with her, and she gave me a cor dial invitation to call, of which I assured her I would avail myself. 352 Among the friends with whom I made social calls during the months of February and March were General Barry of Missis sippi, who finally became engaged to and married Miss Kate Thyson ; Dr. Patterson ; General Ryan of Cuban fame ; Captain Collins, General Garrett, General Leach, Colonel McCarthy, Wil liam Dangerfield, Colonel Maish, Mr. Pulitzer (now of the World) and many others. In 1871 I made the acquaintance of a young newspaper man named A. H. Dowell, Jr., of North Carolina, who was interested in the Washington Transcript with Mr. Grady, and we worked together in political matters for some months, and after receiv ing the following letter I bought out his interest in the paper : Raleigh, N. C, July 2, 1872. Col. Geo. A. Armes, Washington, D. C. : My Dear Sir— I am so situated I cannot return for several days, and regret it exceedingly, and wish you would favor me by letting my note, due on the 30th, be extended thirty days further, as I have had to meet some debts here and am troubled financially. I enclose you a letter from my friend, Mr. O. D. Barrett. Please call and see him, and write me the results. Your friend, (Signed) A. H. Dowell, Jr. 317 4I St., Washington, D. C, July 12, 1872. A. H. Dowell, Esq. : Dear Friend — Ingersoll showed me your letter relating to the Transcript. Went to the office several times before I saw Grady. He wants $5000 for his interest, and is trying to convert it to an evening daily, and wants a stock company, with a capital of $50,000. The paper, as it is, is representing $5000 of the $50,000, the balance, $45,000, to be paid up to the extent of fifty cents on the dollar. With a few thousand dollars you can control the whole thing, taking a majority of the stock. A big thing can be made out of it if Horace Greeley wins, and it looks that way now. If you can command money you had better come on and post me in full, and I can work this into your hand. Yours truly, in haste, (Signed) O. D. Barrett. I got control of the Washington Transcript and took a great interest in politics, advocating General Hancock for President, and attended the Baltimore Convention in his behalf, but soon 353 found that Horace Greely had the inside track there and that it was impossible to pull General Hancock through. I felt that it was a great mistake to nominate Mr. Greely, and believing he could not be elected, I supported General Grant, writing many letters in reply to correspondents,, of which the following will show the general scop,e of my views at that time : Washington, D. C, June 20, 1872. Dear General: On inspecting the enclosed slips (clipped from newspapers) you will see that you hold a foremost place in the minds of some of the best and ablest men in the country, who would like to see you occupy the highest position in the gift of the American people. I propose to take an active part in the Baltimore Convention, and if you will consent to let your name be used for that high trust I am convinced that you can get the Democratic nomination, and, if nominated, would make a clean sweep over the field. Without the Democratic nominaticfti Mr. Greeley will be helpless and will withdraw, leaving the race between yourself and General Grant. Mr. Greeley giving you his support, gives you two in the race, with seven chances in ten that you are the next President. I shall never forget the many kindnesses you have shown me, and if I cannot repay you in one way I will in another, and let you see that I am a true friend to him that stands by me in my troubles, and I assure you that you will never have cause to regret anything you have ever done for me. I am connected with friends of yours who will go together for you in a unit for our next President. Hoping to hear from you soon, and that you will allow your name to be used. I remain, respectfully, Your obedient servant and true friend, Geo. A. Armes, Late Captain, U. S. A. To Maj.-Gen. W. S. Hancock, St. Paul, Minn. My Virginia friends were under the impression that in case I could not secure the nomination of General Hancock I would naturally espouse the cause of Mr. Greely, and the Virginia Sen tinel, owned and edited by Col. Mott Delaney Ball, who had been Captain of my company before the Rebellion, and who had been captured at the slave-pen, with thirty-five of his men, in 1861 in Alexandria, became enraged at me, and made a fierce attack in his issue of Friday evening, October 18, 1872, coming out in large heading on the front page, "For President, Horace Greely of New York." The editorial was as follows : 23 354 "A Great Accession. — 'Colonel' Geo. A. Armes, having kept out of the newspapers for an incredibly long time (for him) — in deed, ever since the Saratoga tournament that he got up last sum mer, with the aid of the plow horses, etc. — has at last found a sheet willing to do itself the honor of reviving him. The Huntington, Man, a new journal, fired with' emulation, publishes a long letter from the 'Colonel,' setting forth what he knows about Grant's be ing the greatest man that ever lived. This Colonel Armes (so- called) is a fair exemplification of the causes that drive some men to the Grant party. He was at the Baltimore Convention a strong Hancock man, and busily engaged in lobbying' for that ticket. His advocacy did his man as much good as it will do here. After wards he became interested in and one of the publishers of the Washington Transcript, about as red-hot a Greeley journal as the canvass has seen. Finding the paper could not sustain itself by the vigor of its proprietary brain, or, what is more likely, having purchased his interest with the view of a political speculation, he at once applied to Mr. Greeley for a 'little testimonial,' in order to run the valuable 'machine' in his favor. Mr. Greeley did not see it in that phase of illumination in which it appeared to the 'Colonel,' and declined. Hence, doubtless, the advocacy of Grant and the long letter." I immediately replied editorially in my paper, and the reply was copied in other papers throughout the South, as well as in Northern papers, reminding Colonel Ball of his having been caught asleep with his company at the slave-pen, which shut him up from any further attacks upon me. I said : "Recriminations are in bad taste, yet we cannot refrain from commenting upon the vituperative leader of the Virginia Sentinel of October 18, 1872, wherein its accomplished editor is pleased to make free use of the name of the gentleman mentioned, detracting from the honorable distinction, ironically accorded by it, yet caused and merited, as can be substantiated by documentary evi dence, accusing him of insincerity and of pursuing the course of action he followed from interested motives. It will take a more alert leader than that referred to to catch Colonel Armes while sleeping on his post. The asperity displayed, intended, no doubt, to show the Sentinel's zeal in the cause which it has espoused, indi cates a jaundiced condition, doubtless clue to the certain impend ing defeat of the Greeley partv in the ensuing election. General Hancock has been a warm personal friend of Colonel Armes dur- 1Tlg f"dJsmce the war. Hence it was natural that the Colonel should advocate the General's cause. It is hardly to be presumed that so accomphshed and astute a politician as the editor of the 355 Virginia Sentinel can appreciate the situation, yet we can see the justness of the acknowledged diversion of the Colonel as an act, dictated by pure friendship, which, when found to be available, was cast aside, and the cause of General Grant, as the true and patriotic side of the political question, has since received his un divided support." I have always felt that my judgment and my political course at that time was fully vindicated by results, and I will dismiss the subject. My business matters, social functions and political affairs did not prevent me from still looking after my Army matter, and the more I thought over the trick played upon me by the War De partment, which had induced me to- withdraw the suit against the court-martial at Leavenworth, the more anxious I was to get my case further investigated. I wrote to Col. George H. English, my attorney, who replied on April 4 that "the Statute of Limita tions had barred any further action in your case against General Sturgis et al. for false imprisonment." The following petitions were adready before the appropriate committee of the legislative branches of the Government : Washington, D. C, February 16, 1872. Hon. John Coburn, Chairman Committee, etc.: Sir — We have the honor most respectfully to present to you the request that you consider favorably the H. R. bill No. 705, authorizing the restoration of Capt. Geo. A. Armes to his former rank in the U. S. Army. We are personally acquainted with Cap tain Armes and know him to be a gentleman above reproach. The charges against him are as false as trivial and' the court-martial sentence not in accord with right and justice, in behalf of which we make this appeal. Your petitioners will ever pray. (Signed) Jos. Casey. I . E. Spinner. T.-W. Bartley. Fred P. Stanton. Saml. B. Lauffer, L. Z. Tuttle. TJ. S. A. Geo. K. Walbridge, Edw. P. Doherty, Late U. S. A. Late U. S. A. Allan Rutherford. A. C. Widdecombe, B. F. Grafton, Late U. S. A. Late U. S. A. Jas. T. Leary, D. K. Carter, Late U. S. A. Chief Justice Supreme Court D. C 356 Jno. K. Sullivan, W. Helmick. Late U. S. A. J. W. Wright. Chas. E. Mallan, S. W. Johnston. Mark Broadhead, A. W. D. Wylie, Wm. Herring, Late U. S. A. Late U. S. A. General Burnside. Chas. F. Rand, J. B. Donnelly, Late U. S. A. Late U. S. A. and M. C. I am satisfied that Major Armes should not have been dis missed from the service. I have known him for some years, and am free to state that respect for great personal bravery and good service demand that he be restored. (Signed) Chas. Ewing, Late of the Army. I have known Major Armes for some time and I concur in the request for this restoration. (Signed) T. T. Crittenden, Late of the Army. I have known Major Armes since early in year of 1861. I knew him to be a moral young man and at various times heard him complimented by President Lincoln for gallant services. He, being very young during the war, was looked upon by Mr. L. as a marvel for daring courage. I earnestly join in the request for his restoration to his rank in the Army. Respectfully, Ward H. Lamon. Washington, D. C, June 14, 1872. I have known Major Armes since 1864, and while I am not familiar with his case, I can state that I knew of no acts on his part to change the confidence I have always felt in him. Justice should be given him. M. I. Luddington. To the President of the United States : Present: Pardon me while I submit the following to your consideration and ask your interference in my behalf: Let me premise that I am the Capt. Geo. A. Armes, late of Tenth U. S. Cavalry. Your Excellency will recollect I was court-martialed and sen tenced to be dismissed the service, but, you believing the whole matter did me an injustice, nominated me to the Senate for reap pointment; but, Congress adjourning- without acting on appoint- 357 ment, it availed me nothing. Since that time I have submitted my "case to Congress for their action, and in consequence of their early adjournment it will not be acted upon this session. I am therefore thrown back upon my own resources. As I am innocent of the charges upon which I was dismissed, I feel it due to my honor and past services to vindicate myself, and I feel confident of the sympathy of your Excellency and all honest- thinking people. And as I am compelled to stay here during the summer and the setting of the Congress next fall and winter in order to accomplish my purpose (unless your Excellency will re nominate me to the Senate to my former rank), I would like to be earning my living. I therefore respectfully ask that you give me some civil appoint ment in and about this city as special agent, or something same as Major Belger had while he was vindicating his character. I ask this of your Excellency that I may be enabled to vindicate myself. I am, your obedient servant, Geo. A. Armes, Late Captain, U. S. A. I concur in recommending Mr. Armes for some position, with out expressing any opinion as to the judgment of the court-martial. John A. Logan, U. S. S. Joshua Hill, U. S. S. I cordially concur in the opinions and recommendations of the appointment of Captain Armes to office. Chris. C. Cox, Board of Health. I carefully examined all the papers and evidence in Captain Armes' case, and I was fully satisfied he was wrongfully convicted and dismissed. Luke A. Poland, M. C. I have not examined the case of Captain Armes, and therefore I do not know anything about it; but sign this paper upon the testimony of Mr. Poland. John F. Lewis, U. S. S. I sympathize with the Captain, and hope he may be protected. J. W. Flannagan, U. S. S. 358 I endorse this application, satisfied that Judge Poland is con vinced of the wrong done Captain Armes. Freeman Clarke, M. C. I have reason to believe that Major Armes has been hardly dealt with, and join in recommending him to some position. H. Wilson, Alex. Ramsey, U. S. S. U. S. S. James W. Nye, N. P. Banks, U. S. S. M. C. S. C. Pomeroy, F. E. Spinner, U. S. S. Treas. U. S. A. F. A. Sawyer, L. Z. Tuttle, U. S. S. Asst. Treas. U. S. A. W. T. Jones, M. C. If you will comply with Captain Armes' request I will consider it a personal favor. Powell Clayton, Wm. Helmick, U. S. S. Judge. J. H. Sypher, Jno. C. Underwood, M. C. Judge. I concur in the recommendation of Senator Wilson and others, and hope Major Armes mayr be given some appointment. Jas. H. Platt, Jr., M. C. Frank Morrey, M. C. Being satisfied nothing could be done with the Secretary of War or the President, I took my summer vacation, meeting many relatives and friends, which proved beneficial to my health and financially, as I carried through several large transactions, and upon my return to Washington consulted my attorneys, introduc ing a bill for my restoration, which was referred to the Military Committee of the House for investigation and report. I con tinued to receive a great many letters enclosing descriptions of property to be placed in my hands for sale, and among my cus tomers was Moses Kelly, a large real-estate owner and banker, with whom I had made a great many large transactions of finan cial benefit to both of us. 359 Saratoga Springs, N. Y., July 29, 1872. After breakfast, between 1 1 and 12 o'clock, Commodore Van derbilt, Gov. John T. Hoffman, Hon. Smith Ely, Mayor of New York ; Gen. G. S. Batcheller of Saratoga, N. Y., and Gen. H. H. Commodore Vanderbilt. Wells, ex-Governor of Virginia, and Governor T. G. Alvord of Syracuse were all sitting on the veranda discussing horseman ship, when Governor Hoffman remarked' that the Northern men 36° made better cavalrymen than the Southerners. I took excep tions to this at once, and after a short discussion, in which all seemed to take great interest, I suggested that he invite fifty- young men from New York or any other Northern State he wished, and I would invite fifty young men from Virginia, Mary land and the District of Columbia and have a tournament, and pledged myself to crown the Queen of Love and Beauty and more maids of honor with my fifty young men than he with his fifty, or I would pay all expenses. Commodore Vanderbilt jumped up from his chair at this challenge, offering to furnish passes for all the knights to and from Saratoga. The proposition was imme diately taken up, and we organized the following-named tem porary committees : committee on organization. I. Gen. G. S. Batcheller, Saratoga, N. Y. 2. Dr. W. J. Lewis, New Orleans, La. 3. Col. Francis Copcutt, New York. 4. Col. D. F Ritchie, Saratoga. 5. Capt. D. F Judson, Saratoga. 6. Col. Geo. A. Armes, Washington, D. C. committee on decoration. 1. Mitchell Bros., Saratoga. 2. Col. C. J. Van Horn, Philadelphia. 3. Messrs. Bennett & McCaffrey, Saratoga. 4. Mr. E. Reynolds, Connecticut. The Tournament. "Grand Field Day at Glen Mitchell — Large Attendance — Lots of .Sport — Saratoga, Her Beauty and Her Chivalry — A High Old Time. "The elements conspired against 'the chivalry' of New York, Canada, Virginia, Maryland and Washington, but they conspired in vain. Sir George Armes said there should be no postponement on account of a little rain, and all the knights said, 'So mote it be,' and so it was. At 4 o'clock the knights" assembled at the Grand Central Hotel, armed to the teeth and in full armor clad. Their gallant steeds, borrowed mostly from Saratoga agriculturists, pranced and neighed until the young ladies on the piazzas of the y > Vj -V 362 hotels went wild with excitement. Carriages were ordered out immediately, and forthwith Broadway was lined with equipages en route to the Glen. On account of the lateness of the hour, the cavalcade was postponed, the knights, with Marshal Armes and his aides, galloping briskly to Glen Mitchell, where Hon. James W. Huested, the orator of the day, in a few appropriate sentences, spoken from the judge's stand, welcomed the Knights of the South to a friendly trial o'f skill with the Knights of the North. "The honors were as follows: "R. C. Gwynn, Knight of Washington City, 9; E. M. Jackson, Knight of Fairfax, 8; T. E. Allen, Knight of Ontario, Canada, 9; R. Wallace, Knight of Marlborough, 7; J. F. McGregor, Knight of 'My Maryland,' 7; E. P. Gwynn, Knight of Baltimore, 6; W. H. Johnson, Knight of Troy, 9. "The column of figures indicates the number of rings taken by each knight three tilts. It is but justice to state that some of the best riders were unfortunately afflicted with most awkward equines. And yet the general effect was quite inspiriting. The attendance of distinguished people was very large. The grounds were thronged with splendid turnouts. Among the carriages was that of Commodore Vanderbilt, occupied by the Commodore and his wife, and we noticed on the judge's stand Mr. Frank Leslie, Hon. James W. Husted, 'Eli Perkins,' E. O. Perrin and others, and large numbers of the elite occupied the elegant equipages and the grand stand. Considering the untoward circumstances and the powerful (?) opposition of some jealous churls in Saratoga, it was a very notable success, and we think that next year the Sara toga tournament will be still more of an event. It is due Col. Geo. A. Armes, who started the enterprise, to say that he labored man fully, but almost single-handed, in getting it up. "The assemblage in the evening was one of the finest that Sara toga has seen this season. The attendance was large and brilliant, and the ceremony of crowning the Queen of Love and Beauty and her maids of honor was a fine spectacle. Each knight was intro duced in turn by Mr. E. O. Perrin, who pronounced the title, in the order given above, the first crowning the Queen, and so on through the list. The chosen Queen of Love anrlBeauty was Miss Lillie Washington of Washington, who is, we believe, one of the nearest descendants living of the family of Gen. George Washing ton. Miss Washington was elegantly dressed in light-blue silk, court train, white Swiss overdress trimmed with the same, hair in chatelaine braids and curls. The maids of honor were Miss Jennie Miller of Brooklyn, Mrs. E. P. Smith of Saratoga, Miss Annie Morgan of New York, Mrs. E. J. Lewis of New Orleans, Miss Mary Donnington of New York, Mrs. Hicks (Sophie Sparkle) of New York. * V J 363 "After the coronation Mr. E. O. Perrin delivered the address, paying a high compliment to the Queen, her ladies and their chiv alric knights. It was a very handsome effort, and was received with much enthusiasm. The address was followed by a grand promenade." The whole press gave for several days all kinds of accounts of the tournament, as it was such a novelty to Saratoga. The duel also added considerably to the excitement of the visitors and resi dents. Being in the heart of the season, Saratoga was crowded, and the news of the duel went like wildfire and was the general topic of conversation. The circumstances were these : Mr. Gwynn, one of the finest-looking and most gallant knights at the ball, danced oftener with Miss M of New York than Mr. Frank Lord approved of, and he became very jealous, caution ing her not to be seen with that "young Virginia guerrilla" any more. Instead of Miss M objecting, she immediately told Mr. Gwynn that Mr. Lord had accused him of being a guerrilla and did everything he could to prevent her further acquaintance with him. Mr. Gwynn immediately reported the fact to me, when I told him I would assume the responsibility, and for him to go ahead and pay no attention to Mr. Lord's remarks. I imme diately called upon Mr. Lord, demanding an apology and ex planation to Mr. Gwynn in the presence of Miss M . Mr. Lord declined to apologize. I therefore called on my friend, Gen eral Thomas, who took a note to Mr. Lord, and it was arranged for us to meet at sunrise next morning near Glen Mitchell and settle the affair in a gentlemanly way. General Thomas acted as my second, and I at once fixed up my affairs and packed my trunk, not expecting to return alive, as it was reported that Mr. Lord was one of the best shots at Saratoga; that he had been a sports man at Saratoga, and took delight in displaying his skill by shoot ing a ten-cent piece with a bullet, every shot hitting the mark at ten paces. I had had a little practice myself, and was in the habit of snuffing a candle by firing at the blaze at a distance of fifteen to twenty feet, never touching the candle, but in most every in stance putting out the blaze, and considered myself a pretty good shot. Under the circumstances I did not hesitate to meet Mr. Lord according to agreement, but after waiting on the ground for over one hour, to my great delight Mr. Lord and his second failed to show up. Then I returned to the hotel to inquire of their 364 Awaiting My Antagonist. whereabouts. I was informed that Mr. Lord had been suddenly- called to New York, and had left on the midnight train to attend to urgent business requiring- his personal attention, taking with him his horses and carriages and servants. The duel, therefore, did not take place, but I was blamed by many and called the fiery young Colonel from the impetuous South who had challenged to mortal combat an inoffensive citizen of the frigid North. After all the fun was over I furnished carriages for the boys to go sightseeing and enjoy themselves, and entertained them to the best of my ability, and, although it was understood and agreed by Commodore Vanderbilt, Governor Hoffman and others that all expenses should be paid by them if their side lost, my part came to $2240, and their expenses ran up into the thousands. None of us, however, regretted the expense, as it gave general satisfaction to us all, and the fact that my Southern boys crowned the Queen of Love and Beauty and four maids of honor out of the seven made me feel amply repaid for all my expenditure and troubles. 365 ^/A= A- / V mm MmtMrnnti Virginia and Maryland v. New York. C/iief .llmtltnll, Col. GEO. A. ARMES. Hon. A. J. ROGERS, Now York. FRANK LORD, Now York. Jtids: HARRY WRIGHT, Wn»liiiiglnn. IKE COON," Now York. jise'l .Ifamhtills: Col. D. F. RITCHIE. Saratoga. Aide: Capt. W. W. FRENCH, Dr. J. C. McEWEN. JOHN P. CONKL1NO, R. H. SOUTHGATE, CLARENCE KILMER, MILO J. JENNINGS, ISAAC SHERWOOD, Judges: Dr. W J LEWIS, New Orleans. Jlitls: JAS. S. MORSE, Baltimore WM. W REARDON. do Maj. I. A ROSEKR.YNS. Cnpf. G. C. BYRNBj Capt. B. F. JUDSON, Cot W R. JOHNSON, Mr. M. E. DeRIVAS. \\ j&rrr/ors of ' ttc ¦ £ky*s--(Tt -Glen- Mitchell; Hon, JAMES W. HUSTED, Peekskill, Westchester Co. Hon. SMITH ELY, Jr., of New York. JTveninff—Foem . ELI PERKINS, of New York, In tlie Grand Union Hotel Ball Room. Knights' nanicts will bo given on a Kcprtrnte Pro^nnnmc nt rnnmicncomoiU of the exercises. "V / 366 SELECT HOT gAU, AT THE GRAND UNIOjY HOTJEjL, SARATOGA, Wednesday Eue., jizcg. 14, 137 2. md gadg are reapcctfully invited to witness the Crowning of the^uten of Love and Beauty, and her six Maids of Honor, also to participate in the evening exercises. Compliments of.. Committee of Arrangements; Gen( G. S. Batcheller. - Saratoga, Hon. I. V. Baker, Washington ( 'o , Col. G. A. Armes, Washington. D.C. Hon. Wm. Johnson. - Seneca Co., Hon. C. II. Adams, - - - Conocs, Dr. \V. J. Lewi», - New Orleans, Floor Jfana,vevs; M. Landon, - - - New York, Hon. Smith Ely, - - New York, Capt. W. P. Jarvis, - - Boston, Hon, O. H. Mitchell, - - Saratoga, W. M. Smith, - - New York, Geo E McOmbcr - Saratoga. Prof. Manuel, Master of Ceremonies. Committee on Thyitation; Com Vanderbilt, - New; York, Hon. I. V. Baker, Jr. Hon. J. T. Hoffman, - New York,' Hon. Win. Johnson, Hon. Fernando Wood, - New York, Hon. Smith Kly, - Hon. A. McDonald, - Arkansas, " lion. Jarvis Lord, - J. II. Breslin, Esq., - Saratoga, Hon. H. V. Twombl' Gen. H. H. Wells, ¦- - - - Va., '-Ike Coon."- - - Hon.'H. B. Anthony, U. S. S., Del., Ciipt. W. P. Jarvis, Hon. A. W. Palmer, - Ncw.York,_ Col. W. G. Grant, - Hon. S. Ainsworth, - Saratoga, Mr. T. Sherwood, Gov. T. G. Alvord, - - Syracuse, Hon. A. J; Rogers, Col. Francis Copcutt, - New York, Mr. DeRivas, - - Eli Perkins, - - - - New York, Hon, J C Jacobs, H. S. Powers, - - - New York, Hon D P. Wood, - A. H Graehall, - - - New York. A. X Parker,- - - Hon J H.Graham, - New York, Hon James Wood. Hon.'Wm S Dickinson, New York-,- .1- M Hundley. - Judge I. S Spencer, - Syracuse, " Sophie Sparkle, Mrs. Pitman, - - - Newport, Miss Grundy, - The above-named gentlemen have signed their names, inc. to use them iu connection with the Tournament, assigned as the Committee on Invitation. , - Wash. Co., - Si-iieca Co., - Nuu- York, - Niw York, -, New York, - New York, - - Boston, - New York, New Yo-k, - New York, - New York, Brooklyn, Syracuse, Potsdam, - * Genessec. New York,. Evening Mail, N\ Y. World. or authorized and they arc Geo. A. ARMES, Chief Marshall. Music by Mollenhauer's Orchestra, '^^l^^^::::^^^^ 367 The invitations were gotten up so as to have only those present who were invited by name, which made it a very select affair, and the guests were composed of the best people of New York and the other States of the Union. It happened that Miss Morgan of New York, who had pre sented me with a beautiful silk sash, drove up by the side of my horse while I was at the head of my procession and handed me her yellow silk umbrella as it commenced to rain, remarking, "Do not let your silk sash be spoiled," and upon the spur of the moment I raised the umbrella, and the papers had to comment upon my action. But such a grand affair has never been at Sara toga before or since, and everyone was pleased and gratified, and will long remember the victory of the Southern boys. I re mained in Saratoga ten or fifteen days, attending the hops at the different hotels, which occurred almost every evening, meeting many of the most fashionable and most finely dressed ladies of the country on those occasions. Among them were Mrs. Mor- rissey, who expressed much gratitude to me for allowing her son to ride at the tournament, and I had the pleasure of dancing two sets with her at the Grand Union. She was gorgeously dressed, her diamonds alone costing more than $100,000. On my return to Washington I stopped over at Albany, N. Y., one day, meeting many of my old friends, among them General Farnsworth. After my return to Washington I made several large transac tions in real estate, and as soon as Congress met called on Gen eral Morey of Louisiana, who had charge of my military case, and was giving it every attention. General Barry of Mississippi proved to be a strong friend to me and appreciated my introduc ing him to Miss Katie Tyson, to whom he became engaged". At the close of the year I wrote : "I have had a very eventful and pleasant year, and not allowed my troubles to worry me in the least. I have had enough to en courage me greatly, financially and socially, having' cleared over $8000 in business, besides my losses in loaning money, specula tions and expenses. Many invitations were extended me for State sociables, which were given by almost every State upon different occasions during the year. The victory I won at Saratoga and the intended duel made me quite a repute upon these occasions." CHAPTER XI. January i, 1873. Dr. Turpin, General Barry and General Ryan accepted my in vitation to go New Year's calling with me this morning. My diary for the day included the following : 'We were highly entertained and welcomed by all, and my friends at their parting assured me they appreciated the enter tainment as one of the best they had ever had, and at 12 we parted to meet again soon." Little did I then dream of the tragic death awaiting General Ryan. As soon as Congress met I appeared before the committee, and soon discovered that it was impossible to have my bill passed re storing me to my full rank as a Captain in the active service. I therefore entered into a compromise with the committee to accept an honorable discharge with one year's pay. The committee said there would be very little trouble in passing the bill in that shape, and after that I would be in a better position to get what I was entitled to. The chairman of the committee further explained that there was such opposition at the War Department against my restoration that it would be a difficult matter to have a bill passed. Under the circumstances I thought it best to accept the proposition. General Morey, with his sub-committee, having thoroughly investigated my case, made the following: House of Representatives, Forty-second Congress, Third Session. Report No. 19. George A. Armes. January 10, 1873. — Ordered to be Printed. Mr. Morey, from the Committee on Military Affairs, made the following report (to accompany Bill H. R. 3372): It appears from the record of the court-martial which dismissed Captain Armes that a considerable portion of the important testi mony which was relied on was given by Capt. Charles G. Cox, Tenth U. S. Cavalry, who was, within two months thereafter, him self dismissed the service, cashiered, and sentenced to be fined and confined in a penitentiary. His evidence was contradicted point- 369 blank by another witness, and a portion of his evidence is conclu sively shown to have been false. But there is nothing in the rec ord, so far as can be judged from a careful examination thereof, that, according to military usage, justifies the sentence that was imposed. * * * The bill then went to the Flouse, and, after discussion, passed without a dissenting vote. It had been subjected to the most thorough investigations of any case, perhaps, ever before Congress. It then went to the Senate and was referred to the Committee on Military Affairs. No sooner did Belknap become apprised of this than he, without being called upon for advice or suggestion, transmitted an offi cial letter, which General Logan, the chairman, afterwards handed to me, as follows : War Department, Washington City, January 11, 1873. Hon. John A. Logan, Chairman Military Committee, United States Senate : Sir — I have the honor to direct your attention to the bill, H. R. 3372, which passed the House of Representatives yesterday and was submitted to the Senate, which in its direct terms directs the Secretary of War to give to Geo. A. Armes, late Captain Tenth U. S. Cavalry and Brevet Major, U. S. A., an honorable discharge from the service of the United States, to date June 7, 1870, and provides that said Armes shall be paid the same pay and allowances as if he had been discharged under the provisions of the third sec tion of an act making appropriations for the support of the Army for the year ending June 30, 1871- I must officially protest against the passage of this bill, and would request that you call at this De partment and examine the record in Mr. Armes' case, or, if that is not convenient, it can be sent to you upon a request to that effect. I am satisfied that upon a full examination of this record you will deem it the duty of the Committee on Military Affairs of the Senate to report adversely upon this resolution. Verv respectfully, Secretary of War. 24 37° This appeared to have very little effect in the end, as the bill was referred to Senator Clayton, now Minister to Mexico, who, after thorough investigation, made a favorable report, which was unanimously agreed to by the committee. In the meantime I obtained the following letter from General Coburn, chairman of the House Military Committee, who had so thoroughly inves tigated my case and passed it favorably, to Hon. O. P. Morton, the Senator from his State, in order to secure his assistance : Washington, D. C, January 25, 1873. Hon. O. P. Morton: Dear Sir — I am requested to call your attention to the case of Capt. Geo. A. Armes, who was unjustly dismissed from the service,' in my opinion. The case was passed upon in the House, and met the approval of the Committee on Military Affairs and the House. I think it has merits, and if you can find time I wish you would look at it. Yours truly, (Signed) John Coburn. I found it necessary to secure letters of introduction to several other Senators that they might become interested in the matter and offset the powerful influence of the War Department. Con sidering the reports, which explain themselves, and letters from a number of friends and acquaintances, many of whom had known me from boyhood, makes it unnecessary to go further into detail. I continued my real-estate business during the year of 1873, becoming interested with Gov. A. R. Shepherd, Moses Kelly, John O. Evans and many of the largest capitalists in this city and throughout the country. The following details which explain my success should be given, as a great many people were surprised and often won dered how I could keep so many fine horses, entertain, visit the watering-places, when it was generally known that I had not a dollar when I landed in Washington after my dismissal from the service, and in order that the reader may see that I was straight forward in my transactions, examples of my deals are given here with: Being successful naturally induced many large owners of prop erty to place their affairs in my hands. Among these was Mr. 37i Paulus Thyson, one of the wealthiest gentlemen of the District of Columbia, who desired to dispose of square 444 on Seventh street, and authorized me to sell it for $35,000 as a whole. I fig ured the number of feet and priced it at fifty cents per foot, which amounted to $74,662.50. Returning to him, I suggested that in stead of paying me the regular commission he give me authority to put my own price on it, and that he give me all over $50,000, when he seemed thunderstruck and stated that a number of brok ers had been offering it for $35,000 and could not get a buyer. He seemed to think it would be impossible for me to sell it for any such enormous price. After a short argument, he agreed to let me have all over $50,000 and I immediately began to hunt cus tomers. I brought Mr. Wheatley, one of the largest lumber deal ers, and Mr. A. R. Appleman, who was largely interested in brick kilns and vice-president of the Citizens' National Bank, together, suggesting that they buy the whole block between them, and after going through the details they decided to take it at fifty cents per foot, and I immediately closed the deal, taking in part payment certain properties, which was satisfactory to Mr. Thyson, and which gave me for my share $24,662.50, closing the transaction satisfactorily all round. I afterwards took the Woodmount tract, containing about 2400 acres of land near Hancock, Md., and Berkley Springs, Va., put ting a force of men to work getting out tan bark and ties ; estab lished a large grocery store there; bought several canal-boats and mules to run them back and forth to Georgetown, and would bring down boatloads of bark and ties and take back groceries and stores for the farmers. By the ist of January, 1874, figuring up my profits and specu lations for the year of 1873, I found that I had made $63,000 in my business. Mr. Appleman and Mr. Wheatley were perfectly satisfied with their great bargain, and Mr. Appleman afterwards sold half of his portion of the block to Senator Hamilton of Maryland for $1 per foot, just double what he paid for it. Mr. Wheatley built a number of houses, which sold and rented at an immense profit. This proves that general satisfaction was given all around, including Mr. Thyson, who got $15,000 more for the property than he had been asking before placing it in my hands for sale. 372 The following is a sample of my correspondence during the year: The following is a letter sent the President offering my ser vices to avenge the death of General Ryan and his party, who were captured on the Virginia and taken to Cuba and murdered by the Spaniards : Washington, D. C, November 17, 1873. Gen. U. S. Grant, President of the United States : Sir — I have the honor to request authority to organize a com mand to avenge the death of those unfortunate men who have just been butchered by the Spaniards, who naturally supposed they would be held as prisoners until it was proven they had committed some offense justifying the inhuman punishment they received, or, at least, until arrangements had been made for their liberty, or they would have fought until the last one died before surrender ing. As they were on the high seas, sailing under the American flag, they are justified in not showing resistance when overhauled, but naturally tried to escape from being captured and the embar rassment of ever being held as prisoners ; but from my personal ac quaintance with a few of the party, I do know if they had been on Cuban soil they would not have surrendered under any circum stances, or 'expected leniency from either Government. I am ready to organize a command of young, able and experienced vet erans, who can take the field within fifteen days. I have no one but a father and brother to mourn my death, and they would rather see me die leading a gallant command on to victory than live suffering the disgrace of dismissal from the Army, while my true friends know the charges were without the slightest foun dation. Trusting, Mr. President, that you will grant this authority, I remain, Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Geo. A. Armes, Late Capt., U. S. A. CHAPTER XII. January i, 1874. I made up a party this morning consisting of Colonel Maish, Judge Zering and Captain Howe and made the best of my usual New Year visits, bidding my friends good-bye, this being my last day to call as a bachelor. After a full day of enjoyment, we parted at half-past 11, and I have returned to my quarters. After the assembling of Congress I appeared before the committee of the Senate which had my bill before it for action, and found a great deal of opposition, not only from the War Department, but from those of the Tenth Cavalry whom I had never recognized as gentlemen while in the regiment, feeling myself above them. The following is one of the letters from Secretary Belknap to Senator Powell Clayton of the Senate Military Committee, writ ten for the purpose of trying to defeat favorable action : War Department, (1228.) Washington City, February 16, 1874. Hon. Powell Clayton, U. S. Senator: Sir — In reply to your letter of the 9th inst, I beg to inform you that Geo. A. Armes was nominated to be Captain, U. S. Army, December 21, 1870. The nomination was sent to the Senate after all the court-martial proceedings in his case had been submitted and passed upon by this Department. He is the same Captain Armes who was dismissed by sentence of General Court-Martial June 7, 1870. The Senate took no ac tion upon the nomination. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Wm. H. Belknap, Secretary of War. The following are copies of letters from officers of good stand ing, who proved their friendship in offering me assistance in my efforts to secure justice : Washington, D. C, January 14, 1874. Geo. A. Armes, Late Capt. Tenth U. S. Cavalry: Dear Sir — * * * I met you at Fort Lyon, I. T., several times during the last half of the year 1868 on occasions of my periodical 374 pay tours, which involved brief sojourns at that post. I neither saw nor heard anything derogatory to your good private charac ter. On the contrary, my recollection places you among those officers at the post whose personal conduct was exceptionally good. I never had occasion to learn of your character for general efficiency, but recollect well that you were reputed a brave man and a fine horseman. * * * Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) C. L. Larned, Paymaster, U. S. A. Washington, D. C, January 19, 1874. Hon. Jno. A. Logan, Chairman Committee on Military Affairs, U. S. Senate: Sir — I have known George A. Armes, late Captain Tenth U. S. Cavalry, personally since April, 1867. Have always found him to be a gentleman of good habits and honorable bearing. From those officers who served with him during the late war I have learned that his record was very good. He is certainly deserving and ought not to have his military record and future prospects blighted by the sentence of a court-martial, actuated and influenced by personal considerations, as I am satisfied the court that tried Captain Armes was. I hope your Committee will give his case a careful investigation. With great respect, your obedient servant, B. F. Grafton, Late U. S. A. Washington, D. C, January 21, 1874. Captain G. A. Armes : Dear Captain — I learn you are trying to set yourself right be fore a congressional committee for the purpose of brightening the record which has been unjustly sullied. For the past ten years I have been personally acquainted with you, having served with you in 1863, and from that time to this have ever esteemed you as a gentleman. As to' your military record, that is already recorded as one of the brightest in our history. That you have been cruelly wronged we truly believe, and I earnestly hope you may be righted. If any word I can say for you will be of service to you, you are privileged to use this, and as to my standing I refer to the honorable Senator from Texas, Flannagan. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Charles F. Rand, M. D., Late U. S. A, 375 The letter of the Secretary of War dated January ii, 1873, to General Logan influenced the Senator to such an extent as to cause him to make an adverse report on my bill, which had passed the House and was before him as chairman of the Senate Military Committee, without any investigation being made by his com mittee. Supposing that would end the matter, the Secretary of War felt highly elated, believing that he had defeated my pros pects for an honorable . discharge, and although he did defeat it for that session, I waited until the reassembling of Congress, when I presented a petition. The chairman of the Senate committee immediately brought my case before the full committee, and it was referred to Senator Clayton, who made the following report : Your committee are well satisfied that the charges were pre ferred through motives of jealousy and revenge, anathe proceed ings show that there was a determination on the part of those offi cers who instigated the prosecution to have Armes dismissed at any cost. It has been shown beyond a doubt that Captain Armes was a brave and gallant officer. He was mentioned in General Orders by Gen. Philip St. George Cooke, United States Army, and con gratulated by letter by Maj.-Gen. Winfield S. Hancock, and rec ommended for promotion for energy and gallant and meritorious conduct on several occasions, both during the rebellion and in campaigns against the Indians, and was promoted Captain from a Second Lieutenant, and made a Major by brevet. Gen. C. C. Augur, Gen. Nelson A. Miles, Gen. N. B. Buford, Gen. B. H. Grierson and a number of other Army officers bear testimony to the high character and efficiency of Captain Armes. Numerous statements from responsible and well-known citizens also show that Captain Armes was considered an upright and hon orable man by those who have known him longest and best. Your committee report back the bill without amendment, and recommend its passage. It was adopted unanimously, and the bill passed the Senate. Going to the House, it was re-examined again by a new commit tee and passed and went to the President, who referred it to the Secretary of War, as mentioned, who sent the following letter in order to defeat it if possible : 376 War Department, June i, 1874. To the President : Sir — I have the honor to return herewith the Act (Senate 249) providing for the honorable discharge, with a year's pay and al lowances, of Geo. A. Armes, late Captain Tenth Cavalry. Geo. A. Armes was dismissed as Captain Tenth Cavalry by sen tence of court-martial June 7, 1870. Numerous applications to the President and Secretary of War for the reopening of the case have been declined, but in December, 1870, the President directed the reappointment of Captain Armes, on condition of his tender ing his immediate and unconditional resignation. He was ac cordingly nominated December 21, 1870 (having previously placed his resignation in the hands of the Secretary of War), but was not confirmed by the Senate prior to its adjournment. The many papers presented to the Department by Captain Armes since that date have been placed on file without action. This Act provides that Captain Armes shall "be paid the same pay and allowances as if he had been discharged under the provisions of the third section of the Act of July 15, 1870." He could not have been discharged under that act June 7, 1870, nor prior to the date it became a law, July 15, 1870, as it was not retroactive in its operation. The offi cial circumstances of his case are entirely against the favorable action as provided for in the act, and the relief granted thereby is viewed as establishing a very bad precedent. The foregoing are viewed as objections and reasons why the Act should not receive the approval of the President. The Secretary of War, before leav ing for West Point, directed the preparation of this letter as ex pressive of his views in reference to the case of Mr. Armes. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) H. T. Crosby, Chief Clerk. After as thorough and careful an investigation of my case as was ever made before the committee, a unanimous report was made, and fhe Plouse bill which had passed in 1873 was brought before the Senate and unanimously passed, giving me an honora ble discharge, as set forth in the following special order of the War Department : Special Order No. 136. War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, June 19, 1874. (Extract.) 1. Capt. George A. Armes, Tenth Cavalry, dismissed the ser vice by General Court-Martial Order No. 36, June 7, 1870, from Headquarters of the Army, Adjutant-General's Office, is honor ably discharged the service, to date June 7, 1870, by the following Act of Congress : 377 "An Act authorizing and directing the Secretary of War to give to Geo. A. Armes, late Captain Tenth United States Cavalry, an honorable discharge, to date the seventh day of June, eighteen hun dred and seventy. "Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of War is hereby authorized and directed to give to George A, Armes, late Captain Tenth United States Cavalry and Brevet Ma jor, United States Army, an honorable discharge from the service of the United States, to date June seventh, eighteen hundred and seventy, and that said George A. Armes be paid the same pay and allowance as if he had been discharged under the provisions of the third section of the Act entitled 'An Act making appropriations for the support of the Army for the year ending June thirtieth, eighteen hundred and seventy-one, and for other purposes,' ap proved July fifteenth, eighteen hundred and seventy. "J. G. Blaine, "Speaker of the House of Representatives. "Matt. H. Carpenter, "President of the Senate pro tempore.'' Received by the President May 28, 1874. (Note by the Department of State.) The foregoing Act having been presented to the President of the United States for his approval, and not having been returned by him to the House of Congress in which it originated within the time prescribed by the Constitution of the United States, has be come a law without his approval. When I applied for pay under the law the following endorse ment was put on my paper : Adjutant-General's Office, June 19, 1874. Respectfully referred to the Paymaster-General. In his ac ceptance of original appointment in the Army as Second Lieuten ant Second U. S. Cavalry in 1866 Captain Armes gave his resi dence as Annandale, Fairfax County, Virginia. His station June 7, 1870, was Camp Supply, I. T. (Signed) Thomas A. Vincent, Asst. Adjt-Gen. Major Vincent knew my address was Washington, D. C, and not at either place mentioned in his endorsement. This proves his treachery, which has been continued towards me ever since. Could meanness descend to lower depths? The following correspondence further elucidates the events of the year 1874: 37« Leavenworth, Kan., June 29, 1874. Maj. Geo. A. Armes, Washington, D. C. : Dear Sir — Permit me to congratulate you on your vindication of yourself, as I see by the Army and Navy Journal of June 20, p. 710, that you have been successful in obtaining your honorable discharge. No one rejoices more than I do in your succes^, which you deserve. God bless you and continue your prosperity. Your friend, sincerely, E. N. O. Clough. ¦ I kvfat*. e/turPX, est*/ dra*^, *V ptT hvto~ 'fc~lh>t wjk> a. (rua to%iCs> a- b-tru4^-L^ X0**r*- cuueu.*to yn^th^^BUxt^t, to C{cb*s Mj^" Sard toftauHL Ca&H-tiltv} Mtfa.ytn-s c^fo, P'W-'fav b1 ftTU^jT-l iM 379 Shortly after my case was thoroughly settled, the records were corrected so as to show I had an honorable discharge and the stigma of my dismissal wiped off, I applied to the President for renomination to my position as Captain, enclosing the follow ing recommendations of the Military Committee both of the House and the Senate : t$L^f*£&£*4®' 38o The President failing to act on the above, I took my summer outing, visiting my Woodmont farm, stopping over at Berkley Springs for a short time, at the same time transferring my real- estate business, and finally, purchasing a lot on Tenth street, I arranged to give up my bachelorhood and go to housekeeping with a partner. On the 14th day of October, 1874, I surprised my friends by getting married to Miss Lucy Hamilton Kerr, the following notice appearing in the Evening Star: "Wedding in the First Ward. "Col. George A. Armes, formerly of Fainax County, Virginia, late of the United States Army, and now one of our successful real estate agents, was married yesterday morning at 10 o'clock to Miss Lucy PL Kerr, eldest daughter of the Hon. John Bozeman Kerr of this city. Colonel Armes is the young officer compli mented in general orders and breveted Major in the regular Army for leading a charge at Hatcher's Run in 1864. Again mentioned in general orders, and brought to the notice and approval of Gen eral Grant, he was specially promoted in 1866 for capturing and destroying a village of hostile Indians in Dakota. On the staff of Maj.-Gen. W. S. Hancock during a portion of the rebellion, and successfully engaged with the Indians in 1868, this young officer was recommended for brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, U. S. Army both by General Plancock and General Sherman. The Colonel and his bride left in an early train yesterday for the North, and they carried with them the best wishes of many warm and true friends." Immediately after my marriage a number of my friends es corted me to the Baltimore & Potomac Depot, where I took the train for Niagara Falls and a number of other resorts. Major Flagler, a brother of the late General Flagler, Chief of Ordnance, a custom-house officer on duty at Niagara Falls, who, with his wife, called upon myself and bride and took us in their carriage to all the places of interest at the Falls and in Canada. His kindness I shall never forget, as I was a stranger in that part of the country then. Shortly after my return to Washington from my bridal tour I went to housekeeping at 714 Tenth street, where I established my office and carried on large transactions in real estate. At the time of my marriage I was the owner of fourteen houses, the Woodmont tract, a hundred acres of land in Kentucky, a num ber of building lots at Huntington, Md., and a small piece of land 3»i near Muirkirk Station, Md., in addition to $25,000 in stocks and bonds, making me feel more independent in worldly matters than I did when I arrived in Washington four years before without a dollar; and during the fall of 1874 I laid my plans to commence with Congress for restoration to my former rank in the Army. Boonville, Mo., August 24, 1874. Friend Armes : Yours of the 17th inst. has been received. I imagine that you must be having a good time and enjoying yourself at that great pleasure resort, Saratoga. My Maryland farm is for sale. Five thousand five hundred dol lars will purchase it just as I left it, with a number of farming "requisites." I have a colored man living on the place to take care of it. This is less money than it cost me ten years ago, besides what I have spent on the place since. Anyone who desires a farm in the vicinity of Washington cannot get a better bargain for the amount of money. The extreme hot weather that has prevailed here" all summer has cut crops short throughout the State, and the prospects for busi ness of all kind is anything but flattering. I hope you may succeed in finding me a purchaser for the farm. My family are all well. Yours, very truly, A. C. Widdecombe. "Murderous Attack — Bold Attempt to Rob a United States Paymaster — Captain Irwin, Fifth Cavalry, Shot. "Denver, Col., September 10, 1874. — A special to the News, from Hugo, Col., contains the following: "A bold attempt was made at River Bend this morning to rob the United States Paymaster. Major Brooks, as he was going from the train to the camp of the Sixth Cavalry, about three miles from River Bend, to pay the troops. He got off the western-bound train early this morning, and was met at the station by Captain Irwin and Lieutenant Witmore of the Sixth Cavalry, with an am bulance. "When a short distance from the station the ambulance was halted by two men on foot, who were masked. Three shots were fired by them from a shotgun, loaded with buckshot, one charge taking effect in Captain Irwin's back. At first his injuries were considered slight, but he has since commenced bleeding internally, and is now spitting blood. Another shot was fired by the robbers from a pistol, the ball passing across Major Brook's lap and through Mrs. Roberts' hand, making a painful wound. 382 "Lieutenant Witmore fired his pistol at one of the robbers, named G. W. Graham, formerly a Captain in the Tenth Cavalry at Fort Leavenworth. The ball passed through his body, just be low his heart, and he is dying. The other robber, John Dick, for merly keeper of No. i Stage Station on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad, escaped, but the cavalry are after him." The following letter will show on what familiar terms I stood with the writer : ^tabqnBtters <§nnf Uf Hgt ||ntttb §tatcs, * " >^« . - ./— i. . -f>. J^ £~^U- ^z-^d £L~lJl "7 «£- Z^ 6^2-g**^*— ^«. ^ <2^- - ^C" J- 2- C*- jCs**$ g^? - - 2, ^ ^T- ^ CHAPTER XIII. After breakfast on January I, 1875, I drove to the Arlington and invited Mr. Morris, Judge Zering and General Ross to make New Year's calls with me. We kept up until 9 o'clock, when I parted with my guests, who expressed themselves as having greatly enjoyed their drive. During the month of January I overhauled and fixed up my house with all modern improvements and made it as comfortable as possible, expending more to remodel it than it would have cost to build a new house. My mother-in-law, Mrs. Kerr, who at first thought it was impossible to fix over an old house, finally inspected it and congratulated me for having made such a cozy place. Mr. Waterman Palmer, a very wealthy gentleman who had pur chased a large amount of property in Georgetown, entrusted his property and many of his claims to me to look after. His family seemed to take a great interest in my wife. An agreement with General Negley is only one of the many transactions that I had with him while he was in Congress. Mr. Palmer paid him $3000 down to bind a bargain, and he imme diately transferred that amount to me, my fee being $5000 in all. I quote from my diary : January 15, 1875. Went to the Capitol today; had a very satisfactory interview with General Coburn, chairman of the Military Committee of the House ; General Hunton, General Hawley of Connecticut and Mr. Hawley of Illinois, who assured me that they will do everything they can in my behalf, and I feel that I can rely upon them to make a favorable report on my bill ; also saw Governor Shepperd about the Palmer trade, and Mr. Thyson and Moses Kelly. January 16, 1875. Met Judge Zering at the Arlington and Colonel Markland at the Ebbitt, then called on Generals Leech, Negley and Morey at the Capitol, who have taken a personal interest in my bill and as sured me they would vote for it. General Leech and General Negley called on Belknap in my behalf, but got no satisfaction. 385 January 20, 1875. Called on Mr. Ward, one of the most reliable real-estate ab stracters in the city, and he fixed up the title for Moses Kelly and the Negley property, which transactions we had closed, amounting to $44,000. January 21, 1875. Mr. Eaton called on me last evening and made a proposition about his railroad switch, which I accepted. I paid him $2600 for his interest. Negley is also interested. February 1, 1875. The following are copied from the records now on the files of the War Department, duplicates being filed in the Houses of Congress : , Washington, D. C, February 11, 1875. Hon. W. W. Belknap, Secretary of War. Sir- — I demand that you substantiate the statement made to the chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs of the House of Representatives, dated "Fort Sill, Indian Territory, January 7, 1874," and transmitted by you to the Senate January 28, 1875, or retract same. Respectfully, etc., Geo. A. Armes, Late Captain, U. S. Army. Extract from Diary. — February 11, 1875. — General Coburn showed me the petition that General Davidson had sent him, dated Fort Sill, January 7, 1874, which worked me up so that I imme diately rushed around among my friends, who signed the follow ing petition as an off-set to sustain me in opposition to the peti tion gotten up by Davidson. I also sent a copy of it to the Secre tary of War, and one to the House, and one to the Senate, with the request that they be copied and put on file with the official records of Congress. [House of Representatives. Forty-third Congress, Second Ses sion. Mis. Doc. No. 108/I George A. Armes. Papers transmitted to the Committee on Military Affairs, in the case of George A. Armes. February 19, 1875. — Referred to the Committee on Military Af fairs and ordered to be printed. 25 }86 Washington, February ii, 1875. To the Honorable Chairman Military Committee of the House of Representatives: We, the undersigned officers of the United States Army, now in Washington, and who personally know Capt. G. A. Armes, late of the Army, cheerfully join with his citizen friends and ask that he be reinstated to his former position as Captain in the Army. From what we know or have heard, we can say he is a gentleman above reproach. Wm. Thompson, Captain Seventh Cavalry, U. S. A. Chas. T. Larned, Paymaster, U. S. A. Edgar Van Horn. L. B. G. Miller. Robt. A. Phillips. J, F. Brodhead. Fred. P. Stanton. Geo. R. Walbridge, Late United States Army. The undersigned has known Captain Armes for some years, and though he has no knowledge of the special causes which re sulted in his leaving the service, cannot but believe that a miscon ception of his character was the cause. Captain Armes, to my per sonal knowledge, is a brave, capable officer and a gentleman. W. H. Slater. A. W. Adams. Fred. Koones. John L. Kidwell. Wm. G. Moore. Moses Kelly. F. Spinner. S. W. Johnston. Jos. Casey. A. T. Dallas, Major Twenty-third Infantry. L. R. TUTTLE. J. F. Evans. Allan Rutherford. G. T. Chase. John Fletcher. A. R. Appleman. A. PIart. Otis Btgf.low. J. T. Coldwell. Brainard H. Warner. "Washington, February n, 1875. Sir — I have seen the petition which you and a few others, under date of Fort Sill, January 7, 1874 (5), have addressed to the hon orable chairman of the Military Committee of the House of Rep resentatives. The object of this malignant paper is to do me a wanton injury, but in the end it will fail of its intended effect. As for yourself, the evidence of your cowardice displayed during the war of the rebellion is on record ; and the slanderous paper you have handed with your name, and no doubt instigated your associates to sign, is only the natural emanation of a base charac ter. Major Schofield is a weak-minded man, easily influenced by such as you. He is kept in place by the influence of relatives who happen to be in official position, and is naturally a toady. But that he should play that part toward you adds degradation to his insignificance, 387 Surgeon F. L. Town, Captain Carlton, Captain Beach, Captain Lawson, Captain Keys, Captain Norvell, and Captain Viele are persons whom I do not remember ever having seen. As I know nothing of them I presume they take their impressions of me, not from' any knowledge of their own, but from your false representa tions. Capt. L. H. Carpenter is not to be depended upon by anyone who knows him. For his true character I refer to the officers of the Sixth United States Cavalry. Captain Kennedy is an Irish blackguard, who, within the last year, was arrested by the police of this city, and taken to the central guard-house for insulting ladies in the street. Lieut. J. M. Kelley is a weak and simple- minded creature, kept in the Army by relatives. He is not com petent to earn a support in civil life. Smithers, Woodward, Orle- man, Myers, and Van de Wiele are low-bred individuals, and I would take no notice of any of them if I did not feel it my duty to expose to the public the character of your instruments — the men whose names you have procured to your false and libelous petition. You know that you utter a falsehood when you state that you are acquainted with me, and that I am unfitted for a commission in the Army ; also when you allege that I am unworthy in consequence of deficiency in education, intellect, morality, and the qualities necessary to constitute an officer and a gentleman ; and when you say I was so illiterate that I could not indite the most ordinary official or personal communication without making it apparent in the diction and the spelling ; when you allege maladministration in the affairs of my company you are guilty of an unmanly lie, which you aggravate with your natural malignity when you attri bute the alleged failure to an unevenly balanced mind. You lie when you say I made no effort to vindicate my character in 1868 at Fort Riley. Kans., when a set of Army loafers, like yourself, were trying to crush me, and you well know the absolute falsity of the charge made against me in the court-martial to which you refer with so much malignity. You reach the lowest depths of hypocrisy and lying when you pretend that you act from a sense of duty to the Government and the Army in making the above false charges, when you must be conscious, if you have any con science at all; that you yourself deserve the fate which so justly befell your worthy comrades and associates, Cox and Graham. I defy you to substantiate the statements you have made in your infamous petition. No one knows better than you that it was false testimony which put me out of the Army. The presi dent of the court, Col. Sam. Sturgis, was a drunken loafer, and any other action could not be expected from him, as it would be vain to expect from you anything honorable or truthful. Geo. A. Armes, Late Captain and Brevet Major, U. S. A. J. W. Davidson, Lieutenant Colonel Tenth Cavalry, U. S. A." 388 War Department, Washington City, February 13, 1875. Hon. John Coburn, Chairman Committee on Military Affairs, House of Representatives: Sir — I have the honor to transmit to you for the consideration of your honorable committee a copy of a letter received by me from Geo. A. Armes, late a captain in the Army. His letter refers to a communication made by me to the Senate (Senate Ex. Doc. No. 21, Forty-third Congress, second session) transmitting a pe tition of officers protesting against his reappointment in the Army. In sending forward the petition I remember that "the Department concurs in the views expressed in this petition," and in order that no misunderstanding may arise as to the meaning of this language, I beg to state that I agreed with those officers that "either through personal knowledge or testimony of others we are satisfied that he is utterly unfitted for a commission in the Army," and my knowledge, personal and otherwise, is based upon the record of a general court-martial dismissing Armes from the service, upon the testimony of the Army officers who have signed the petition in question and upon his personal bearing and action before this Department since his dismissal. As to the facts which the petition sets forth as occurring elsewhere, I wish to say that my knowledge is, of course, confined to the statements of the petitioners as far as they may be supported by the records of the Department. A copy of the petition referred to was sent by me to the House on the 28th ult. and referred to the Committee on Military Affairs on the 3d inst. Very respectfullv, W. W. Belknap. Secretary of War. I enclosed a copy of the foregoing letter with the following : Washington, D. C, February 16, 1875. Colonel Nolan or Lieutenant Davis : Please forward through the gallant and manly Adjutant of the Tenth U. S. Cavalry the enclosed opinion I publicly express of those who think they have ruined me. I sent the original to the Secretary of War, and enclose this copy for those who are inter ested to sleep over, get drunk over or think over, just as they feel inclined. I think Davidson must have been hard up for names when he had to get seven creatures whom I don't know and who I think never saw me. Tell them I say "Go ahead;" they are wel come to all they can make on me, and the future will show for itself. Yours truly, Geo. A. Armes. 389 P. S.^ — Please acknowledge receipt, etc. If there is anything I can do for you here let me know. The most powerful of my antagonists returned to the assault with the following : War Department, Washington City, February 20, 1875. Hon. John Coburn, Chairman Committee on Military Affairs, House of Representatives: Sir — In reply to your letter of the 19th inst, requesting on the behalf of the Committee on Military Affairs of the House of Representatives that all, papers on file in the War Department relating to the standing of George A. Armes, late Captain, U. S. Army, as an officer, be transmitted to the committee for its in formation, I beg to say that these papers are quite voluminous and of such a character that they could not be copied within a short period. In my opinion it would not be consistent with the public interest to permit the originals to pass out of the possession of the Department for a reason which I can, if desired, explain to you personally. But I shall be most happy to show all the papers and records in question to the committee or to any member thereof who may be chosen for the purpose. Very respectfully, (Signed) Wm. W. Belknap, Secretary of War. I now resume my diary : February 20, 1875. Met General Coburn at the Capitol, who showed me the letter from General Belknap protesting against his favorable action on my bill, but proving himself my friend by allowing me to keep the letter. He will pay no attention to it, as he is satisfied that I am being persecuted. Shortly after my reply to the petition sent in by Colonel Davison and others the officers of the Tenth Cavalry got up a scurrilous affidavit, which was sworn to by a negro named William Johnson, who could not read or write, and had it fixed up by these officers and forwarded to the committee with the hope that they might be influenced to report against my bill, but after a thorough inves tigation it was thrown to one side with other scurrilous and false representations. 39° February 23, 1875. While at the Capitol today General McDougal 01 New York, who had always been my friend while in the field and ever since, while in Congress, handed my papers to me in order that I might get them in print. February 25, 1875. While looking through the morning papers before breakfast I noticed the death of my brother's mother-in-law, Mrs. Beard, and after breakfast Lucy and I went up there to tender our services. March 4, 1875. After breakfast Lucy and I went to see Senator Alcorn of Mis sissippi, then to the Capitol, where I was admitted to the floor of the House and watched the old Forty-third Congress die, stand ing near Speaker Blaine during his short address to the House, thanking it for the honor of retaining him as Speaker for six years. I never saw a man receive such tremendous applause as Blaine when he announced "the House is adjourned." Tears came in his eyes, he was so affected, and hundreds came to con gratulate him and bid him good-bye. It was a great sight to wit ness the sad expression on each member's face as he left his seat, many never to return. March 15, 1875. Sent off a large number of my printed documents with my reply to Davison's petition to the officers of the Army throughout the country. March 22,1875. Closed a large transaction with Mr. Gilbert and Waterman Palmer of property in Chicago, receiving a commission of $1300. March 27, 1875. After breakfast I called on Senator B. F. Rice at his office on Fourteenth street. He and his wife and I drove out to look at some houses, and they seemed very much pleased with one on Corcoran street. The Senator is one of the friends of my bill. Baltimore, Md., April 14. I made quite a deal here today with Mr. Gilbert, and have taken four houses in the transaction. Met Senator Hamilton and Charley Kerr, my wife's uncle, who married Miss Ella Johnson, youngest daughter of Reverdy Johnson. I have been very hand somely entertained while in Baltimore. 39i April 18, 1875. Lucy and I attended St. Matthew's Church again this morning. We have not missed a Sunday since our marriage. We usually meet Colonel Berrett, one of the principal members. Senator Kernan and family of New York are also members of this church and occupy a pew near us. April 30, 1875. Sold Mr. Gibson of New York a house on Corcoran street, receiving a commission of $550. Hancock, Md., June 24, 1875. I have found it necessary to make a visit to my farm here, and have been very busy all day with my foreman, Mr. Hall, going over it. He has not made it very profitable to me so far. This afternoon I visited Berkley Springs and met quite a number of Washingtonians who were spending the summer there, among them Judge Wright, who owns a cottage. July 12, 1875. Took a drive with Orville Grant, the President's brother, this afternoon. He is very anxious to purchase my trotting horse, Frank. July 15, 1875. Took Commissioner Johnson of the customs driving this after noon and introduced him to Fred Grant, who has purchased con siderable property lately. Mr. Grow, Fred Grant and myself went out to look at the houses. July 19, 1875. I had a long talk with Fred Grant today with regard to his houses ; also took Mrs. General Boynton to see one of them ; then introduced Max Wilder to Fred Grant, and tried to get him to purchase the Fifteenth-street house. While on the drive we met General and Mrs. Capron, and this afternoon Fred Grant and I called on Mr. Wilder. August 1, 1875. Last night we had quite a tea party at the house. I sent for Dr. Muncaster and my wife's mother and Aunt Ray, who were all called, and this morning my little girl was born at 10 o'clock. August 24, 1875. After I returned from market this A. M. Mr. Kelly called and paid me $1400 cash for lot 5 in square 465 on Mr. Ward's abstract of title. 392 October 17, 1875. I rented one of Col. Fred Grant's houses on Vermont avenue today for $50 per month, and had quite an interview with Senator Vance and Governor Sheppard, with the latter of whom I am in terested in large real-estate transactions. November 6, 1875. Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska and I drove out to look at property this afternoon and had a long talk. He became very much interested in my case. I also took Secretary Bristow of the Treasury Department to see Mrs. Gen. Morgan L. Smith's house, for which she wants $8000 rent. Finally, after a little discussion in regard to, what Secretary Bristow thought was an enormous rent, he agreed to take the house. It would not have been in accordance with human nature had I not read with interest the following, which has just reached me : {Colorado Miner and Advertiser of Friday, October 22, 1875.) The Pueblo Chieftain says : A gentleman from Rosita who was present at the capture of Major Graham states that Graham begged so hard to be released, offering to go back to penitentiary at Canton for life or to leave the country immediately. He was told that he might run for his life, which he proceeded to do, attempt ing to grab a shotgun from one of his captors as he started. He was soon riddled with bullets. Our informant says that Graham was a coward and a bully, and took part in the mining difficulty from pure meanness, with the hope of obtaining an opportunity of shooting someone. His great aim seemed to be to rule the whole camp, but he finally died with his boots on, as most men of his stamp do. November 8, 1875. While at breakfast I received a letter from Secretary Bristow declining Mrs. Smith's house, which was quite a surprise, as he had decided only Saturday, the 6th, that he would take it at her price. After receipt of his letter I called on tlie Secretary in per son to try and find out why he withdrew his offer, when he smiled and said in a joking way he had talked the matter over with his wife, and they had not been able to discover any way of disposing of the other thousand dollars of his salary, and if he should give $7000 for the house there would be a thousand extra left. He finally admitted, however, that $5000 per year was as much as he thought he cared to pay for the rent of a house, but didn't wish to jew Mrs. Smith down. 393 November 13, 1875. It was 1 o'clock A. M. before Lucy and I retired, as we at tended A. A. Birney's wedding reception, and danced until 12 o'clock. There were at least seventy-five or one hundred persons present, and it was as happy and pleasant a gathering as I ever saw assembled. The bride looked beautiful, and Lex looked like a bashful boy. After congratulating and wishing them all success and a happy future, we parted at a little after 12 o'clock. November 16, 1875. Mrs. George Davis, mother of Lewis Davis, the banker, has given me the care of quite a large amount of her property, and I have been quite busy having her house, corner Eleventh and G, remodeled. November 29, 1875. Called on Captain Hayes of theFifth Cavalry at the Ebbitt last evening. Met General Fitzhugh Lee and Major Conrad of Vir ginia, and spent a very social and pleasant evening. General Lee is a special friend of Captain Hayes, who used to be his bugler before the war. December 3, 1875. Sold one of Mr. Cammack's houses on Corcoran street, who paid me $200 on account of commission ; also sold Gunston & Co. one of Col. Fred Grant's houses on Vermont avenue for $5000. December 4, 1875. The first thing after breakfast I called at Colonel Grant's bank. He got in my buggy, and we drove to Colonel Wilder's house, then to Governor Sheppard's by way of my office, then to Gun- ston's, then from there to the city hall, to Colonel Plowman's, to Orville Grant's, who is sick, and from there I drove Fred to see his father at the White House. John Sherman is a partner in the bank of Sherman & Grant, and I am one of their depositors, doing quite a large business. A great many contractors and business men are patronizing their bank, getting large discounts carried through, and some of their customers, I notice, are sharpers, and if the firm of Sherman & Grant are not very careful they will be taken advantage of. Senator John Sherman seems to be one of the principal ad visers, and is at the bank a great part of his time. 394 December 19, 1875. Last night I called on my father a short time, then went to see Mr. Baker from Indiana in relation to a house ; also spent an hour or two with Mr. A. C. Buell, who sent a letter that we fixed up in regard to Mr. Belknap's running for the Senate that will defeat him, as I have taken quite an active part with my friends in Iowa, snowing his underhanded work against me. December 21, 1875. After dinner Dr. Woodbury came in for a short time, and we went to the Ebbitt House and Willard's, then called on General Banning, who had just been appointed chairman of the Military Committee, and is also a friend of mine. I then went to the office of the Chronicle, where we had a long chat with Colonel Corkhill, who handed me a check for $50 on a transaction we are inter ested in. December 22, 1875. Called at Sherman & Grant's bank and met Speaker Kerr, whom I drove to the Capitol and got him very much interested in my case. I am satisfied I may rely upon him as a friend. December 24, 1875. General Babcock, General Grant's private secretary, and I drove around to look at his houses, which he gave me to sell. He has proved himself a strong friend during my military troubles. December 25, 1875. On my return from the Ebbitt House last evening I stopped in a book store and bought a valuable copy of Shakespeare, and came home and hid them until after Lucy had retired, and this morning she found them as a Christmas present. December 28, 1875. I am now spending a great deal of time getting my evidence in regard to Secretary Belknap's crooked transactions, and have just written a letter to General Sherman for points. December 30, 1875. Formulated quite an interesting set of charges against Belknap, and have General Clarke of Iowa, Gen. Charles Ewing and others to back me. 395 December 31, 1875. This being the last day of the year, I have been busy making collections and settling up my affairs, getting ready for the new year, to make New Year's calls tomorrow. I have had a very prosperous year; my wife, baby and myself are enjoying good health ; have three carriages, four horses, five servants, and our house comfortably furnished and in good con dition for entertaining our friends, so that I have little to com plain of, execpt that I have not been able to get justice from the War Department, but I propose to follow it up until I do. CHAPTER XIV. January i. Lucy and I commenced the new year as we did last year — by saying our prayers before breakfast — but we had one more to pray for this morning than before. Our little Cedlia is five months old today. After breakfast I called on my father, and, with Mr. A. C. Buell, made thirty-four New Year calls. The weather is like summer, and we rode without overcoats. January 9. Spent most of last evening with Governor Walker of Virginia and Mr. Lewis of Alabama. The latter has taken quite an interest, and is assisting me to get Belknap's case investigated. January 10. Took Hon. B. B. Lewis driving and to see a number of houses. We again talked over the Belknap case, and he has agreed to go to see Mr. Randall the first chance that occurs. I also took Mr. Adams to see a number of houses belonging to Moses Kelly, but did not close any trade. (St. Louis Daily Times of Monday, January 10, 1876.) ARMES' CHARGES AGAINST SECRETARY BELKNAP. Washington. George A. Armes, who is now pursuing the profession of a claim agent in this city, will shortly prefer charges against Sec retary Belknap, if he can get a hearing, and if not will endeavor to have congressional action taken upon his case. The following is a synopsis: 1. That W. W. Belknap did borrow money to pay his personal expenses and debts at the time he was made Secretary of War, not owning any real estate in this city or anywhere else at that time, but is now the owner of over $40,000 in real estate, stocks, bonds, etc., and living at an expense of over $10,000 a year upon a salary of $8000. 2. That W. W. Belknap did cause applications for post-trader- ships to be made to a certain party in Washington city, who had them appointed for certain considerations. 3. That W. W. Belknap received an amount of money for giving out contracts for headstones for soldiers' graves. 397 4. That he received money or its value for giving subordinate positions in the Government departments. 5. That he wrote letters and made statements for members and Senators in Congress which he knew to be false, tending to dis grace the character of a young officer whose reputation is unim peachable. 6. That he employs one or more private servants,, falsely re porting their duties. January 11. Had a long talk with General Hazen, Chief Signal Officer, who has the names of witnesses and evidence enough to impeach Bel knap if we can get his case up before Congress. Mr. Lewis and I called on Mr. Randall and made an appointment for an inter view. January-i2. Spent a portion of last evening with Mr. Lewis and agreed to meet Mr. Randall at 7 o'clock tomorrow evening. January 13. Mr. Lewis and I spent several hours with Mr. Randall last evening, going through the whole case of Belknap's transactions, and he directed us to call and put the matter before General Ban ning, chairman of the Military Committee, whom we called upon today. After going through the details, General Banning de clined to bring the matter before his committee, stating that General Hazen had presented the same charges in substance, and for many political reasons he could not afford to make a fight on the Secretary of War, and we had to give up all hopes of gettting the matter brought up before his committee. January 14. Called on Mr. Lewis last evening and appointed a time to call on Mr. Randall again. January 15. Mr. Lewis and I drove to Mr. Randall's this morning. He ap peared quite provoked at General Banning's declination to inves tigate the Belknap matter, and referred us to Mr. Clymer, chair man of Expenditures of War Department. 398 January 16. Mr. Lewis and I called on Mr. Clymer, who agreed to look into the matter and bring it before his committee. January 17. After breakfast called on Governor Walker, who is very anx ious to purchase a large house, at his hotel ; also called on Mr. Clymer, who seemed to be very indifferent about the Belknap matter. January 20. Went to the Capitol, calling on General Williams of Michigan, who has promised to bring my bill before the committee, but failed to get action. Wrote Secretary Belknap a letter of defiance today. January 21. Spent last evening with Mr. Lewis, who informed me that Mr. Clymer had been talking with Belknap, who advised him to pay no attention to any charge that I would make. He said he had decided not to go any further in the matter, but requested me to give him any letters of reference and any further proof I had of Belknap's crooked transactions, which I agreed to do. January 22. Had a long talk with Generals Banning and Williams of the House Military Committee, and they agreed to refer my papers to General Glover of Missouri of the Military Committee for fur ther investigation. January 24. I satisfied Mr. Lewis today that I could substantiate every charge I made against Belknap, and he called upon Mr. Clymer, informing him that if he did not have the matter investigated im mediately he would ask a resolution of the House. I then called on Senator Bayard, who went with me over to the House, where we had a long talk with Clymer. Mr. Bayard is a very strong friend of mine, anxious to see my persecutors brought to justice and agrees to aid me in every way possible. 399 (2^L-r- ^ & &^„^ ^r **&£*£-,- r,yf& / U*^£&. €*~^s/ ^fT^-^^y t^t^yf 'y- t^^, 7-^*y6 *° *£y~^f January 28. General Williams turned all my papers over to General Glover of Missouri today, who has agreed to get me an inteview and to help me all he can. Saw Mr. Lewis for a few moments. He is satisfied that Mr. Clymer will investigate. I referred him to Gen eral Hazen and gave him a list of all the necessary witnesses to examine before he calls up the case. Lucy has spent several hours in helping me to write letters, proving herself to be a devoted wife. Spent last evening with General Glover, who will make a report as soon as he can get further information from the War Depart ment. I wrote to Belknap for all papers in connection with my case. Called on Senator Spencer at the Arlington, who agrees to take an interest himself. 400 January 31. Was at the Capitol today and made an appointment to meet Mr. Clymer at 10 o'clock tomorrow. Saw Senator Spencer about my bill, which he agrees to introduce. General Glover informed me that he had quite a long talk with Belknap, who agreed to send him all my papers immediately. February 1. Called on General Glover last evening; also on Senator Clay ton, who was playing chess, and not wishing to disturb him, I left, returning after an hour or two, remaining in the room with him until 12 o'clock before I could have any talk with him about my bill. Met Mr. Clymer and Mr. Lewis today, and we all sat down and drafted charges against Belknap in order that he could be brought before the committee. February 2. I was before the Clymer committee this A. M. February 9. I went before the Clymer committee to day. Mr. Clymer was very much vexed about Hester, who has proved himself very un reliable. Saw Mr. Springer of Illinois, who is one of my friends. February 11. Met Senator Spencer last evening at the Arlington, and called on General Logan also, who appeared to be more friendly than he had been heretofore. Judge Clymer sent for me today. Saw the Judge-Advocate-General, who pretended to be very friendly, but I doubt him, as he is doing what he can to keep me down. February 13. I attended the meeting of the Maryland Committee at Willard's and was elected one of the delegation to visit Baltimore in at tendance at Reverdy Johnson's funeral, of which Dr. C. C. Cox was made chairman. We all left on the 9.45 train, and made our headquarters at the Eutaw House. The streets were blocked, thousands of people surrounding Mr. Johnson's house, and it is said that such a gathering was never known to be assembled at the funeral of anyone in Baltimore before. After it was over Sen ator Pinckney Whyte invited the Chief Justice and a number of United States Senators and our committee to his house to lunch, 401 which was one of the most elaborate I ever saw served. Terra pin, champagne and everything the market could afford was got ten up in the grandest style. February 15. Spent several hours with General Hazen, who has most of the evidence and names of the principal witnesses in the Belknap case. He is one of my strongest Army friends and one of the most honorable and conscientious officers in the Army. He is only anxious for the good of the service and to see that thieves and dishonorable men are exposed. Saw Judge Clymer of the committee, who has collected some valuable information. He acknowledged to me that he believed Belknap was guilty of every charge that I had brought against him. February 16. Mrs. Governor Thomas of Virginia called on my wife today. She remains a true friend to me, and appears to cherish no ill feel ing on account of the part I took against her relatives and her son, who was a neighbor of mine in Virginia. She is a sister to James W. Jackson, who killed Colonel Ellsworth in Alexandria in 1861 at the Marshall House. General Glover turned over the proceedings furnished by Belknap against me to the committee, but they had no effect. I wrote my persecutor as follows : Washington, D. C, February 18, 1876. Hon. W. W. Belknap, Secretary of War: Sir — It might be exacting too much of your time, under daily pressure of official station, as among the Cabinet officers, to right what the stinging wrongs against the good name of one faithfully, honestly and satisfactorily performing his every duty would really justify. Commissioned an officer and then breveted over and again, with wounds enough in a boyish haste to be on the side of the country and its Government, may I not ask you to spare me the burden of the inference you would have members of Con gress draw from heated and hasty votes. It does not belong to the true soldier to deal in threatening words or to be muttering about his revenge. Of all the general officers under whom I have served and whose strong testimonials bore me along from brevet to brevet not one could be found willing to let my name be coupled with acts of a blackmailing object. God knows I am open and above-board, and in no case more so than in trying eagerly to 402 awaken your sense of magnanimity towards an abused and in jured young officer. Though from Virginia, there were some dis tant family associations with the Northwestern State of Iowa, and I was looking ahead for a time when your election to the Senate of the United States and thence to something else might be backed if not altogether balked. No, sir; not from me, humbled and disgraced as your persistent course has tried to keep me, that I did not wait for your public avowal of ambitious aims towards the Senate and know further that the straightforward, honest statement of a Union soldier, maligned by a set of disreputable miscreants, shown to have been so by your own records, and therefore entitled to sympathy and official rescue, when the truth had reached the Department, did help to defeat you for the Senate through honest-hearted Iowa ballots, not threatening paper bullets of my over-excited brain. Here was my "revenge," and ought we not to be at quits. No, sir. Make them at the War Department erase from the rolls- and records all entries and statements set there- — of course, not by or through you — but wholly through a set of perjured and disreputa ble witnesses, before a burlesque of justice and right, as shown now by subsequent developments in and out of courts, civil or military. Cease to be a partisan advocate of a bad cause where the good name of a young man is in the balance, with the confidence and kindly regard of some of the noblest military men in the annals of American history tendered to Congress in his behalf, and you rise far beyond the reach of so mean a thing as this re puted revenge on my part, under your construction of my letters. That you may be able to triumph over yourself and your own pre judices in this matter between a former but wronged officer of the Army and yourself in your high position as head of the War De partment is the only revenge sought by, Your obedient servant, (Signed) Geo. A. Armes, Late Capt. Tenth Cav. and Bvt. Maj., U. S. A. February 21. Went to the Capitol and saw Senator Spencer, who managed to get my bill referred to him by General Logan for investigation. February 22. This being General Washington's birthday, the President and Congress ordered that it be observed as a holiday. The Fifth Maryland from Baltimore was received by Col. William G. Moore of the Washington Light Infantry, when they had a parade. This was a grand day for Washington. Colonel Moore is a leading citizen and considered one of the most popular gentlemen in the District. 4Q3 February 23, After breakfast I called on General Morey and drove with him to the House. We saw Senator Spencer, who told me that Gen eral Logan had requested him to make an adverse report on my bill. Saw Senator Clayton, who has also been prejudiced, but would not say on what ground. I then went to the War Depart ment and obtained court-martial's orders in Majors Cox and Gra ham's cases. General Townsend seemed to be under Belknap's orders, treating me very coldly, although he had always been friendly heretofore. He declined to give me any information that would be of advantage to me. February 24. Saw General Glover again today, who told me that he had failed to get all the information in my behalf he wished, but is still try ing to get it. Had a long talk -with Senator Merriam of North Carolina, who is anxious to procure a house. While showing Senators and members houses I have a good opportunity of ex plaining my case to them. February 26. I met Senator Merriam and Governor Scales of North Carolina in the Senate chamber at 11 A. M. They are both very much in terested in my behalf. March 2. Called on Senator Merriam and Governor Scales this morning, and they informed me that Mr. Clymer was very anxious to save Belknap from impeachment. He called on Belknap last evening with the information that the charges I had made were so strong that if he appeared before his committee he would have to be im peached, and in order to save impeachment he advised him to tender his resignation as promptly as possible. Upon Mr. Cly- mer's advice Belknap went to President Grant this morning be fore 9 o'clock and tendered his resignation as Secretary of War. Great excitement prevails this evening all over the city, and I have been congratulated by hundreds of people during the afternoon, who give me the credit for exposing him. March 3. Last evening I went around to the hotels to see several of my friends, and there was a general handshaking by almost everyone except Belknap's friends. They looked daggers at me and, from their appearance, would like to have seen me quartered. 4°4 Of the sensation I cannot better convey an idea than through comments of the press : THE CREDIT OF THE BELKNAP EXPOSURE. (The Alexandria Sentinel.) We have ceasedto be amazed at the discovery of speculations and dishonesty in officials, or the shameful disclosures of the venality and indecency which has so long disgraced the War Office would strike us with terrible force. As it is, we can only give the dis graceful details as they are developed and conjure our citizens to strive, by every man's devotion personally, as far as he can, by voice and vote and in every possible way, to bring forward the happy day when no man will dare to face the indignant frost of public opinion with a stain of official dishonor on his brow, and when such a new era shall prevail in politics as that the schemers and the intriguers may no longer be able to lure the people into evil ways and the support of unworthy men. Having some time since referred to the charges of Col. Geo. A. Armes against Secretary Belknap (of which we had heard an in timation) in terms of ridicule as without any foundation, we hasten now to make the amends to the gentleman by whose energy and courage this mass of sordid corruption has been removed. Against the might of authority and the damning suspicions which from his own position his efforts naturally drew upon himself he has tri umphed bravely and stands vindicated and meriting the thanks of the country. We give the following statement from the Wash ington Tribune: "The investigation into the subject is said to have originated in the following manner: B. B. Lewis, a member of Congress from Alabama, was in search of a house in the early part of the session and was referred to Col. Geo. A. Armes, a real-estate agent of this city. "During the negotiations for the house Armes told Lewis that he was formerly in the Army and was in possession of facts against Belknap that would force him to resign his position as Secretary. He said that he had been dismissed from the Army on account of the personal enmity of Belknap, and that if some member of Con gress would take hold and help him he would in sixty days force Belknap to leave his position. "Lewis tendered his services and laid the matter before Mr. Randall, who advised that the matter be laid before Mr. Clymer for his committee to unearth. Armes furnished a list of witnesses, but as they testified to but a few facts, Mr. Clymer began to suspect that he was dealing with them in bad faith, especially as when Belknap was notified of the matter he informed them that Armes had offered, if he could be reinstated in the Army and certain other conditions were complied with, that he would drop the matter. This looked a little like blackmail, but Mr. Lewis urged 4o5 that inasmuch as a list of witnesses had been furnished by Armes it would be best to summon them all and see what there was in it. Among the witnesses was Mr. Marsh, and after some difficulty his attendance was secured with the result already known to the world. "Armes has had a grievance for half a dozen years. He comes from Fairfax county, Virginia; was an officer in the volunteer service during the war and was afterward appointed in the regular Army and was assigned to duty on the frontier and distinguished himself and was promoted for it in a fight with the Indians. He preferred charges against some of his superior officers, when they turned around and preferred charges against him, and with the aid, as he alleges, of Secretary Belknap got him dismissed. He, however, followed up his charges against the officers, got them convicted, and two of them are now serving out sentences in prison on this account, and every session of Congress since he has been before both houses for redress, and he charges that the Secretary of War has opposed him at every step. "By perseverance he has, however, carried all his points except being restored to the Army, and only a couple of weeks ago Sen ator Spencer introduced into the Senate a bill for that purpose. He has had many bitter personal wordy altercations with the Sec retary; has defied him, and in language more forcible than polite has informed him that he would yet defeat him and get his rights. "He seems to have accomplished all but getting his own rights, and he is now in a fair way to accomplish that." March 4. While at the Ebbitt House and Willard's Hotel last night I was the subject of attraction and pointed out by almost everyone as having taken the most conspicuous part in the case of Belknap's downfall. Was up to the Capitol today; had quite a talk with General Glover, who is going to make a favorable report on my bill. March 5. The Sunday Capital came out in a terrible attack upon me this morning, but it did not prevent me from attending St. Matthew's Church with Lucy. After the services I called upon Colonel Don Piat, proprietor and editor of that paper. After a short interview he seemed very sorry that he had reflected upon me, and promised to make a correction in his next issue. Baltimore, Md., March 7. I came over here this morning after taking General Glover to the Capitol and fixed up some press dispatches in which I had 406 been misrepresented by my enemies, writing a long letter of ex planation and stating the facts about Belknap, etc. I met Mr. Hardesty, with whom 1 am interested in some large transactions in this city, and closed one in the purchase of four houses for myself. March 9. Spent most of the day at the Capitol and gave General Robbins of Clymer' s committtee a list of names of post-traders and other witnesses in the Belknap case, as they have decided that the mat ter must be exposed, and proposed to bring it up in spite of Mr. Clymer trying to make Belknap believe that if he resigned it would prevent his exposure. jk^-C^//^ -7 "£r^yyj^ zZz^z: z%~~ Yesterday afternoon General Banning called up my bill in the House. Mr. Conger of Michigan objected and threw it out for the time, but Colonel Maish and Colonel Phillips finally got him to withdraw his objections, when General Garfield and Mr. Wil son of Iowa killed it for the day. January 13, 1877. Took a lot of papers in my military case last evening to Senator Cockrell, who looked through some of them, requesting me to X/call and see him again Monday evening. January 16, 1877. Senator Cockrell gave me two hours of his time last evening going through my papers. Went to the Capitol yesterday and saw several members and Senators in regard to my bill. January 23, 1877. Called on Senator Cockrell last evening, and we went to the Arlington, where we met Senator Randolph, when he agreed to help all he could on my case. Saw Senator Spencer today, who told me he was unable to have the bill brought up. January 24, 1877. Was on the floor of the House today and tried to get General Glover to bring up my case ; also had quite a talk with J. J. Noah, who is clerk of the Senate Military Committee and a great friend of mine. 416 January 27, 1877. Called on Secretary of War Taft today, who assured me he would do all he could in my behalf. February 13, 1877. Visited the Capitol again today and did my best to have the Senator call up my bill, but he said it was impossible to do so at present. February 22, 1877. Spent last evening with Gen. Innes Palmer, Colonel of my old regiment, Second Cavalry, who has taken a great interest in my behalf and put himself on record as an honest and fair-minded March 2, 1877. . I have been on the floor of the House all day, and this after noon my bill was called up under a suspension of the rules. After a short discussion the yeas and nays were called, and it came within eight of passing. Mr. Garfield, in the interest of Belknap and the War Department, is doing all he can to kill it. Saturday, March 3, 1877. I went to the House again this morning and got some twenty- five or thirty members interested in my bill. It was again brought up and defeated by only one vote in spite of Mr. Garfield's doing all he could to defeat it. General Glover still sticks to me, with Mr. Hamilton, Colonel Maish and many others. March 4, 1877. After dinner last evening I went back to the Capitol and got Hon. Henry Watterson of Kentucky interested. After explain ing the situation he put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Armes, I think I can manage Mr. Garfield all right." He imme diately went on to the House floor and invited Mr. Garfield over to the Senate restaurant, where he got into a very interesting con versation, made more so by disposing of several bottles of cham- 4r7 Watterson Entertaining Garfleld. ii!"-:"*: pagne ere they were through. During his absence my friends on the floor of the House had my bill brought up, and it passed unanimously at 2 o'clock this A. M. I shall always be indebted to Mr. Watterson of Kentucky, Hon. Carter Harrison of Chicago, Colonel Glover, Colonel Maish, Randolph Tucker and General Banning for their efforts. The following is a reply to my letter in regard to what took place during the passage of the bill : 418 W N HAlOEMAtt. -,-:-¦<¦ ¦ Mam mmasoK a Louisville .October 10, 1899. My Dear Major Armes; My share in passing your bill through the House was very slight and is hardly worth particular mention. It consisted chiefly of "holding" Gen. Garfield whilst your friends "skinned" the measure of your restoration. The process was exceeding simple. I asked Gen. Garfield to join me and our friend John Randolph Tucker at luncheon in tha Senate Restaurant on the other side of the Capitol, an invitation Gen. Garfield was not the man to decline. We lunched abundantly, we lunched copiously, and we lunched protractedly. When we got back to the House your bill had passed. It had passed during our absence. Gen. Garfield accepted the result with christian re signation and afterwards in a moment of effusion assured me that he was glad I had taken advantage of his love of good company and good living. He was as you know a man entirely free from sustained male volence, and in your case I think had been set upon by some outside pressure foreign to any real feeling of his own. Major George A.Armes, >J C 1405 F Street, IHm^j k)^ CCtt^x^ Washington, D.C, 419 March 5, 1877. I was greatly disappointed in General Grant's declining to sign my bill, which had passed the House and Senate, and only lacked his signature to make it a law, restoring me to my full rank on the active list, and when he came out of the room known as the President's room at the Capitol I informed him that whoever had induced him not to sign it had willfully lied and misrepresented me, and he only remarked that it was too late now, that he was no longer President. I spent a portion of last evening with General Logan, who had a large number of friends with him talking about the new Cabinet. He expressed himself as disappointed at not being made Secre tary of War, and I am glad he was not, because he has not taken the interest he should in my case. It may not be out of place in this connection to supply the reader with a few letters and, documents bearing on the subject of my bill : Washington, D. C, January 29, 1877. Gen. U. S. Grant, President of the United States: Sir — I am only one of the many who have received disgrace and punishment through the misrepresentations of persons unworthy of confidence, and I respectfully call your attention to the fact that it is still in your power, and will be for a few days longer, to mend a wrong that has caused me to suffer more than I can express. The records of the War Department will show that I always fulfilled my duty with satisfaction to my superior officers, and the troubles that I had, in every instance, were brought about by Army officers unworthy of the name, some of whom have already been justly convicted. And now, Mr. President, I again submit my case, trusting that you will grant me a hearing and release me from the burden of an unjust sentence. Respectfully, your obedient servant, Geo. A. Armes, Late Captain, U. S. A. Dear General Banning: Can you not, without much trouble, get Captain Armes' bill up? I can send you report, and it does appear to me that some injustice was done the Captain. This is his last chance this year, and I feel that if I can do anything to assist him I ought to do so. Of course, I know how busy you might be at this time, but if you can find time to say a word in this case I hope you will do so. Very truly, yours, (Signed) I. N. Palmer, 420 Washington, D. C, March 22, 1877. Hon. Geo. W. McCrary, Secretary of War: Sir — I have the honor to request that the Judge Advocate Gen eral of the Army be authorized to reopen and report on the merits of my case as soon as convenient, and that I may be permitted to appear before him with additional evidence. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) Geo. A. Armes, Late Captain, U. S. A. War Department, March 26, 1877. Respectfully referred to the Judge Advocate General of the Army for his opinion as to whether a reopening of the case would be in accordance with established usage, and if so, whether it is desirable in this case. (Signed) Geo. W. AIcCrary, Secretary of War. Bureau of Military Justice, March 27, 1877. Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War, with opinion that unless the applicant shall produce written evidence in regard to the merits of his case of a clearly material and controlling char acter a reopening of such case would neither be in accordance with established usage nor desirable. The case has been heretofore most fully and patiently considered, and a most decided final opin ion arrived at and expressed by the Secretary of War and the President, that the reappointment of this party to the Army could not properly be granted. Repeated unfavorable reports have been made in the case by the Judge Advocate General, and, on January 31, 1876, a very elaborate review of the facts and law, with extended exhibits, was prepared at this Bureau by the request of Honorable Secretary Belknap, a copy of which is herewith en closed for reference. The conclusion of this review will be seen that Armes was justly dismissed, that the course pursued by him since his dismissal had been such as to forfeit any claim that he might have had upon the clemency of the Executive by reason of his services, and that he had bv his conduct rendered it impossible for the Secretary of War to recommend his reappointment. It is repealed tliat unless he shall produce in his favor entirely new and genuinely written and sworn evidence of a clear, positive and con vincing character, as to the merits of his case as tried, his applica tion for a reopening of the same shall not be entertained. Tt may be remarked that as the trial of Armes took place in March, 1870, any alleged new evidence upon the merits, now first offered, must be received with extreme caution. (Signed1) W. M. Dunn, Judge Advocate General, 421 ILi^yO .C-Jl t-Hj^i - Q^ls)„^,j%f<( L. irCuiy/r >l^-t<.-r_fawfefe^A ^Pt^-c~£-r £o*-c~^y7 tftfwy,. ,- J%yi+7.<^.<2r/(„Ti f ' fa^^S St £L^ <5o^ljd . 422 -A***/^ rfm-t. Ctf-C -si?' \J /UM-,^i.s cL^^^ cfa2$Ct*&$S/. -^ ^/l^c/- T y- /*L .r^^. ^ J%^^-a-4AA7V^ 4?, ^{Z- ^2^*^»-*^ <^ yC; sz~~-^ — , ^*s.. ^*^-^ ^ h-&-L-i Ssi^JtUjiiLK /C7_ ^i-j-e — a^4* 4^3 -&/- A^L /fr<& A~i*+. id U^^-t 4-u-o. a-t^~c Sfr //K. ~Z4iy At*l^vt*i*y furA-u^. €4/-**-<-*^Pt-*sL^-*y- &Ul &*-T^^c*oCi4jL*lila^i) /e~ ' cu^t-T-y^A" /far " , — 'i~ tpi c^ V* ?• A / < _y ««**£/ , — ^/ ybptLt, ^UU^^- %&/"#*¦ ¦T^t^-y ^ e^d^^l 0. «i*lJ€~7i6-6 AL&/~- tf? ^u^Le^ Air a c^t^-Vl^ 424 ~/A-&tttL£s ^^*ae^f^^AYe^' s^c*t^Ccc^£c<^y4 — £y teA-tL^sCj A*- A-*-/ It-c^t^, &£y4i£, (Extract from a letter of Wm. H. Penrose, Bvt. Brig.-Gen., U. S. A., dated February 22, 1876.) Major Armes has been known to me since 1868, and prior by reputation, serving under my command during the Indian cam paign of 1868-69. I found him an officer of strictly moral habits, and to the best of his ability performing all of his official duties; and as to his special accusers, Captains Cox and Graham, they were both known to me. The former was a personal enemy of Major Armes, and did not hesitate whenever opportunity offered to injure him by word or deed. The latter, who, I believe, pre ferred the charges against the Major, was a man of the lowest instincts — a murderer at heart, as was proved by his attempt on the life of the Paymaster, the presence of ladies not deterring him from his nefarious intent. Plis associates were of the lowest char acter; his resorts, the barroom and gambling-houses. Wm. H. Penrose, Bvt. Brig.-Gen., U. S. A. I have known George A. Amies, late Captain Tenth U. S. Cav., personally since April, 1867. Have always found him to be a gen tleman of good habits and honorable bearing. From those offi cers who served with him during the late war I have learned that his record was very good. He is certainly deserving, and ought not to have his military record and future prospects blighted by the sentence of a court-martial, actuated and influenced by per sonal considerations, as I am satisfied the court that tried Captain Armes was. R- F. Grafton. 425 (Extract.) I knew you (Captain Armes) in active service as Second Lieu tenant Second U. S. Cavalry, in the Department of the Platte, in the year 1867. Your personal character and courtesy was above reproach as it came under my notice, and you were held by my friends in the same estimation. Knowing you as well as I did, I must confess it is hard for me to believe you guilty of the charges under which you went out of the Army. I never knew a truly brave and gallant officer, such as you were, and as you stand recorded, who was as base as you should be to be found guilty of charges such as were preferred against you. I cannot, knowing you as I do, but hope that the investigation you are pursuing will end in clearing your reputation as an officer and gentleman from the only stain I know that rests upon it. A. J. Dallas, Major Twenty- third Infantry. Washington, D. C, April 9, 1877. Sir- — I have the honor to submit herewith a statement of facts relative to my dismissal from the Army, June 7, 1870, and also the following papers relative thereto : I was advised by several officers, who were my friends, to object to certain members of the court, who, w7ith the exception of Col onel Poland and Captain Yates, had publicly expressed themselves against me. When challenging Colonel Buell as an unfit member of the court, he denied under oath the accusation, or that he was prejudiced in any way. Some threatening words passed between us, when General Custer, a spectator in the courtroom, came to my rescue and stated to the court that he had heard Colonel Buell give expression to language tending to- show that he had formed an unfavorable opinion of my case. This excitement caused the court to be cleared, but within a few minutes the doors were opened, when charges had been prepared for contempt of court and read, to which I pleaded not guilty. I was forced to trial at once. Buell was allowed to si,t as a mem ber of the court, which sentenced me during trial to the common guardhouse for enlisted men, deserters, thieves, and denied all communication with anyone except my counsel, and even he was not allowed to communicate with me unless by special permission of the president of the court. Had I been placed in close arrest in my quarters the act would not have been such a disgraceful and arbitrary one, but more in harmony with military law, as I had not, prior to that time, been in close arrest or broken my parole. It was while undergoing this illegal punishment that I, upon the request of my counsel, signed a paper prepared by the court, termed an apology, but verbally protested. 426 When released from guardhouse I had the entire court arrested by the civil authorities, and brought suit for damages for my false imprisonment and their gross violation of law in taking advan tage of their official position to avenge their personal spite by forcibly placing me in a degrading and humiliating confinement. Bail was given for their appearance at the next term of the Circuit Court, and upon their reassembling my trial proceeded, which re sulted in my dismissal. I think that the court-martial records will show, and should, that one of the members of the court had publicly expressed him self prejudiced against me before the trial, and that the remon strances of both myself and counsel did not prevent him or them from sitting with the court, although acknowledging the fact when objected to. Before receiving the order of dismissal I was sent from Fort Leavenworth several hundred miles southwest to Camp Supply, I. T., by General Sturgis, who knew the sentence of the court, when I did not receive the above order until June 23, 1870, which came through Lieut.-Col. A. D. Nelson, commanding officer of the post at "Camp Supply," with an order from Nelson directing me to leave the post within twenty-four hours after its receipt — thus cast out of the Army in disgrace after nine years' active and honorable service, without money or friends, many hundred miles from my home, to work my way back as best I could. Being without means, and unable to obtain employment of any kind, I was obliged for a time to wear a portion of my uniform, which I altered to citizen's dress as nearly as possible by taking off shoulder-straps, brass buttons and stripes on the trousers. The War Department, through the agency of some courageous marti net, officially notified me I was not allowed to wear any part of it, but failed to mention where I could obtain a suit of citizen's clothes without the necessary funds. Soon after arrival here I went to the Department and presented a letter of introduction to Secretary Benknap from Governor Kirkwood, requesting a re hearing of my case, but received no encouragement, after which I employed Messrs. Casey, Bartley & Stanton, attorneys, who ex amined the records and brought it to the notice of the President, with the additional fact that Graham, who had preferred the charges against me, had been convicted upon charges made by myself against him several months after I was arraigned for trial. My counsel informed me that if [ would withdraw the civil suit pending against the military court at Leavenworth the President would renominate me to my former position in the Army. I ac cordingly did so, and sent him the order of the court. I was re quested to call on the Secretary of War, who informed me of my nomination, but demanded my resignation in blank before he would consent to my name going to the Senate. I gave it to him very reluctantly, and recalled it, stating that I would rather have 427 the matter remain as it was than be forced in an underhanded manner. Seeing my nomination in the newspapers, with other appointments for confirmation, 1 considered it my duty to register my name and address at the War Department according to cus tom. I was not confirmed. In 1871 a bill was introduced in the House authorizing the President to restore me to the Army, and in 1873 the Military Committee substituted a bill directing the Secretary of War to give me an honorable discharge, which passed January 10, 1873. When this bill reached the Senate it was re ferred to its Military Committee, whose chairman received a com munication from the War Department, dated January 11, 1873, protesting against the passage of the bill. The chairman, Senator John A. Logan, thereupon made an adverse report, without any examination of my record or inquiring into the facts, or even re ferring it to any member of his Committee, taking for granted that Belknap's request to make an adverse report was all that was necessary. At the next meeting of Congress the same bill was introduced in the Senate, when the Military Committee made a unanimous re port in my favor. The bill, however, did not become a law until May 28, 1874, and then without the approval of the President, who bad received an unfavorable report thereon from the War Depart ment, dated June 1, 1874, which in some respects I know misrep resented the facts. 1 made no agreement with the President or anyone to resign, as stated in that report. The blank resignation on file in the War Department was forced upon me by Belknap after my nomination was made by the President. As an instance of hostility shown me by the War Department, I cite the fact that when I was dismissed it was made public by General Order, but when my record was corrected by an Act of Congress it was pro mulgated through a Special Order, of which no publicity was given. And when a history of my former regiment was being written, several months after my honorable discharge, the author, General Rodenbough, was unable to procure from the War Department any other evidence than that I stood on the record as a dismissed officer, and in that way I appeared in his book. Soon after receiving my honorable discharge a bill was intro duced in the House authorizing and directing the Secretary of War to restore me to the Army. The Secretary sent an infamous and libelous protest to the Senate, signed by a number of officers, many of whom were unknown to me. So my bill, in consequence of this petition, was reported adversely without examination. At the opening of the Forty-fourth Congress another bill was introduced in both Houses and referred to the Military Commit tees. The House Committee's report I invite special attention to, as it shows that the Committee had thoroughly and carefully ex amined the records of the War Department. This bill passed both Houses at the last session, and had it received the President's sig nature* would have become law. 428 ?General Grant's show of spite by refusing to sign my bill, after so thorough an investigation of my case, because I had brought charges against his Secretary of War, Belknap, which drove him (Belknap) from power, shows a weak spot. I entered the Army as a private soldier at the beginning of the war, a boy of but sixteen, when nearly all my classmates and asso ciates joined the Confederates, and when it was almost considered a crime in Virginia to be loyal. I fought in nearly all the battles of the Army of the Potomac, and earned my promotions and brevets without the aid of family influence, social considerations or political friendships. I have been several times wounded in actual battle and twice on the plains fighting Indians. Have been six times complimented in general orders and by letter for personal bravery in the field by general officers with whom I served. At twenty-one years of age I was appointed in the regular Army, and won my promotion to a Captaincy. I went into the war from a sense of patriotic duty, and took pride in the profession of a soldier, and it is unreasonable to suppose that I would part with my record for the flimsy and infamous charges which were brought against me. I have spent seven years at the Capitol in seeking, not a favor, but justice, in endeavoring to remove the stigma of disgrace cast upon my name, which I feel can only be done by placing me back in the position from which I was unjustly removed. It has been my fixed purpose from the day on which I received sentence to devote so much of my life as may be necessary to accomplish that end. I need not assure you of my sincerity and earnestness in this matter. I incurred the dis pleasure of Secretary Belknap, and he obstructed my efforts to be reinstated, but not from any lack of respect due his position; he took his stand against me upon the misrepresentation of men wearing the uniform of officers of the Army, but who would have been more at home in prison garb. I now renew my application before" the Department, reinforced with further evidence, and feeling assured that you will give my case your considerate attention. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Geo. A. Armes, Late Captain, U. S. A. 714 Tenth street N. W. The above was addressed to the new Secretary of War, Hon. George W. McCrary. I now resume extracts from my diary : April 10, 1877. Senator W. P. Kellogg went with me to see some property today. He is one of my friends, assisting me to get justice, and 429 has helped me without fear or favor from the Secretary of War. Quite a number of Senators and members have been out with me to look at property. April 19, 1877. Went out during the afternoon with Mr. Weston, and our con versation drifted on the subject of building flats. He thought it was very singular that we had not such buildings in Washington, when I remarked that it needed some one of enterprise to start anything of the kind, and that we would have to go out of Wash ington to find capitalists who had energy and foresight sufficient to carry on such an enterprise, as Washingtonians had not yet ac quired those qualities. I finally suggested that he purchase that block between L street and Thomas Circle on Fourteenth street and erect such a building as had been spoken of, then others would follow his example ; that all that was needed was some one to "start the ball rolling." He hesitated, saying that he had re tired from business fifteen years ago; but after a short argument, during which I reminded him that we had good architects and that the experiment would be a good pastime for him, he agreed to undertake it. Architect Cluss was selected to draw his plans, but was unable to secure the whole triangle, as Mr. Burchell and other owners of the property asked too much for their portion when it was discovered that Mr. Weston had concluded to- build.* *My conversation with Mr. Weston that afternoon resulted in the building of the Portland Flats at Thomas Circle on Vermont avenue and Fourteenth street, one of the finest and most substan tial fireproof buildings in this District, and the first of its kind ever built in the city of Washington. May 3, 1877. Called on General Hancock and Colonel Mitchell today at Wormley's. They seemed glad to see me. The following is self- explanatory : Washington, D. C, May 8, 1877. Gen. Chas. W. Ewing, Attorney-at-Law, Washington, D. C. : Sir — I have the honor to request that you take charge of my case and have me restored to my proper rank as Captain of cav alry, U. S. A., within the next four months, or before the assemb- 43° ling of Congress. I will give you 50 per cent, of all money that is due and paid to me by the Government up to the date of my recog nition as Captain, provided you will assume all expenses of print ing, etc., in connection with the case and never bring any charge against me for services in this case if you fail. If you accept my terms, let me hear from you at once, and oblige, (Signed) Geo. A. Armes, Late Captain, U. S. A. August 21, 1877. A messenger called on me today stating that Mr. Frederick W. Seward would like to see me. When I called he said that he had spoken as favorably as possible to the President, and that he was anxious to see me get justice. August 24, 1877. Was at General Ewing's office today. He gave me a letter to present to Mr. Rogers, who told me to tell General Ewing to call on him at his first opportunity. August 25, 1877. General Ewing and I having come to an understanding, he sent me the following agreement : Dear Captain: It is understood that if you are not nominated to the Senate be fore the first day of December next I will surrender my contract for a fee in your case. Yours truly, Chas. Ewing. Capt. Geo. A. Armes. September 7, 1877. Met Mr. Elkins and his father-in-law, Senator Davis, at the Riggs House, and I went around to look at some property. I finally leased them house 1413 K street. September 20, 1877. Gen. Don Piatt went with me to see the Corcoran street house, and is deeply interested on acount of his nephew, General Run- kle. We closed the transaction for $6500, he paying one-half cash. 43i November 23, 1877. Colonel Don Piatt called with me today on Postmaster-Gen eral Key. The latter agreed to go to the President, bringing my case before him, and has volunteered to do everything he can in my behalf. I also gave General Banks my bill, to which he has agreed to give his personal attention. November 24, 1877. Postmaster-General Key informed me that he spent some time with President Hayes in regard to my case, who sent for the Sec retary of War, and after a careful investigation they decided it would be best to have the matter brought up before Congress, and if Congress acted favorably they would do their part. Con sidering that there is no law to warrant his restoring me to my full rank except through Congressional legislation, this news was very encouraging, for I believe now that honest men are in power who intend to give me justice. November 27, 1877. General Banks has introduced a bill in the House for my restoration. While at the Capitol today I saw General Banning, and he told me he would refer the bill to Colonel Maish of Penn sylvania for investigation. Senator Christiancy introduced a bill in the Senate yesterday to restore me. December 14, 1877. Had a very pleasant conversation with Senator Maxey of Texas, who is a member of the Senate Military Committee. My bill has been referred to him to investigate. Pie is a graduate of West Point and served as a Major-General in the Southern Army. He is considered as one of the most honorable, upright and fair- minded men in the Senate, and I have full confidence in his judg ment and ability to investigate my case. December 27, 1877. Saw Senator Wallace last evening. He is. a good friend of mine, and made me an offer for 1025 Vermont avenue. 432 December 28, 1877. General Ewing, having made j an agreement with me in re gard to my case, has taken an active part to secure my re storation to the Army without action of Congress. December 31, 1877. I have been very busy look ing over my accounts and in settling up the past year's af- I fairs. I find I have no cause to complain of my success. Although I have not made any very large transactions in bulk, I have rented and sold | more houses during the past iyear than, perhaps, any five real- Senator Wallace, estate brokers in the city ; and all thiswithout interfering with my military matter. In fact,mypro- fession aids to a certain extent in getting access to officials to whom it is necessary to explain the details of my case. My prospects are bright for my restoration to the Army next year, as most of my accusers and those who have opposed my restoration have been left at home or have had their crooked transactions exposed to such an extent that what they say or try to do will have no effect with my friends, who are now in power and have shown a disposi tion to do me justice. CHAPTER XVI. January i, 1878. I left my wife and babies with my mother-in-law this A. M. and called on General Batchelder, Colonel Maish, the President and Cabinet, Postmaster-General Key, Secretary Thompson, Dr. Har- land, Governor Sheppard, Carpenter, the Hancocks, Schurz, Col onel Moore, Secretary Sherman, General Jeffreys, Biddle, Bab cock, Larner, Douglass, Rogers, Weston, Stewart, the Clep- hanes, Humphrey, Admiral Stanley, Denver and at least twenty others, greatly enjoying our visits. January 19, 1878. Drove around to look at houses with Hon. Clarkson Potter, and finally decided on a New York avenue house. Senator Wal lace of Pennsylvania is still undecided in relation to closing the large deal we have on hand. He made an offer of $15,000 worth of coal land in part trade for No. 1025 Vermont avenue. Was also out with Senator Randolph today. January 22, 1878. Spent a portion of last evening with Colonel Marsh of Illinois, who is interested in my case. Saw General Maxey of .Texas, who is taking a personal interest in my behalf. January 26, 1878. Had a short talk with Senator Maxey today and obtained a pass from Speaker Randall for thirty days, admitting me to the floor, where I have an opportunity of talking to my friends. House of Representatives, Washington, D. C, January 25, 1878. Dear Sir — I enclose pass for thirty days. Tlie Speaker will not grant to anyone for a longer period, but it may be renewed. Respectfully, yV. J. Southard, M. C. January 27, 1878. About 7 o'clock this A. M. the bell rang several times, and Albert and Kenneth, my wife's two brothers, brought the informa- 28 434 tion that her father had suddenly died at 6 A. M. We hurried through breakfast and drove to the house, where we met a large number of Judge Kerr's friends. His death was so suddeiL that almost everyone was paralyzed for the time being. January 28, 1878. After taking Lucy home yesterday afternoon I returned to the house, where I met Governor Swan of Maryland, Judge Richard son, Admiral Stanley, General Coberton, Colonel Watson, Pres cott of South Carolina, Dr. C. C. Cox, Dr. William Gunton, presi dent Washington Bank, and quite a number of my father- in-law's old, substantial friends, who had called to pay their respects to Mrs. Kerr. The following appeared in the Washing ton Post, January 28, 1878 : From a Party to the Grave. the sudden death of john bozman kerr sketch of his life. The Hon. John B. Kerr, for many years a resident of this city, died very suddenly at his residence on Twenty-first street, at 6 o'clock on Sunday morning, of angina pectoris. He attended Horatio King's literary party on Saturday evening, and retired to rest in apparently excellent health. Mr. Kerr was a son of the late John Leeds Kerr, and was born in Talbot County, Maryland, in 1809. He graduated at Harvard University in 1830 in the same class with Charles Sumner. He was admitted to the bar in 1833, and subsequently elected to the Legislature and to Congress. In 1850 he was appointed by President Filmore Charge d' Affaires to Guatemala, where he resided until 1853. Returning to the United States, he took up his residence in St. Michaels, on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. After the breaking out of the civil war he re moved to Washington, where he held for some years the post of Assistant Solicitor of the Court of Claims. For several years be fore his death he had been law clerk in the Sixth Auditor's Office. Mr. Kerr was an accomplished scholar in ancient and modern lore, an ardent student of history, and especially of the history of his native State, a well-read lawyer and a most agreeable and instruc tive companion. By his death his wife and nine children are de prived of a most affectionate husband and father. He was in every relation of life a man of admirable qualities of head and heart, and sincerely admired by a very large circle of friends. Baltimore, Md., January 29, 1878. After breakfast I drove up to Judge Kerr's house ; to St. Paul's at 3 P. M. Left Lucy at her mother's, and Mr. Charles Kerr, my 435 wife's uncle, with Leeds and Arthur, her two brothers, brought the remains of the Judge over here, and we are now waiting for the boat to take them over to Easton, Md. Easton, Md., January 30, 1878. Yesterday afternoon Charles Kerr invited us to dine at his house in Baltimore, after which the remains were placed in the boat, and we left at 1 1 o'clock, reaching Easton at 6 A. M., where we were met by Mr. Tilman with the carriage and hearse, and Judge Kerr's remains were taken to the same church where he was married on this day twenty-eight years ago, a singular coin cidence. Mr. Kerr represented this district in Congress for a number of years, succeeding his father, John Leeds Kerr, who represented this part of Maryland in the United States Senate. Mr. Tilman invited us to breakfast, after which we took the re mains to the old family burial-ground. My wife's oldest brother, Leeds Kerr, was overcome and fainted, and it was some time be fore Dr. Earl could bring him to. In going through the old homestead I found quite a number of old letters and newspapers published and written over a hundred years ago, which I brought back home as interesting souvenirs. Baltimore, Md., January 31, 1878. After our return from the old homestead burial-ground Mrs. Shreve, Captain Tilman's sister and Lucy's cousin, invited us to dine, and we left on the 8 o'clock boat last evening ; but we were stuck on a sand bar for several hours before reaching Baltimore, and did not arrive until about 2 o'clock, when Uncle Charley Kerr invited us to lunch. February 7, 1878. While at the Capitol I learned that General Bragg was to make a big fight against the passage of my bill. I did my best to see him before it was called up, but he would not discuss the ques tion with me. When the bill was called he raised a point of order, and it was postponed until next Tuesday. February 9, 1878. General Ewing having failed to get my matter settled with the President, it is necessary to resort to other means to procure the passage of a bill. 436 February 12, 1878. Had a talk with General Banning last night. Mr. Wilson told me that they would do what they could to get the bill called up tomorrow. Commissioner Johnson is taking a personal interest also, and informed me that it would be reported favorably by the committee. Was at the Capitol today at 11 o'clock with a large number of my friends on hand to help me. Judge Dibrell of Ten nessee took a personal interest in the matter, trying to get Col onel Maish to bring up the bill, but there was no chance. March 1, 1878. Senator Randolph and I drove up to the Capitol this morning together. While there I had a long talk with Colonel Maish, who thinks he can call up my bill next Tuesday, and has made a favor able report. He says General Bragg will do his utmost to kill it. March 5, 1878. Spent last evening with Senator Harris of Tennessee, who went all through my case, and has agreed to stand by Senator Maxey, who made a favorable report on the bill today. March 12, 1878. General Dibrell of Tennessee, who is on the Military Com mittee, took an active part in helping Colonel Maish to get my bill through the committee, and he and Colonel Maish are now fixing the report so as to call it up in the House and put it on its passage at the first opportunity. Monday, April 1, 1878. Was out with Captain Howgate to look at property, and have a large deal on hand which I hope to get through. Father White, who married me, died at 8 o'clock this A. M., April 4, 1878. Colonel Grierson of the Tenth Cavalry sent a protest to the Senate and House today opposing my restoration, but I am sat isfied 'that it will have very little effect, as the case has been so thoroughly investigated that anything Grierson will say or do will be without avail. 437 April io, 1878. Went up to the Capitol and had a large number of members in terested. General T. T. Crittenden has agreed to defend me in the House against General Bragg. The following was sent him later : Washington, D. C, April 12, 1878. Hon. T. T. Crittenden: Sir — Having just learned that letters I have written in the past few years to W. W. Belknap, late Secretary of War, have been severely commented upon, I find it necessary to explain my mo tive for writing in the manner I did. I deny that I offered to com promise with the late Secretary of War in any of my letters to him. One dated January 20, 1876, he used against me, and endeavored to make it appear that I would withdraw all charges against him, provided he would cease opposing me. Such was not my mean ing, nor can I see how so absurd an idea could be formed. My in tention at that time was, if he should make any further misrepre sentations against me to make it a personal matter with him. The dates of all charges I made ag-ainst him will show they were pub lished over my signature before the letter he tried to make so much capital of against me was submitted. By reference to the St. Louis Times of December 22, 1875, it can be seen my charges had been given as much publicity as- was necessary to show that I was in earnest, and my request to Mr. Clymer to write to General Hazen, who sent him the facts in the matter, was made before I wrote the letter alluded to. I have aimed from my youth to lead an honest, straightforward career, and am willing to have every transaction I ever made fully investigated. I do not begin attacks for the sake of notoriety, butT do resent them when it is necessary. My train ing in the regular Army taught me to be respectful to superiors, but my letters to W. W. Belknap may seem to the general reader threatening and insulting, but I was fully justified, and had good cause for every word L wrote. Some persons will submit to injus tice and abuse, but I will not from any man, no matter what his position is. Enclosed you wifl find papers, to which I call your attention. Respectfully, your obedient servant, Geo. A. Armes. I had copies of Colonel Maish's report put on all the members' desks, and at T2 o'clock my bill was called up. General Bragg of Wisconsin at once took the floor and began to speak against it. After he was through General Crittenden of Missouri replied, and you could almost hear a pin drop, he had such attention, and after 43« several hours' discussion the bill was passed, creating considera ble excitement. I was congratulated by hundreds, there having been such opposition by the Army and administration and offi cials who were determined it should not go through if it could be prevented. It was a great victory for me. The following portion of the debate is taken from the official . report as printed in the Congressional Record: The Speaker. The unfinished business of the morning hour coming over from last Friday is the bill (H. R. No. 4242) to au thorize the restoration of George A. Armes to the rank of Captain. Mr. Bragg. I regret exceedingly to be obliged to oppose a re port of a majority of the Military Committee, who have recom mended the passage of this bill. 1 only do so because I think, upon a question of principle, this bill ought not to pass. Irrespective of the question of the merit or demerit of the officer whom this bill seeks to restore, there is a question of public policy underlying all, which controls my judgment in my vote in opposi tion to the passage of this bill, and that is this : It has already been announced semi-officially to this House that in the opinion of the Military Committee there are already in the neighborhood of 800 supernumerary officers in the military service of the United States. Mr. Haskell. I have but a word to say in regard to this case. I do not desire to enter into a long discussion of the general prin ciples involved in it. But inasmuch as this officer at one time in his life was in command of Kansas troops upon the frontier of my State, and distinguished himself by gallantry and soldierly conduct in several engagements, and inasmuch as he has received favorable mention from so many of the prominent citizens of my State, I deem it to be but fair, when a bill concerning him is pending in this House, to make some statements in reference to the causes which led to his dismissal from the Army. I state as a fact that cannot be controverted, that notwithstand ing the action of that court-martial, this officer was dismissed from the service upon a set of charges not one of them having in the most remote degree one single particle of truth in it, not a word. This gentleman is a Virginian, a young man who, at the age of sixteen, entered the Army of the Union, who, unaided by any offi cial influence or any power of prominent relatives, worked his way up to an honorable position in the regular Army. While in the discharge of his military duties he was assailed by an unjust and absolutely untrue set of charges and dismissed from the service. The bill, as I understand, does not restore him arbitrarily to the Army. However just, in my opinion, such an act would be, that is not the object of the bill. It simply permits the President of the United States to appoint him to his old rank of Captain in his old 439 regiment whenever a vacancy shall occur in that regiment. Abso lute discretion in regard to the appointment is lodged with the President. That is all there is in the bill. Mr. Armes will receive no pay under the bill and no rank. The President is simply author ized, if he so desires, to appoint Mr. Armes whenever a vacancy of his rank occurs in his former regiment. As to the character of the man,. nothing can be said" against it, and, as part of my remarks, I desire to have read from the Clerk's desk a testimonial from the former Governor of my State and from General Hancock, showing the services of this officer and his good character, giving him only a just meed of praise. 1 ask the Clerk to read first the letter I have sent up, and after ward the bill pending before the House. Now, Mr. Speaker, knowing as I do the gallant conduct of this young officer upon the border of my State in protecting it from the ravages of the Indians, knowing the meritorious service that he performed for my people in protecting their homes, and know ing that he was dismissed from the service on a set of charges not one word of which was true, I believe that the small and insignifi cant compensation allowed him by the terms of this bill is an act of justice that the House will not hesitate to accord him. Mr.. Crittenden. Mr. Speaker,, I believe that the report of the Committee on MUitary Affairs should be sanctioned by this House. I have examined with some care the evidence that has been produced against Captain Armes. I have also examined the various reports that have been made by three or four committees, not only of this House, but of the Senate, in his favor. In each case the committee has uniformly reported that Captain Armes should be restored to the service on certain conditions. Unfortunately for Captain Armes, he fell under the disapproba tion of a certain gentleman whom I do not suppose anyone will undertake to defend in this or any other Congress. This gallant young officer was persecuted and prosecuted with industrious ha tred by one who was then Secretary of War — W. W. Belknap — whom none will defend now ; none who will do him such reverence now as in former days. As long as Belknap was Secretary of War young Armes was oppressed and stood no chance to vindicate him self. It would have been well for that Secretary had he not carried his immense power in harassing this young officer so far and vex ing him so long. He at last drove him to despair, and that officer, who had won the admiration of a Plancock, a Palmer and his asso ciate officers on the bloodiest battlefields, turned upon the Secre tary and unearthed those acts and charges which soon drove him fKom power. After eight years of suffering, Congress is at last about to do justice to young Armes. He should be restored at once, as recommended by the. Committee. Justice is often slow, but she ever travels apace, with her scales evenly balanced, dealing out good for good and evil for evil. Her steps may be checked by crime and wrong for a time, but, as sure as a God reigns, she will move onward and grind to powder those who oppose. 440 Mr. Chairman, I call the attention of this House to what General Hancock said of Captain Armes. The name of Hancock com mands the warmest respect of every American citizen. He was a true, bold, steady and brilliant fighter on the battlefield,, and since peace has returned to our land he has been as true, bold and sturdy a follower of the law. A true soldier always makes a true citizen. Captain Armes was convicted, I say, by the persecution of the Secretary of War upon the evidence of four men and a woman of bad repute. Three of the men were discharged from the public service and sent to the penitentiary; as to the fourth, I know not where he is, but he was of equally bad character. Are we to cast this cloud of odium upon this young officer on the testimony of such characters, merely to accommodate the past prejudices of a retired Cabinet officer? I hope not.. I say for one I will not do it by my vote, unless that evidence is corroborated by other evidence than that of these five notorious and disreputable characters.- I will stand by the report of the Committee.. If Captain Armes is restored to his military character it will be but a simple act of simple justice, much to our credit as fair and impartial lawmakers, unmoved by other impulses than right and justice. Mr. Frye. I wish only to say this, that I have read with care every word of the report of the Military Committee on this case. Many gentlemen have it before them, and there is no minority re port; and I say that when gentlemen of this House read the state ment of facts reported by this Committee there ought not to linger the shadow of a single doubt as to the merits of the case. If these facts are true that this Committee have re ported they would be suffi cient to grant a new trial in any criminal case that was ever tried in this country. If the reported facts are true — ; and of course we must accept tbem as true, there being no minority report — why. under the sun, any man in this House can vote against this little meed of justice which this Committee so carefully and euardedly recommend sh ou lrl be granted to this man; who has been thus abused by perjurers, murderers and burglars, as the Committee show, I cannot. for the life of me see. I hope that the House will sustain the report of the Com mittee with unanimity. Ooi,. Levi P. Maish. 441 Colonel Maish's report was read during the proceedings. I felt impelled to submit the following : Washington, D. C, April 15, 1878. Sir — In answer to the communication of Col. B. H. Grierson, Tenth U. S. Cavalry, protesting against the restoration of any offi cer to his regiment, no matter how unjust his dismissal may have been, which was referred to your Committee, I have the honor to call attention to the fact that the Colonel does not mention my name, nor does he directly or indirectly make any charges against me as a soldier or a gentleman. This was as fully known in my regiment as it is now to you, and yet Colonel Grierson asked you to deny me simple justice for the reason that he does not want any officer restored to his regiment. This certainly is not sufficient even to justify Colonel Grierson in writing his protest, and will, of course, have no weight with your Committee. I will here take the liberty of asking whether or not it is advisable for commanding officers of regiments to urge the Secretary of War, the General of the Army and the Adjutant-Gen eral, in the language of -Colonel Grierson's protest, to use their influence to procure or prevent legislation that a Committee of. Congress has determined upon. Does not Colonel Grierson request these high officers to lobby against the bill you have reported favorably to the Senate for the relief of Captain Foulk, Lieutenant Spencer and myself? I have the honor to be, very respectfully, G. A. Armes. To the Hon. Geo. E. Spencer, Chairman Military Committee U. S. Senate. April 16, 1878. While talking to Senator Johnson last evening he told me he understood that Senator Conkling had been requested by Gen eral Grant to do what he could to defeat my bill in the Senate, and with the aid of Senator Edmunds they would be two strong men to oppose ; that I had best request Senator Spencer, chairman of the Senate Military Committee, to have a private talk with Sen ator Conkling before my bill was called up and tr> and prevent him from working against it. I took his advice, calling on Senator Spencer today, who, after an interview with Senator Conkling, told me he would not oppose it ; that he was glad to know both sides of the question, and he would let Senator Edmunds do all the fighting as far as he was concerned. Senator Spencer also informed me that the Senate had decided to take up the calendar 442 tomorrow, and for me to be on hand with all the friends I could muster to help carry the bill through, as Senator Edmunds had made great preparations to defeat it. April 1 8, 1878. Last night Senator Spencer told me to be on hand early this morning ; that he had also had a long Yalk with Senator Blaine, who had promised to help in opposition to Senator Edmunds. I was on hand at 11 o'clock, and at 1.30 P. M. the bill was reached on the calendar, when Senator Edmunds of Vermont and Sen ator Plumb of Kansas took the floor against it. Senator Maxey of Texas and Senator James G. Blaine of Maine defended the bill in opposition to Senators Edmunds and Plumb. After a lengthy discussion on the floor the yeas and nays were ordered, -and Sen ator Blaine carried the whole Senate, with the exception of six votes, which were all that Senator Edmunds could command. Sen ator Kellogg of Louisiana took an active part in my behalf, to gether with Senators Conkling, Conover, Spencer, Maxey, Cock rell and, in fact, all the Senate, with the exception of Senators Edmunds, Plumb, Wadleigh, Morrill, Anthony and Davis of Illinois. I was so overcome with joy at my great victory that I could not help but show it, and have been the subject of con gratulation all the evening. The proceedings of the Senate are reported as follows in the Congressional Record : Mr. Maxey. — Mr. President, every Committee which has ex amined this case as lawyers examine a case has arrived at the same conclusion. Congress twice arrived at the same conclusion, once by setting aside the order of dishonorable discharge and granting him an honorable discharge; next a bill was introduced, what for? To restore him to the Army? Not at all, but to place him as near as may be where he was before, so far as the power of the President is concerned to promote him. With the laws in force prohibiting promotion except by seniority, the President, if he believes that wrong and injustice havebeen done, may under this bill nominate this gentleman, send the nomination to this body, and then it will be for the Senate to say whether or not he shall be confirmed. Not a dollar of pay is given, but it simply restores him as near as may be. Mr. President, Lhave only to say that if I had been the reviewing officer those proceedings never would have received my sanction. I can state that so far as the papers have been shown to me, I do not believe they ever did pass under the review of the President of 443 the United States, although the law was mandatory that proceed ings in review should be had by him, and his order and decision made thereon. But Congress did, as near as they could, attempt to relieve him. They ordered an honorable discharge to be granted him, and passed another bill, which is exactly the same as the one now pending. That bill passed both Houses. Whether designed on the part of the President or not, I do not know, but being at a very late day of the session, it failed to receive the approval of the President, and thereby it fell. It seems to me that this is simply a case of pure, naked justice. Some may have thought that I have bad blood toward all those of our kith and kin who turned against us. No such feeling can actuate me in this case. This man fought under the flag of the Union from his youth up. It is not to be sup posed that I would have bad feelings toward him on that account, or that that would specially corn-mend him to me ; but I have made this defense in behalf of this young man because the eternal prin ciples of justice ought to be maintained. All we can do is to re store him to the position which he was honorably given, and of which he was unjustly deprived. Mr. Edmunds. Mr. President, there seems to be pretty good reason to believe from the statement of the Senator from Texas that the judgment of this court-martial was an error, although it appears that the other people who accused Armes were convicted and that the people whom Armes accused were convicted. They were convicted all around, and what we should find if we reviewed the court-martial proceedings in the other cases as to their regu larity or illegality we do not know. I am not making these re marks as preliminary for asking that this case go over. I have no objection to its being voted upon. But the danger in respect of this kind of legislation is, as it appears to me, that the Congress of the United States, having provided by courts-martial to try mat ters of this character, and regulated all their proceedings in the Army, just as we do in private affairs, by a judicial system, now is sitting at this moment as a court of review of the findings of a court-martial (not upon the ground, which would have some force in it) that it appears to us that the members of that court were cor rupt, and so the court had not any honest jurisdiction, because they were unfit to try the case, but because, although as the Committee say, they have no imputations to make upon the officers who com posed that court-martial, who might be able to vindicate them selves if they had a hearing possibly, but because they committed an error. That is a very dangerous ground for legislation to stand upon. In the history of this Government, and respecting men now living, there are no doubt thousands of cases of hardship, of error, where injustice has been done to gallant men -by the error of a court deciding against them when it ought to have decided, as we might think, in their favor. There is the instrinsic danger of steps 444 of this character. Of course, this proceeds upon the principle that it is a part of the business and the duty of Congress to rectify the errors of courts-martial, not to rectify their wrongs when it turns out that the members of the courts were themselves prejudiced and unfit or corrupt, but where, as in this case, the members were upright, the court was duly formed, but unhappily for the victim made a mistake, as we think. Mr. President, I do not wish to com mit myself to that ground. I must be excused from doing so, as much as my sympathies have been affected by the statement of the Senator from Texas. Now, let me come to a second point. Mr. Maxey. Will the Senator-from Vermont permit me a mo ment? Mr. Edmunds. If it does not come out of my five minutes, Mr. President. . Mr. Maxey. The Senator knows very well that I dislike to in terrupt anybody. The record does not appear in the report, but it appears in the proceedings that Captain Armes upon trial objected to one of the members of the court because he had expressed an opinion in regard to him-and his case. That objection was one of the most serious charcter; he had said that he would not believe him on oath, and so on. The court overruled the objection and permitted the trial to go on. I do not think that could occur in civilized life. Mr. Edmunds. Mr. President, that very often happens in civil life, where a man objects to a judge, but it unhappily happens that the Committee have told us from their investigation that they have no reflections to make upon the court except that they committed an error. Mr. Maxey. The Committee do not reflect upon the honor of the court. What we complain of is that it was an error of judg ment. Mr. Edmunds. But the Committee has not stated in its report, if I correctly understood it, and I listened very attentively, that it finds that this objection to this member of the court was well founded, because the objection if well founded was that he was a scoundrel, that he was a man whose oath to try that case honestly could not be believed. Perhaps that officer would like to have a fair hearing in this court of review before we condemn him. Mr. Maxey. I do not think the Senator understood me. I said that this member of the court so charged Armes, not that Armes had charged him. Mr. Edmunds. Ah, very well. Mr. Maxey. And the point Armes made was that this member of the court had alreadv formed an opinion and had expressed such an opinion, and, therefore, was incompetent, which in my country at least would be a very good objection. 445 Mr. Blaine. Mr. President, I think the ground taken by the Senator from Vermont proves too much. If he objects to having the findings of courts-martial ever reviewed by Congress, I think he would take off one of the most salutary restraints upon the license to which courts-martial might run that now exist. There is no service, military or naval, in any country that does not have a little bit of tendency to run into cliques, sometimes a very great one, and there have been instances in which very grave injustice has been done to the best of officers under such influences. There is no danger that Congress is going to launch forth into the gen eral business of reviewing courts-martial. From the foundation of the Government to this time very few officers have been restored by any( action of Congress — I mean very few in comparison with those who have suffered at the hands of courts-martial. At the same time I have no doubt that the power of Congress to do it and its entire discretion to do it at any time has been a very wise and salutary restraint upon the care and circumspection with which courts-martial are conducted, and if you once establish it that, no matter what finding of a court-martial may happen to get ap proved, there is no possible appeal here, I say God help some officers of the Army in future years. Now, the fact that this man got a certificate of good character, an honorable discharge in 1874, as the Senator says, only proves to my mind that very gross injustice was done him. The very fact that Congress granted that proves the injustice of the court-mar tial. You could not possibly have granted that without absolutely trampling on it, and by that very act saying it was unjust. If we are willing to say that a thing was unjust, do not let us stop at half measures. If we put it as a matter of record that this man was en titled to an honorable discharge, then surely he ought not to lie under the censure of having been guilty of so grave an .offense as to call for that punishment which to a soldier is equal to death, being cashiered. I do not pretend to have examined with any very great care the case of Mr. Armes, although I have casually known of it for a great many years ; but we are all more or less governed by the findings of committees, and we have to trust them. I find that this case has been examined with the utmost care by Committees in both branches of Congress without the slightest regard to party. I find that such men as Powell Clayton, George E. Spencer, James K. Kelly, P.'M. B. Young, W. G. Donnan, J.. M. Thornburgh, John B. Hawley (the present Assistant Secretary of the Treasury), John Coburn (for a long time chairman of the Committee on Military Affairs of the other House and one of the most careful men I have ever known in legislative affairs), Charles Albright, B. Wadleigh (present Senator in this body), J. W. Nesmith, Eppa Hunton, Lewis B. Gunekel, Joseph R. Hawley and C. D. McDougall have 446 been in favor of this meaure in the past. You have had favorable reports from those who have given the utmost care and attention to this case, and I have no doubt that it would be a very serious injustice to this man to deny this relief; an injustice that we can not afford, not simply with regard to him, but with regard to our selves and still more with regard to the vast number of officers who in the future in the Army and in the Navy are liable to suffer from causes which we need not specify, and which we may not go into, from the summary punishment of courts-martial. It is a wholesome and good thing to hold the power of review in Con gress, to exercise it, of course, always with discretion, but in meri torious cases to exercise it with absolute power. The following extracts are from the Washington Post and Union of April 19, 1878: Senator Preston Belisarius Plumb made another great speech yesterday in opposition to the bill to restore Captain Armes to the Army. On this occasion Mr. Plumb was able to muster six nega tives. His oratory is improving. Generally, when he makes a labored effort, he is only able to command his own vote. The bill to restore Capt. Geo. A. Armes to his position as Cap tain of cavalry has passed both Houses, in spite of the lobbying efforts of all Belknap's friends. Captain Armes was most out rageously treated by Belknap, but he has been vindicated. To resume my diary: April 19, 1878. Immediately after breakfast called on Senator Blaine to thank him for the active and noble part he took in coming to my rescue as he did. He appeared to feel proud of his grand victory in de feating Senator Edmunds, who represented the administration, and he assured me that I could rely on him in the future for any assistance I might need. April 20, 1878. Met Mr. Frederick Seward last evening, who gave me a card requesting the Secretary of War to make my case special and assist me in getting my commission as soon as possible. I thanked and congratulated all who had defended and assisted me. This has been a very lucky day, as I closed the trade with Captain How- gate and Mr. Evans, resulting in a commission of several thou sand dollars. 447 April 22, 1878. I am everywhere congratulated on the success of my bill. Sen ator Paddock of Nebraska got Mr. Ferry to sign it and Mr. Hazel- ton of Wisconsin and Mr. Raney of South Carolina to accompany me to the President to get his signature to the bill ; so it is now a law, and all I lack is my nomination and confirmation to be in active service. April 23, 1878. Got a certified copy of my bill from the State Department, took it to the Secretary of War, who said he would have my nomina tion made out and take it to the President at once. Called on Mr. Rogers at the White House, who assured me he would get the nomination before the Senate as speedily as possible. A letter that had much to do with my restoration follows : yy?4-r42~y»A,^ «Z<1^ yC, *fefV y—~~ ^<=— TJ ^.^ ~ 't . <&<-<£<. stZfr ?Z-y str^-p y^~ - *~A y At fc-5-&~*^ 7 #¦- ^-^s<=-—<< v yt /?~%z y^yyZ—yy *-<* *f *>^y, "^r^-^^/~ y y^£- ^ <_ ^ZL ^-.-^fc. j *7~t— ~zyy^£ // c7 s &7 &.--T ^— ^, S-"-^-, ^ *L~<- /£*7 ¦^fy..A-^y^^- y^-A?^^ s^yi^ y /^-^ fr ^L ~^_ f y ^v-^- ciu *^ ^--^ ^ - <^=_^ r^y, ^_ ^/ e<^ ^-y> >y A^A^ ,X ^_ ^A ^^1 A s- ^ -^ Z- - / — 7^>- ^~~_ 449 April 24, 1878. Went to the White House this A. M., and was disappointed to find that President Hayes had gone out of the city, failing to send the nomination in before leaving. I then went to the War De partment and learned that General Townsend had my case to re port upon, and that there was no show to get anything done until the President's return. April 26, 1878. Drove by Colonel Rog-ers' ho,use this morning. He got in my carriage, and we drove to the White House. He appears to be a good friend of mine, doing what he can to urge my matter along. He gave me a cordial invitation to come to the White House to see him whenever I felt like it without any ceremony, showing a great interest in my behalf. Among the letters of congratulation received was one. from Col. James G. Faulkner, who was our min ister to France at the outbreak of the Rebellion and is now a mem ber of Congress from West Virginia. He lives like a king at Boydsville, his beautiful home in Martinsburg. He congratulates not only me, but all the friends who assisted my restoration, and extends a cordial invitation to them to his house. There he will entertain Congressmen, Senators, the President and all who took an active part in my behalf. April 30, 1878. While at the White House Postmaster-General Key informed me that my case had been referred to the Judge-Advocate-General for his report. May 1, 1878. Gen. T. T. Crittenden went with me to see the Judge-Advocate- General this morning. We learned that Major Winthrop, who was directed to make the report, had made one favorable to me. May 2, 1878. This A. M. I met the Secretary of War at the President's house. After a short talk I walked with him to the War Department. He assured me that he would bring up my matter in the Cabinet meeting tomorrow. May 3, 1878. I went to the War Department and sent my card in to the Sec retary of War, who sent word to me that my name would go to 29 45° the Senate on Monday. Met General Coburn of the House, who has proven one of my strongest friends and one of the most re liable and honest men I have met. Received a telegram from Hon. Charles J. Faulkner from Boydsville, W. Va., requesting me to invite President Hayes and as many' of his personal friends as he could induce to come with him to his house to dine and be entertained as a reward for their friendship to me. Last night I called on President Hayes, but was informed that he was en gaged with some friends and impossible for me to see him. I in sisted that my card should be sent up, when his son, Webb Hayes, came down to know if there was anything he could do, as his father was very busy. I explained about the telegram I had re ceived from Mr. Faulkner, handing him the telegram,, which he carried up to his father, who excused himself to his friends and came down stairs. Inviting me out on the portico, he sat down, engaging in a long conversation in regard to his war experience, saying that there was no place on earth he would rather visit than that of Hon. Charles J. Faulkner and accept of his hospitality ; but under the circumstances, Congress being about to adjourn, it was impossible for him to leave the city. Before parting he placed my hand on his head, requesting me to feel the furrow that a bullet had made through his skull while in an engagement on Mr. Faulkner's estate, remarking that to visit such a man un der the circumstances would be a very great pleasure to him if it were at all possible to get away. Mr. Hayes became so in terested, recalling so many incidents that had passed, that he seemed to forget the friends he had left upstairs, who, I reminded him, might have more important business than I. He replied there was nothing so important as to talk over the past. Thank ing him for his many kindnesses to me and shaking hands with him, I left him, and he returned to his friends. Boydsville, W. Va., May 4. 1878. The President, members and Senators whom I had invited at Mr. Faulkner's request to make him a visit not being able to leave their duties, I invited Admiral Stanley of the Navy to ac company me here. We arrived at 10 P M., and were met at the depot by Capt. Charles J. Faulkner with a carriage. We were driven to his father's mansion, and there welcomed and enter tained in the old Virginia style with mint juleps, etc. We were 45i then invited to a table supplied with every delicacy, from which we did not rise until 1 1 o'clock. Boydsville, W. Va., May 5, 1878. Reaching our rooms at the late hour of 2 o'clock A. M. for the purpose of retiring, we found a silver tray on a center table in each room which was loaded with refreshments. We had beautiful and spacious rooms, to which we were shown by an old-time servant. The bedsteads were the old-fashioned canopied rosewood or wal nut, which were made accessible by steps. This morning when called to breakfast we found our boots polished- ready for us to don. During the afternoon Colonel Faulkner took us in his car riage all through the surrounding country, which is a most in teresting drive. Washington, D. C, May 6, 1878. After breakfast Capt. Charles J. Faulkner (since United States Senator), the colonel's son, took us all through the armory, to the springs and to all places of interest, and after an elaborate lunch we were driven to the depot. We were delighted with the royal entertainment we had receivd. May 8, 1878. I called on Senator M. C. Butler of South Carolina today, who told me he would see the Secretary of War and President about my nomination. May 9, 1878. I went to the President's house today, where I received word that my name had been sent to the Senate, and was advised to go there immediately and look after it. After reaching the Capitol Senator Spencer and General Butler informed me that they thought there was no doubt about my being confirmed imme diately. I learned that I was confirmed. May ti, 1878. Went to the War Department to see Mr. Crosby, the chief clerk, who told me that he .had orders to have the commission made out at once, which he handed to me. I took it to President Hayes, who signed it. I was immediately sworn in, and am now a Captain on the active list of the Army. May 12, 187S. Yesterday, after I had received and accepted my commission, I called on the Secretary of War to thank him for his kindness in 452 being so prompt in signing the necessary papers and the privi leges he had granted me in the matter. General Burnett, Senator Spencer, Judge Noah and Colonel Crittenden dined with me today, and a happier party I do not believe ever sat at a table. All seemed as glad of my success as I am myself. May 13, 1878. General Crittenden called with me on the Secretary of War and arranged that I might delay reporting to my regiment until June 10, the Secretary fixing the time himself, and showed his friendship by offering many courtesies. I did not realize that I had so many friends until my bill passed doing me justice. Fifth Avenue Hotel, New York City, May 16, 1878. Arrived here at 7 o'clock this A. M. After breakfast I pur chased my uniform and called on General Hancock at Fort Co lumbus, who congratulated me and seemed as much interested as if I were of his own family. May 28, 1878. Called on President Hayes today and thanked him for his many courtesies. He wished me success, and assured me that if he could do anything for me I could rely upon him. I have made up my mind that he is the most honorable of men. New York City, June 13, 1878. Arrived here at 7 A. M. and reported to Major Bush, who told me to get ready to go by the steamer on Saturday via Key West and Galveston. I immediately called on General Hancock and staff, where I met Col. J. F. Kent (now Brigadier-General), who is going in command of the detachment. On the Atlantic, June 15, 1878. We left New York at 8 this A. M. on the steamer Texas. Col onel Kent, my commanding officer has extended every courtesy possible to make us comfortable. In the Gulf of Mexico, Ninety Miles from Key West, June 21, 1878. We had a calm sea all the way from New York and a splendid trip. Arrived at Key West at 4 o'clock this A. M., where the ves sel remained several hours, giving us an opportunity to visit all the places of interest. 453 Galveston, Texas, June 22, 1878. At 2 o'clock P. M. we began to sight land, and by 4 o'clock were on the bar about ten miles out. After landing I received orders to go to Fort Griffin instead of Richardson. Fort Worth, June 27, 1878. Met Col. E. J. Strang, the Quartermaster, who had wagons fixed up for me to go to Fort Griffin, and not having an ambulance or spring wagon, I telegraphed to headquarters at San Antonio for one, but not being able to get an order for it, I purchased a strong ambulance and harness. June 28, 1878. Colonel Strang, the Quartermaster, was very kind and obliging in fixing up seats in the ambulance and putting it in a condition to use during the long journey. Rocky Creek, Texas, July 1, 1878. The mules gave out last night, and Lucy and the children were obliged to sleep in the wagon. One of the most terrible rain storms I ever knew came up about 4 o'clock, and when we reached this creek found it impossible to cross it, so we have gone into camp. Fort Griffin, Texas, July 4, 1878. We left Hubbard creek about 7 o'clock this A. M. Had a good road all through until we reached the creek near the post, which was so full of mud that it seemed almost impossible to cross it with teams. While in the center my ambulance stuck fast, break ing off the tongue and leaving Lucy and the babies in the ambu lance. It took us several hours to get them all out. Upon our arrival here we were met by Colonel Lincoln, who invited us to his quarters, introducing us to Mrs. Lincoln, who made us feel at home, assigning us to a nicely furnished room and preparing a splendid dinner. Near Mason Creek, Texas, July 8, 1878. We had breakfast at 8 o'clock this A. M. and drove into Fort Concho at 10. We were met by Colonel Grierson, who pretended to be very polite, shaking hands and introducing me to the Quar termaster and several others whom I had never seen before. However, he had neglected to have any preparations made to re ceive us, in spite of my telegraphing ahead the day that we ex- 454 pected to arrive. After requesting that I be assigned to quarters, he finally directed that Lieutenant Maxen's room and kitchen be turned over to us until transportation could be gotten ready to take us to Fort Stockton, several hundred miles further west, where my company was stationed. Upon calling at the postoffice for my mail I was informed that Lieutenant Smithers had or dered it all forwarded to Fort Stockton, a very mean transaction, knowing, as he did, that we were expected here and would be very anxious to receive news from home, having directed all our mail to be sent to this post. Camp Eighteen Miles West of Concho, July 31, 1878. Captain N. S. Constable, the Quartermaster, was very kind in getting us started this morning, and had us supplied with every thing necessary for our comfort. Major McLaughlin, in com mand of the detachment, is about as mean a man as I ever served under. Camp on Concho River, about Forty Miles West of Fort Concho, August 1, 1878. Major McLaughlin ordered the command to move at 6 o'clock this A. M., and we had to get up very early so as to be through breakfast in time. The heat has been terrible all day for a march through these dusty and sandy roads, the air being filled with mosquitos. Camp on the Pecos, August 4, 1878. All our kegs, demijohns and canteens were filled with water last night, as orders compelled us to start at 4 o'clock this A. M., but it was almost 5 o'clock before we pulled out. The country is full of rocks and the mountains very difficult to cross over. We have to lock both hind wheels of the vehicles in going down the steep mountains. August 11, 1878. I was at the reveille roll-call this A. M. and met Major Andrew Geddes, who spent last evening at my quarters. August 12, 1878. While at the post-trader's last evening who should drop in but J. W. Clarke, to whom I loaned a thousand dollars thirteen years ago, which remains unpaid. He is on his way to San Antonio, stopping over here for the night. I went on duty as Officer of the 455 Day for the first time in eight years, relieving Lieutenant Beck. and I was also put on a board to examine commissary stores October 5, 1878. Since my arrival at this post my duties have consisted of drilling my company, scouting and shooting at targets — the same thing over and over almost every day, going on board to survey and on duty as Officer of the Day, which has occupied the whole of my time. I have looked after every detail, having been watched by several officers, who have been playing the spy for General Grier son and Captain Smithers. So far, however, they have not been able to find any grounds for charges. October 8, 1878. Last night, a short time before 1 1 o'clock, Lucy presented me with a fine boy, whom I at once named George Kerr Armes. October 18, 1878. Major Geddes relieved me as Officer of the Day this morning. Major McLaughlin tried to find fault about the detailed men, but discovered no grounds for charges. He sent Lieutenant Glenn with orders to take the blinds off the windows of my quarters, a very mean act for a commanding officer. Fort Stockton, October 19, 1878. About 10 o'clock today Lieut. O. G. Sweet, Post Adjutant, came to my quarters with his sword buckled on and handed me a special order from Major McLaughlin placing me in close arrest (Arrest No. 20). So far I have been unable to find out any reason for it. Fort Stockton, October 20, 1878. Major Geddes, Dr. Hall and Lieut. H. B. Quinby called to see me today, and are very indignant at Major McLaughlin's action, knowing there are no grounds for such an arbitrary act. Fort Stockton, October 26, 1878. Major Keyes spent last evening with us. He was as full as a tick — his usual condition. I made a demand of Colonel Mc Laughlin for release or to be furnished with a copy of the charges, and this evening I was served with a copy of manufactured malicious charges that won't hold water. 456 Fort Stockton, November io, 1878.. Lieutenant Easterly came in this morning with the informa tion that Major McLaughlin had ordered him not to allow any of the enlisted men to do any duty around my quarters. He is doing everything in his power to make things unpleasant for us. Fort Stockton, November 15, 1878. A telegram came from General Vincent last night giving me the limits of the post, together with the request for an explanation, which I sent him, as follows : Fort Stockton, Texas, November 14, 1878. Adjutant-General, Department of Texas, > San Antonio, Texas, Through Post Headquarters: In answer to your telegram, 13th inst., received at 2.20 this P. M., I submit briefly the facts as nearly as I can remember with out an opportunity of referring to records : The whole mistake seems to have been caused by Dennis' name appearing on g-uard report instead of Dean. The Adjutant sug gested to me to enter under head of remarks in guard report book the names of the men who took the place of two sick men. I looked at the pass, which I had put in that morning, October 18, for the old guard, and saw Dean's name, and not Dennis', and knowing Dean was one of the old guard, and knowing Parker had reported to me the night before as being sick, and Dennis' name being on the company morning sick report, I supposed the ser geant of the guard had neglected to report to me or to put his name on the guard report. He had- not reported to me whether he had obtained anyone in place of Parker and Dennis, who had been relieved by Dean or Dickerson, as the names of Parker and Dennis were on the guard report and sick book, and without call ing the sergeant of the guard I made the entry in the guard report, as appeared to me correct. Since my arrest I have questioned the sergeant of the guard in the presence of a commissioned officer, and he tells me the name of Dennis was written in the guard report instead of Dean's, and that this was his own mistake. Respectfully, G. A. Armes, Capt. Tenth Cav. Fort Stockton, November 23, 1878. A telegram came this morning ordering me to report to Capt. J. W. Clous of San Antonio, Texas, by November 29 for trial. 457 Fort Stockton, November 23, 1878. To the Post Adjutant: Sir — I have the honor to request to be informed whether any additional charges have been preferred against me, and if so, I would respectfully ask that I be furnished with a copy of them, in order that I may be able to see the witnesses I may require before leaving this post. Respectfully, G. A. Armes. Pecos River, on the Stage, November 24, 1878. Dr. and Mrs. Hall were as true to the last as a couple could possibly be, and helped Lucy pack up my valise and get me off, and I left at 10 o'clock P. M. last night for San Antonio. Five or six of the witnesses are on the stage with me. I did not need the counsel contained in the following- letter, but it was none the less acceptable : United States Senate Chamber, Washington, November 19, 1878. My Dear Major: Yours per Mr. Ray received. I did not see him, for he left for Boston to attend the funeral of his father. I went up to see the Secretary of War, and had a long and satisfactory consultation with him on your affairs. I put the case strongly as to the perse cutions to which you have been subjected. He responded like a man and a gentleman, and I am authorized to say that he is watch ing your matters, and will personally see to them and that you do not suffer. By his advice I wrote General Ord today, calling at tention to your case, as requested by Senator Spencer, and for warded to him certified copy of Adjutant Smither's letter asking documents and my reply thereto. If General Ord is friendly you will doubtless hear more of this. The aopeal to him was to put a stop to the persecutions of your wife and yourself, etc. Keep quiet; let your enemies go on and hang themselves with their own rope. The Secretary is watching matters, and intends to act promptly and effectively at the proper moment. The charges against you are weak, and show vindictiveness. I hope there is no foundation to t he charge of making a false guard report. Keep cool ; do not be betrayed into any violence. Keep your own counsel. Smile away any and all attempts to anger you. Meet your accuser politely, but firmly, and you will come out all right. I think Smither will hear from General Ord, and quite likely will be court-martialed for having written that letter in violation of peremptory general or ders. When the Committee meet I will lay the matter before them and try to have them request that you be relieved and sent to the Artillery School at Fort Monroe. Very truly, your friend, J. J. Noah. 458 (Court-martial No. 6.) Orders from Department Headquarters: A General Court-Martial is ordered to convene at San Antonio, Texas, on Monday, December 2, 1878, at 10 o'clock A. M., or as soon thereafter as practicable, for the trial of Capt. G. A. Armes, Tenth Cavalry, and such other persons as may be properly brought before it. Detail for the Court — Col. G. L. Andrews, Twentyrfifth Inf.; Lieut.-Col. L. C. Hunt, Twentieth Inf. ; Lieut.-Col. M. M. Blunt, Twenty-fifth Inf.; Maj. J. E. \ard, Twentieth Inf.; Major James McMillan, Second Art.; Capt. J. H. Patterson, Twentieth Inf.; Capt. Lloyd Wheaton, Twentieth Inf. Capt. J. W. Clous, Twenty- fourth Inf., is appointed Judge-Advocate of the court. The Potato Lady. San Antonio, November 29, 1878. At 10 this A. M. I reported to Captain Clous, who read Mc Laughlin's and Sweet's statements. Pie talked as if there would be no trial, pretending to be my friend. I soon explained that there were no grounds for a trial, as Colonel Grierson had inves tigated the case before, and everything was in my favor, but that I had no objection to a trial. I requested a thorough investiga tion, however, of the false and malicious charges that had been 459 fixed up by Grierson, McLaughlin, Smithers & Co., who were a set of conspirators trying to force me out of the regiment. Hav ing sent all the particulars to Judge Noah in Washington, a special friend of the Secretary of War, I felt assured that some steps would be taken to prevent any further persecution by those in authority at San Antonio. December 2, 1878. Captain Clous, acting as Judge-Advocate of the Department, went through my case today, and soon saw there was nothing in it, and with instructions from Washington naturally could not insist on a trial. December 3, 1878. General Ord sent for me this morning, informing me he had dismissed the charges on the ground that Colonel Grierson had investigated the matter in July, and that there was no sufficient reason for bringing me before a court. He gave General Vincent orders to have me released from arrest and returned to duty, but did not mention that he had been instructed from Washington. Fredericksburg, Texas, December 6, 1878. After making a number of purchases yesterday afternoon, Col onel Millspaugh insisted on my calling to see Miss Saunders, a young lady with whom he is very much in love. After a visit of an hour we started back, when he spoke of purchasing a gold watch or diamond breastpin for her, as he said he wanted to give her something to remember him by. I advised him not to do it, but to select a handsome bouquet in place of the jewelry, as I thought it would have more effect. He followed my advice and sent her the bouquet. Fort Stockton, Texas, December 11, 1878. Have just arrived here after nearly 500 miles' stage ride, night and day, and of course am pretty well tired out. Was met by Lieutenants Easterly, Quinby, Chaplain Baldridge and others, who seemed delighted at my victory. My quarters were illu minated and an elegant dinner fixed up for my reception. I had just set down to the table when my first sergeant brought the whole company to serenade me. 460 December 24, 1878. Lieutenant John McMartin relieved me as Officer of the Day, when I went to Mr. Corbit's and bought a large sheep to take home to my first sergeant for a Christmas dinner for the men. December 25, 1878. My company had a dinner consisting of the whole sheep, roast pigs, cake and wine ; in fact, almost equal to dinners gotten up in the East. December 31, 1878. Major McLaughlin gave as thorough an inspection of my quarters and men today as he possibly could, but was unable to find fault with anything. The company is looking well, and I am on good terms with all the officers and ladies at the post, with the exception of Major McLaughlin, Lieut. O. G. Sweet, Captain Robe and Lieutenant Easterly. The memoranda, letters, orders and telegrams which follow are added to more fully illustrate the occurences of the year so eventful to myself and those whose fate is closely linked with Washington, D. C, April 24, 1878. Maj. Geo-. A. Armes: Dear Old Friend — I heartily congratulate vou, and I congratu late the United States Army. You deserve all the favors you re ceive from the United States Government. If I had it in my power I would put Sitting Bull and all the Indian interests in your hands, and I would give you a full division, with the rank of General of Division. Kind regards to Madam Armes. Your old friend and brother-officer, M. J. Gonzales. (Telegram.) June 4, 1878. To Hon. Chas. J. Faulkner, Martinsburg, W. Va. : Impossible to visit you Saturday. President Hayes sends re gards and thanks for invitation. I will write particulars. (Signed) G. A. Armes. 461 Washington, D. C, June 12, 1878. Gen. J. S. Mason, San Antonio, Texas: Dear General — I introduce to your consideration Captain Armes, Tenth Cavalry. I have found him amiable and agreeable, and all courtesies you can extend will be much appreciated. In troduce him to our dear Brown, who, like yourself, is always kind. Mrs. L. joins me in warm regards to you, Brown, John and other friends. Very truly yours, Herman Schreiner. (Telegram.) Fort Stockton, Texas, October 26, 1878. Adjutant-General, Department of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, Through Post Adjutant: Major McLaughlin has held me in close arrest eight days, and just furnished a copy of groundless charges, which I think the General Commanding Department will disapprove, as the malice is so plainly exhibited. Until the General Commanding Depart ment can act I respectfully request a suspension of my arrest. G. A. Armes, Capt. Tenth Cav. Headquarters Department of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, December 3, 1878. Special Orders No. 255. V. Capt. G. A. Armes, Tenth Cavalry, is released from arrest, and will return to his post for duty. By command of Brigadier-General Ord. Thomas M. Vincent, Asst. Adjt.-Gen. Official: (Signed) PIugii G. Brown, Aide-de-Camp. CHAPTER XVII. January 19, 1879. Lieutenant-Colonel Blunt, Twenty-fifth Infantry, arrived on the stage this A. M. and relieved old McLaughlin as commanding officer. He does not look to me as if he will be much improve ment. February 18, 1879. For the past few weeks I have had mounted drill in addition to target practice almost every day. I fixed a nui.nber of posts with straw heads, where I practiced some men with their sabers in rid ing and knocking them off the posts, which is very interesting for the spectators who assemble afternoons when I drill. March 14, 1879. The truth is coming out at last in regard to Colonel Blunt. He is shielding Orleman agamst Major Geddes, whom he appears to be trying to get into trouble, and he seems to be under the in fluence of Colonel Grierson and Lieutenant Smithers. With the assistance of Lieutenant Sweet, they appear to be doing every thing they can to find excuse to bring charges against him. March 31, 1879. As the Indians are committing depredations throughout the country, I have been ordere'd to hold my command in readiness to take the field. A citizen by the name of Price has received orders to report to me as contract Surgeon while I am in the field. I hope to prevent his being assigned with me, as he is a spy and mischief-maker. April 4, 1879. My company was relieved from duty at the post today. I had all my sabers packed and moved this afternoon. Having an inde pendent command, I encamped about a mile from the post. .Camp Ritchie, in the Field, April 8, 1879. Moved with mv company at 9 this A. M., with Dr. Price as Assistant Surgeon and Calvin Easterly as Second Lieutenant. 463 Camp Santa Rosa, Texas, April 9, 1879. After our arrival in camp last night Lieutenant Glenn, Post Quartermaster, Captain Van Valzah and his wife, with the quar termaster-sergeant, drove out with a supply of bread for my com mand, the last I expect to have for several months. Camp Nolan (Dry Camp), Sand Hills, Texas, April 15, 1879. Corporal Ridley reported last evening signs of Indians near, and we started early this morning with thirty-two men, thirteen pack-mules and five clays' rations ; crossed the Pecos at Little Falls, expecting Sergeant Richards with another detachment to meet us there. We killed a few antelopes, and after a march of forty miles we have gone into camp. Camp Maxey, April 16, 1879. We camped in the sand hills without water or grass last night, and moved at 6 o'clock this morning. Found a number of pony tracks, which it is impossible to follow very fast for want of water and on account of the deep sand. Camp Lee, on the Pecos, April 22, 1879. We have had quite a long scout through the sand hills, but have not been able to overtake any Indians, and are now back in camp on the Pecos, where we have plenty of good fishing. A great many cowboys called on me tbis evening and supplied us with all the fresh meat we wanted. Camp Ridley, near China Pond, April 23, 1879. I crossed the Pecos at Horsehead today, marching fifteen miles below, and came through Castle Gap, making a march of forty- six miles. The cowboys are very glad to see us looking out for their protection and much encouraged. Camp Turner, on the Pecos, April 25, 1879. Moved at 5 o'clock this A. M. ; marched through the sand hills and down the Pecos to the north of Horsehead Crossing, arriving in camp at 6.30 this P. M. ; plenty of antelopes and jack-rabbits, of which the men have killed several. Camp Hayes, on the Pecos, May 6, 1879. We marched at 7 this A. M. at Emigrant Crossing, on the Pecos ; watered and rested my command for a couple of hours. Marched thirty-two miles today. 464 May 7, 1879. Dr. Price started to build a fire last evening to make some coffee. As Indians are supposed to be near, I did not propose to have the fire made at that time of night, and declined to allow him to make it, when he appeared very much vexed. Camp Seward, on Toga Creek, Texas, May 9, 1879. I started out at daybreak this morning, and have made a forced march, trying to overtake the band of Indian marauders who have been stealing cattle through this section. Marched seventy-five miles, and have plenty of water tonight. Camp Maish, on the Pecos, May 12, 187^. We had a dry camp last night ; no water for the animals, and very little for the men. Camp Blaine, on the Pecos, May 13, 1879. Marched at 7 o'clock this A. M., and the men are very tired. I went into camp early, giving them an opportunity to catch fish and kill a few jack-rabbits. Camp M. C. Butler, on the Pecos, Texas, May 14, 1879. Marched at 7 this A. M. Crossed the Pecos at Popes' Ford; halted at Beckwith's Ranch a short time. My company killed forty rabbits this evening after going into camp. Camp Grenada, New Mexico, May 15, 1879. Turned out at 6 P. M. with five days' rations. Stopped at Mr. Nash's ranch on the Pecos for an hour or two. He killed one of his finest beeves and presented it to my command. I returned the compliment by giving him a side of bacon. Plenty of water, but uo fresh signs of Indians. Camp Hazelton, May 17, 1879. Started at 7 this A. M. and obtained twelve sacks of forage for the animals from Mr. Gardiner, who owns a very large ranch. He supplied the command with -all the milk they wanted, and was pleased to see us in this section of the country. He lives like a hermit, and owns more cattle than anyone in this section. 465 Camp J. B. Gordon, Texas (in the Sand Hills), May 23, 1879. Mr. Roberts, an old ranchman who has been here for years, accompanied the command today. We are now in camp without any water or signs of it, although we have dug through the sand several feet. Camp Santa Rosa, May 27, 1879. Sent Lieutenant Easterly to the post with a small escort after the mail and with instructions to bring my family out tomorrow, as we have established a permanent camp here. May 29, 1879. After breakfast took an escort and rode out to meet my family. Met Brooks with the mail, who informed me that Colonel Blunt refused to allow my family to leave the post. Lieutenant Easterly, one of the mischief-makers of the regiment, has made some mis representation to Colonel Blunt. May 30, 1879. Sent Galvin, my guide, in to the post with a letter to Colonel Blunt in relation to his refusing to allow my family outside the post. May 31, 1879. My wife and children all came out to camp today with Dr. and Mrs. Hall. June 9, 1879. Dr. Price excused Corporal Siggles and Private Sails from duty and sent them to the post without my knowledge today. June 11, 1879. I took an escort and rode in to the post this afternoon and re quested Dr. Woodruff, the Post Surgeon, to give a thorough ex amination of the men that Dr. Price had excused from duty. June 12, 1879. I returned to camp last night and received a note from Dr. Woodruff stating that he would order the men back to duty. Un der the circumstances I annulled Dr. Price's contract, subject to the approval of higher authority, sending him out of my camp for insubordination and making misrepresentations. 30 466 Camp C. J. Faulkner, June 18, 1879. Report came to me at 5 P. M. that Indians had been at Horse head on the Pecos. I at once saddled up and ordered the com mand in a gallop, following the trail for twenty miles with fifteen cowboys who joined my command, but the Indians have scattered- into the mountains, and it is impossible to find them. Camp F M. Cockrell, June 19, 1879. During the march my horse fell, and I was badly hurt, but would not give up. We marched sixty miles during the night, following the Indian trail to Castle Gap. Fort Stockton, Texas, June 30, 1879. Captain Van Valsah sent out for me, and I came in by relays today. It is understood that I am to go to San Antonio as a wit ness in the Geddes case. July 11, 1879. Took tea with Major Geddes at the Menger Hotel and spent most of the evening in his room. There seems a determination to force him out of the Army if possible on the false charges they have trumped up against him. July 12, 1879. Lieutenant Glenn was on the stand most of the day. He ap pears to be a strong friend to Major Geddes. July 16, 1879. Was before the court-martial at 12 o'clock today in Major Ged des' defense. My testimony seemed to offend Captain Clous, the Judge-Advocate. I am satisfied he will watch his chance to get me the first opportunity that occurs. July 19, 1879. Being through with the court, I was ordered back to my station. Desiring a piano, I purchased one. and drove around with my ambulance, giving instructions to have it loaded on. The clerks and proprietor of the store worked for over half an hour trying to find a way to load it, and finally decided it would be impossible. Tn the meantime quite a crowd besran to assemble, many express ing astonishment that anyone would think he could possibly carry a piano on an ambulance. I ordered some 4 by 4's put on the axle and made fast; had the piano lifted up and fastened on the hind part of the ambulance with ropes extending over the top of 467 it to hold it in place. By the time I was ready to start the streets were crowded, and the police had to clear the way for me to drive out. I was cheered by hundreds, who seemed to think that it was the most remarkable way to carry a piano that had ever been un dertaken. Fort Concho, Texas, July 26, 1879. Reached this post at 7 this A. M. ; horses and mules pretty well tired out. I am now the guest of Lieutenant Davis and wife. Found quite a large mail here for me. Everyone seemed sur prised to think that I could bring this piano from San Antonio, over two hundred miles, without a mishap, and it is the general talk of the post. Fort Stockton, July 31, 1879. Rode nearly all night ; reached here safely. Found my family all well. Found my company in rather bad shape, as Lieutenant Easterly had been very careless and let the men do mostly as they pleased, racing the- horses nearly to death. August 14, 1879. Colonel Blunt and Lieutenant Sweet have been secretly inves tigating a few of my men who have been punished and are trying to fix up a set of charges against me. As soon as I found out what they were doing I told Colonel Blunt that if he desired any information in regard to Dr. Price I had no objection to his ques tioning any man he wished, provided he would send for him in the proper manner, but it had a demoralizing effect to allow Dr. Price and Lieutenants Easterly and Sweet to mingle among them for the purpose of trying to find grounds for charges. September 7, 1879. After a mounted inspection I went to the post hospital to see Trumpeter Simmons, who died at 7 this A. M. of consumption. September 21, 1879. At 3 P. M. Colonel Blunt came to me while I was sitting on my , porch and ordered me to hand him my sword, placing me in arrest (arrest No. 21) by order of the Department Commander. After he left me I took my shoulder-straps off and sent them to him by my orderly, with my compliments and the message that as he had my sword and was evidently trying to put me out of the regi ment he might as well have the shoulder-straps. To this he re plied that he did not wish them, and therefore sent them back tome. 468 October i, 1879. I requested that a copy of my charges be furnished or that I be released from arrest, and was furnished with a lot of stuff which is all bosh. It is easily seen that they are manufactured and fixed up for the purpose of trying to force me out of the regiment. Lieutenant Easterly gets command of the company by making a false representation in order to get me under arrest. October 11, 1879. The Adjutant-General of the Department sent for all the papers in connection with my case. Lieut. George E. Albee, retired, is here in the interest of the Hotchkiss gun. He looked over my defense, and did not hesitate in saying that it was a put-up job. I learned today that General Ord had telegraphed to the Secre tary of War that the charges against me were very serious. October 21, 1879. The Dutchman is here with General Stanley and the rest of the court. Clous is going among my men manufacturing all the evidence he possibly can to win the case. He has sufficient con trol of those negro soldiers to make them swear to anything that he may fix up. Trying to Procure Evidence. 469 October 22, 1879. Sent a telegram requesting permission to take my wife home and then come back and stand trial, Dr. Woodruff giving a certifi cate recommending that such be done. Colonel Blunt repri manded me today because I did not salute him. I look upon him as a cowardly sneak and an imbecile. October 30, 1879. Major Courtney arrived last evening from Fort Davis, and is helping me on my case. The following-named court was convened under Special Order No. 210 at Fort Stockton, Texas, on Monday, the 30th day of October, 1879: Detail for the court — Col. D. M. Stanley, Twenty-second In fantry; Lieut.-Col. N. B. Sweetzer, Eighth Cavalry; Lieut.-Col. J. E. Yard, Twenty-fourth Infantry; Capt. J. H. Patterson, Twen tieth Infantry; Capt. John Plartley, Twenty-second Infantry; Capt. De Witt C. Poole, Twenty-second Infantry; First Lieut. G. F. Foote, Regimental Quartermaster, Eighth Cavalry. Capt. J. W. Clous, Twenty-fourth Infantry, was appointed Judge-Ad vocate of the court. Maj. Joseph Bush, Twenty-fifth Infantry, was detailed as a member of the court, vice Col. J. E. Yard, Twenty-fourth Infan try, relieved. This was court No. 7. After making arrangements with Major Courtney of the Twen ty-fifth Infantry, stationed at Fort Davis, to act as my counsel, we appeared before the court at 10 o'clock, October 30, 1879, and I could only with the greatest difficulty be persuaded by my coun sel not to object to every member of the court, as I was confident they had been specially selected for the purpose of convicting me whether the charges were substantiated or not. The well-known reputations of Col. David Stanley and Major Bush were sufficient grounds to convince me that I could not expect justice at their hands. Captains Patterson and Poole and Lieutenant Foote were merely figureheads that could easily be handled by Clous, who generally selected such characters for details away from their command. They looked upon it as a ''soft snap" when detailed on a court-martial where they could draw their mileage and com mutation of quarters or have a change of duty from ordinary gar rison life. There is generally a class of. officers of that descrip tion in the Army ready to serve their superiors in any way to 470 satisfy such men as Clous, who was also detailed from his regi ment to act as Judge-Advocate of the Department, drawing his mileage, commutation of quarters and extra pay, all of which nat urally encouraged him to make up a case that would appear serious and select such officers for his court as he supposed he could handle and beget confidence in the Department Com mander as being a very valuable officer who apparently was work ing for the interest of the service by having his victims found guilty and published as an example and warning to others in the Army. After Clous arrived at Fort Stockton he connived with Col onel Blunt, Dr. Price, Lieutenant Easterly and several negroes who were in the guardhouse or who had been punished and con cocted a set of false and malicious charges which they all knew were not true and brought in such negroes as they could induce to perjure themselves in order to make the record show that I was guilty of overmarching my men while on a scout after Indians and for not giving them sufficient rations, causing sickness and death. I proved before the court by witnesses of the best character and standing in the community, both in the Army and civil life, that all the rations that the Government had issued to me had been caiefully distributed among the men; that no man was required to march any further than I did ; that I shared the same hardships and fatigue on the scouts ; that I lived pretty much on the same rations as issued to them. The Post Surgeon, Dr. Woodruff, who thoroughly investigated every soldier who was reported sick by this contract Surgeon, Dr. Price, testified that these men were shirks and malingerers ; that he had immediately returned them to duty, and that no man had died or been injured through any neglect or arbitrary action on my part as commanding officer. The settlers sustained and upheld me in doing my duty and pro tecting a large strip of country several hundred miles long and fifty or one hundred miles wide, stocked with thousands of cattle, horses, mules and ponies, and that I so distributed my command throughout that section in detachments and kept them so em ployed and on the move that the Indians dare not come into that section while my command was on duty there. No stock from any ranch was lost or stolen by the Indians while I was on duty in the field in that section of the countrv. 47 1 I wish to mention an underhanded and villainous act of Capt. J. W. Clous, the Judge-Advocate, during my trial of which I have since secured evidence through the kindness of Colonel O'Brien, who was temporarily in command of Fort Stockton, and gave me authority to get copies of records from the Adjutant's office, the following being an official copy furnished by the Post Adjutant : ("Confidential.") General C. M. Rooms, Fort Stockton, Texas, November io, 1879. Commanding Officer, Fort Stockton, Texas: Sir — I wish you would please inquire of Capt. Geo. A. Armes, Tenth Cavalry, if he has any records of Company "L," Tenth Cav alry, in his possession, and, if he answers in the affirmative, to cause him to surrender them to the commanding officer of that company. If he desires to use them in his trial he can obtain them by proper summons. I have reason to believe that Captain Armes has in his posses sion a morning report book of the company, which I would like to examine, but for obvious reasons do not wish to summon from him a record of which he is not the legal and proper custodian. I have the honor to be, sir, very respectfully, your obedient ser vant, (Signed) J. W. Clous, Capt. Twenty-fourth Inf., Judge- Adv., G. C. M. P. S. — Please do not refer this to Captain Armes. A true copv from the records of this office. (Signed) H. L. Ripley, Second Lieut. Twenty-fourth Inf., Post Adjt. I had a copy of my morning report book made in a condemned book which I had stored away. This book I could have burned up with a lot of other papers supposed to be useless, but thinking perhaps I might need to refer to my scout some, time in case I should ever write a book, I made a true copy. When I went before the court I found that misstatements and misrepresenta tions were being made by the Judge- Advocate to members of the court in such a way that I found it necessary to bring my copy to refer to and to use as proof to show that my company report book, turned over to my successor, had been altered after it had gone out of my possession. 472 • Upon the discovery by Captain Clous of this book in my pos session he knew that he would lose his case unless that book could be taken from me, and finally 1 received an order from the Post Commander to deliver it over to the court, as was more fully ex plained subsequently in a statement by my brother, Charles H. Armes, with all the facts before him, in which he set forth the minutest details affecting the matter of the duplicate report book and the necessity of my having it to use as evidence. The following are extracts from my diary : October 31, 1879. The court met at 10 this A. M., and I pleaded to the first charge on four specifications, and then put in a plea of bar of trial on the first. November 1, 1879. The court met in the old building at 10 this A. M. Major Courtney put in a plea of bar of trial on the second specification, but it was overruled, and the one for the seventh was accepted in my favor. Lieutenant Glenn was on the stand today, also Lieu tenant Easterly, who testified contrary to facts. November 3, 1879. Court met again at 10 this A. M. Major Bush, who is on a drunk, was excused on acount of sickness. Lieutenant Easterly was questioned by Captain Clous two or three hours, and then turned over to Major Courtney and me. I have no confidence in the court, and consented to not challenge on the advice of my counsel, Major Courtney. Colonel Grierson came by the post last night, hobnobbing and conniving with the members in order that they may convict me. November 6, 1879. Dr. Woodruff was before the court today, and his testimony was in my favor. November 13, 1879. Lieutenant Glenn was called before the court and contradicted Lieutenant Easterly. Sergeant Iiill was on the stand most of the day, and was questioned in regard to company matters. November 18, 1879. The court met at 9 this A. M. Siggles, Brooks and Scales were summoned, but Clous would not allow anything said that re flected upon Dr. Price. 473 November 23, 1879. . General Stanley, Major Bush and Captain Poole left for their posts today. Major Bush has been on a drunk most of the time since he has been at this post. Some are of the impression that I have been honorably acquitted, but knowing Clous as I do and his underhanded way of managing cases and picking his courts, I feel that I have been found guilty and sentenced to dis missal, and propose to head them off in Washington as soon as possible. Clous is a man 1 cannot expect any justice or fair deal ings from, and having full control of the court, he handles the members as if they were his puppets. November 28, 1879. Colonel Bentzoni called on me last evening, and we had quite a talk in relation to saluting Colonel Blunt, and finally, on his ad vice, I agreed to salute him hereafter. The Colonel is an old sol dier and a good friend of mine, and thinks it best to humor Blunt, considering that he is a sort of an imbecile. The following selections from the communications which passed during the year just closed will throw light on the motives that prompted my prosecution, or, more properly speaking, my persecution : Post Hospital, Fort Stockton, Texas, August 15, 1879. To tbe Post Adjutant, Fort Stockton, Texas: Sir — I have the honor to report the case of Bugler William Sim mons, Company "L," Tenth Cavalry. He is suffering from acute dysentery, which has now become chronic and does not yield to remedies. Repeated examinations have been made which prove that the patient is also suffering from tubercular deposit in apex of left king, with symptoms of dullness on percussion; sibilant rales and cough slight; expectoration, with pain over upper region of left lung. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) Ezra Woodruff, Asst. Surgeon, U. S. Army. Headquarters Company L, Tenth Cavalry, Fort Stockton, Texas, August 15, 1879. A. A. A. General, Fort Concho, Texas, Through Post Headquarters: Sir — In compliance with orders received by me yesterday re questing a full explanation in regard to dismounting the escort 474 furnished me and using the public horses in my private convey ances, I have the honor to submit for the information of the Gen eral commanding the district the following facts: When within a short distance of the water hole between Camp Charlotte and Grierson Springs one of my horses began to fag, and, with the consent of the corporal of the escort, his horse was put with mine, and he rode in the ambulance with me to the water hole, where we halted, watered, grazed and fed our horses, remaining two or three hours, when my own horses were hitched up, and which I drove to within eight or ten miles of the spring, when signs of a storm appeared, and one of my private horses being fagged, and thinking I could not reach water that night unless I had the corporal's horse, I again asked him to let me hitch him with mine, and I drove on to the spring, reaching it about dark. The horse was not injured, and 1 only used him in order that I might be able to reach water that night. Considering it for the interest of the ser vice to care for the Government horses as well as my own, the use of the horse in question for the short distance was a necessity, as no injury whatever was done. Having driven him myself, I feel confident the General commanding the detachment will find no fault now that the emergency of the case is truly explained, show ing one horse only was used for a short time during the day, instead of horses, as reported. Respectfully, your obedient servant, G. A. Armes, Capt. Tenth Cav., Comdg. Company. (First Endorsement.) Headquarters Fort Stockton, Texas, August 16, 1879. Respectfully transmitted to the A. A. A. General of the District of the Pecos, Fort Concho, Texas. D. D. Vanvalzah, Capt. Twenty-fifth Inf., Comdg. Post. (Second Endorsement.) Headquarters Department of the Pecos, Fort Concho, Texas, September 18, 1879. Respectfully returned to Capt. Geo. A. Armes, Tenth Cavalry, through commanding officer, Fort Stockton, Texas, for further report. Attention is invited to within enclosure, together with endorsements thereon, these papers to be returned. By order of Col. B. H. Grierson. Robt. PI. Smither, First Lieut, and Adjt. Tenth Cav. 475 Received telegram of my father's death and obtained leave of absence, as per following order : Headquarters Department of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, September i, 1879. Special Orders No. 186. III. Leave of absence for one month, with permission to go beyond the limits of the Department, is granted Capt. G. A. Armes, Tenth Cavalry, Fort Stockton, Texas. By command of Brigadier-General Ord. Hugh G. Brown, Capt. Twelfth Inf., A. D. C, in charge. Just as I had arranged to leave the post the cold-blooded villain Blunt stopped me, not only preventing me from having an oppor tunity to take a last look at my father, but caused me a loss of thousands of dollars. War Department, Signal Service, U. S. A. — United States Telegraph. Fort Stockton, Texas, November 22, 1879. Send the following message: O. B. To Hon. G. W. McCrary, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C, Through the proper military channels : My request to General Ord for thirty days' leave to take my sick wife home and to attend to important business in connection with my father's death not having been approved, I respectfully request that you grant me the privilege, as the court finished my case to day, and 1 am now waiting the promulgation of its decision. Armes, Captain. Headquarters, Fort Stockton, Texas, November 23, 1879. Respectfully returned to Capt. G. A. Armes, Tenth Cavalry. The Commanding Officer declines to send this telegram, as the leave asked for has been refused by the Department Commander. If Captain Armes wishes to appeal from the action of the De partment Commander he can make his appeal to the Division Commander. My order of Lieutenant-Colonel Blunt. (Signed) Owen Joy Sweet, First Lieut. Twenty-fifth Inf., Post Adjt. 476 State of Texas, County of Pecos, ss. : Personally appeared before me, the undersigned authority, John C. H. Galvin, who, being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that the following statement is true that he served in the field with Captain Armes as guide to his command; that he has known and had dealings with Contract Doctor M. F. Price-off and on since May 15, 1879, and from what he knows personally of him, in addition to his general reputation for truth and veracity in this section of the country, he would not believe him under oath. (Signed) John C. H. Galvin, Post Guide. Sworn and acknowledged to before me this 22d day of Decem ber, 1879. (Signed) H. B. Quimby, First Lieut. Twenty-fifth Inf., J. A. G., C. M. CHAPTER XVIII. Fort Stockton, Texas, January 6, 1880. The telegraph operator handed me a dispatch today from a friend, who stated that the court had dismissed me and my papers had gone to Washington. I immediately telegraphed the facts to my brother. January 15, 1880. Judge Frazier gave me a long letter to Congressman Upson. Dr. Woodruff, Post Surgeon, also gave me a strong statement, which I sent to Washington tonight. February 13, 1880. Lieutenant Easterly is acting as meanly as he possibly can. He went so far as to take every soldier away from my quarters, refusing to allow them to work or do anything around the house, and as he passed by my quarters this evening I remarked that West Point could not make a gentleman out of a scrub. He at once reported the matter to Colonel Blunt, who put himself on the same footing with him, took advantage of his authority, without any investigation of the facts, and revoked the limits of the gar rison, requiring me to remain in my quarters. February 17, 1880. I made a request today that I be allowed to take my wife and children for a short drive for exercise, but it was disapproved by the gallant Colonel Blunt. ! March 9, 1880. During the past few weeks I have been obliged to take care of my own horses, help with the cooking and housework and look after the children, as my wife's health is so impaired it is impos sible for her to do it all. There being no civilian servants or any one that could be hired, all the officers use enlisted men as such. They are detailed from their companies and excused from their military duties by Colonel Blunt and the company commanders, some of the officers having as many as from six to ten men ex cused from legitimate duties to act as their servants. Legally I had just as much right as any of the rest, but power invested in a mean man can make it very inconvenient for those under him. 478 April 3, 1880. Paymaster Robinson arrived last evening and paid the troops today. At 10 A. M. I managed to get Lucy and the children com fortably fixed in the ambulance, and he has kindly invited them to be his guests during the march to San Antonio. Colonel Blunt. refused to let me go to camp this evening, only a short distance from the post, to see that my family got started safely and com fortably and properly provided for. Dr. Woodruff did all he could for us all. My wife seemed pleased to get away from Blunt, and hopes she will never see or hear of such a man again. She thinks that West Point must be hard up for material when they supply such men as Blunt to the Army and call them gentlemen. April'6, 1880. I have been so worried since my family left on account of Col onel Blunt's tyranny that the doctor has been required to treat me for nervous prostration. I have been refused permission to go to the post-trader's or to have my limits extended for my meals. Dr. Woodruff has invited me several times co dine with him. I have been obliged to cook my own meals and attend to my horses, as Colonel Blunt declines to allow any enlisted man to come to my quarters. April 17, 1880. The past few days a great deal of my time has been spent in preparing a set of serious charges against Colonel Blunt, Lieut. O. J. Sweet and Lieutenant Easterly, the conspirators who are trying to force me out of the regiment. First Sergeant Turner gave me a good strong affidavit today. Judge Frazier and Judge Blacker called and went through my brief, and say it is impos sible for me to be found guilty by an honorable court on such charges. April 20, 1880. Judge Blacker gave me a splendid letter to Senator Maxey. Mr. Ray copied the charges I preferred against Colonel Blunt for me last night, and I sent them to San Antonio in this morning's mail. Apnl 22, 1880. Had a splendid letter from Surgeon Woodruff, which I have forwarded to Washington. General Portis came to see me twice today, and has taken a great interest in my case. Colonel Blunt 479 refuses to allow me to go out of the garrison after my meals, and I have to get them the best way I can. Consequently from twenty to thirty hours pass without my being able to obtain anything to eat. April 29, 1880. General Portis and Judge Blacker spent last evening with me and examined my whole case very thoroughly. Judge Blacker referred to the Knox court-martial and a letter written to Mr. Lincoln in regard to getting General Grant released. While at tending the grand jury I have an opportunity to get some good meals at the Hotel Johnson. April 30, 1880. Colonel Blunt has detailed Lieutenant Loughborough, his Ad jutant, to try to playthe spy for him andwatch to see if I go beyond the limits requiring my attendance on the civil court, but he is not the man to do the dirty work that Lieutenant Sweet used to be guilty of. I shall not forget how anxious Lieutenant Sweet was to get up charges. A few weeks ago he went so far as to take a stick and stir up the slops in the barrel, where he found a few grains of corn, and reported the matter to Colonel Blunt, who had it immediately investigated, finding that the man who milked my cows had scraped up a peck or half bushel of sweepings by au thority of the Quartermaster and put it in the barrel. This shows how desperate Blunt and his conspirators are to force me out of the regiment because I happen to be a restored officer who they propose shall not remain in the service if they can prevent. May 1, 1880. Since my services before the civil court are ended Colonel Blunt has declined to allow me out of the garrison, even to get my meals. May 4, 1880. Judge Blacker left yesterday for San Antonio. General Portis did not get off with him as he expected, but spent a portion of the day with me, and has advised me to bring a civil suit against Col onel Blunt for inhuman and brutal treatment. May 26, 1880. I received a telegram from my brother Charles stating that my sentence has been commuted to one year on half pay and to be confined at the post where my company was stationed, 480 May 28, 1880. Sent an application for an extension of limits of arrest on ac count of sickness from being so closely cooped up. Dr. Wood ruff made a strong endorsement in my behalf. May 31, 1880. Governor Sheppard and Paymaster Watson arrived today on their way West. Governor Sheppard is interested in a large silver mine in Mexico, and is traveling in grand style with his ambu lance, wagons and escort. July 14, 1880. Colonel O'Beirne approved my request to take copies of records from the Adjutant's office and look through the files, which was the means of giving me some information which will prove valuable to me in the future. General Vincent telegraphed today, saying that I would be ordered to Fort McKavett for trial on July 26. July 16, 1880. In going through the records at the headquarters today I found some valuable papers regarding actions of Colonel Blunt, and in one volume in regard to false reports sent to General Ord, which caused my trouble. July 21, 1880. Colonel O'Beirne gave me orders to go by stage to Fort Mc Kavett, and I am preparing to leave in the morning. Sent my ambulance, horses and buggy and such dishes and furniture as I could not dispose of in charge of Lieutenant Davis to take through. Pecos Crossing, July 22, 1880. Left Stockton on the stage yesterday at 12 o'clock. Lieut, H. L. Ripley bade me good-bye and wished me success. He has 'been very gentlemanly and obliging since I met him. Fort McKavett. July 27, 1880. Reached this post at sunrise. Met Lieutenant Mosher at the post-trader's. He pointed me to Dr. Wolf's headquarters. Dr. Waters, Post Surgeon, could not but notice my nervous condi tion, and excused me from appearing before the court today. Cap tain Little called on me this afternoon ; also Mr. Tesson and Lieu tenant Morrison, who treated me as kindly as possible. Clous came in to get some information, and I expressed my opinion of him and Colonel Blunt rather severely. [Court-Martial No. 8.] 48 1 >¦ Headquarters Department of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, July 13, 1880. (Special Orders No. 139.) ** * * ******* II. A general court-martial will convene at Fort McKavett, Texas, on Monday, the 26th day of July, 1880, at 10 o'clock A. M., or as soon thereafter as practicable, for the trial of Capt. George A. Armes, Tenth Cavalry, and such other persons as may be properly brought before it. Detail for the Court.— Col. T. H. Neill, Eighth Cavalry; Lieut- Col. A. J. Dallas, Twenty-second Infantry; Maj. A. L. Hough, Twenty second Infantry: Surg. W. S. Waters; Capt. C. J. Dickey, Twenty-second Infantry; Capt. Francis Clarke, Twenty-second Infantry; Capt. C. W. Miner, Twenty-second Infantry; Asst. Surg. M. K. Taylor, Medical Department; First Lieut. W. H. Keil, Twenty-second Infantry. Capt. J. W. Clous, Twenty-fourth Infantry, is appointed Judge- Advocate of the court. The court is authorized to sit without regard to hours. * * * * * * * * * # * By command of Brig.-Gen. Ord. (Signed) Thomas M. Vincent, Asst. Adjutant-General. July 28, 1880. Dr. Waters came over, and thought it best not for me to appear before the court today. He therefore requested until Monday morning to enable me to get counsel on the ground that I was not able to go on with my own case. The court adjourned until Mon day or until I was ready to go before it. July 31, 1880. Appeared before the court at 10 this A. M. Objected to Lieu tenant Keil, Dr. Taylor, Clous, and, in fact, the whole court, but was not sustained. I objected to Clous on the ground that he was not a gentleman or a man who could be relied upon under any circumstances. August 2, 1880. Received a telegram from Mr. Paschal stating that he would leave San Antonio Wednesday as my counsel. Major Courtney was over to see me, and appears very anxious to shield Colonel Blunt. Sent in a plain statement of facts in regard to Colonel 31 482 Blunt's treatment and brutal actions, but he being a West Pointer and a special friend of Generals Ord and Vincent, will be shielded in his disgraceful actions. August 7, 1880. Mr. Paschal came in at 6 A. M. on the stage, and at 1 o'clock we appeared before the court, where he was admitted as my coun sel. He advised me not to object to any more of the members of the court after Dr. Taylor and Keil were allowed to remain. August 9, 1880. The court met at 10 o'clock and commenced with Captain Little as a witness. His testimony did not amount to much. Lieu tenant Maxon was called, but did not show that the book was a blotter. August 10, 1880. Appeared before the court this A. M. Colonel Blunt was called as a witness for the prosecution and kept the stand all day.' He said everything he could possibly against me and lied so plainly that any fair-minded person could see his hostility. August 12, 1880. Dr. Woodruff called on me yesterday and seemed very glad to see me. Major Courtney was before the court as a witness. The court closed my case with Dr. Woodruff's and Mr. Paschal's tes timony and adjourned until 5 PM. tomorrow to hear Mr. Pas chal's argument. August 13, 1880. Mr. Paschal appeared before the court and read his argument. It was very interesting, and I do not see how it is possible for the court to get around it, but it is not necessary that I should be guilty in order for the court to find me so, as there is no doubt their minds were made up before meeting as to what they would do, having been picked and entirely controlled by Clous. He selected old Colonel Neil, who is in his dotage and can be handled by almost anyone. August 20, 1880. I was assigned quarters in an old building that had been used as a hospital, and Dr. Waters declined to allow me any of the hos pital bedding, but Lieut. M. C. Martin, Post Quartermaster, sent over an old dirty iron bunk; no chairs, mattress or blankets. 4«3 August 23, 1880. Before breakfast this A. M. I wrote a long spicy letter to Major Hough in reply to his endorsement about hospital property. He being a member of the court, naturally knows what my sentence is, and from his actions is taking advantage of the condition he thinks he has placed me in. August 25, 1880. Received a splendid letter from Lucy today stating she would leave Washington tomorrow. Lieutenant Mosher, Post Adjutant here, is beginning to put on airs and show his self-importance in a very insulting manner. August 26, 1880. Received authority to go to San Antonio, and have made ar rangements to start in the morning. In the meantime my horse and ambulance had come in to Concho, and after packing every thing and storing it away I left McKavett at 2 P. M. on my pony. Kerrville, Texas, August 28, 1880. Did not sleep much last night. Started out at 5 this A. M. and rode forty-nine miles today. San Antonio, August 30, 1880. Left Birney last night at 8 o'clock ; took the right-hand road instead of the left, and went eight or ten miles out of the way before I was informed that I would have to return to Birney and start again. This I did, reaching San Antonio at 7 this A. M. Called on Major Robinson, who was very glad to see me ; gave me a splendid room and invited me to be his guest. At 3 o'clock a 'bus drove up from the depot with my wife and three children just from Washington. All look well, but tired. We had an early break fast this A. M., and I applied for an ambulance this A. M. to take my family to McKavett, but Colonel Vincent only furnished a six-mule wagon. Under the circumstances I had to purchase an ambulance for that purpose. San Antonio, September 2, 1880. Lucy went around with me shopping, and we bought quite a number of necessaries to establish ourselves in quarters on our arrival at the post, where I am ordered to remain while serving out the balance of mv sentence. 484 September 15, 1880. Received a telegram from Concho stating that my ambulance and three horses were at the post. -Colonel Hough, the Post Commander, refused to allow me outside the garrison to try to find some one to go after my ambulance. October 17, 1880. The man I had engaged failing to appear, I was obliged to go to the woods and haul wood for my family. Most of my time is taken up in taking care of my horses, building fires and helping with the housework. November 15, 1880. I was up early this A. M. Went to market, made fire, hired a woman by the name of Mary Jones today, tended to my horses and helped to get my breakfast. Cut and hauled two cartloads of wood, Major Hough declining to allow the prisoners or enlisted men to cut wood for me. November 28, 1880. Received my patent today from Father Hobon for 320 acres of mineral land in El Paso county. November 30, 1880. Paymaster Dodge arrived here last night and paid off today. I made a written request to Major Hough for the prisoners to cut me some wood, but he disapproved it. December 4, 1880. As the weather is getting so cold, I require a great deal of wood to keep my quarters warm, and Major Clark kindly sent me two or three men to assist in getting and hauling it. December 11, 1880. The news of General Ord's retirement was received here today with general satisfaction. At least 10,000 signatures could have been obtained requesting his removal from this department, as he seemed to be despised by almost every honest man. December 14, 1880. I had quite a time today. Our trusted cook, Sallie Thompson, has gotten into the sideboard and drank up a bottle of whiskey. She started to broil the steak and let it burn up. Upon going to the kitchen my wife found her dead drunk and on the floor, so that I had to turn in and help get dinner, after pouring a few pails of water over the cook's head to sober her up. 485 December 29, 1880. We find it very difficult to keep warm in spite of the fires that are kept going day and night. The thermometer registers seven degrees below zero. I suffered a great deal with neuralgia, and can scarcely rest in any position. December 31, 1880. I was up nearly all last night reading Sherman's book. Figur ing up my accounts, the cost of getting my family to Washington and back and the sacrifices I had td make on account of my arrests, expenses of counsel for court-martial, etc., I find that I have had to pay out $2130, causing me to sacrifice my cattle, which I had purchased before leaving Stockton, entailing a loss of sev eral thousand dollars. I find that during the year, in speculations and selling property, I had taken in $17,000 without interfering with any of my military duties. This has been a great help in get ting my case properly presented before the court, which was spe cially selected to convict without regard to evidence. The following extracts from statement prepared in August, 1880? to be submitted to the authorities in Washington, followed by letters and extracts from communications made during the year, will serve to convey a clearer idea of the difficulties which environed me : State of Texas, County of Pecos, ss.: Personally appeared before me, the undersigned authority, Lewis Pascon, who, being duly sworn according to law, and says : That he has been a citizen of Pecos over ten years ; that he is largely interested, with other men, in raising stock on the Pecos river above Fort Stockton, Texas, in this county; that he has fre quently applied for assistance from the post for protection against the Indians, who are constantly raiding on his lands and stealing horses and cattle : that none of his requests have received any at tention; that he appealed to Colonel Blunt, the commanding officer at Fort Stockton, yesterday for protection, the Indians hav ing stolen a number of his horses and cattle ; that Colonel Blunt answered him as he has done others, as follows : "That he could not protect the whole country, and that if people wanted protection they must move in nearer the post," or words to that effect, and refused his assistance in spite of his. having four companies of troops lying idle at the post — two companies of cavalry and two of infantry — which have not been scouting for several months, and when informed that any men sent for the pro tection of our people would be furnished with beef without cost to the Government, and flour, too, if necessary, as an inducement to send a few men to our protection, he" still persisted in his refusal. 486 That he can furnish a number of affidavits to the same effect if necessary. (Signed) Lewis Pascon. Sworn and subscribed to before me this 31st day of January, A. D. 1880. E. W. Bates, (Copy.) Clerk County Court, Pecos County. State of Texas, County of Pecos, ss: Personally appeared before me, the undersigned authority, Sergeant William Turner, Company L, Tenth Cavalry, who, being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that Lieut- Col. M. M. Blunt, Twenty-fifth Infantry, commanding the post of Fort Stockton, Texas, did speak to him in the following man ner, to wit : "I have sent for you to sign a statement against Cap tain Armes, and as first sergeant of the company it is your place to do it, and I will see that you are protected," or words to that effect. And when the said Sergeant Turner, Company L, Tenth Cavalry, declined to sign or swear to the statement prepared and fixed for his signature, saying that he had been in the Army a long time and was never in any trouble, and that he did not wish to mix up in any officer's matter, and that he had never had any cause to complain against Captain Armes, and that he never had complained to anyone against his Captain, the said Colonel Blunt ordered or compelled the said Turner to sign and swear to the paper in question against his will. Further, when Captain Clous and Lieutenant Easterly called him before them (after the court had met to try the Captain) for the purpose of using him as a wit ness for the prosecution of Captain Armes, that he did not say anything to them that would give the least ground for calling him as a witness against Captain Armes, and that he was not called. Further, that there is not a man in the company who would volunteer to enter a complaint against the Captain, with the excep tion of four or five whom Captain Armes had justly preferred charges against, and who, he believes, only complained to escape a trial. Further, Lieutenant-Colonel Blunt and Lieutenant Sweet, Twenty-fifth Infantry; Lieutenant Easterly, Tenth Cavalry, and Contract Doctor Price were continually sending for and talking with men of the company, and had some of them so mixed up and frightened that they only signed or swore against the Captain for fear of punishment. Further, Captain Amies has always been kind and just to all the men of the company without ever showing partiality, no com plaint ever being made by the first sergeant of the company for any man but what it was promptly looked into and justice ren dered by Captain Armes. 4^7 Further, none but the worst characters in the company were selected to help sustain the trumped-up or manufactured charges against him, and such men as were willing to perjure themselves if persuaded by some of the Captain's enemies, it was for their interest to do so. (Signed) William Turner, Sergeant Co. L, Fourth Cavalry. Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 17th day of April, 1880. (Signed) E. W. Bates, Clerk County Court, Pecos County. A true copy. (Signed) G. A. Armes, Captain Tenth Cavalry. Headquarters Fort Stockton, Texas, April 15, 1880. Capt. George A. Armes, Tenth Cavaly, Fort Stockton, Texas : Sir — The Commanding Officer directs me to inform you that your extension of limits per endorsement from these headquarters April 7, 1880, is for the purpose of going to Mr. Johnson's to get your meals, and you are prohibited from visiting any other place in the village. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) R. II . R. Loughborough, Second Lieutenant, Twenty-fifth Inf., Post Adjt. Headquarters Fort Stockton, April 22, 1880. Capt. George A. Armes, Tenth Cavalry, Fort Stockton, Texas : Sir — The Commanding- Officer directs me to inform you that the limits which were extended to enable you to get your meals in the village adjoining the post are hereby restricted to the post proper. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) R. H. R. Loughborough, Second Lieutenant, Twenty-fifth Inf., Post Adjt. In the District Court, A. D. 1880. The State of Texas, County of Pecos : To the Hon. Allen Blacker, Judge of the Twentieth Judicial District of the State of Texas : The petition of George A. Armes, a resident citizen of the county of Pecos, State of Texas, complaining of M. M. Blunt, also a citizen of the county of Pecos and State of Texas, in an action of false imprisonment, most respectfully represents that on or about the 24th day of September, in the year 1879, at the place known as Fort Stockton, in the county of Pecos, the said M. M. Blunt, then and there being the Lieutenant-Colonel commanding said post and of the Twenty-fifth Infantry of the United States 488 Army, did then and there without proper consideration and with force and arms did then and there seize and take the sword of him, George A. Armes, then and there the Captain commanding Com pany L of the Tenth Regiment of the United States Cavalry, and with great force and violence the said M. M. Blunt did then and there upon divers and sundry false and unfounded charges and specifications place the said George A. Armes in custody and confinement without authority of court and with great damage to him, the said George A. Armes, namely : In the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000). The said George A. Armes for further course of action says that the said false imprisonment of him, the said George A. Armes, Captain of Company L of the Tenth Regi ment of Cavalry of the United States Army, by M. M. Blunt, the Lieutenant-Colonel of the Twenty-fifth Regiment of Infantry of the United States Army, did then and there by reason of the deten tion of the said G. A. Armes of and from his private affairs in and about the District of Columbia in the United States of America, did then and there cause and procure of, from and about the pri vate affairs of the said George A. Armes great injury and loss, to wit : In the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Now the facts all considered, your petitioner, George A. Armes, prays your honor that the said M. M. Blunt, Lieutenant- Colonel commanding the Twenty-fifth Infantry of the United States Army, be cited to appear at the next term of the District Court of Pecos county to answer this complaint, and that he then and there be condemned to pay your petitioner the sum of twenty thousand dollars and all costs for general relief, and as in duty bound petitioner will ever pray, etc. (Signed) D. S. Portis. Attorney for P. C. Fort Stockton, Texas, June 30, 1880. To the Post Adjutant : Sir — I respectfully request that I be furnished with a copy of Colonel Blunt's letter, dated June 23, 1880, in relation to my re quest for thirty days' permission to leave the Department. Respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) G. A. Armes, Captain Tenth Cavalry. First endorsement. Headquarters Fort Stockton, June 30, 1880. Respectfully returned to Capt. George A. Armes, Tenth Cav alry, disapproved. By order of Capt. J. M. Kelley. (Signed) L. P. Hunt, First Lieut. Tenth Cav., Post Adjutant. 489 Fort Stockton, Texas, August 5, 1880. To the Adjutant-General of the Army, Washington, D.C: Sir — I respectfully request that you inform me with as little delay as possible if there is any order or regulation requiring Cap tains of companies to keep two morning report books, and if the morning report book sent to the Post Adjutant every morning is the one to be kept in a company. I also wish your opinion as to whether a Captain of a company has a right to take a copy of the original morning report and retain it as his private property. Respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) G. A. Armes, Captain Tenth Cavalry. HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, WASHINGTON. SV-OsXt ' fd — O® WkuitA.. \J UuCUX-e. ^{ruAlA) (ft "&~t> fr* ^p *P >K *K Yours most sincerely, Henry O. Flipper, Second Lieut. Tenth Cavalry. San Antonio, Texas, January 30, 1882. Hon. C. Upson, Washington, D. C. : Dear Sir — Capt. Geo. A. Armes, whom you know, desires, in accordance with the wishes and judgment of his friends, to be transferred from the Tenth Cavalry to the First Infantry. Cap tain Armes has rendered arduous service to Texas, and has many friends among the people of your district, who will be gratified by any personal exertion you may make, either alone or in conjunc tion with General Maxey, in furthering the object he has at heart. Believe me, yours most truly, Hf.xry C. King. San Antonio, Texas, January 31, 1882. Hon. C. Upson, Washington, D. C. : Dear Sir — The bearer, Capt. Geo. A. Armes of the Tenth Cav- alrv, is a gentleman well known to the writer and to some of the best citizens of San Antonio, who all speak in the highest terms of him as an officer and a gentleman, and I feel assured that any as sistance you can give him will be appreciated by your constituents who are acquainted with Captain Armes, besides being bestowed on a worthy gentleman. Respectfully, J. C. Cochran, Editor Times. 5io Washington, D. C, February 16, 1882. To the Honorable the -Secretary of War (Through the Adjutant-General, U. S. A.) : Sir — I have the honor to respectfully invite your attention to the following facts relating to my efforts to effect a transfer from the Tenth Cavalry to the First Infantry, and to appeal to your au thority that justice may be done me and the transfer be made. On May 18, 1881, 1 signed an agreement of transfer with Fergus Walker, Captain First Infantry, herewith enclosed, bearing the endorsement of Colonel Grierson, Tenth Cavalry, and accom panied by Colonel Shaffer's remarks upon the subject. On August 7 an application for transfer was made by Captain Walker and myself and sent through regular military channels to the Adjutant-General, which was not favorably considered by the General of the Army. In a recent interview with the General of the Army he in formed me that he had disapproved my application for transfer in consequence of the disapproval of my regimental commander, Colonel Grierson, who again in a telegram to the General of the Army on the 16th inst. "emphatically refused" to approve the transfer. I am denied copies of the endorsements in this case, and am not permitted to know the reasons for the unfavorable consid eration given it by Colonel Grierson. I have respectfullv to inform the Honorable Secretary that since my restoration to the Tenth Cavalry in May, 1878, charges most trivial in character and unworthy of consideration have been repeatedly manufactured and preferred against me in order, as I believe, to render my life in the regiment too miserable to be borne, and this system of persecution has been followed with so much vindictive bitterness on General Grierson's part as to make a transfer from his regiment my only hope for happiness, or com fort even, to myself and family or for the best results from my efforts to render myself an efficient and useful officer of the Gov ernment. This hostility of General Grierson towards me is notori ous, and I most earnestly and hopefully appeal to the" Honorable Secretary. It is my full belief that General Grierson's desire for my present retention in his regiment is not the result of a wish to benefit the service, but that he hopes to drive me from it eventually, thus creating a vacancy for the promotion of his own son and other favorites. I am told that he has made the boast that the "result of the next court-martial" would compel me to leave the service. I state plainly that General Grierson is not friendly to me, as is well and notoriously known, and that he can have no friendly reason for desiring my retention in his regiment, but, on the con trary, in my opinion, his desire is to keep me there for unfriendly purposes, and my only and last hope for ending the difficulties 5U and persecutions from which I have suffered tinder his command is to be permitted to serve elsewhere, where I can prove to the Army and its General that I am worthy of their confidence, and this is my only purpose in making this request. I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) Geo. A. Armes, Capt. Tenth Cavalry, U. S. A. Through the assistance of a Senator I obtained the following endorsements from the War Department : (Endorsements on the foregoing.) It is the uniform practice in dealing with mutual applications for transfer from one regiment or corps to another to regard favorably the recommendations of regimental commanders. Act ing upon this, the General of the Army, without other considera tion, disapproved the transfer. Unfortunately for Captain Armes, his military career has been such as not to entitle him to that high consideration bestowed on the personal applications of more worthy officers. Respectfully, (Signed) R. C. Drum, Adjutant-General. February 20, 1882. Headquarters of the Army, Washing-ton, D. C, February 23, 1882. Respectfully submitted to the Honorable Secretary of War, disapproved. Captain Armes is commissioned to the Tenth Cavalry. Trans fers from cavalry to infantry and vice versa are only usual on mutual application of the parties approved by the Colonels. In this case Colonel Grierson disapproved, and on my applying to him by telegraph in the interest of Captain Armes, present in Washington, Colonel Grierson most emphatically disapproves. (Signed) W. T. Sherman, General. War Department, February 28, 1882. This application has been submitted to the President and is dis approved by him. (Signed) Robert T. Lincoln. Secretary of War. 5'2 War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, March 2, 1882. Capt. George A. Armes, Tenth Cavalry, Washington, D. C. : Sir — I have the honor to inform you that your communication of the T6th ult. renewing your request for transfer to the First Infantry, etc., has been returned to this office by the Secretary of War endorsed by him as follows : "This application has been sub mitted to the President and is disapproved." The following gentlemen composed the Texas Stone, Marble, Tile & Paint Co., which I organized March 25 to build the State capitol of Texas: capital $5,000,000: Gen. W. B. Hazen, U. S. A., Washington, D. C; Hon. James B. Shaw, Galveston, Texas ; Hon. Hamilton P. Bee, San Antonio, Texas; Hon. John M. Swisher, San Antonio, Texas; Maj. 'Geo. A. Armes, U. S. A., San Antonio, Texas ; Mr. John Frazier, Wash ington, D. C. ; Col. A. F Rockford, U. S. A., Washington, D. C. ; Col. H. C. Corbin, U. S. A., Washington, D. C. ; Gov. Edward J. Davis, Austin, Texas ; Hon. John C. Brown, St. Louis, Mo. ; Hon. C. B. Farwell, Chicago, 111.; Hon. Branch T. Matterson, Galves ton, Texas ; Hon. Morgan R. Wise, Waynesboro, Pa. My being ordered to my command prevented me from going ahead with the enterprise, and it finally fell through, all of us los ing what money we had invested in it. Washington, D. C, April 17, 1882. Gen. R. C. Drum. Adjt.-Gen., U. S. A., Washington, D. C: Sir — My application for an extension of leave not having been granted, I have the honor to request that my application to trans fer to the First Infantry, with Capt. Fergus Walker, be reconsid ered by the Hon. Secretary of War, in view of the fact that it is an impossibility for me to live in peace in the Tenth Cavalry. There fore, I again most earnestly appeal, not only in my own interest, but in that of the public service, for the transfer I request. Respectfully, your obedient servant, G. A. Armes, Capt. Tenth Cav, 513 /V^/2 7jC^^s£ -^^ ~v %/T/i^ ^/*y^..^^^yfyry^2^ /£-» 0-t~<~ jUn~zA£ ^ «£ ^^> /**-^ A^yyyyzg J¥e. ^v 4, f^y> ^y^^. o^-o >7 y^> uo y&^c^. ftu/k- <^llU_, _ >7oi TLtA a^y AL**-A- ^ s. *..<*— f -$~yy azz^^^ the great amount of time consumed in trying to get justice at the War Department, making many friends among Senators and members of Congress, who took an active interest in my behalf. Senator John R. McPherson of New Jersey has been interested with me in making several large deals. One very important transaction which I carried through was the securing of an order from the War Department appointing the board of ordnance officers to examine into the patent of Captain Powlett for the Pneumatic gun carriage. After a thorough investi gation into the merits of the case, the board recommended that $10,000 be appropriated for the purpose of testing it, which I man aged to get through Congress, and the contract was given to the South Boston Iron Works Co. for the purpose of building it. Mr. Creecy was so well satisfied with my services that on November 1 he handed me $3000 worth of stock for securing the order and procuring the adoption of the patent. During the month of November Gen. D. G. Swaim was brought to trial before a court-martial, of which General Miles was presi dent. General Swaim being a special friend of mine, I took quite an interest in his case. During the month of December I was appointed on the military committee for the inauguration of Mr. Cleveland, and took a very active part in the organization of a cavalry command, which made a fine display in the parade. Col. William G. Moore was chairman of the committee, and we called a meeting at the National Hotel, bringing the old organization of the President's mounted guard together. General Beverly Robertson was elected Captain and William Dickson First Lieutenant. Afterwards Robertson withdrew, and I was made Captain and organized a company. Having employed Gen. J. W. Denver as my counsel to assist me in getting justice before the Senate in regard to my arbitrary re tirement, he sent the following letter to the military committee : 536 Washington, D. C, January 8, 1884. To the Chairman Committee on Military Affairs, U. S. Senate: Sir — The name of First Lieut. Chas. L. Cooper, Tenth Cavalry, has been sent to the Senate for confirmation as Captain, vice Armes, retired. I respectfully request that no action be taken on the nomination for promotion of said Cooper until the legality of the retirement of Captain Armes is further investigated and examined, and that I be permitted to appear and submit reasons why Captain Armes should not be retired, as ordered by the War Department. Very respectfully, J. W. Denver, Attorney for G. A. Armes. After getting my case before the military committee of the Senate, I was denied by Mr. Robert T. Lincoln, the Secretary of War, any evidence at his department that he thought would be of any service to me. I reported these facts to Senator Cockrell, who requested that what I wished be sent to me, which was done upon his application. In order to strengthen my case before the military committee I wrote to General Mason, Inspector-General of the Department of Texas, and received the following reply, which confirms the report and statements made by the officers at Fort Stockton that my company records were in good condition : Respectfully returned to Major Armes. So far as I can recall without reference to my notes, I found your troop in good condi tion at the inspections made at different times. I do not think that any complaints were ever made to me. Your books and records were well kept and complete. John Mason, Col. Ninth Inf. Feeling that a re-examination before a medical board would be in my favor, I made an application to the Adjutant-General that I be ordered before one for this purpose, to which I received a re ply denying my request. During the month of March I got Senator Beck of Kentucky thoroughly interested in my case. He prepared a bill which was in my favor, and which, if it had passed, would have been of great benefit to officers who are forcibly placed on the retired list arbi trarily, containing a clause which would have authorized the 537 President to revoke the order forcibly retiring me without just cause. This caused the opposition of Captain Bacon of the Ninth Cavalry, who had been a Colonel of General Sherman's staff, and he applied to both his Senators, Beck and Williams, as one of their constituents, representing to them it would be of great damage to him and prevent his promotion. Senator Beck, instead of introducing the bill himself, handed it to Senator Williams, who introduced it without noting its purport, and upon reading an attack in the press, I immediately sent a letter to Senator Williams and received the following reply : United States Senate, Washington, D. C, March 8, 1884. My Dear Sir — In making the motion in the Senate yesterday to relieve the Committee from further consideration of the bill regulating the retirement of Army officers, nothing was further from my purpose than to cast any injurious imputations upon anybody. I expressly stated that the bill was introduced by mis take. The first intimation that I had of such a bill was in a letter from a constituent of mine, who protested against it, because he said it would delay his promotion. I then looked into the matter and found the facts as stated by me in making the motion. I am sure that no sharp practice was attempted by you or anyone else in this matter, and do not think the facts will cast any injurious re flections upon you or the gentleman who prepared the bill. It was simply a mistake. Very truly, yours, John S. Williams. After the receipt of Senator Williams' letter I called on Colonel Bacon and asked him how it was that he was interfering and try ing to prevent me from obtaining justice at the hands of the War Department, when he remarked that "it was natural ; he had to look out for No. 1," and then went on with fhe details, explain ing that he and General Sherman called on the Secretary of War and requested him to order me retired in order to make a vacancy for his promotion to a majority, as he did not wish to return to his company as Captain after having served so long as a full Colonel on the staff of General Sherman, and that General Sherman was very anxious to obtain his promotion, remarking to the Secretary of War that in case I should be promoted out of the Tenth Cav alry into a new regiment there was no doubt but that I would stick, and under the circumstances Captain Bacon might have to 538 serve for a long time as a Captain in his regiment before receiving his promotion. Upon these representations Mr. Lincoln ordered my immediate retirement, although there was a large number of officers who had been recommended months before awaiting a vacancy, and although I was about the last recommended and the leave of absence approved for six months to await orders, the leave was revoked and I was arbitrarily placed on the retired list as a senior Captain of cavalry and Major Ball retired, promoting Captain Bacon to a majority, the place I was legally entitled to. These are facts that can be substantiated by the records of the De partment and other evidence. In connection with my attempt to obtain justice at the hands of the War Department General Rosecrans took a very active and friendly interest in my case and introduced the following bill : A Bill to Regulate the Re tiring of Army Officers. i. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep resentatives of the United States of America in Con gress assembled, That from and after the passage of this Act all officers of the Army of the United States who have been or may hereafter be recommended for retire ment for disability by a re tiring board shall be placed upon the retired list in the order in which they are rec ommended by said board of retirement. Sec. 2. That the Presi dent be and hereby is au thorized to revoke the order, September fifteenth, eighteen hun dred and eighty-three, by which Capt. George A. Armes, Tenth U. S. Cavalry, was retired, and that said Armes shall only be re tired in his order, agreeably to the foregoing provisions of this Act. Gen. W. S. Rosecrans. 539 In self-defense I found it necessary to send the following letter to the President on account of the harsh, unjust and arbitrary treatment received at the hands of Robert Lincoln, Secretary of War : Washington, D. C, March 13, 1884. To the President of the United States : Sir — I respectfully call your attention to the action of your Sec retary of War, Robert T. Lincoln, in his unjust treatment and mis representations of myself. He has said to me that he told you the statement I made to you in relation to his letter to me, which I alluded to in the interview you kindly granted me last Saturday, was a falsehood. This statement of his is not in accord with the facts. The following is a true copy of an extract from his communica tion to me on the subject of promotion: "You are referred to par agraph 36 of the Army Regulations, from which it will be seen that, having been found physically disabled for duty, you of neces sity come under the excepting provision of that paragraph." Paragraph 36, Army Regulations, referred to, reads as follows: "All vacancies in established regiments and corps to the rank of Colonel shall be filled by promotion according to seniority, except in case of disability or other incompetency." The disability referred to in this paragraph refers to disability occasioned through the commission of crimes or offenses. Now, I complain that if that was one of the grounds upon which my hasty retirement was made, which unjustly deprived me of the promotion to which I am entitled, I have never improperly inter fered with others, but as an officer of the Army and a citizen of the United States I feel it my duty to bring to public notice the dis honest actions of two prominent Army officers and one Cabinet officer, holding the position of Secretary of War, who were found guilty, or, in effect, confessed the truth of the charges I made, and the three went out of office in disgrace. Since their downfall re peated efforts have been made to ruin me, if possible, and I, as well as my family, have been compelled to suffer untold wrongs at the instance of dishonest persons who have had it in their power to do so, and so far have been unable to get any redress. It is true that I have several times been tried before courts-mar tial and found guilty, but all that was brought about by conspira cies and persecutions such as few officers, if any, ever had to con tend with, and the charges were so frivolous that under other cir cumstances a just commanding officer would have cast them aside as unworthy of notice. No charge was ever made against me which I could not have disproved had I been allowed an opportu nity to do so, but this was not permitted. Every possible advan tage was taken of me, first by giving me no time to meet the charges, which were suddenly changed, and, second, by excluding 54° my witnesses and evidence. The conspiracy against me fully de veloped itself when I was ordered to return to my regiment in 1878. When the telegram announcing this was handed Col. B. H. Grierson, I am told by an officer who was there present he declared it would not be three months before he would have me out again, and this he set about to accomplish. I was subjected to every pos sible annoyance, and charges were trumped up to send me before courts-martial or before boards, and, unfortunately for me, he and his coadjutors succeeded in poisoning against me the minds of those higher in authority. During the whole time of my service in the Army no inspecting officer ever reported me as deficient in the control or administra tion of my command, and the fact that I was several times recom mended for brevet for gallantry in the field, and mentioned in or ders a number of times, shows that I have not been inefficient while on duty. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) G. A. Armes. My military troubles did not prevent me from carrying on an energetic and profitable business, of which the following letters from prominent men are evidence : The Ebbitt House, Washington, D. C, September 3, 1884. Maj. Geo. A. Armes: Dear Sir — I will be glad to drive with you this afternoon to look at some houses. I have an idea of purchasing a residence in this city, and will be pleased to have you show me around. Your obedient servant, Wm. T. Harney, Bvt. Maj.-Gen., U. S. A. Washington, D. G, June 14, 1884. Hon. John B. Alley, Washington, D. C: Dear Sir — I have known Maj. George A. Armes for several years. He has transacted a considerable amount of business for me, and has always done it promptly and well. He has a very large acquaintance, and has been very successful in making sales. I think he would manage your business promptly and correctly if entrusted in his care. Yours respectfully, David L. Morrison. CHAPTER XXIII. Washington, D. C, January i, 1885. I commenced the first of the year by putting on my uniform, meeting the General of the Army at the War Department and marching with the long line of officers who had assembled there in full-dress uniform. After shaking hands with President Arthur and a large number of friends, many of whom I had not met for over twenty years, I invited Captain Heiner of the First Infantry to make calls. January 17, 1885. Captain Heiner called at my office this A. M. We had quite a long interview with the Secretary of War as to his appointing a board to look into the merits of my unjust retirement as a Captain. I told him that his action was one which would leave a stain upon his character that could never be wiped out. I also told him I would appeal to the President, and left him in disgust and con tempt. January 19, 1885. Judge Shellabarger made a splendid argument in defense of General Swaim today. I called at the War Department and had a long discussion with General Drum about the Secretary of War, handing him a letter for President Arthur in regard to the injus tice which Secretary Lincoln has inflicted upon myself and family. January 21, 1885. General Grosvenor made a very able argument in the defense of General Swaim today which ought to convince anyone that General Swaim would be cleared. January 27, 1885. Saw General Miles today a few minutes. He is still engaged on General Swaim's court. Ex-Governor Stanton of Kansas called to see me about his thirty thousand acres. January 31, 1885. Called on Mrs. Governor Swan with a letter of introduction from Governor Price. Had a very pleasant conversation in regard to real estate, of which she is a large owner. 542 After failing to obtain justice from the Secretary of War, who seemed fully controlled by my enemies, composed of a clique in the War Departmen who are bent on keeping me from receiving justice, I found it necessary to send a letter to the President of the United States, which Mr. Lincoln declined to let him see, sending me a letter dated January 31 as his excuse. The reader can easily see prejudice cropping out. Although an officer of the Army, I have found it necessary to run the risk of being court-martialed in order to bring out the facts and expose those in authority. But in spite of my making myself liable, it is impossible to get them to order a court to investigate my case for fear of their own exposure. February 2, 1885. Upon arriving at my office this A. M. I found the names of Col onel Woodbury and his son on my desk. They returned at 1 P. M., when I invited them to drive around the city and to my house to dine. They are now my guests. February 3, 1885. Last evening Colonel Woodbury and I called on Senator Sher man, Mr. Blaine, Mr. Edmonds and General Hazen. February 4, 1885. This A.M. Colonel Woodbury, his son Charlie and myself went to Manassas Station, Virginia. The Colonel hired a team and we drove over the ground of Bull Run, where he lost one of his arms in 1861. We picked up several cannon-balls near the place where his arm was shot off and brought them back as mementoes. February 17, 1885. Met Captain Home of England at the National Hotel last even ing. Spent an hour with Senator McPherson in trying to per suade him to purchase the Jackson House. Saw General Miles in relation to Mr. Hill's offer of $30,000 for his land. Had quite a talk with Senator Voorhees of Indiana, who is one of my sup porters. February 24, 1885. I sent a letter to the President enclosing copy of letter of Jan- nary 19, which the Secretary of War refused to deliver. 543 March i, 1885. I met a large number of friends at the Ebbitt House and Wil lard's last evening. Kept open house for my friends who are in terested with me in the mounted organization which is to turn out on the 4th. March 4, 1885. Met General Batchelder and Major Vanderburg, who had charge of receiving the troops. A number of my mounted men came in this A. M. Mr. Randolph, clerk of the War Department, gave me a few blank tickets to admit friends to the Department. I invited Mr. Jackson and his family, the Misses Drew and chil dren, obtaining a very nice place where they could witness the parade. After my command had passed in review I joined my friends in the War Department and had a misunderstanding with Colonel Barr, who informed me that he was acting Secretary of War in the absence of Secretary Lincoln. He took possession of the room where my friends were and tried to prevent me from going in, but I soon let him understand I had authority to be there. The Grenadier Band serenaded General Hazen and then came around to my house and serenaded my family and friends. March 9, 1885. Called on the Secretary of Navy, Mr. Whitney, at 9 A. M., who made an appointment to look at Stewart's Castle this afternoon, vvhich I offered to rent him for $13,000 a year. March 16, 1885. Took Secretary and Mrs. Manning to see the Weston house, which they seemed to like better than any they have examined. Secretary of War Endicott requested me to find a good house for him today. March 19, 1885. Senator Edmunds gave me his house to sell today at $30,000. Admiral Jewett gave me a card of introduction to Mr. W. H. Vanderbilt, who is visiting the city for a few days. Took Sec retary Manning and his wife to the Weston house at 5 o'clock P. M., and on my return to the Arlington Senator Stanford's car riage smashed into mine; no one hurt. 544 March 17, 1885. Informed Secretary Manning today that if he did not imme diately decide on the Weston house 1 would rent it to someone else. He said he could not make up his mind what house to choose at present, so I rented it to Congressman Gay of Louisiana. April 11, 1885. Called on Gen. M. C. Clark last evening, who was very anxious to have Judge Swett purchase his house. I then called on Senator Payne of Ohio, who has just leased Justice Wood's house. Met Captain King at the Arlington last evening ; also Judge Sunder land, who has a large real-estate interest in this city, and has placed a good deal of his property in my hands for sale. April 15, 1885. Sold John Magruder the Stewart house on Sixteenth street this afternoon for $7000 cash. April 16, 1885. Senator Windom gave me his house to sell today; also had quite a talk with Senator Don Cameron, who also gave me his house to sell for $100,000. I took Mr. D. P. Morgan and his wife through the Cameron house at 4 P. M. April 18, 1885. Called on Mrs. Blaine last evening in regard to her house, which she wishes to sell in case Mr. Leiter will give up his lease, which does not expire for three years. Telegraphed Mr. Morgan's offer of $80,000 to Senator Cameron. Took Vice-President Hen dricks and his wife through Mr. Clark's house this afternoon. April 21, 1885. Took Mr. Morgan through the Cameron house again, and he raised his offer to $90,000 cash, without the furniture. Secre tary Whitney decided that he would not pay over $7000 a year for the Stewart Castle and take a lease for four years, which I submitted to Senator Stewart. April 22, 1885. Mrs. Stewart appeared to be greatly vexed at the offer of $7000, but decided she would let it go for nothing less than $8000. The Secretary would not pay more than $7000, and failed to close the transaction. 545 April 27, 1885. Called on Mr. Morgan today and informed him that Mr. Cam eron declined the offer of $90,000. I advised him to split the dif ference, making it $95,000, when he said he would look at another house. I then took him and his wife through General Hazen's at 2 P. M. May 1, 1885. Judge Merrick gave me his house to sell for $100,000. He gave me a full description of it, and was very anxious I should show it to Mr. Morgan. Took General Black and his wife and little daughter through several houses today. Mr. Morgan of fered me $60,000 for the Ray house, which was declined ; also saw Mr. Pollock, who wanted me to sell his house for $120,000. I called with him to- see Mr. Morgan, but the house did not appear to suit him as well as the Cameron house. May 4, 1885. Mr. Morgan went with me to see the Pollock house again. Took Governor Crawford to see the General Clark house. The following is an extract from a letter of General Ingalls showing the confidence that he placed in me as one of his business and social friends : New York, May 18, 1885. Dear Major: I will communicate with Mr. Holliday as soon as mail will allow. Were the property mine I should be glad to have the Secretary's family occupy the house, but Mr. H. is peculiar. When answer is received I will write you; meantime I would suggest you look elsewhere. Yours, hastily, (Signed) Rufus Ingalls. May 12, 1885. Rented General Black one of the Shedd houses on Rhode Is land avenue. Mr. Morgan has closed the trade with Senator Cameron at $95,ooo'cash. May 22, 1885. Mr. Washington McLean called to see me today and told me that he wanted to purchase No. 4 Lafayette Square for his son John. Took Postmaster Dalton and Vice-President Hendricks driving this afternoon. Met Mr. John R. McLean today, who made an offer for the Jeffreys house. Received a letter from Hon. J. Kasson making an offer of $22,000 cash for the Alley house. Mr. Teffreys declined Mr. McLean's offer. -54& May 27, 1885. Spent last evening with General Ingalls, who has given me the Holliday property to sell. Saw Mr. McLean and General West, but failed to close the transaction. May 29, 1885. Senator Pugh made an offer for the Riggs lots. Senator Dolph of Oregon made me a written offer today for the Clark house. Took General Morey out to look at the Nineteenth street houses, for which he wishes to exchange some building lots. June 1, 1885. Went out with Senator Pitt Kellogg and Mr. Morey today, and have quite a large transaction on hand. Mr. Hunt of Louisiana made me an offer of $28,000 cash for the Clark house, which Mr. Clark declined. June 11, 1885. Capt. Edward Dougherty, who made himself so famous in the capture of Booth, took a drive with me yesterday. Closed the transaction with Mr. McLean and General West. Dn. LoniNfi, June 12, 1885. Dr. Loring and Dr. Radcliff came together in regard to the exchange of the K and F street houses, involving between $70,000 and $80,000. Monday, June 15, 1885. Mr. Blankman called at my office today and offered $50,000 cash for the Frisby square. June 16, 1885. Called on the Mexican min ister after breakfast and went out looking at several houses with him. He was very much pleased with the Lindsey house, corner Thirteenth and K streets, making an offer for it. 547 June 28, 1885. I took the Secretary of the Navy, Mr. Whitney, driving on the Rock Creek road this afternoon to look at property. He greatly enjoyed the drive, and is anxious to lease a house in the suburbs. June 29, 1885. Mr. Blankman paid me seventy-five dollars to bind the bargain for the Sixteenth and T streets lots. July 1, 1885. Took Secretary Whitney through ex-Secretary Robeson's house today. July 2, 1885. Wrote a long letter to Secretary Robeson in regard to exchang ing his house with Mr. Washington McLean for property at New port News. Made quite a large transaction today with Mr. Blank- man and Samuel Maddox. Hygeia Hotel, Old Point Comfort, Va. Mr. McLean has a large interest at Newport News, and I am investigating and examining his property. July 10, 1885. Called on Secretary Whitney today and closed the transaction for Mr. Means' place. Judge Dean authorized me to sell his property on the hill for $100,000. July 11, 1885. Mr. Means finally accepted the offer of Mr. Whitney of $30,000 cash for one hundred acres. Secretary Whitney paid me $500 down to bind the bargain, and I gave him a receipt on account until the title is examined. On the Train to Cape May, July 25, 1885. Before leaving Washington I called on Secretary Whitney with abstract of title and deed, accompanied by Mr. Barnard (now Judge Barnard), Mr. Means' lawyer. Mr. Whitney counted out $29,500 in cash, handing it over with the deed, which he requested me to have recorded. After packing up and settling matters I took the excursion train at 10 o'clock this P. M. New York City, July 25, 1885. Had quite a long talk today with Mr. C. P Huntingdon and Col. William Brown. The latter is very anxious for me to sell his Ogle Tayloe property in Washington. Called on Mr. Weston, also quite a number of friends in Brooklyn. 548 Burlington, Vt., August 21, 1885. I have had a very pleasant visit with a number of my friends and relatives in Massachusetts and New York. I am now the guest of Governor Woodbury and family, who are entertaining us by driving through the country, showing us everything to be seen around Burlington. The Governor drove us to Dr. Webb's place, Mr. Vanderbilt's son-in-law, who has one of the most at tractive country seats in the United States. John Van Dyke. Saratoga Springs, August 22, 1885. Governor Woodbury had quite a party at his house last evening. We had music and dancing. Cecily took quite an active part by singing and play ing several pieces, and she greatly distinguished herself. Stamford, N. Y., August 26, 1885. After seeing everything pos sible at Saratoga, we came over theAdirondack Mountains, and are now stopping with our cousins, the Vandykes, who have taken us driving since our arrival over the mountains, showing us the grand sights to be seen. September 22, 1885. Spent last evening with Judge Carter, who has authorized me to sell his house for $30,000. October 29, 1885. Mr. Levi P. Morton has authorized me to try and purchase the whole block on IT street between Vermont avenue, Fifteenth and 549 Mas. Van Dyke. I streets, and I have submitted an offer to Judge Carter today for his house. The prospects are very favorable of my carry ing this large transaction through. -I have secured an option on every lot in the block and submitted the prices to Mr. Morton, who does not of fer what is asked. Under the circumstances there will be de lay before we can secure the property. November 4, 1885. Took Mr. and Mrs. McCrarey and Mrs. Justice Field through the McPherson house today. The Senator wants $80,000 for it, and before leaving Mr. Mc Crarey offered him $70,000 cash. November 9, 1885. Senator McPherson, with Mr. and Mrs. McCarey, went through the house again. He advanced his offer to $75,000 cash, but the Senator declined and went back to New Jersey. November 12, 1885. Mr. McCrarey made his final offer of $76,000, which I tele graphed Senator McPherson, but he declined. I then took Mr. McCrarey to see Colonel Ingersoll's house on K street, which I offered for $50,000, with horses and carriages. He was very much pleased with the house, and not needing horses and carriages, made an offer of $45,000 cash, which I telegraphed to Colonel Ingersoll, and he accepted. Washington, D. C, November 25, 1885. Gen. M. A. Reno: Dear Sir — Having been informed that you were a member of the court which tried Captain Lauffer some years ago in New 55Q Mexico, I desire to know whether Maj. Lewis Merrill was the Judge-Advocate, and the particulars as to how he conducted the case and any facts as to his character and reputation as an officer and gentleman. Yours truly, (Signed) Geo. A. Armes. Washington, D. C, November 25, 1885. Maj. G. A. Armes: Dear Sir — I was a member of the court-martial in Santa Fe, N. M., and of which Maj. Lewis Merrill, Seventh Cavalry, was Judge- Advocate, and which tried Captain Lauffer, A. Q. M., on charges preferred at the headquarters, Department of Missouri. During the session of the court I called its attention to the fact that the prosecution was not being prosecuted with energy, and that doc umentary evidence in the case was suppressed by Major Merrill, Judge-Advocate. Being unable at the time to substantiate my charges, no action was taken by the court. I afterwards, and when too late for action, was informed that Captain Lauffer had paid to Merrill several hundred dollars to secure his acquittal. This I could have proven by documentary and parole evidence. Major Merrill was never a gentleman, and is a notorious coward and shirk. Hoping that my letter conveys to you the desired information, I am, etc., (Signed) M. A. Reno, Late Maj. Seventh Cav. November 24, 1885. Mr. Morton came over last evening with Justice Carter and closed the transaction for his house for $25,000, allowing him a free rental of it for one year before taking possession. December 23, 1885. Met General Strong last evening, who went over my long list of property. Mr. Moses gave me 28,000 feet of ground to sell today at $30,000. December 29, 1885. Had quite an interview with Dr. Vanreypin (now Surgeon- General of the Navy) last evening about a lot next door to him. Mr. Post of Wyoming- Territory wishes to purchase. Congress man Post is a very popular gentleman, and owns one of the largest ranches and stock farms in Wyoming. CHAPTER XXIV. January i, 1886. I reported at the War Department and marched with the rest of the Army officers in full-dress uniform to the President's house, General Sheridan leading. We remained in the East Room after shaking hands with the President, meeting many friends whom I had not seen for over twenty years. Had a very pleasant interview with President Cleveland this afternoon. January 8, 1886. Mr. William Walter Phelps authorized me today to sell his square near Dupont Circle for $125,000. Called on Attorney- General Garland and Colonel Lamont in relation to Major Merrill. January 23, 1886. Closed the sale of Sixteenth and L streets lot to Gen. Henry Strong. He will remain in Washington and build, instead of going to Florida this winter. January 25, 1886. Met General Strong at 9 o'clock A. M. at Mr. Warder's office, who ordered the deed made out for L street lot. February 9, 1886. Met Colonel Carpenter at the Ebbitt last e . -ing, whom I had not seen for fifteen years. He pretended to be a very true friend, and seemed glad to see me. General Hancock died at 2.50 this P. M. His death was quite a sudden shock to me. I had parted from him at Wormley's Hotel a few evenings since. I shall not forget the circumstances of his coming into the hotel with the blood running down his neck. I pulled his silk handkerchief out of his coat pocket and tied it around his neck to keep the blood from running down his shirt, when he remarked, "Oh, Mr. Armes, that is nothing ; it is just a little lancing of a carbuncle." While walking with him to the carriage to bid him good-bye I suggested that he be very careful and not catch cold, when some gentleman friend who was with him remarked that the General was too old a soldier to pay any attention to a little scratch of that kind. It turned out very seriously, as he caught cold, from which he died. 552 OXOZ^.J, a, a~~y ^yPkuiv ^^n-7c/t..7i^-r»u . General Hancock's Card. The following is from my friend, the celebrated and famous engineer, Capt. L. T. Eads : Washington, D. C, February io, 1886. A. E. Touzalin, Esq., President C, B. & N. Ry. : Dear Sir- — This will introduce to you Maj. Geo. A. Armes of this city, who wishes to see you in reference to introducing an im proved stock car on your road. Yours truly, (Signed) L. T. Eads. (From Washington Star, February 16, 1886.) Nominations Withdrawn. The Army Promotions Owing to the Retirement of Colonel Hatch. The following Army nominations, made on the 8th inst., have been withdrawn by the President: Lieut.-Col. Nelson B. Sweitzer to be Colonel; Maj. Lewis Merrill to be Lieutenant-Colonel; Capt. Edward J. Spaulding to be Major; First Lieut. Colon Auhur to be Captain, and Second Lieut. Alonzo L. O'Brien to be First Lieutenant. The action of the President in withdrawing the nom inations of Army officers for promotion, owing to the retirement of Colonel Hatch, Eighth Cavalry, practically settles a very im portant question in military promotions. The President in effect maintains that an officer who has been found incapacitated for active service, though not yet retired, is not competent to fill a higher position than the one for which the question hinged, which was that of Major Lewis Merrill of the Seventh Cavalry, to be Lieutenant-Colonel of the Eighth Cavalry, to succeed Lieut.-Col. 553 N. B. Sweitzer, the immediate successor of Colonel Hatch. Had Major Merrill been promoted he would soon have been retired, with the increased rank and pay of a Lieutenant-Colonel. As the case now stands, he will be retired as a Major, and the next Major below him, Maj. John K. Mizner, Fourth Cavalry, will receive the promotion. The following is a portion of the correspondence in relation to purchasing a house for Mrs. General Hancock. Having been a member of Major-General Hancock's staff, I drew up a petition and called on Mr. W. W. Corcoran, one of the leading citizens, requesting a subscription in order to purchase a house in this city, knowing that he was a great friend of the General's. He stated that he had just sent $2000 to New York in order to pur chase a house wherever the committee might select, but if I could induce Mrs. Hancock to make this her home he would head the list with $3000, and that I would be able to have the other $2000 he had subscribed already added to it. Hereupon he immediately signed the petition and put down the amount of his subscription as $3000. I then called on Mr. B. H. Warder, a substantial citi zen, who subscribed $5000. Mr. H. G. Dulaney of Virginia, a very liberal and generous young gentleman, subscribed $2500, and Senator Fair $3000. Within ten days after starting the list I had $45,700 subscribed. 30 East Sixty-third St., New York City, March 12, 1886. Mr. G. A. Armes, Washington, D. C: Dear Sir — I have yours of yesterday. I do not know that I can add anything to what I stated in my last letter concerning Mrs. Hancock's future. It is a matter in which I have no authority to speak, and, in fact, no information to speak from. I know of no way in which the contribution made by Mr. Cor coran could be withdrawn from the fund of which it has become a part and which is in the custody of the treasurer. Referring you to my last letter for points not touched in this, I am, yours truly, (Signed) James B. Fry. March 2, 1886. Had a large meeting of the Shellabarger Stock Car Co. last evening at my office. 554 March 5, 1886. Closed a sale with Mr. Roesselle of the Arlington for Sixteenth street lot for $7150. March 18, 1886. Called on Father Dulan last evening, who agreed to give me a commission provided I could sell his villa on the Tennallytown road, which is offered for $25,000. Met Senator Sabin at the Hol iday House at 10 o'clock this A. M. Senator Bowen introduced a bill for me today in regard to my cattle car. March 19, 1886. Senator McPherson authorized me to put his name down for $5000 to Hancock fund ; also Mr. Gait for $500 and Senator Sabin for $1000. I lunched with the latter today. March 30, 1886. Called last evening on General Cutchen, Stilson Hutchins, Sen ator Fair and Judge Swett, who subscribed $1000 each. General Davies subscribed another $1000 for Mrs. Hancock's house, and Mr. French of New York $500. He talks some of purchasing a residence here. March 31, 1886. Colonel Bugher, Hon. Washington McLean's son-in-law, came to my office today to explain his reasons for not wishing to purchase property or have anything further to do with Mr. B. H. Warner, requesting me to show him a house he could purchase for from $20,000 to $30,000. I spent most of the afternoon show ing him property. April 4, 1886. Called on Dr. and Mrs. Bispham and Senator McPherson last evening ; also Judge and Mrs. Fields. He called at my office today in regard to Senator Jackson's house. Had a long talk with Mr. Patton in regard to real estate this afternoon. April 15, 1886. Secretary Sherman made me an offer of $20,000 cash for Judge Jackson's house, which was declined. I finally got Senator Mc Pherson to add another thousand and closed the sale. 55.5 May i, 1886. Sold four houses on Fifteenth street to Mr. Mills for $8000 cash. I saw General Logan, who offered me twelve and one-half cents for the building lots of Mr. Taylor on Meridian Hill. Mr. Taylor declined to take less than thirteen cents, and General Logan would not pay that, so the sale fell through. May 8, 1886. Attended the funeral of General Paul at 1 1 .30. He was buried at Arlington ; also attended the funeral of Lieutenant Hunt, the son of General Hunt of artillery fame, who was buried at Soldiers' Home at 5 o'clock P. M. May 9, 1886. Last evening called on Senator Sabin and Congressman Gay. The latter went out with me today at 1 1 o'clock, and we went by the Chittenden place on Pierce Mill road and Mr. Green's place, which he wanted $25,000 for. Mr. Gay told me to make an offer of $15,000 cash. May 10, 1886. After breakfast this A. M. I called on Mr. Green, making him the offer of $15,000 cash for Mr. Gay, which he declined. I then called on Mr. Lamont, President Cleveland's private secretary, giving him a description of the property, stating that the owner was anxious to sell, and recommended that he take the President to look at it. May 13, 1886. Mr. George Green came into my office today to see if I would give up my option on his property. I declined on the ground that I expected to make a sale of it within a short time, as I had men tioned it to several, among them Mr. Lamont, for President Cleveland. May 14, 1886. After spending a short time with Stilson Hutchins about the Hancock house matter, I met Mr. Samuel Maddox at the Ebbitt on business. During the day Mr. Green called at my office and offered $100 cash if I would give up my option on his place. Not wishing to deprive him of his sale and not having had a bona fide offer, I accepted the $100 on condition that if any one of twelve names became the owner of it within the next thirty days I was to have my full commission, which he agreed to in the presence of witnesses and in writing. ,556 May 17, 1886. Mrs. Bayliss gave me her I street house to sell at $23,000. Took Col. A. H. Bugher through it this afternoon, and he decided to take it at her price, paying me $200 down to bind the bargain. May 18, 1886. Yesterday afternoon, after calling on Stilson Hutchins, I drove out to see Oak View, George Green's place. I also went to see Mr. Nourse, who gave me fifteen acres of his land to sell at $9000. May 19, 1886. Having been informed today that the President had purchased Mr. Green's place through A. A. Wilson, I called on Mr. Green for a statement, but could get no satisfaction from him. May 20, 1886. Last evening met General Wagner of Texas, and was with him until after 12 o'clock. Called on Mr. Henly today and told him how Mr. Wilson was trying to get a commission out of Mr. Green for the selling of his land to Mr. Cleveland. Mr. Nourse called today to withdraw the option on the property he had given me to sell, and I declined, as there appears to be some underhanded work going on with Mr. Wilson and one or two others of his ring. The commission is still due me. May 21, 1886. Mr. Ellison called at my office this A. M., offering to sell me his twelve acres for $20,000. I offered him $10,000, which he de clined, but said he would be back in the afternoon. Upon his second call he agreed to split the difference, and I finally closed the transaction for $15,000. May 22, 1886. After dinner last evening I took Mr. Chambers of the New York . Herald on a drive out to the Green place, containing twenty-eight acres, which I have sold to the President for $21,500; also over to the place on the Grant road, which I have just bought from Mr. Ellison. May 23, 1886. Spent last evening with Gen. Philip St. George Cook, my old Department Commander, at the Ebbitt House. 557 May 26, 1886. General Berdan called on me today in regard to a house ; also Mr. Ellison, who came with all the papers and deed for Fairfield, which I received today, ex changing in part payment a lot in squares 1712 and 11 14, mak ing Fairfield stand me just $15,000 in cash. May 28, 1886. Colonel Bugher called at my office- today, and we went to see Messrs. Wagner and Ashford, where the deed was passed, Bugher giving his check for $23,000 cash. Mrs. Bailey paid me $690 as commission. Fairfield, May 29, 1886. Mr. Noble went with me to hear Senator Vance of North Carolina address our Virginia Democratic Association last evening. July 4, 1886. After breakfast I invited Col. A. B. Mullet, Mr. Evans and Col onel Moore to drive out to Col. S. T. Suit's place. He entertained us in fine style, dining and wining us until late in the evening. Gen. Berdan. July 6, 1886. Sold Mason place for $36,000 to Senator Sabin. Cumberland, Md., July 26, 1886. Left Washington at 10.15 last evening on my way to Chicago. Our train was so heavily loaded with pasengers that it required three engines to pull us up the hill. Dined at the Grand Pacific Hotel, Chicago, at 4 o'clock P. M. Met Mr. Eastman and took Captain Grant, with eight others, from the depot in two carriages. We had a great reception this evening. There are 125 in our party, who clubbed together and chartered a train for thirty-five 558 days, proposing to see everything we can as we go through the country. On the Train near Fremont, Neb., July 28, 1886. We left the Pacific Hotel at 9 o'clock last night, a band of music marching with us from the hotel to the train, which left at 1 1 P. M. We have been riding through a beautiful part of Iowa most of the day. On the Train near Sherman, Wyo. Ter., July 28, 1886. The train averaged twenty-five miles an hour last night, and we slept well. Only found one man at Denver Junction I knew — H. Egerton from Julesburg. He was my teamster twenty years ago. Arrived at Cheyenne at 12 o'clock. Met Mr. Massey of Washington, who is located there now. Invited to lunch by Mrs. Congressman Post and her niece, Miss Parker. They entertained us handsomely. Colonel Wilson took me all over the city. Met Colonels Morrows and Chambers, Twenty-first and Seventeenth Infantry. Salt Lake City, Utah, July 29, 1886.. Train stopped at Laramie and Sherman a short time, giving us a chance to see a good deal of the country. As we have our cameras, we are taking pictures of everything of interest. At Ogden I met Captain Hall, Seventh Infantry, and Captain Ingalls, Assistant Quartermaster and nephew of General Ingalls. We have sixteen cars on our train, and among our party are Gen erals Sherman, Black, Sweitzer, Colonels Lemon, Grosvenor, General Burdette, Colonel Urell. Ogden, Utah, on Train, July 30, 1886. We arrived here at 9 o'clock this P M. After our arrival we attended the speeches made by General Burdett and others of our party at the Pavilion after breakfast this A. M. Took the Salt Lake train and rode thirty-odd miles from the city, where I enjoyed one of the best baths I ever had. We all had a good deal of fun out in the water, as it was impossible to sink. San Francisco, Cal., August 1, 1886. Upon reaching Sacramento a large delegation from San Fran cisco met us and filled our cars with wine and fruit, welcoming us to their great city, and everyone was wild with delight upon our arrival. 559 Frisco, August 2, 1886. While registering at the Palace Hotel last evening Mr. Cal lahan, president of the First National Bank, insisted upon ray being his guest. Upon arrival at his house I met his wife and daughters, who had prepared an elegant dinner, after which I was shown a fine parlor and bedroom and bathroom on the second floor. After being highly entertained, retired at 12 o'clock. After breakfast this A. M. Dan McCarty came to the house with a $10,000 team and drove me to the Park racetrack, showing me his stable of trotters. At the meeting today Gen. Martin Mc Mahon was elected president of the Army of the Potomac Asso ciation and Gen. H. C. King, secretary. Frisco, August 3, 1886. Met a number of friends at the Occidental, where Mr. Davis and I visited with Miss Callahan and Mrs. Terrell, taking them to meet Generals Sherman, Black, Sweitzer and King. Mr. Callahan in troduced us to Mervin Donhue, one of the leading entertainers of this city, who invited Generals Sherman, Black and about fifty of us to go with him on an excursion to Redwood, he furnishing a glee club of 100 men. August 4, 1886. After dinner last evening at Mr. Callahan's we attended the Army of the Potomac banquet. Generals Sherman, McMahon, King, Fairchild, Beaver, Burdett, Pike, Governor Stoneman and several others made speeches, and it was after 2 o'clock this A. M. before we broke up. After breakfast I dressed in full uniform and rode as an aid to Gen. S. S. Burdett on one of the elegant horses Mr. McCarty had loaned to me for the occasion. I was by the side of General Burdett, and viewed the parade as it passed. It was a grand sight and one of the largest assemblages that has ever taken place in this city. Geiser Springs, Cal. Last evening Mr. Davis and I took Miss Terrell and Miss Cal lahan to the Pavilion to hear the speech of General Logan, after which the dancing took place, which was greatly enjoyed by all. This morning we took the four-horse stage, and both of us rode on top, where we got an elegant view of the mountains and the canons one hundred feet below the road, which runs along on the 560 edge, where it is impossible for more than one vehicle to pass at a time. Very few accidents occur, although it appears very dan gerous to drive so close to the deep canons. Frisco, August 6, 1886. Took hot water and steam baths from the Geysers last night, and this morning made a general inspection of the mountains and springs bubbling up with boiling hot water. We reached Clover- dale between 12 and 1 o'clock and took the 2 o'clock train, arriving at 5 P. M. and dining at the Occidental with Mr. Davis. We went through Chinatown, purchasing a number of Chinese curiosities for the children. Frisco, August 7, 1886. Upon my arrival at Mr. Callahan's last evening I found a num ber of blank invitations from Governor Stoneman requesting us to be his guests on the steamer. We met the Governor and his party at the Occidental, and went in the cars to the steamer. Mrs. Stoneman appeared to be very indignant because the Governor did not have a band of music at the hotel and carriages for ns to ride in instead of going on the cars. We had a band of music on the boat, which was loaded with fruit, all kinds of wine and everything the market afforded. On our way to Mare Island, passing the forts, the Gov ernor's salute was fired. Mrs. Captain Nichol and Colonel and Mrs. Savage were also attractive hosts and helped entertain. Commodore Belknap received us at the wharf with all l^he marines in full dress, which he had stand and present arms as we passed to the sailors' loft, which had been cleared and prepared for danc ing. After two or three hours of enjoyment, the grand spread was placed at our disposal by the Commodore. On our return Mrs. Stoneman spoke to me regarding the Governor's future, when I suggested that he come on to Washington, and I would see if we couldn't get a bill passed placing him on the retired list as a Brigadier or Major-General. She seemed to be delighted at such a proposition. Frisco, August 8, 1886. It was after 10 o'clock last evening before we returned here. This morning Mr. Davis and I called on Colonel and Mrs. Savage and Mrs. Nichol at the Palace Hotel, with General and Mrs. 56i Black and Colonel Irish. We also met General Chipma'n and Mr. Scott of the iron works, one of the prominent business men of this city. During the afternoon the city furnished us carriages and took us to the Sutro Gardens and entertained us with an elegant dinner at the Cliff House. Here we could witness hundreds of seals basking in the sun on the rocks. Portland, Ore. Our steamer had many more guests than the law allowed. Gen erals Sherman and Sweitzer entertained us most of the way. We stopped at Astoria a short time to see the large salmon-canning factories. The Columbia river reminds one of the Hudson. The beautiful scenery and green mountains all the way from Astoria to Portland are a grand sight. On the Train near Fossil Station, Nevada, August 14, 1886. While in Portland I was entertained by Senator Dolph's brother, General Williams and Mr. Holladay, who showed me every place of interest in the city. General Sherman threw off all his dignity as the General of the Army and enjoyed everything as well as the rest of us. Denver, Col., August 15, 1886. Stopped at Cheyenne a few minutes, where we met Mrs. Post and Miss Parker, who drove us around the city and gave us a quick lunch of champagne and sponge cake. August 16, 1886. On our arrival in Denver we were met by General Miles, Major Downing and his wife, Governor Gilpin, Mr. Johnson, Governor Grant and quite a number of Denver's distinguished citizens. Today Governor Grant presented me with some melted silver in the rough as it came out of the furnace at his smelting works. Called on my old friend, Col. Ward H. Lamon, who has been sick for several weeks at his hotel. Colorado Springs, near Pike's Peak, Colorado, August 17, 1886. Mr. Goldsborough and I spent most of last evening at Gov ernor Gilpin's, where his daughters entertained us with music. We left on the 7.45 A. M, train for Pike's Peak, Sjfi S62 Denver, August 18, ii After going through the Garden of the Gods yesterday, we drove through President Palmer's private grounds and landed at the Springs at 5 o'clock, reaching this city at 11 o'clock. Kansas City, August 20, 1886. We -left Generals McMahon and King in Colorado Springs. Before leaving Denver Mr. Guy Thompson of Washington enter tained me with a pleasant drive around the principal portion of the city. Passed through old Fort Wallace at 3 o'clock this A. M., and was surprised to see the hundreds of trees growing where there was nothing but a barren plain when I was last here, seven teen years ago. It was interesting to see this country again where I used to scout after Indians. It is now settled up with houses, and large crops are growing. I came through Forts Hayes, Ells worth, Harker and Riley. Met many familiar faces at Junction. City, Topeka and Leavenworth. St. Louis, Mo., August 21, 1886. We arrived here at 10 o'clock this A. M. Met Major Candee and Colonel Ellis of the Thirteenth Infantry. A large party of us were invited to inspect the Anheuser Brewery, one of the most popular in the world, and after a drive through Shaw's Garden and the principal places of interest we boarded the train for Cin cinnati. Washington, D. C, Monday, August 23, 1886. After being entertained and seeing everything of interest in Cin cinnati, we left at 9 o'clock last evening. Stopped at Martinsburg a few minutes, where I met several friends. Arriving home this evening, I found my family all well. This was one of the most de lightful excursions of my life, and it is remarkable that no sickness or accident occurrred during the whole journey. October 5, 1886. Mr. Gilliland, John R. McLean's secretary and operator, called at my office with Congressman Beriah Wilkins of Ohio, and we went out to look at houses. He made me an offer for the corner of M and Fifteenth streets, giving me $500 to bind the bargain, but the old woman who owns the property has requested me to wait until she consults with her son before signing the deed. ' 563 November 5, 1886. Secretary Whitney sent for me to know what price ought to be placed on twenty-five acres of his land on the Loughborough and Tennallytown Road. When I said $1500 per acre he was sur prised, thinking it was too much to ask for it, as he had only paid $300, and said that a gentleman had asked him to fix a price and would return soon. December 11, 1886. Had quite an interview with Mr. Beriah Wilkins today, who is disappointed in Governor Campbell's not purchasing property with him. He now counts on Senator Walthal going in with him. December 16, 1886. Spent last evening with Congressman Tim Tarsney. Mr. Tarsney is one of the most entertaining gentlemen that has ever come to Congress. December 20, 1886. Colonel Burgess of Oxford, Md., called upon me today with a letter from Governor Lloyd requesting me to take the professor ship of the military school, offering me $10,000 a year; but I declined to give up my real-estate business. Oxford, Md., December 22, 1886. Colonel Burgess induced me to make a visit here in order that I could look over his institution, making it appear to me that I could carry on my real-estate transactions and run the institution in addition. Procuring passes, he invited me as his guest, and I arrived here this A. M., meeting Colonel Tillman and Mr. Martin. I finally agreed to purchase the property and buy out the whole institution. Colonel Tillman invited me to dine with him at Eas ton. He is one of the trustees of the school and a cousin of my wife's, and I naturally placed a great deal of confidence in him. Washington, D. C, December 26, 1886. I invited Colonel Burgess to make me a visit, and he is now my guest. I have ordered papers made out and am investigating the title of his property. December 29, 1886. Took Mr. B. H. Warder out to see the Bradley farm this after noon. We were caught in quite a heavy storm. Called at the War Department and requested a detail of Lieutenants Evans and Allen, who desire to be professors at my academy. 564 The following reply from Professor Burgess, who had charge of the military academy during my absence, appears to require no further explanation : Maryland Military and Naval Department, Executive Department, Oxford, Md., December 27, 1886. My Dear Major : Yours received. I will endeavor to carry out your instructions, and you may expect me in Washington Wednesday or Thursday. Yours truly, (Signed) B. J. Burgess. December 31, 1886. Mr. Bradley is very anxious for me to dispose of his large farm, and has authorized me to sell it for $30,000. I talked for nearly two hours with Mr. Warder, trying to induce him to take it, but he is still hesitating. During the summer I fixed up a windmill with pipes extending to the garden and stables, fenced in about an acre for chickens, and made an addition to my house, making it a very attractive and pleasant place. I have also set out a number of fruit and shade trees. Have had no reason to complain of my business transac tions during the year, which net me a profit of over $25,000. It is a great undertaking to handle the Oxford Academy, but if not opposed by the War Department in selecting my officers or as sistant professors I will make a success of it. The following is a view of the academy : Oxford Military Academy. CHAPTER XXV. Fairfield, D. C, January i, 1887. A very cold blizzard came up last evening. At 10 o'clock this A. M. Colonel Burgess met me at the War Department, where all the officers of the Army and Navy and Marine Corps in full dress formed in line and marched to the White House. Baltimore, Md., January 4, 1887. Professor Burgess was very much disappointed in not having his uniform to wear New Year's Day, as it did not arrive from Oxford until we were through calling. I fixed up our agreements, and Dr. Culver, an attorney-at-law and friend of mine, has taken charge of my office to look after real-estate interests in Washing ton. I left at 4 o'clock this P. M., after calling on General Drum and Colonel Sheridan about a detail of officers for my academy. Arriving here I found the river frozen so the boats could not run to Oxford. Oxford, Md., January 6, 1887. Left Baltimore yesterday afternoon by train, arriving here at 1 o'clock P. M., and was met by Colonel Tillman, Mr. Martin and two appraisers, who fixed the value of all the property. I then met all the teachers and assigned each one to a special branch and made a general inspection of the academy and all the cadets. Found many of the rooms in a neglected state, and find it will be necessary to immediately enforce strict military discipline. Accepted Professor Burgess' resignation today, but he will re main to assist me for a time. (Copy of circular sent patrons.) Maryland Military and Naval Academy, Oxford, Md., January 6, 1887. Dear Sir — Having become proprietor and general superinten dent of this Academy, I this day assume charge of same. Parents, guardians or patrons of this Institution are hereby cautioned and notified not to pay any moneys or honor any drafts by whomso ever drawn unless countersigned by myself, and no person has authority to make contracts or promises or engagements of any nature whatsoever by or for the Institution unless endorsed by me. Very respectfully, (Signed) Geo. A. Armes, ,' Col. and Supt. 566 After I had purchased the Oxford Academy and taken posses sion as superintendent, Colonel Burgess, the former superintend ent, tendered his resignation. The following is from Prof. B. J. Burgess in relation to the cadets : Oxford, Md., January 8, 1887. Dear Sir — I write to say that there are now 150 cadets at the Academy, and they are coming on every train, and this will be the case until February 1. I feel sure that the number will reach 200 by the time named. Fifteen on the train last night and thir teen on the noon train today. Yours very truly, (Signed) B. J. Burgess. P. S. — Get a West Pointer by all means ; very important. Oxford, Md., January 10, 1887. Left Washington yesterday afternoon and arrived here at 10 o'clock this A. M- Had quite a talk with Congressman Ander son before leaving- in regard to his boy. Met Mr. Nixon and Mr. Martin, with whom I am interested in carrying on this estab lishment. Oxford, Md., January 1, 1887. This morning brought me a very interesting letter from my lit tle daughter Cecilia, who is twelve years of age, which reads as follows : My Dear Papa: I received your letter and was very glad to hear from you. Mamma has another little baby, born at half-past nine this morn ing. It is a little girl, and looks like Oscar. All of us were so sur prised to see it. *********** Hope you will be here soon. All of us send a thousand kisses to you and wish you were here. From your affectionate daughter, (Signed) Cecilia Harold. For commission received I sent acknowledgment as follows : Maryland Military and Naval Academy, Executive Department, Oxford, Md., January 19, 1887. Col. J. Howard, Adjutant-General, Annapolis, Md.: 567 Sir-— I have the honor to acknowledge this day the receipt of commission as Colonel and Superintendent of this Institution. Convey my thanks to the Governor, and oblige, Your most obedient servant, (Signed) G. A. Armes, Supt. After I had signed the contract to take charge of the Oxford Academy I was informed that Colonel Burgess was tricky. Upon requesting him to withdraw the contract he declined, sending me the following in reply : Oxford, Md., January 28, 1887. Dear Sir — Since 1, have given out to the patrons that you will be the Superintendent, and that there will be a change in the ad ministration, I shall expect you to carry out the letter of agree ment you signed, as it would damage me more than $5000 should you not hold to the contract. I shall expect you Wednesday morning to assume full charge, and I hope you can arrange to pay me $2000 upon your arrival. * * * * * * * * * ' * * The outlook here is excellent, so you must come down with the determination to make this the academy of America. Yours truly, (Signed) B. J. Burgess. It was not long after I took full charge that I discovered the crooked transactions of Colonel Burgess to such an extent that the institution was on the eve of breaking up, as many of the cadets had been and were then deserting. Fairfield, D. C, February 11, 1887. After leaving the necessary instructions for Colonel Cantwell, my assistant superintendent, I left Oxford on the 10 o'clock P. M. boat. Reached Baltimore at 5 o'clock this A. M. Called around to the banks and was identified by Uncle Charlie Kerr. Met Dr. Culver at my office, who had a large accumulation of business matters on hand. February 16, 1887. Adjutant-General Drum pretends to be very friendly, and says he will secure me an officer instructor as soon as possible. It is very important that I make a change in several of my professors and secure one or two Army and Navy graduates. The following extract is from Mr. H. S. Buck, president of the Stewartsville Bank: 568 Stewartsville, Mo., February 22, 1887. ' - Dear Sir — I received a letter from Frank yesterday, wherein he said you requested him to write me about the payments of his sec ond term's tuition. This I paid December 20 to Colonel Burgess. It is my aim to keep funds in your hands at all times to Frank's credit, to be used by you to pay any necessary bill made by him. I do not desire that he spend one dollar unnecessarily. *********** I am in hope, under your administration, it will all be right. Please write me. I have the honor to be, dear sir, Burgess had collected the two terms in addition to $500 Mr. Buck had sent him for his son and failed to make any account to me. The following is a letter received from one of the patrons, who appreciated me enough to have his boy in my full control. Mr. Poppert is one of the leading and prosperous gentlemen of Mil waukee : Milwaukee, March 3, 1887. My Dear Sir — Received youp telegram saying school con tinues; rumors about closing are false. Now, my boy, Oscar, has written to me school will be closed; send money to come home. Colonel Armes, I wish you would take the boy and give him a good lesson, and make him mind his own business. Please! Did you take him apart from that Orths boy? He is a very bad boy. Hope you will make a good scholar and soldier out of the boy. I am, yours very respectfully, Geo. Poppert. The following is from Browning, King & Co., with whom I have had large transactions : New York, March 18, 1887. Dear Sir — Your favor of 1 5th came duly to hand. We regret to learn of the unfavorable outlook, and hope you are not too easily discouraged. We have perfect faith in your business integrity, so far as our interests are involved. Yours truly, (Signed) Robert J. Black. The following are some letters from a few of my patrons, the contents of which show their confidence in me : 5^9 Memphis National Bank, Memphis, Tenn., March 19, 1887. Dear Sir — Yours, 16th, received and 'noted. I am very much surprised to learn true condition of your school, and can but sym pathize with you. It has been but a month (February 21) since I remitted you the balance you advised me would be due on account my son's tuition for present term. I think you will give me credit for having met every demand promptly. I am and have been much pleased with your school, and it was my intention that my son should remain another year or more. If you will advise me of your intentions and prospects for the future, and how many cadets now that will remain, and if you can secure a sufficient num ber to justify you to keep open, I will advise you of my intentions. 1 am not only willing, but anxious for my son to remain, provided he will have your care and attention, and keep up his studies, drill, etc., and will gladly advance you the $20 mentioned. Please ad vise me if my son has ever received his uniform. I am afraid he is hardly decent for want of proper clothes. I paid for his uniform last fall, but have never been advised of his having received it. As soon as your reply is received, will promptly answer. Hoping you may be successful in your endeavors to build up the Maryland Military and Naval Academy, I am, yours truly, (Signed) J. H. Smith. Oxford, March 22, 1887. During the past few weeks I have found it necessary to make arrangements to transfer all my cadets who desire to serve out their term to the St. John's Academy, Annapolis, Md. Professor Burgess having disappeared during my absence with several thou sand dollars in cash and involving me in obligations of over $40,000, I employed two lawyers and put several detectives after him. March 30, 1887. I have about completed arrangements for all my cadets. Wrote Governor Lloyd a long letter today. Everything seems to be working satisfactorily. Washington, D. C, April 12, 1887. Mr. John R. McLean and I went around to look at G and Thir teenth street property. Mrs. Governor Merriam and Mrs. Han cock went through the Van Wyck house today and made me an offer of $30,000 and their Pennsylvania avenue house for it. Closed the sale of a lot with B. H. Warder for $15,000. 57° Washington, D. C, May io, 1887. I finally settled up all my Oxford affairs, arranging with the creditors to pay them monthly, and have sacrificed about $25,000 worth of real estate in order to get the cash to pay up all the back bills so that no one will be the loser but myself. Many cadets have complied with my circular and have gone to the St. John's College. May 21, 1887. Mr. A. Devine, son of Judge Devine of San Antonio, Texas, is my guest. He is interested in the grand drill in which the crack companies from the different cities of the country are competing for the prize. The Belknap Rifles of San Antonio appear to be ahead, and the White Lot and Monument Lot are covered with tents. Had a social time with Colonel Belknap at the Arlington this afternoon. The following is from Governor Merriam of Minnesota in re lation to real estate : May 30, 1887. Col. G. A. Armes, Washington, D. C. : Dear Sir — Please advise me, if you can, whether the Van Wyck property is still for sale, and if so, what figure you think is the very lowest one that would buy it. An answer at your earliest convenience will much oblige Yours truly, . (Signed) W. R. Merriam. I received a letter from my agent, Major Gordon, San Antonio, who made me a profit of several thousand dollars on one real- estate transaction, enclosing the money. Great Bend, Kansas, July 17, 1887. My Dear Major: Your welcome letter received. I think it would be a good idea to have the scene of your memorable battle commemorated in some manner. If I had plenty of time I would take the time and go up there and secure some of those skulls for you. Yours truly, (Signed) PIenry Inman. 57i Among the many applications at my college I have one from Mr. Paul E. Beckwith, who is connected with the National Museum. I regretted not being able to secure his services in time to save my institution. The following is from my old Captain of the Sixteenth Vir ginia Infantry, Boonville, Mo : July 26, 1887. Dear Sir — I arrived safely home on Friday. ***********I have been appointed one of the committee of Missourians to go to Washington to ask the President to St. Louis. *********** I had expected to hear from you ere this as to whether your Treasury man had taken the Maryland property. Yours truly, (Signed) A. W. Widdicomb. September 8, 1887. During the past few weeks I have been very busy in real-estate matters. Capt. Thomas Lay of the United States Revenue Cut ter called on me in regard to real estate today. I invited Dr. Joseph R. Smith of the United States Army to my home as my guest, and then took him to Secretary Whitney's reception given to the foreign doctors. I also invited Dr. Austin of Boston. This entertainment is considered one of the grandest that has been given for years. September 10, 1887. After my return from a drive with Colonel Crowley he invited me to dine with him at the hotel with Doctor and Mrs. Wedge- wood of London, and it was after 10 o'clock before we got up from the table. I then attended the Jefferson banquet. Sat down at 11 o'clock and did not break up until after 4 o'clock this A. M. I was introduced to forty or fifty of the guests, who gave me press ing invitations to visit their homes in Europe. October 4, 1887. I was up until 4 o'clock this A. M., and this afternoon invited Harry Smith and Captain Thomas to take a drive. Saw Mr. Washington McLean and his son John in regard to the Fifteenth street houses. 572 I received a letter from Col. William Dickson asking me to act as an assistant Grand Marshal at the reception given to Governor Sheppard on his first return from Mexico. October 7, 1887. Mr. John R. McLean authorized me to pay $30,000 cash for the Hoban house. We gave Governor Sheppard one of the grandest ovations last evening that was ever given to any citizen of this District. Pennsylvania avenue was ablaze with fireworks. I was assistant marshal ; had military discipline, and everything went like clockwork. October 22, 1887. I finally got Messrs. Sands and Hoban to agree to take $60,000 for the two houses next to the Shoreham. Mr. McLean offered 55,000 cash, which they declined. Colonel Staples called on me today, requesting- me to try and secure the McLean property for a hotel site. October 26, 1887. Had a long talk with Senator Robb, who authorized me to sell his property, corner Vermont avenue and H street, for $35,000. Mr. McLean offered me $57,000 cash for the Hoban and Sands house, which was declined. Wormley authorized me to sell his hotel property for $175,000. October 28, 1887. I suggested to Mr. McLean that he let Colonel Bugher go with me and try to close the deal with Sands and Hoban, to which he consented, and we closed the transaction at $58,000 cash. I or dered the abstract made by Ashford. November 1, 1887. Called on Dr. Eggleston, Captain and Miss Grey and Mrs. and Miss Frost last evening; also Baron Von Zedwitz, offering him $50,000 for the German minister's property on Fifteenth street. November 5, 1887. Stopped by Mr. Dodge's house last evening to see about his bay horse, which I bought for $250 for Colonel Bugher. Met Mr. John R- McLean this morning at 9.40, and he handed me a check for $750 for my services. 573 November 19, 1887. Mr. McLean authorized me to sell Colonel Staples his I street and Vermont avenue front for $400,000 or lease it to him for ninety-nine years for $24,000 a year. I made Colonel Staples a plat, and it looks very much as if the sale will go through. November 21, 1887. Colonel Staples seemed very anxious to meet Mr. McLean and deal with him direct, thinking perhaps he could induce him to take less than $400,000. I brought them together at 11.30 this A. M., and Colonel Staples invited Mr. McLean to join him in a little champagne lunch, which John R. declined, requesting to know whether he proposed to take the property at $400,000. Col onel Staples hesitated and undertook to argue, when John R. re minded him that he was very busy and did not care about selling the property for less than $500,000 so long as he did not care to close the bargain with me at $400,000, and the deal fell through. December 16, 1887. Called on Mr. S. R. Bond at his office today and sold him Mr. Ralph Gwynn's ten acres, for which Mr. Gwynn paid me $181 commission. December 22, 1887. Called on President Cleveland and most of the Cabinet in re gard to the riding club we are organizing. December 31, 1887. I have been very busy settling up all my bills in the past year, but in spite of my heavy losses in connection with the Oxford Academy, I have been very successful in many real-estate deals, and am not more than $30,000 behind. Mr. John F Waggaman, an enterprising citizen, interested Mr. T- D. Brown of New York in building a riding academy. I at once joined in with them and took an active part, helping to or ganize a club composed mostly of high officials and some of the best citizens of the District. After obtaining a large number of signatures, we gave concerts with music, and the building was crowded with invited guests, as it was one of the most select clubs ever organized in this city. We gave fox-hunts, and many ladies and gentlemen had an opportunity to learn to ride horseback who never would have enjoyed such a healthy treat had it not been for Mr. Waggaman. WASHINGTON RiyiNfci ttbrtwcrvy YEARLY SUBSCRIPTIONS, $100 EACH. Washington. D. C, September, 1SS7. 1 take pleasure in informing the Lady and Gentlemen Equestrians of Washington that Certificates for those desiring to become Yearly Members of the Washington Riding Academy are now ready Intending that the patronage of the Academy shall be select in every sense. the number of yearly subscriptions will necessarily be limited. 1 therefore solicit signatures to this List in order that I may fill up and tfansmit CertiScates at an early date. At the nominal cost of S'°o Yearly Subscribers will be entitled not only to use Ring at all times, except on Private Club nights, but also to free admission to Hall. Reception Rooms. Tournaments and all Kxhi bit ions of Equestrianism hejd d.uring term of subscription. ' The proprietor wishes to be distinctly understood ai guaranteeing full satisfaction on opening of Academy to those who become Yearly Members or he will cheerfully refund the price of subscription on application. No expense has been spared' in fitting and furnishing the Washington Hiding Academy with every requisite conducive to innocent enjoyment and healthy exercise, and the proprietor fully expects that his efforts will meet wuh a hearty approval from elite circles in Washington" TEMPORARY OFFICE. Rf "(VetTFI ULS GARE eF J. r. WAGGAMAN 1003 F STREET, N. W li D Brown, proprietor ~^g£**-~ a^2 .Jy~ m/ 3 y /J/J 76^^y * /'Yi-u ^ ^n^^u^L. cu- — , n/r ^y yy y /t'?/A%u/,,^Uf^ )/Pcrt) Jtztt/ 6^^ /SUA (%**+£**' — is 0 1. M J^W^ /~7i / 4ALrt# •¦llack only had three votes, Mr, and Mrs. Gifford have enter- 577 tained and done everything possible to make my visit pleasant, and I have much enjoyed their hospitality. Near Pittsburg, on Express Train, June 8, ii This morning before leaving St. Louis Senator Hearst and Mr. Conwell went to Mr. Gifford's room, where the Senator became greatly interested in the many specimens and samples of gold and silver ore Mr. Gifford brought from his Mexican mines, and the Senator made an offer of $450,000 for a certain interest, which Mr. Gifford has taken under advisement. Bade Judge Jecko and family good-bye and left on 8 P. M. train. Fairfield, June 18, 1888. Called on General Miles at the Ebbitt House today, with whom I am interested in trying to negotiate a large real-estate transac tion. I received an invitation to attend the reunion ot the Society of the Army of the Potomac, to be held at Gettysburg July 1, 2 and 3. Hon. George William Curtis, orator, and George Par sons Lothrop, poet ; Maj.-Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, U. S. A., retired, presiding officer, and the address of welcome by Gen. James A. Beaver, Governor of Pennsylvania, to be introduced by Gen. J. B. Gordon, Governor of Georgia, and response to be made by Chaplain James B. McCabe of Petersburg, Va., to be introduced by General Sickles. Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 1888. General Hooker and I left Washington this A. M., and we reached here at 10 o'clock. We met General Sickles, Governors Beaver and Curtin. and many old comrades. Fairfield, July 4, 1888. After going over all the battlefields at Gettysburg yesterday, General Hooker and General King invited me on the stand, where they spoke to those who had assembled around to hear them. Left this A. M. on 8 o'clock train, stopping over at Frederick, where I met Mr. Cline and some old friends, arriving here at 10 o'clock this P. M. August 11, 1888. Miss Katie Foote, daughter of Captain Foote, is on a visit at my house. George, Cecily, Miss Foote and I took a horseback ride up through Bradley's lane and around by Bethesda, Md. Attended General Sheridan's funeral this afternoon. He was buried at Arlington Heights with military ceremony. 37 57f August 12, 1888. After my return from General Sheridan's funeral yesterday evening I took off my uniform and called on Governor Rusk, Then met Colonel Rogers, Third Infantry, whom I had not seen for twenty-one years. Ex-Governor Stoneman of Cal ifornia dined with me, and I have invited him to be my guest during his stay here. August 13. 1888. After dinner last evening Governor Stoneman and I drove over to see General Drum at 6 o'clock, and it was after 12 o'clock before we could leave. Mrs. Drum and daugh ters entertained us for a short time, and the General and Gov ernor talked over old times. j Every time we would start to go the General would invite us back to sample his homemade wine, and during the conversation Governor Stoneman related the circumstances of how the Army of the Potomac came to be so named. August 15, 1888. During Governor Stoneman's stay here we have fixed up a bill. and Judge. Weed, his attorney, expects to get it through Congress, making him a Major-General on the retired list. August 24, 1888. I took General Stoneman driving this afternoon, and we called on Generals Wright and Townsend, Surgeon-General Moore, General Macfeely and the Secretary of War, who were all pleased to meet him. After this we took a parting mint julep. August 30, 1888. Saw Mr. Hufty about a $5000 loan and Chaplain Van Wyck and wife in regard to a real-estate transaction. Steve Jecko of Mis souri spent the evening entertaining us on the piano. Gen. George Stoneman. 579 The following letter with its enclosures will be read with in terest by all who revere the memory of the War President : Washington, August 28, 1888. Maj. Geo. A. Armes: My Dear Major — I enclose copy of letter from President Lin coln to Horace Greeley, which, I think, shows fully Mr. Lincoln's opinions on the slavery question. If you need anything else let me know. Your friend, Marcus J. Wright. Executive Mansion, Washington, August 22, 1862. Hon. Horace Greeley: Dear Sir — T have just read yours of the 19th, addressed to my self through the New York Tribune. If there be in it any state ments, or assumptions of fact, which I may know to be erroneous, I do not, now and here, controvert them. If there be in it any in ferences which I may believe to be falsely drawn, I do not, now and here, argue against them. If there be perceptible in it an im patient and dictatorial tone, I waive it in deference to an old friend, whose heart I have always supposed to be right. As to the policy I "seem to be pursuing," as you say, I have not meant to leave anyone in' doubt. I would serve the Union. I would serve it the shortest way un der the Constitution. The sooner the national authority can be restored the nearer the Union will be "the Union as it was." If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time save slavery, I do not agree with them. If there be those who would not save the Union unless they could at the same time destroy slavery, I do not agree with them. My para mount object in this struggle is to save the Union, and is not either to save or to destroy slavery. If I could save the Union without freeing any slaves I would do it, and if I could save it by freeing all the slaves T would do it, and if I could save it by freeing some and leaving others alone I would also do that. What I do about slav ery and the colored race I do because I believe it helps to save the Union, and what I forbear I forbear because I do not believe it would help to save the Union. I shall do less whenever I shall be lieve what I am doing hurts trie cause, and I shall do more when ever I shall believe doing more will help the cause. I shall try to correct errors when shown- to be errors, and I shall adopt new views so fast as they appear to be true views. 58o I have here stated my purpose according to my views of official duty, and \ intend no modifications of my oft-repeated personal wish that all men everywhere could be free. Yours, A. Lincoln. September 23, 1888. Took General Black driving, and then called on Colonel Dor sey, near the Hamilton House, who drove with me to Mr. Bryant's at Four Corners, where we took tea and spent the evening. Mr. Bryant, who was formerly a partner of Horace Greeley and a great literary man, has retired to his beautiful home, where he is sur rounded with the finest library in this section. September 28, 1888. Hitched up my four-in-hand and park phaeton and invited Con gressman Dorsey of Nebraska, Baker of New York and Rockwell of Massachusetts to drive with me over in Virginia. We at tended Buffalo Bill's show. My family went over in two other vehicles. Cody (Buffalo Bill) was very glad to see us, and en tertained us after the show. A « ¦'A ¦ aJ£r¥r jfttffeBJi&i' wOBl . ««Lt( ,jh 1 jf? ' .„ mJ&c My Four-in-Hand. October 5, 1888. Buffalo Bill deputized Mr. Moxley to go with me and look at property. I took him over the Holmead section, offering it to him for $50,000, and advising him to close immediately. 5»i October 24, 1888. Spent most of last evening with Buffalo Bill after his return from General Beale's farm, where he has arranged to have his buffalo and stock wintered. Colonel Anderson is very busy in get ting up his committee, and has added Hon. W. C. Whitney, Col onel Soule, General Beale, General Rosecrans and several other names. Colonel McLean, Assistant Commissioner, assisted today in getting the case of Private Hector Gale, Second New York Artillery, made special. Treasury Department, Register's Office, October 29, 1888. My Dear General: Maj. Geo. A. Armes, U. S. A., (retired) has a matter of impor tance to speak of tending to make democratic votes for our com ing election. Probably you may see a proper mode of doing a personal act of justice and at the same time inaugurate a public movement for our country's good. Yours truly, W. S. Rosecrans. Gen. J. J. Bartlett, Dept. Comr. Pens. November 8, ii Was up all last night watching the returns of the election, and was greatly disappointed at 11 o'clock this A. M., upon reaching my office, to learn that Mr. Cleveland was not re-elected. It is rumored that Senator Hearst was not true to his party, which is a surprise to me, as he appeared to take such a great interest in affairs at St. Louis, although he said then it was a great mistake to select Mr. Thurman as Vice-President instead of General Black, in whose interest I went to St. Louis, and a great many having discussed the question before the nomination of Mr. Thurman appeared discouraged at the turn of affairs. I spent a great deal of time and money during the past few months in advocating the re-election of Mr. Cleveland. December 7, 1? Had a very interesting interview with President Cleveland this afternoon in relation to his Oak View property, which he au thorized me to sell for $150,000, and said he would like to see me get the benefit of the sale. 582 December 26, it Met Senator Cullom at 11 o'clock today, when he and his daughters got in my tea-cart and we drove for several hours look ing at real estate. They were very much pleased with several houses we examined. December 31, 1888. I sat up until 120'clock last evening to look through the accounts of the year past, and I have been busy today paying bills and set tling up. Having spent a great part of my time in politics, I have neglected many matters, and have not cleared over $14,600, besides expenses, during the year. I must mention the misfortunes of my old friend, Hon. Ward H. Lamon, who was confined to his bed with terrible rheumatic trou bles, causing him to lose many of his large claims that needed his attention, and which, on account of sickness, he was unable to look after. Upon his writing his circumstances to me, and upon his request that I purchase his pair of trotting messenger horses, although I had eight, I accommodated him by paying $750 cash towards helping him out of his financial troubles, more on account of his long friendship and many kindnesses extended to me during my troubles. Through my intercession the Hon. Charles B. Far- well, Congressman Taylor and Judge Welling of the Court of Claims succeeded in reconciling Mrs. Lamon to her husband again, they having been separated for a number of months. They at once made arrangements to go abroad together. CHAPTER XXVII. January n, 1889. Reached my office at 10 o'clock A. M., when Colonel Slack called, requesting me to sell his carriages, which I immediately did to Mr. Marr for $635 cash. Took Senator Barnum, Chair man of the Democratic Committee, to look for quarters for his committee. January 29, 1889. Called on Mr. William Walter Phelps at the Normandy, who gave me his square 135 to sell at four dollars a foot as a whole or eight dollars for the front portion. Attended Mr. Burrows' and Senator Stockbridge's reception this afternoon, and Mrs. Stock- bridge had quite a long talk with me about the Phelps lot, which she is very anxious to purchase. February 4, 1889. Paid B. H. Warner $15,750 today, and took up the last mort gage note on Tenth street property, which I was glad to get out of his hands. February 7, 1889. General Drum gave me a note to Mr. Whitthorn to get Gen eral Hunt's promotion bill through, and had quite a long talk with Mr. Dorsey about it. February 8, 1889. Lieut. Lucian Young of the Navy and I called on General Drum, who gave me a dispatch as to the condition of General Hunt. I went right to the Capitol, calling on Colonel Dorsey, General Glover, General Spinola and Col. Archie Bliss. Got Mr. Dorsey to have the bill reported, but Killgore of Texas objected, thus killing the bill making him Brigadier-General. February 10, 1889. Called on General Killgore of Texas at his house, introducing myself, when he asked what he could do for me. I said I had only called to pay my respects, and invited him on a drive around the suburbs. He was very dignified ; did not ask me to sit down, but reminded me that he was a Congressman, who had no time to waste driving about. When I informed him how much my friends in Texas thought of him he was surprised to find I knew anyone 584 in Texas, and at once invited me to sit down. He finally asked how long it would take to go on a little drive over the hill, and I told him he could come back in a half hour or an hour if he wished. Concluding to accept my invitation, he got in my buggy, and I drove him to my house, entertaining him with eggnogg and some good cigars, where he remained several hours. After that we called on General Drum at his house. On our way back to town he seemed enraptured with the beautiful country and glad he had had an opportunity to see the land selected for the Na tional Park and the Zoological Gardens, stating that if he had known what a beautiful section it was he would not have objected to the passage of any appropriation for such enterprises. He also agreed not to oppose the Hunt bill or the brevet bill, which I had been trying to have passed. When we parted he assured me that I could rely upon his helping to pass appropriations which might be connected with the section through which we drove. February ii, 1889. When I reached my office at 12 q'clpck news came that General Hunt had died at 10 o'clock. This was quite a shock to me, as I had been one of his best friends for years in the Army of the Potomac. February 12, 1889. I called at Congressman Dorsey's house and invited him to ride to the Capitol with me, when he at once introduced a pension bill for Mrs. General Hunt, allowing her $100 per month. Congress man Archie Bliss, with his great-heartedness, took special interest in this bill. I also received today an appointment as Colonel and aide on the staff of Governor Beaver, but being so busy in real- estate affairs, I am not certain if I can accept it. February 13, 1889. Went to the Capitol today and did my best to get the bill brevet ing officers for Indian campaigns brought up, as many of the officers who had been recommended for Indian fights had re quested me to get a bill through authorizing them to be breveted on the recommendation of their department commanders. Gen eral Cutcheon, chairman of the Military Committee of the House, has taken great interest in assisting me in the passage of the bill. 5§5 February 14, 1889. Saw Senator Stockbridge today, who is hesitating about the Phelps lot, but his wife has set her heart on purchasing it and building a large house in the center of the square. He having invested largely in California, hesitates purchasing here. February 16, 1889. After .looking into my affairs, and considering it my duty to do all I can towards making the parade a success, it being a na tional matter, I accepted Governor Beaver's appointment as an aide on his staff and reported at headquarters. I have been re quested to go to Alexandria and engage all the horses I can for the 4th of March. February 18, 1889. Congressman Dorsey' and I went before the committee, General Cutcheon agreeing to bring up the brevet bill. February 20, 1889. General Springer, Dorsey, Cutcheon and Killgore took an ac tive part in trying to pass the bill last night, but Campbell of New York objected and blocked the house from doing so. February 22, 1889. Was with Governor Beaver and General Hastings today ar ranging for my part of the parade. February 24, 1889. Saw General Axline of Ohio this morning ; also Colonel Good loe of the United States Marine Corps, Colonel McGrew of In diana, who went to Alexandria with me to look for horses. Called on David Windsor and Rose Catts, who have agreed to supply us with a number of horses. February 25, 1889. Called at the War Department today and was handed the deed for lot 25 at Arlington Cemetery. This afternoon while in the headquarter building General Hastings informed me that my ap pointment as an aide on General Beaver's staff was a mistake, and under the circumstances I could not ride. I immediately called on Colonel , who was making out a list of appointments for special escort to the President, and after stating the insult offered by Hastings, he agreed to appoint me as one of ten to meet President Harrison in the Senate chamber and be with him on the 566 platform during his address. He also explained the treatment he had received by President Harrison, General Hastings, Mr. Brit- ton and other officials, and appeared to feel very sore on account of it. March i, 1889. Called on Hon. Washington McLean, who entertained me for an hour or two. Also called on General Rosecrans and congrat ulated him upon his appointment as Brigadier-General of the United States Army, and tendered him my blooded mare to ride in the procession on the 4th of March. Had quite a long talk with Governor Beaver this afternoon, and was grossly insulted by Gen eral Hastings of his staff, who apologized to me afterwards. March 2, 1889. Had quite a talk with Senator Windom and Senator Garland this afternoon. Having been refused an appointment as notary- public, I called on Senator McPherson, who wrote a note of recommendation, saying: "My Dear Garland: Please appoint Colonel Armes notary-public, and oblige, yours truly." I handed this to Mr. Garland, and he at once had an appointment made out, which I took to Colonel Pruden, who had Mr. Cleveland sign it at once. The whole transaction was carried through within one hour from the time I obtained Senator McPherson's note. March 3, 1889. Yesterday afternoon I took a note from General Rosecrans to Mr. Randall with the request that he call up Mrs. General Hunt's bill, which he agreed to do at once. March 4, 1889. Upon reaching the Capitol at 11 o'clock A. M. I was admitted into the Senate chamber and went with the President and Sen ators to the platform, remaining until he finished his address, after which I mounted my horse with the rest of the escort. While riding by the carriage of Vice-President Morton, Colonel Gibson and Captain Bourk'e of Governor Beaver's staff charged upon me like two drunken loafers, ordering- me off the avenue. My first impulse was to shoot them both, but considering the disturbance it would raise, I submitted and left the parade. I then went to the War Department with some ladies and witnessed the proces sion, after which I was invited to lunch with General Smith. 5«7 -"-. V j? ' i ¦'¦',-. . • , m , ,- V ;, ' .'"" '¦> . March 5, 1889. Last evening I tried to find Governor Beaver, but failed, as he had gone to Harrisburg, and I at once sent him a note demanding an apology and explanation of his treatment on the 4th of March. March 9, 1889. Preferred charges against Colonel Gibson and Captain Bourke and sent them in to the Adjutant-General ; also got out a warrant of arrest for Captain Bourke for my treatment on the 4th of March. March 11, 1889. While talking with General Drum at the War Department today he informed me that Colonel Gibson and Captain Bourke had preferred charges against me, and that I would soon be fur nished a copy of them. Last evening I called on Colonel West of the Washington Post, giving him a copy of the charges I had prefered against Gibson and Bourke, and this morning quite an interesting article appeared. March 14, 1889. Took Senator and Mrs. McMillan of Michigan to see Senator Van Wyck's house this evening. They were very much pleased 5«8 with it, and offered $15,000 for a lease of three years. Called at the Evening Star and Critic offices today, and they published one of my letters to Governor Beaver in relation to the Gibson and Bourke matter. Saw Mr. Gait, who gave me his house on Ver mont avenue to sell at $32, 000. March 26, 1889. Colonel Henderson of the Navy gave me his Woodley property to sell, or to lease at $2000 a year. I also took Senator Dolph over the Van Wyck house, with which he is very much pleased. Gen eral Clarkson and wife invited me to dine with them at Wormley's this afternoon, after which I took them through the Van Wyck house. March 27, 1889. Had quite a talk with John R. McLean in regard to the Wood- ley property. While in the Riggs House this afternoon talking with Lieutenant Young of the Navy, Colonel Smith and Mr. Prime, I noticed Governor Beaver shaking hands with several of his comrades in the lobby, and upon his discovering me he ex cused himself from his friends and came over and shook hands. After introducing him to Lieutenant Young and my friends I asked him if he had received my note demanding an apology. He said he had, but proposed to let the matter drop, as it had passed. I reminded him that it was too serious a matter to let drop, when he explained he knew nothing about the affair that happened on the 4th of March, and that everything was done by his Adjutant- General, Hastings. I suggested that he put that in writing at once in order that I could publish the explanation over his signa ture, when he remarked he had to sustain his Adjutant-General. I told him that it was very singular that I should suffer an insult and that he should sustain a drunken loafer in an ungentlemanly act, and that I did not propose to< let the matter drop, and he then asked me what 1 proposed to do about it. I reminded him of the fact that there is a great difference between our positions, he being the Governor of a great State and I an officer on the retired list, and that that prevented me from acting as I might otherwise. He at once informed me he would throw off his position as Governor of the State of Pennsylvania while in Washington ana put himself down on the same platform with me, and that I could do my damnedest, which I resented. One of his comrades threw his 589 Resenting Gen. Beaver's Insult. arms around him and took him out in his carriage on a drive to the Soldiers' Home. Another ex-soldier threw his arms around me, when I reminded him that the matter was all over. March 29, 1889. Had quite a long conversation with Colonel Carson of the Phila delphia Ledger, who wrote a nice letter in reply to Governor Beaver's statement, which I took to the Associated Press and it was sent off. March 30, 1889. Had a long talk with Col. Beriah Wilkins of the Washington Post, who assures me he is a friend and will publish my version of the Beaver matter. April 1, 1889. Found a long letter from Colonel Lawton, Inspector-General of the United States Army (since killed in the Philippines), also his card. T remained in my office several hours working on my papers, and during the afternoon he called again, and we had 59Q quite a pleasant chat. He told me he had orders to prefer charges against me and wished I would come to his office to see what de fense it was necessary to make. April 8, 1889. At 10 o'clock this A.M. Major Schwan, Adjutant-General of the Department, called at my office and placed me in arrest, giving me a copy of the charges and ordering me to appear for trial in two days, lite limits assigned were those of the District. April 9, 1889. Called on Judges Shellabarger and Wilson in regard to defend ing me before the court, which they were unable to do. I then saw Lieutenant Lemly of the Artillery, who agreed to assist me if it were possible. April 10, 1889. I appeared before the court at 10 o'clock this A. M., and my first intention was to object to all the members, as I had learned from very good authority that Capt. J. W. Clous was one of the principals in getting it organized and selecting the members for the purpose of having me dismissed from the service. Not having any counsel present, I declined to plead to the charges until a counsel was assigned, and Capt. Thomas T. Knox, First Cavalry, the junior member of the court, was relieved and assigned as my counsel. Mr. Wheeler Hubbell volunteered to assist. Captain Knox's defense of me was of the highest order. April 11, 1889. I appeared before the court at 10 o'clock this A. M. and pleaded not guilty, and objected to being tried upon the ground that the court had the cart before the horse ; that Colonel Gibson and Cap tain Bourke were the proper officers who should be brought be fore the court instead of myself, as I had preferred serious charges against them before charges were made against me. Mr. Hubbell made a very interesting little speech, and the court proceeded to my trial. 59t - yq ii ;l^«**ii i Sm te-pM 1 *> If The Beaver Oourt-Martial April 22, 1889. I have been before the court with witnesses, and have made quite a strong case, and if I am found guilty it will be on account of their prejudice and the fact that their minds were made up before they were detailed on the court, as there is no evidence that would justify such conclusion. April 25, 1889. I was in my place before the court at 10 o'clock this A. M., when the Judge-Advocate read the testimony of the day before, and at 12.20 the court closed. T was notified that I would not have to appear before it again. I was tried on the charge of "conduct un becoming an officer and gentleman," being found guilty and sen tenced to dismissal as already noted, but the sentence was com muted by the President. Afterwards, talking with General Drum, he informed me that he would let me know the sentence of the court at the first opportunity. April 27, 1889. General Drum failing to keep his word in furnishing me with the sentence of the court, I called on Colonel Swords of the Treasury Department, special friend of the President, who went to the White House to learn what he could. Colonel Halford told him he had not been able to find out himself, but I am satisfied it was dismissal from the service. As was plainly seen, the court was specially picked out for that purpose. 592 April 20, 1889. Among the many witnesses in my defense was Governor Wood bury of Vermont, who came on and did all he could in my behalf. Burlington, Vt., April 11, 1889. Dear Major: Your favor of the 8th inst. is received and noted. Your trouble has caused me much pain. I hardly know what to say about jt * * * You speak about my influence with Secretary Procter. I fear it would not be much. * * * But I am willing to help you if I can. If I should be regularly summoned by the court I could appear. Please remember me to Mrs. Armes. Yours, very truly, (Signed) U A. Woodbury, Captain, etc. By the Judge- Advocate : Q. State your name and residence. A. U. A. Woodbury, Burlington, Vt. Q. Do vou recognize the accused? A. I do~ Q. As whom? A. As Geo. A. Armes. By Mr. Hubbell: 0. Will you please explain why you are called Governor? A. I am the present Lieutenant-Governor of Vermont, not Governor. O. Will you state how long a time you have known the ac cused? A. Something over twenty-five years. 0. What is and has been his character as a gentleman and as a man? A. Perhaps I could better answer that by stating how I be came acquainted with him and what my relations with him were. Q. You can explain that in your answer. A. In the fall of 1863 I was on duty in New Hampshire during the draft as a veteran in the reserve corps, having been transferred to that branch after having lost my arm, and Mr. Armes was as signed to my company as Second Lieutenant. * * * He re mained something over a year. At that time he was a young man of most excellent character, of good temper, attended to his duties, and rather easily imposed upon, I used to think. Q. Did you ever know him to do any dishonorable act or action? A. I never did while he was with me. Q. Or at any other time? 593 A. I have never personally known of his doing anything dis honorable. Q. Nor anything ungentlemanly that would reflect on his character as an officer and a gentleman? A. Never while with me. Nor have I any personal knowledge of anything since. May 14, 1889. Leased the Weaver house today to Corporal Tanner, Com missioner of Pensions, for $1000 a year. June 8, 1889. I learned today that the sentence of the court had been com muted by the President to five years' suspension, and I not to be allowed to wear my uniform during the suspension, but my pay was not to be interfered with. June 26, 1889. I have been actively engaged in real-estate deals during the past two months, but at the same time have been at a loss of not less than $25,000 on account of not being able to attend to matters of importance because of the court-martial, which took up most of my time. I was in hopes of negotiating a deal with Secretary Proctor and Senator Van Wyck, but the former decided to take the Parson house, corner of L and Sixteenth streets. June 27, 1889. Upon reaching my office at 1 1 o'clock this morning I received several communications, in addition to a notice in the Post, that one hun dred citizens of Pittsburg, Pa., had presented and forwarded to me a gold medal in approval of my re senting the insult of Governor Beaver. A beautiful gold medal in a satin box, awarded to me on a subscrip tion of $300 by a committee of one hundred citizens, was sent to me from Pittsburg, Pa. ; also a set of resolutions signed by the commit tee. General Schofield having sent me directions to return the medal to the donors, I had to word my ac ceptance in such a way as to avoid official action : 594 Washington, D. C, July 5, 1889. To John F. Blair, Treasurer : Dear Sir — Having received the beautiful gold medal donated and sent to me by 100 of your citizens, I accept the same as their approval of the letter I sent Gen. James A. Beaver March 15, 1889. Being a real estate broker, the Honorable Secretary of War ex tended my limits outside the city of Washington to fifty miles. While undergoing my sentence, as commuted by the President, this affords me an opportunity to give some good bargains to those who apply to me for houses, lots or farms. Geo. A. Armes. June 28, 1889. Before reaching home last evening General Schofield sent one of his staff officers to find out if I had received the gold medal an nounced as having been presented to me in the papers, and if it had been received, his directions were to return it to avoid another court-martial, as I would not be allowed to accept it. I sent him my compliments, with information that the gold medal had not as yet been received, but if there were any truth in the story, and that il it came into my possession, I proposed to acept it, and $10,000 would not be on inducement for me to return it. I also called on the Adjutant-General, Kelton, informing him that my business naturally called me to other cities outside the limits of fifty miles that had been extended, and wanted to know what the chances were to attend to my business affairs, when he smiled and re minded me of the fact that I was pretty much on the same status as an officer on duty at a post, and that whenever I desired to. leave the city I would have to make a written appplication for the num ber of days I desired the same as any other officer on duty, which satisfied me that my business would not be interfered with in case of a necessity to leave the city. July 19, 1889. I desired to go out of the city, and sent up a written request for sixty days, which General Kelton returned approved "by order of the Secretary of War." Took Surgeon-General Moore through the Alley house, for which he offered me $30,000 cash, 595 Sylvan Beach, N. Y., August 13, 1889. Arrived a 4 o'clock this A. M. and took rooms at the hotel near the Gale cottage. Met Mr. Gale and wife at 3 P. M., who were glad to see us and gave us a good dinner. They invited us to remain as their guests. The regiment assembled at the fair grounds, and I met many of my old comrades, among them Major Birdsell, Captain Rounds, Captain Porter, Ser geant Miller, Frank Earl and others. We have had a grand time fishing in the lake and boat-riding. October 14, 1889. I have been very busy for the past four or five days enter taining and driving the Knights Templar to the Soldiers' Home, Arlington Heights and all places cf inter est around the city. Have made a good many friends. October 18, 1889. Invited Gen. Philip St. George Cooke to drive to the Soldiers' Home and many other places of interest, which the old gentleman greatly enjoyed. During our conversation he reminded me that he never regretted issuing the complimentary order for the cav alry raid I made against the Indians in 1866. Attended World's Fair meeting this evening. October 24, 1889. I returned to the city last evening to attend the banquet given in honor of the Three Americas Exposition, and Mr. Shaffer of the Star escorted me to the table, where we met Judge Jerry Wilson, Mr. Kennedy and Col. Beriah Wilkins, and listened to the speeches of Governor Biggs of Delaware, Governor Fleming of Florida and several other noted speakers, including Commissioner Pouglass, Colonel Staples did his best to entertain us, W. Hector Gaj.k. 59c 6u January 29, 1890. Was with Senator Stewart until after 12 o'clock last evening, and he gave me instructions to close the Ingleside trade for $300,- 000, also to purchase the Green and French property. I closed the transaction with Miss French for forty-five acres. January 30, 1890. Was with Senator Stewart last evening, and he kept me until after 1 .o'clock, authorizing me to purchase the Barr tract on Finey Branch road for $7000 cash ; also the Klingle property on Rock Creek and Klingle roads for $129,000. February 3, 1890. Spent all of last evening with Senator Stewart, Senator Kellogg and Mr. Francis G. Newlands. The latter drove out with me over the ground we have selected, and he authorized me to take the forty acres from Austin Herr at $66,500. February 4, 1890. Last evening met Senator Stewart and Mr. Newlands at the Shoreham, and it was after 2 o'clock this A. M. before we parted. We all decided on carrying the railroad up Seventeenth street and through the Walbridge tract if it will be possible to get the charter. I was also authorized to pay Mr. Eslin $75,000 for his ten acres on Columbia road, and I closed the transaction with him today. Mr. Viele met Senator Stewart and myself last evening at the Shoreham with his maps and plan of the railroad, which ap peared satisfactory. February 7, 1890. While with Senator Stewart last evening Stellwagen was repre sented as having made a statement that Ryan had offered to sell his land for $600 per acre. I very promptly contradicted the state ment, saying that it was not true, and after a thorough investiga tion I proved that I had been misrepresented and placed in a false light by said Stellwagen, who seemed to be trying to run me out of the enterprise I am trying to carry out. February 10, 1890. Mr. Newlands and Mr. R. Dulany met Senator Stewart and myself at the Shoreham last evening and decided on having a bill of incorporation drafted, in which Mr. Bullitt was also interested, but was not present. 6l2 I wrote a letter to Mr. Bullitt asking him to become one of the incorporators of the railroad, to which I received the fol lowing : Philadelphia, February 4, 1890. , Dear Sir — I have yours of the 3d. I have no objection to the use of my name as an incorporator in the bill to establish a cable road running out Seventeenth street and by Klingle road and the line of Connecticut avenue. I am very glad to hear that such a proposition is made, and if we retain Chevy Chase it will be agree able to me to assist in the enterprise. Yours truly, John C. Bullitt. February 15, 1890. Mr. Newlands, Senator Kellogg, Rosier Dulany and myself spent most of the evening with Senator Stewart, and we have de cided to have a bill introduced in regard to the railroad. February 19, 1890. Mr. Morton and I went out to look at property yesterday, and he is becoming very much interested in this city. Mrs. General Hazen (now Mrs. Admiral Dewey) called at my office today and placed her Sixteenth and K street house in my hands for sale or rent. Discussing Plans with Senator Stewart. 613 March I, 1890. Mr. Wimer backed out of his deal for fifty acres I had pur chased at $16,500, a very important matter to me. March 9, 1890. It was after 1 o'clock this morning before I left Senator Stewart and Mr. Newlands. Stellwagen has finally worked himself into the good graces of Newlands as one of his advisers., and there appears to be a move on foot to cheat me out of commissions I have earned in many transactions. Closed the sale for the Beall place for $59,000 today ; also closed the Bock transaction on the Grant road. April 10, 1890. Finally purchased the Wormley tract on Pierce Mill road for $35,000, in which C. C. Lancaster joins with me in taking a half interest. April 11, 1890. Mr. B. H. Warder offered me $110,000 for the Busey place on Woodley road. April 29, 1890. Having purchased the Wormley place, I have fixed up the house and grounds and moved my family into it. Employed Miss McGruder of Maryland to take charge of the younger children during my wife's absence abroad, where she is preparing to go within the next few days. May 1, 1890. Contracted to have thirteen more rooms built as an addition to my house, which will give me twenty-five fine large rooms at Fairfield. New York City, May 3, 1890. After breakfast Mr. Earl, Marian and my family went out to Central Park and returned at 3 o'clock P. M., when my wife, Lucy, and daughters Cecily and Ethel, went aboard the steamer, where they have an elegant stateroom and everything necesssary to make them comfortable for their voyage. At 4.30 the steamer pulled out and I threw an old shoe and a lot of rice after it for good luck. 614 Washington, D. C, May 14, 1890. My oldest boy, George, was very anxious to ride my running horse, "Messenger," which I purchased from Marshal Lamon, and took the responsibility of riding him without my authority. The horse ran off down the Tennallytown road to Georgetown and from there towards the city, where he slipped while rounding Washington Circle, throwing George off and breaking both of his legs. With the attention of two doctors in splicing his legs I expect him to pull through. May 16, 1890. Judge Henry Strong made me an offer of $2500 per year on a ninety-nine-year lease for the Kibby property, and he is going to place a $50,000 building upon it. August 23, 1890. While going through the row of six houses I am building a loose board slipped and I fell nine feet on my head and face, which almost killed me, but Dr. Heger, U. S. A., soon had me revived, and I am getting along all right, but it was a close call. September 4, 1890. Lucy, Cecily and Ethel arrived in New York last night on The Nevada, and I met them in this city this afternoon. They greatly enjoyed their trip, all being glad to get home, stating there was no place like America, in spite of their interest ing journeys through Europe. Lucy did not like the Wormley house, and, as I have the other one completed, we will soon move. The accompanying photograph was taken in London, England. September 10, 1890. Plad the wagons loaded up with furniture and moved into Fairfield today. We now have twenty-five rooms, and can entertain our friends without trouble. October 2, 1890. August Voight, of whom I had purchased a few acres of land on the Nourse road a few days ago, was in my office today explain ing about the amount of money he had on hand, showing me his Cecily H. Armes. 6i5 book, when I remarked that he had only credited me with $360 on the date that 1 had paid him $3600, and he was thunderstruck, stating that he had given Nelson the money to deposit for him. He requested me to go to the bank with him. It was soon dis covered that Nelson had only deposited $360 and had pocketed $3240. C. C. Glover was surprised, and seemed offended at me for hinting that the Nelson transaction was not straightforward, but Mr. Riggs, who is an honest man, immediately looked into the affair and discovered Nelson's crooked transaction and that he had disappeared from the city. October 9, 1890. General Grant, Assistant Secretary of War, gave me sixty days' permission to go to New York and any other place I desired in the United States. Hagerstown, Md., October 20, 1890. There being a great real-estate boom in this city, quite a num ber of Washingtonians were invited here to attend the sale of a large number of lots, which sold at enormous prices, and we were handsomely entertained by the citizens. Called on ex-Senator Hamilton and met Mrs. A. R. Appleman and quite a number of friends who reside here. October 31, 1890. General Grant drove out with me this afternoon to look at the Klingle property, as he is desirous of investing quite extensively in District property. Bedford City, Va., November 18, 1890. I receivd an invitation yesterday from a number of citizens of Bedford City to visit their town, and quite a party of us went up on a special train yesterday evening. We had a grand dinner at the hotel, and a large number of building lots were sold at auction at enormous prices, as this appears to be a regular boom town. A very handsome hotel and several buildings have already been established. Mr. Berry gave me an option on several very fine building lots for thirty days at $10,800. December 11, 1890. General Cutcheon and I took a drive, and he has agreed to see General Schofield in regard to my appointment as Brevet Lieu tenant-Colonel under the recent act. 6i6 December 16, 1890. Ex-Governor McLane of Maryland, ex-minister to France, and I took a drive around to look at property this afternoon, and he is very much pleased with the Judge Strong house, corner Six teenth and L streets. December 31, 1890. I worked on papers and accounts most of the afternoon, set tling up one of the most prosperous years of my life, and in spite of my military troubles and court-martial sentence, which is nothing but a farce, I have cleared over $200,000 in my transac tions during the year. Built an addition of thirteen rooms to my main residence, one row of six houses on Howard street and two very fine houses with back buildings on Albemarle street, pur chasing a number of pieces of property in the section of Connec ticut avenue extended, in order to control it for a good class of people. The following documents and letters will serve to more fully illustrate the events of this year : United States Senate, Washington, D. C, January 26, 1890. Friend Armes : I am busy in the Senate every day but Sunday. I would like to take a ride in the country and look over the ground again. Bring all the papers up at once and let Mr. Kappler work on them while we are gone. Yours truly, (Signed) Wm. M. Stewart. Maj. Geo. A. Armes. P S. — Order your horses. 617 An autograph letter from my old friend, General F. E. Spinner, follows : %c4j (3AliJndAy% m cy- 4\c^t?< cue ^ti^fAJtfttuf jy*x, fl+j/hUA J^yQu^yL^JC,i QtPi&u 6i8 /Ch cdiiucl k ci^ d*tQ_ hCu^ The following is the last letter I ever received from the writer : Jacksonville, Fla., April 18, 1890. My Dear Colonel : The delay in replying to yours of the 8th inst. was on account of your addressing me to Pablo, and the letter had to be sent back to Jacksonville, where I now am. The paper was received, read to me, and I enjoyed it very much. 619 I have no hope of ever seeing Washington again. My eye sight is now so impaired that I have to employ an amanuensis. Blind as I am I still am able to sign myself, Very truly yours, (Signed) F. E. Spinner. Washington, D. C, April 21, 1890. To the Adjutant- General U. S. A., Washington, D.C: Sir — I have the honor to request that permission be granted me to visit New York, Boston, El Paso, San Antonio, Texas, and such other points as are within the bounds of the United States. Deemed necessary for me to go for the next ninety days in con nection with business and private matters. Very respectfully, etc., (Signed) Geo. A. Armes. (First endorsement.) War Department, Adjutant-General's Office> April 21, 1890. Respectfully returned to Capt. Geo. A. Armes, U. S. A., re tired. The Secretary of War regards so much of the within letter as refers to "such other limits as are within the bounds of the United States" as too indefinite, and he desires the points which Captain Armes desires to visit to be specifically stated. (Signed) C. McKeever, Acting Adjt.-Gen. My Children. CHAPTER XXIX. January i, 1891. Being under suspension by my sentence, approved by the Pres ident, fixing Washington city as my place of confinement, with fifty miles limit for exercise, and deprived of wearing my uniform as an officer of the Army, it was impossible for me to join my com rades at the War Department this morning and march to the White House to meet the President. Judge Stewart greatly enjoyed calling with me. He is a candi date for a very prominent position here, and expects his appoint ment soon. January 22, 1891. When about to leave the reception at Senator Stanford's this afternoon he stated that Mrs. Stanford would like to see me on business. She wanted me to fix a time when I could go with her to look at property, saying she had decided to either lease or pur chase a larger house, and we fixed 12 o'clock tomorrow. January 23, 1891. Mrs. Stanford postponed going out until 2 o'clock, when the Senator joined us, and we went to look at quite a number of houses. Finally deciding that the Corcoran house would suit bet ter than anything looked over, I offered it at thirteen dollars a square foot, which made the cost $400,000. After several hours' inspection, they decided to take it, noting down the many altera tions necessary to make it suitable to receive in. January 24, 1891. Met Mr. Dwight of New York, who employs the Governor of Dakota as an overseer of his farm and interests in that State. He and Colonel Flaggler and I spent several hours together. I received a note from F. G. Newlands backing out of his proposi tion to take an interest in the Judson patent, in which I have just taken $5000 worth of stock. Senator and Mrs. Stanford are very much disappointed in not being able to secure the Corcoran 62 1 house. Mr. McLean and I both advised them not to take it be cause the trustees raised the property to $15.00 per foot when they saw Mr. Stanford wanted it, which would make a difference of $50,000 or $60,000 in the purchase price. Gen. E. M. Beale, who is one of my friends, agreed with me that Senator Stanford should not be required to pay the additional price when it had been re cently offered at thirteen dollars. January 26, 1891. General Beale and I called on Senator Stanford. Not being able to get the trustees to let the Corcoran property go for thir teen dollars, the Senator decided to re-lease the house he now occupies and build an addition on the vacant lot for a dining and ballroom. January 28, 1891. Lucy and I spent a portion of last evening with Mrs. Senator Spooner and Mrs. Stanford. I met Mr. E. B. Grandin, one of the large capitalists and business men of Pennsylvania, whom I drove around the city to look at property this afternoon. He is a bright and intelligent business man whom I am very anxious to have locate here. February 13, 1891. Spent most of last evening at the Arlington with Senator Squire of Washington, and today called on Colonel Berrett, a friend of Governor McLane, who is assisting me in trying to secure a building lot for the ex-Governor. Mr. Taverner and I called on General Hooker of Mississippi, who accepted an invitation to deliver an address on the 23d. February 24, 1891. Lucy and I attended the reception at Lincoln Hall given to the members of the Junior Order American Mechanics. Among those who delivered addresses except myself were General Hooker, Senator Stewart and General Grosvenor. After the speeches we attended the reception at Professor Cable's, where Mrs. Presi dent Harrison read over the names of the list of daughters of the 622 association, and after singing aud a few speeches took place, re freshments were served. Among those present were Senator Faulkner, Professor Goode, Captain Vanderbilt and a large num ber of the oldest inhabitants and first society of the city. February 26, 1891. Have been very busy in real-estate matters, buying a number of pieces of property and improving the grounds around Fair field, and have not neglected to visit the War Department, Gen eral Schofield and others in relation to my brevet promotion, which I earned and am entitled to. Astor House, New York, March 7, 1891. Lawrence Sands and others joined me at the depot last even ing. We came over here on the invitation of Professor Boynton, the inventor of the bicycle railroad, in which I am largely inter ested, and were taken over to his road in carriages, the car being put in motion, lt proves to be a success. Col. J. H. Wood of Lowville, N. Y., took great interest in it. December 31, 1891. During the year I have continued the streets through Armes- ley Park and donated them to the District, and have sold Mr. C. C. Glover a portion of the park fronting on the Tennallytown road. Having gone largely in debt for the purchase of property in the vicinity of Connecticut avenue, I concluded to cut down my expenses and notes by selling off a portion of my property. I have reduced my notes from $165,000, which were drawing 6 per cent., to $90,000, which I hope to be able to clear by next year. I am sorry to say I have not succeeded in getting my brevet bill through, although I have given a great deal of my time at the War Department in trying to get favorable action. A portion of the same old ring connected with Graham and Belknap being in power, have managed to prevent it from going through in my favor. Mr. Brady invited us to his gallery, where he made the pic tures shown on opposite page : If 623 My Family. Having been invited to address you upon the past, present and future of the city of Washington, capital of the United States, I cannot as an American citizen decline. The history of the city has been so often written and is so familiar to all that a retrospective glance will suffice for the past. From what I have gathered from Congressional and other records, the question of the location of the national capital was agitated very soon after the close of the Revolution, and several places were considered, but none selected. The Continental Congress had been compelled to hold its sessions in eight different places, and was finally driven to Princeton, N. J., because of interruptions by a mob of turbulent soldiers, who had not been promptly con trolled by the local authorities. That is said to have been one of the principal reasons why Philadelphia was not chosen as the permanent seat of Government, and it also had great influence in locating it outside of the jurisdiction of any State Government. On December 23, 1784, a resolution was adopted by Congress for the appointment of a committee to lay out a district on the Delaware river near the Lower Falls for "a Federal town," in which should be erected "a Federal house for Congress and houses for the President and the then Cabinet Department." An at tempt was at that time made to substitute Georgetown, but failed. 624 No further action seems to have been taken in the matter until May io, 1787, when an effort was made in Congress (then sitting in New York) to have Government buildings erected in George town, which also failed. At a session of Congress held in Phila delphia in the summer of 1787 it was provided that the seat of Government should not be located there, as it might cause a clash between the Federal and State, or local, jurisdiction. James Mad ison introduced a clause, which was adopted, providing for a dist- trict ten miles square over which the General Government should retain exclusive jurisdiction. Under and by virtue of the act of Congress there were appointed certain commissioners with power to locate on the banks of the Potomac river a place to be known as the District of Columbia. A part of this district had been ceded by the State of Mary land and a part by the State of Virginia. Since the establishment of the District that part ceded by Virginia has been re-ceded to the State, and now the lands comprised within the District of Columbia are all from what was formerly the State of Maryland. The first three Commissioners appointed to act with President Washington in running lines, surveying and laying out the Fed eral Territory were Gen. Thomas Johnson, Hon. Daniel Carroll of Maryland and Dr. David Stewart of Virginia. The Commission entered upon its duties on the 15th day of April, 1 791, and laid the first boundary stone of the District at Jones' Point in Virginia after the Masonic form. The Commis sioners named the district the Territory of Columbia, which name it retained several years. They also named the "Federal city" to be founded, Washington. After the lines had been run designating the particular terri tory (to be known as the Territory of Columbia"), the citv of Wash ington was first surveyed and laid out by Maj. Pierre Charles L'Enfant, a French engineer, who had come to this country in the year I777> served in the French contingent of the Revolu tionary War, and remained in his adopted country when the French troops returned to their native land. L'Enfant was a renowned French scholar and civil engineer, and was educated in Europe. He laid out the city of Washington in streetsand avenues and distributed the public buildings indiffer ent parts of the city, so that two things might be accomplished in case of an attempt on the part of a military force to capture the city. First, he made different common centers, with avenues leading thereto in such a manner that blocking all streets and avenues, part of the citv could be made a nlace of safety, wherein the other part might be occupied by belligerent troops, and so con structed the streets and avenues that a cannon could be placed at these common centers and sweep the enemy in everv direction. This was the original idea in laying out the city of Washington 625 in the manner it is now. Being no longer danger of war, no longer danger that belligerent troops will ever march through our streets and turn upon our public buildings, it is conceded that his military idea makes the prettiest landscape and park that it is possible to plan, and the common centers of that day for military protection are today things of beauty that will give joy to Washington's in habitants and visitors for all times. The duty of the Commissioners and President in laying out the Federal city and acquiring title to the lands therein was both long and arduous. The meetings were held at the Suter's Tavern. Finally, after a great deal of toil and trouble, the principal pro prietors of the land signed the following agreement, and it was recorded by the Commissioners April 12, 1791 : "We, the subscribers, in consideration of the great benefits we expect to derive from having the Federal city laid out upon our lands, do hereby agree and bind ourselves, heirs, executors and administrators to convey in trust to the President of the United States or Commissioners, or such person or persons as he shall appoint, by good and sufficient deeds, in fee-simple, the whole of our lands which he may think proper to include within the lines of the Federal city for the purposes and on the conditions fol lowing :" Here follows the agreement to lay out the land comprised in the Federal city into lots, blocks, parks and public gardens, and the proprietors whose lands were taken for the public use were to receive a compensation at the rate of sixty-six and two-thirds ($6654) dollars per acre, to be paid by the public, but to receive nothing for the streets. The first persons selected by the President as trustees were Thomas Beall and John Mackall Gantt. The Commissioners commenced immediately after the laying out of the city to sell lots, a portion of which became the property of the Government for the purpose of establishing public buildings. By act of Con gress the city was to be ready for use of the Government officials in 1800, nine years from the time of the passage of the act, during which time Congress was in Philadelphia. On October 13, 1792, the corner-stone of the President's house was laid, and on Sep tember 18, 1793, that of the Capitol. The account written in 1800 by John Cotton Smith, at that time a member of Congress from Connecticut, was as follows : "Our approach to the city was accompanied with sensations not easily described. One wing of the Capitol had been erected, which, with the President's house, a mile distant from it, both constructed with white sandstone, were shining objects in dismal contrast with the scene around them. Instead of recognizing the avenues and streets portrayed on the plan of the city, not one was visible, unless we except a road with two buildings on each side of it called the New Jersey avenue. ho 626 "The Pennsylvania avenue leading, as laid down on paper, from the Capitol to the Presidential mansion, was nearly the whole distance a deep morass covered with elder bushes, which were cut through to the President's house, and near Georgetown a block of houses had been erected which bore the name of the 'Six Buildings.' There were also two other blocks, consisting of two or three dwelling-houses in different directions, and now and then an isolated wooden habitation. The intervening spaces, and in deed the surface of the city generally, being covered with scrub- oak bushes on the higher grounds, and on the marshy soil either trees or some sort of shrubbery. The desolate aspect of the place was not a little augmented by a number of unfinished edifices at Greenleaf's Point, and on an eminence a short distance from it, commenced by an individual whose name they bore, but the state of whose funds compelled him to abandon them. There appeared to be but two habitations really comfortable in all respects within the bounds of the city, one of which belonged to Daniel Carroll, and the other to Notley Young. The roads in every direction were muddy and unimproved ; in short, it was a new settlement." The Government took possession of the city in October, 1800, at, that time a city of 3000 inhabitants. It assumed jurisdiction of the District of Columbia in 1801'. The city of Washington was incorporated by an act of Con gress on May 3, 1802. After a few years Congress gave the citi zens a right to elect their Mayor, and a municipal form of gov ernment was continued until 1871, when Congress repealed the city charter and established a Territorial form of government, which remained until 1874. Since that time Commissioners have been appointed by the President to have charge of the District. under the supervision of Congress, which was the original plan adopted for the government of the city. The improvements in the city of Washington were only such as necessity required to continue it the capital city, or as its business interests demanded, from the time I have mentioned up to the commencement of the Civil War. It was without imposing struc tures, with limited sidewalks and pavements. At the close of that bloody struggle, which had seen Washing ton nearly captured several times by the Confederate forces, it had passed through terrible scenes of doubt, dread, almost despair, when the martyred President had been stricken clown by the assassin's hand, and when questions of the hour were, Can the Government survive the great shock it has received from the effects of the Rebellion and the assault of the assassin? Improvements of every character had been neglected, the streets and houses were in a dilapidated condition, as the fevered excitement had so taken hold of the people that the affairs con nected with the upbuilding and growth of the city had been en- 627 tirely neglected. Since the restoration of peace there has been a constant and continuous growth, improvement year by year, until within the past three years it has reached that period known in Western phraseology of their rapidly-growing towns and cities as a "boom." Capitalists seeking investments in the East have found a profit able place in Washington. The salubrious climate and natural at tractions in the way of scenery, when connected with the mag nificent parks, boulevards, public department buildings, private mansions, residences of the Chief Magistrate of the nation, the Capitol house, in which its laws are enacted and its high courts decide the most important events in the world's litigation. These things, connected with a society that they create, with the society of the world's most talented, wealthy, beautiful and accomplished sons and daughters, who come here from all parts of the world to visit our city and view with wonder its magnificent attractions, have made this the "Paris of America," and doubtless in the near future our city will lead the world in all things which make life secure, luxurious and charming. It is said that future events can be judged by the past. If we look upon the city of Washington a quarter of a century hence and judge by the improvements it will make from now to then, the cities of ancient grandeur will pale into insignificance before her. The swinging gardens of Babylon have been the wonder and admiration of the world for ages, but Washington will pre sent a grander beauty in her public parks and private gardens when all is completed. New York has been, and will probably continue to be, the me tropolis in population and trade. Chicago, with its wonderful and restless business capacity, has become the pride of the West, and will ever be known as the mammoth city of the Lakes. Wash ington will not stand with them in numerical order of population, but the overflow of wealth and beauty from these great business centers have given the social advantages to Washington, and our society consists of some of their most wealthy and talented citi zens. Although other cities have colleges surpassing those in Washington, but the hopes and desires of its citizens will be realized, and it will stand first in the land as an educational center. As a political center our city will always stand pre-eminent, for here Congress meets and the laws governing our country are enacted. It has already been shown to be the most fitting place in the country for annual meetings of societies or organizations, and as there is no city which equals Washington for its beautiful drives and hospitality, visitors are always welcomed here. Baltimore has been styled the Monumental City of America. Washington is equallv entitled to that appellation. There has been recently one of the finest monuments in America erected in 628 honor of Lafayette, which has been placed in one of her pic turesque parks, and other monuments which are in contemplation will far surpass any we have yet had. The monument erected to the "Father of His Country" is a magnificent obelisk of marble, 555 feet high, and before the end of another century a monument as grand should be erected to the memory of the discoverer of this country, Christopher Columbus. Such a memorial might wisely take the shape of a mammoth bridge spanning the Poto mac (that most majestic of rivers) from the capital city to the National Cemetery at Arlington (which will ever be remembered as the home of one of America's most talented citizens and sol diers, Robert E. Lee), where sleep some of our illustrious dead, who gave their lives for their country, and whose deeds for the ad vancement of life, liberty and happiness will ever be revered, mak ing Arlington a Westminster Abbey. War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, February 25, 1891. Capt. George A. Armes, U. S. Army (retired) : Sir — Referring to your communication of the 18th inst. request ing permission to go beyond the limits fixed in General Court- Martial Orders, No. 31, June 7, 1889, from this office, I have the honor to inform you that the Secretary of War authorizes you to visit New York city, N. Y. ; Boston, Mass., and Charleston, S. C, at such times as you may select within the next ninety days. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, R. Williams, Asst. Adjutant-General. Washington, D. C, April 20, 1891. Hon. Joseph R. Hawley, 2130 I street, X. W. : General — Will you be kind enough to inform me at your earliest convenience whether or not you applied to the President, the Secretary of War or General Schofield or suggested that a court- martial should be ordered in my case in relation to the Beaver matter. This information is desired in connection with some very important matters which may develop in the future. Very respectfully, G. A. Armes. Senate Chamber, Washingt-n. \pril 23, 1891. Dear Major : In reply to your note of April jo, T can onlv say that I have no recollection at this moment concerning what I said as to bringing 629 you before a court-martial for assaulting Governor Beaver. I am sure that I did not seek the President or Secretary or General Scho field for the purpose of suggesting a court, for it must have been evident to everyone, yourself included, that a court was inevitable. Yours truly, J. R. Hawley. Office of George A. Armes, Real Estate Broker, Notary-Public, Washington, D. C, May 27, 1891. Hon. E. W. Halford, Washington, D.C: Dear Colonel — I wish you would let me know as soon as con venient what the prospects are of my unjust sentence being re mitted on or before the ist of July as it is a very important matter to me under the circumstances, in order that I may make my future plans. I have written to General Schofield about the, same, but have learned he is out of the city. I had a short conversation with General Grant (who is acting Secretary of War) the other even ing, who said he would talk over the matter with you. My future plans may depend on prompt action in this matter. I hardly think it is necessary to say more at present. Yours truly, (Signed) Geo. A. Armes. War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, Capt. George A. Armes, U. S. Army (retired) : Sir — Referring to your letter of the ioth inst. requesting that your limits be extended so as to enable you to visit Boston, Mass. ; Portsmouth, N. H. ; El Paso, Texas, and such other places as you may deem proper within said bounds during the next ninety days, I have the honor to inform you that the Acting Secretary of War approves so much of your request as relates to your visiting Bos ton, Portsmouth and El Paso, but declines to authorize you to visit • such other places as you may deem proper. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. C. Kelton, Adjutant-General. Office of Geo. A. Armes, Real Estate Broker, 1405 F Street, Washington, D. C, June 15, 1891. To the Honorable Secretary of War (Through the Adjutant-General U. S. A.) : Sir ln relation to your communication of the 12th inst. de clining to authorize me to visit such other places as I may deem 630 proper within the bounds of El Paso, Texas ; Portsmouth, N. H., and Boston, Mass., and by approving of my visiting the above- named places, I do not fully understand how I could reach said points without stopping somewhere between them unless I went in a balloon which could land me carefully at each place ; there fore, in order that the Honorable Secretary may fully understand my object in mentioning in my application "such places as I may deem proper to visit within said bounds" I desire to call your at tention to the fact that my business is of such a nature it may be necessary for me to meet people in Wheeling, W. Va., or Rich mond and many places I cannot well mention in an application. Viewing the construction of your authority of June 12 to leave the city, I feel I could not stop at any place except those men tioned without making myself liable to charges ; therefore I will be pleased to know whether there is any objection to my stopping over or visiting such places as I may deem proper within the said limits. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) Geo. A. Armes. War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, June 17, 1891. Capt. George A. Armes, U.S. Army (retired) : Sir — I am instructed by the Secretary of War to say in reply to your letter of the 15th inst. that the authority granted you in let ter of the 1 2th inst. from this office to visit Boston, Mass. ; Ports mouth, N. H., and El Paso, Texas, of course includes authority to visit all the places on the direct route of travel between these places, and also places in the immediate vicinity of each of the cities named, but not such other places as you may deem proper within the bounds of Boston, Portsmouth and El Paso, for that might be construed as authorizing you to travel over the greater portion of the United States. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. C. Kelton, Adjutant-General. War Department, Office of the Assistant Secretary, Washington, D. C, July 30, 1891. Sir — I take pleasure in informing you that the President has directed the unexpired portion of the sentence of the court-mar tial in your case to be remitted, and the same is remitted by order of the President. Very respectfully, L. A. Grant, Acting Secretary of War. CHAPTER XXX. January i, 1892. Ethel and I spent most of last evening with General and Mrs. Williams and their daughters and Mrs. Madison Cutts, who en tertained us by the most brilliant conversation. Was up bright and early this morning in full-dress uniform for the first time in over two years, my sentence having been remitted during the year, allowing me to wear it. After calling at the War Depart ment, we marched in procession to the White House, where we shook hands with the President and others usually assembled there, among them Mrs. General Berdan, Miss Bachelder, Miss Lincoln, General Williams, Mrs. Drew, Colonel Robinson, the Rutherfords, Clephanes, Carusis, Chaplain Van Wyck and many other old friends whom I had not seen for years. January 2, 1892. I made my last call at Mrs. Senator Davis', where we met a large number of friends, and were entertained by the hostess in her usual elegant style. We then met General Miles and Captain Maus at the Shoreham, where we spent several hours together talking over old war times, and did not part until after 1 o'clock this A. M. Met Mr. Shear at the Shoreham, who decided to pur chase the lot corner Sixteenth and P streets for $47,000. January 8, 1892. Met Hon. Stephen B. Elkins, Secretary of War, at the Nor mandy this A. M., and he accompanied me to look at Judge Strong's K street house and several others, and authorized me to offer $10,000 a year for a lease. We passed the deeds today from Mr. Gray to Mrs. Shear for the lot corner Sixteenth and P .streets. I took the responsibility of having the deed made out to his wife, instead of to his father and mother as he had directed, as I felt it would be better in the end that she should hold some property in her name in case anything should happen to him in his large transactions in stocks. 632 January 19, 1892. Spent a portion of last evening at the Arlington with Senator and Mrs. Vilas, and then called on Mr. and Mrs. E. V. Smalley, who introduced me to Mrs. Senator Saunders of Montana, whose husband is so well and favorably known. January 21, 1892. Met Russell Harrison at the Arlington last evening, who in troduced me to his friend, Mr. Delmar of Idaho, who is splurging in wealth, having made some six or eight millions in his mining enterprises, and who expects to find a wife here in the city before leaving. January 22, 1892. Senator and Mrs. Gibson invited me to dine with Governor Groome, Colonel Merrick, Mr. Dean and six or eight others at the Corcoran Hotel last evening. After drinking to the Senator's health and congratulating him upon his election, we parted at 1 o'clock this A. M. Fairfield, September 7, 1892. I have met a great many officials since I last wrote in my diary, visiting watering-places and transacting a large amount of busi ness. Captain and Mrs. Beck and Lieutenant Freeman of the Army are over here from Baltimore. I took them driving in my tea-cart tlirough the Monument Grounds and out to the Sol diers' Home. Invited Mrs. Beck to my house as my guest. December 31, 1892. Although this has not been a very prosperous year, I have no cause to complain, considering that I have "reduced my expenses and hold on to a large amount of property which, in the course of time, will be very valuable, and more so as improvements are made in the extension of Connecticut avenue. It is a great deal of satisfaction to feel that myself, wife and all the children are en joying good health and are ready to commence a new year tomor row well and in good shape. The following communications are appended in chronological order : The following is a copy of a letter of transmittal with a birthday present of a watch and chain to my daughter Ethel : 633 My Dear Big Baby Girl, Ethel M. Armes : I only present this little watch as a small token of remembrance, hoping that when you seek the time from it your mind will be impressed with the 'fact that its donor is proud of his little daugh ter, and it is his wish that she will always conduct herself in such a way that he will contnue his devotion and admiration for her and always love her as an affectionate father ever can a child who is good and true. Your affectionate father, (Signed) G. A. A. National Soldiers' Home, Virginia, May 23, 1892. Maj. George A. Armes : Sir — As you are chairman of arrangements in our organization, Second New York Heavy Artillery, and as I am on that commit tee, I will state that I cannot meet you on June 6, but I will sug gest that our regimental colors be brought to Washington, as I suppose we will take part in the G. A. R. parade, as I suppose the most of the survivors are members of that organization. Every communication from you or from any of the committee will be promptly answered. Montgomery Miller, Assistant Engineer. RECEPTION TO SECOND NEW YORK. (From Post of September 25, 1892.) Maj. G. A. Armes of this city gave a reception at his house on Connecticut avenue extended Tuesday night to his old regiment, the Second New York Pleavy Artillery. They were delightfully entertained by his family. His daughters, Misses Cecily and Ethel, with their music and recitations, made the old comrades enjoy themselves to the fullest extent. Among those present were Capt. C. L. Smith, Sergeant Musson, First Lieut. G. W. Lacy, First Lieut. G. T. Bushnell, Orderly Sergt. A. J. Birdsall, M. Miller, P. Countryman, Bugler George Gracey, E. D. Stone, E. Bens, H. Davis, S.' Miller, W. F. Wakefield, Hon. J. L. Briggs of Missouri, F. E. Dvkeman, Capt. J. J. Williamson, W. Hector Gale, R. J. Clark, D. W Osburn, Frank H. Burr, Capt. F. Brooks and others. CHAPTER XXXI. December 31, 1893. I have passed a very busy year. On the ist of January met in uniform at the War Department and marched over to the Presi dent's house with the Army officers assembled there, shaking hands with the President and Cabinet ladies and meeting old friends as usual whom I had not seen for years, after which I made the usual calls on the Cabinet and my citizen friends. Just before the inauguration of Mr. Cleveland, on the 4th of March, I was appointed on the staff as an aide to Gen. Martin T. McMahon, who was made Grand Marshal for the occasion. On February 25 received the list of aides, who took an active part on the 4th of March, inauguration of the President, from the Capitol to the White House, in one of the worst rain and hail storms I can ever remember of witnessing here, many aides being obliged to retire .before the termination of the procession. Col. William Cody (Buffalo Bill), who was also an aide, re mained with General McMahon and myself to the last. Leopard, the Arabian stallion presented to General Grant by the Khedive of Egypt, was turned over to me to ride on this occasion by Gen. Edward Beale. Everything passed off successfully in spite of the terrible storm, and the parade was announced as a grand success. As few are aware of how General Beale came in possession of that Arabian stallion, it may be interesting to give the particulars. While General Grant was on his tour around the World the Khe dive was very anxious to do something for him, and selected two of the finest-bred and handsomest Arabian stallions in his do minions, tendering them to the ex-President. After figuring the expense of getting his horses to this country, General Grant de clined the present, with a polite note saying that he had no way of getting them shipped to America. Shortly afterwards, meet ing General Beale, who was minister to Austria, he mentioned the circumstances to him, when he reminded General Grant that such fine-bred horses could not be purchased with money, and that if he would agree to give him one of them on their arrival in this country he would pay expenses of shipment for both. General Grant agreed to the proposition, immediately dispatching one of 635 his party to the Khedive with the information that he had dis covered a way of getting the horses to America, and would gladly accept them. After their arrival here one was sent to Missouri and the other retained by General Beale, who was minister to Russia at the time of General Grant's tour around the world. The following is one of the cards sent to each member of- Gen eral McMahon's staff : General Committee. Executive Committee. James G. Berrett, Chairman. James L. Norris, Chairman. Alex. Porter Morse, Secretary. J. Fred Kelley, Secretary. Charles G. Glover, Treasurer. Wm. Cranch Mclntire, Cor. Sec: Inaugural Ceremonies, Headquarters Grand Marshal, Washington, D. C, February, 1893. Maj. George A. Armes : Sir — I am directed by General Corbin to request that you re port to him by return mail the probable date of your arrival in this city and your address while here; also that you will report and register your arrival at General McMahon's headquarters. General McMahon's headquarters will be at Room 243, War Department (Colonel Corbin's office) until March 2, and at 1425 New York avenue on and after March 3. Sash, saddle-cloth, etc., for aides will be ready at 1425 New York avenue on March 2. Respectfully, (Signed) J. T. French, Jr., First Lieut, Fourth Artillery, Aide. It having been reported to me that Governor Beaver was en deavoring to prevent my appointment on the staff of the Grand Marshal, I sent him a letter on February 7 to find out the truth of the report, receiving the following reply : Bellefonte, Pa., February 11, 1893. Capt. George A. Armes, 1405 F Street, Washington, D. C. : Dear Sir — Your letter of the 7th inst. was received by me this morning on my return home after several days of absence. I have nothing whatever to do with the exercises attending the in auguration of Hon. Grover Cleveland as President of the United States on the 4th of March next. I have not been consulted by anyone upon the subject, nor have I directly or indirectly said or done anything in connection with the exercises and ceremonies attending that event. In fact, your letter is the first intimation which I have had of a personal kind that there is to be such a 636 ceremony. I regret that an unfounded report has caused you any uneasiness whatever. I have never had the slightest desire to do you any injury in any possible way, and if I had ever had, such a disposition would have long since passed, your letter being necessary to recall you even to mind. Very respectfully yours, I have not been idle during the past year, trying to secure my appointment as Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel. Have called on the Secretary of War and the General of the Army on a number of occasions and written a large number of letters, highly endorsed, but having failed to receive justice, do not propose to give up trying. Geobqe Kerr Armes. Oscar St. John Armes. CHAPTER XXXII. January i, 1894. Dressed in full uniform this morning. Met many of my old Army officer friends at the War Department and marched to the White House at 11.20 with General Schofield and staff in the lead. Shook hands with Mr. and Mrs. Cleveland. Afterwards made the usual calls on my citizen friends. Gordonsville, Va., January 2, 1894. Spent most of last evening with Mr. and Mrs. Wheeler at the Shoreham, and after attending to some things at the office ac cepted the invitation of Senator Charles J. Faulkner to attend his wedding at Hampton, Va. I left on the 11 P. M. train for Hampton, and am now waiting to change cars at this place. Fortress Monroe, Va., January 3, 1894. After waiting nearly three hours at Gordonsville last evening, I boarded the Richmond train, arriving- here at 8 o'clock this A. Hon. C J. Faulkner.. MRS. t'AULKNER. 638 M. Met Senator Faulkner at the "Hygeia," and he invited me to dine at his table with his family. At 4 P. M. we all dressed ready for the wedding, which took place at 5 P. M. at the church. His bride, Miss Whiting, was attended by eight bridesmaids, who were as beautiful girls as could be found in the country. They were : The Misses May Faulkner, daughter of Judge E. Boyd Faulkner: Elsie and May Love, daughters of Dr. Love, of Winches ter, Va.; Amelia Pearson, of Kentucky; Nannie Watkin, Annie Chisman and Lucy Tabb, all of Hampton, Va. ; and May Phillips, best girl, daughter of Col. Phillips, of Hampton, Va. I never saw a bride lovelier than Miss Whiting. Extra polite had been stationed outside and ropes placed near the church to keep back the crowd which had assembled from the surrounding country to witness the ceremonies. After the wedding Colonel Whiting gave a grand reception at his house. A caterer from Baltimore sup plied the guests with everything the market afforded, and no grander wedding with more distinguished participants ever took place in Eastern Virginia. Senator Faulkner appeared like a young man of twenty-five. Washington, January 7, 1894. After dinner met Jefferson M. Levy (now a member of Con gress) of New York at the Arlington, who invited Mr. Gardiner and myself to dine with him. January 12, 1894. Quite a number of parties called today in relation to real es tate. Had quite a long interview with General Jeffreys in rela tion to his son-in-law, Col. William L. Brown of New York, who expects to lease or purchase Vice-President Morton's house, pro vided he is elected to Congress. January 22, 1894. I have spent some time with Mr. ( ). D, Barret, General But ler's attorney and partner, from whom I tried to secure an option on the Great Falls water rights, about twenty miles from this city on the Potomac river, for an electric plant which I am trying to establish tliere; but General Butler declined unless I paid a large sum. 639 January 26, 1894. Professor Brown of the National Observatory had quite a long interview with me at the Arlington this afternoon in relation to the Great Falls property. Mr. Orth and Mr. Radford are inter ested also. January 29, 1894. Had quite an interview with Senator C. H. Gibson and Mr. F. G. Newlands in relation to fixing the road or new street from Con necticut avenue to Grant road. Called on Mrs. Hicks this after noon, and had a very brilliant reception. She looked as young as ever, and reminded me of our meeting at Saratoga some years ago, when she wrote for the press under the name of Sophie Sparkle. February 7, 1894. Have been engaged most of the day securing signatures from property-owners for permission to carry a street railroad up Sev enteenth street and connect it with the Chevy Chase and Con necticut avenue extension. February 15, 1894. After dinner last evening I attended the Second Corps meeting at Willard's Hall, General Batchelder presiding. Met Colonel Smith and many other old comrades. ^ tatchelder. 640 February 22, 1894. Attended the meeeting of the Sons of the American Revolu tion today, where we elected Inspector-General Breckinridge president. March 17, 1892. Had a long interview with Senator Gibson today, who, with the District commissioners, has agreed to assist me in trying to get the bill reported in relation to carrying Albemarle street through to Grant road. March 29, 1894. I went to my office in spite of suffering from rheumatism, meet ing Mr. W. B. Moses and his attorney, Job Barnard, who handed me his check for $4000. On Danville Train En Route to Florida, April 4, 1894. Having made arrangements with my friend, Mr. Jones, to take care of the children during our absence, Lucy and I took the 5 P. M. train for Florida, where we expect to remain a short time. Jacksonville, April 5, 1894. This is a lovely city, Lucy being very much pleased with the surroundings. We have elegant rooms at the St. James, and after breakfast today I hired a buggy, driving all around the country. Called on Mr. Stockton and drove out to Dr. A. O. Bliss' beautiful residence, where we were presented with a number of fine oranges. He is one of the successful business men of Washington, owner of "Our Native Herbs," a medicine that has proven of great value. August 7, 1894. Lucy was very much pleased with the Ponce de Leon Hotel at St. Augustine, and we obtained a number of trophies from the old settlers and the Spaniards, who have their stores filled with curiosities. Went through the old fort and garrison'. Washington, D. C, April 15, 1894. We are back in Washington again after a glorious trip of sight seeing which we both enjoyed, in addition to an important bus iness matter which 1 am now considering. 641 May 29, 1894. I sent out five hundred invitations to celebrate my birthday last evening, inviting the Virginia Democratic Association and many of my friends in official Army and Navy life. About 370 accepted and were present, being entertained by the Mount Pleasant Band and Drum Corps, with about forty pieces. This band was organ ized by Professor Churchill, who distinguished himself as a leader, and knew how to select attractive pieces for the entertainment of his guests. Speeches were made by Congressman C. H. Bell of Colorado ; John Tweedale, chief clerk of the War Department ; Congressman Matson of Missouri, and many others. There was music, singing and dancing, and it was after 4 o'clock before they all left, the tables having been loaded with fruits and refreshments of all kinds, including Chamberlain punch and beer on ice, coffee, chocolate and tea. Arrangements having been made for the cars to run all night, they remained at my door until all the guests departed. The following is from the Star of June 15, 1894: The Unity Club was entertained last Monday evening by Maj. and Mrs. Geo. A. Armes at their country home, Fairfield. The speeches and recitations were given upon the lawn by the light of a huge bonfire, which illumined the grounds. Among those present were Mr. and Mrs. Cherry, Dr. Thomas Robinson and wife, Mr. and Mrs. M. M. Thomas, Mrs. Monroe, Miss E. Chase, Mrs. and Miss Noud, Mrs. Crandall, Mrs. Emily Hort, Mr. and Mrs. Hodges, C. W. Webster and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Fillmore Harrison, Mrs. Delia Sheehy, Miss Annie Sheehy, Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Chapman, Count Ivan de Mitkiewicz, Mr. Shung Yu Ting, Jos. J. Printup, Mr. J. V. Wiggins, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cherry, Mr. Ralph Tefferson, Mr. John Tweedale, Mrs. Pulizzi, Miss Blanche Pulizzi, Judge O. N. Riley, Mr. J. Franklin Philp, Mrs. George Sheehan, Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Philp, Mrs. Sarah Evans, Miss Clara Willard, Dr. and Mrs! V. Hartleben, Mrs. Dr. Lamb, Mrs. D. T. Voorhis, Mrs. Beck of Nebraska, Wilbur Goss, Mr. John C. Bell and wife of Colorado, Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Chanman, Misses May and Minnie Clemens, Mrs. George A. Armes, Dr. E. W. Eugster, Miss Dranev, Dr. and Mrs. W. W. Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Silas Boyce, Mr. F. W. Larner, Mr. and Mrs. Hodges, Misses Cecily and Ethel Armes. Mrs. M. D. Lincoln, Mr. Lin coln, Mrs. M.' Stierlin, Will C. Stierlin, Mrs. I. Cowling, Miss Min nie Cowling, Mrs. Col. B. F. Winger, Miss Winger, Misses Masrgie and Helen Kerfoot, Mrs. Van Syckel, Mrs. R. C. Mc- Auley, Mr. Herman Schade, Miss Schade and Mrs. Marsh. 41 642 Washington, D. C, May 29, 1894. My Dear Colonel : Owing to my absence from the city from Friday night until late on Monday, I was unable to accept or acknowledge your courteous invitation. Regretting my loss of a pleasant visit and congratulating you on the strength with which you have borne the weight of your half century, I remain, Very truly yours, (Signed) William Birney. Washington, D. C, May 26, 1894. Geo. A. Armes, Esq. : Dear Sir — Yours of May 25 received. I thank you very much for your kindness, but as I have a dinner party on hand for that night, I will be unable to avail myself of your kind invitation. Yours very truly, (Signed) John F. Waggaman. (Dictated.) Chevy Chase, Md., May 27, 1894. Maj. George A. Armes, Fairfield, D. C. : My Dear Sir — I regret exceedingly that a previous engage ment prevents my acceptance of your kind invitaton for tomorrow evening, but it cannot prevent my congratulating you on having reached your fiftieth milestone with so little of the wear and tear of life apparently affecting you. It was a surprise to me to learn that you were anything near fifty. That you may continue in good health and prosperity is the sincere wish of, Yours truly, (Signed) Ralph Jefferson. Office of Commissioners of the District of Columbia, Washington, May 31, 1894. Maj. George A. Armes : Dear Sir — I regret that I did not receive your kind invitation for Monday evening last until it was too late to advise you of my inability to be present. My wife has been quite sick for a number of weeks, and on that account I have been unable to accept any invitations. Thanking you for the courtesy of your invitation, I am, Yours very truly, (Signed) Geo. Truesdell, 643 United States Senate, Washington, D. C, May 28, 1894. Mr. George A. Armes, Washington, D.C: Dear Sir — I am in receipt of your invitation of the 25th .inst. inviting me to be present at a meeting of the Virginia Demo cratic Association on Monday evening, May 28, 1894. Please ac cept my thanks for your courtesy. I regret that anticipated en gagements will prevent my acceptance of your courtesy. I remain, very respectfully, (Signed) David B. Hill. July 14, 1894. Last evening just before returning home from my office I was met at the Shoreham by Congressman Dan Lockwood, who wanted to know what in the "D — — " I had been doing. I was surprised and asked him what he meant. He wanted to know if I had seen the Evening Star. I told him "no," when he handed it to me. It contained a large heading, "Mrs. G. A. Armes Pleads for a Divorce," over half a column being taken up with the de tails. I was thunderstruck at the article, and immediately drove home, where I met my wife at the front door as usual. I asked her what she had been doing through the day, and she replied, "Nothing special." I said, "Have you seen the Star?" and she said "No." When I showed it to her she colored up a little, stat ing that she "did not expect that to be put in the newspapers, but supposed that my lawyers desired an advertisement and thought that would be a good way to get it," and seemed to treat it as a big joke. She stated also that she had told me on several occa sions that she intended to apply for a separation unless certain very petty conditions were complied with. After a few minutes' conversation we sat down to the table to dinner, and matters passed off as if nothing had happened. July 16, 1894. Had quite a long talk with Mr. McClelland and Mr. Lee, who were in my office; also with Mr. Cole in relation to my wife's ap plication for a separation, and I was advised to call on the priest and have him settle the matter. July 25, 1894. Mr. Beall and Dr. Chappel spent last evening with me trying to get Lucy to agree to withdraw her suit for separation. Not being successful, they left some time after 11 o'clock. I appeared before Tudge Hagner today, and the case was postponed. I called on several of the priests in the past few days, who agreed to consult 644 with Lucy and advise her not to insist upon a separation. Fathers Mackin and Lee no doubt did as agreed, but were unsuccessful. July 26, 1894. Appeared before Judge Hagner at 10 this A. M. with Mr. Mackall and Richard Beall, counsel, Lewis & Cook being for my wife, and managed to get a postponement until August 1. August 7, 1894. Took Lucy out driving today in the buggy, going by way of Tennallytown and coming back by way of Rock Creek, and this afternoon Mr. Lewis, her attorney, came out to see her and forbid her having any conversation or going out with me anywhere. September 29, 1894. Plad quite a time with Sister Angelica at the Holy Cross Acad emy last evening on account of her misrepresenting to me that my daughter was not in the convent. Had a talk with Father Barry and Father Stafford this afternoon, who both agreed not to marry my daughter without my consent. October 1, 1894. I went to the City Hall and entered a protest against the issuing of license for the marriage of my oldest daughter, Cecily. A lady friend of mine informed me that they were at the convent last evening and my daughter was on the third floor, back room, preparing her wedding suit, and intended to be mar ried at the first opportunity. She stated that the Sisters of the Holy Cross had given in structions to tell everyone who inquired for her that she had left the convent and was not in the building. Cecily was married to her fiance, Herbert Claude, later by Fathers Barry and Stafford, notwithstanding they agreed, both of them, not to perform the ceremony. I had agreed that if my daughter would post pone the marriage for four or HmuiBitT Claude. 645 six months and she then knew Claude well enough, I would give my consent. Warrenton, Va., October 3, 1894. Yesterday afternoon I took Ethel and little Lucy to the city and purchased them an outfit necessary for boarding-school, and left at 9 this A. M. for this place. They are now assigned to good rooms in the institution, Professor Butler taking a great interest in them. Dur ing the day I took them around through the city, meeting Colonel Gaines, the mayor, and Dr. Maddox. This is a nice place for a school, and I believe they will greatly improve by Cecily. remaining here a few months. Washington, D. C, October 9, 1894. Mrs. Professor Butler called upon me today at the office, where we had a long talk in regard to the girls, who are getting along nicely at her school. Warrenton, Va., October 13, 1894. I was ordered to be at the court this morning by 9 o'clock, with Judge Cox presiding, and after meeting Lucy's counsel, they were not ready to go on with the case. I soon learned that she had started for Warrenton for the purpose of bringing back Ethel and little Lucy. I boarded the train, greatly surprising her when she learned that I yvas going to Warrenton. We landed there together and dined with Professor and Mrs. Butler. She became very much reconciled, and decided to let Ethel and Lucy remain there, both of us returning on the same train. October 20, 1894. It was 1 this A. M. before I returned from the banquet given by the Sons of the American Revolution, and we all had a very pleas ant time. October 26,1894. I took Oscar on the train to Charlotte Hall this morning in order to put him to school for a short time, and during my ab sence my wife's lawyers, Cook & Lewis, advised her to take the children and leave Fairfield and make their home somewhere eise, 646 on the ground that they could not obtain a separation while we were living together. October 27, 1894. I was surprised last night to find my wife and children gone, but one of the servants gave me the address where she had moved, taking trunks, blankets, books, etc., that she desired to use until the case was settled. November 27, 1894. My wife's lawyers, failing to accomplish anything in regard to the separation and continually calling on her for payments in order to go on with the case, caused her to have a sort of con tempt for their management, and she came to my office today, where, with the assistance of Mr. C. G. Lee, an agreement was fixed up for her to allow the children to return to Fairfield and give up her quarters in the city. November 28, 1894. I was in court this A. M. with Mr. J. H. Ralston, who stated to Judge Cox that my wife had withdrawn the suit for separation. Her lawyers, Cook & Lewis, were almost paralyzed at such an announcement, having given her instructions not to come near me, and upon my paying the clerk's expenses and the court fees, $37.65, returned home with me in the tea-cart. December 25, 1894. My wife, Ethel, George, Oscar, Lucy, Dots, Edith, Willie and Grover Cleveland took Christmas dinner with me today, and all enjoyed it, as I had a fifteen-pound young turkey cooked by Mrs. Webb in elegant style, and this afternoon has passed off very pleasantly. December 31, 1894. This being the last day of the year, I have been very busy set tling up my accounts, and in spite of the interference of the priest and outsiders, my family is not entirely broken up, and I am doing everything I can in my power to prevent it, lawyers to the contrary notwithstanding, who have induced her to believe she would be better off by employing them to secure a separation. The following correspondence will further illustrate the events of the year briefly narrated in the foregoing extracts from my diary : 647 Washington, D. C, May 18, 1*894. To the Adjutant-General U. S. A., Washington, D. C. : Sir — My name not appearing among the list of officers recently breveted for Indian service, I respectfully submit the following in addition to my reports that may be on file in your department, and call attention to that part of the letter from General Han cock where he mentions that he had recommended me for Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel for my first fight with the Cheyennes, which is the fight where I was wounded, and mentioned in the letter from General Grierson, which fact I desire inserted in the com mission, if one is granted for said action. Very respectfully, your obedient servant (Signed) Geo. A. Armes, Late Capt. Tenth Cav., Brev. Maj., retired. Headquarters of the Army, Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, June 28, 1894. Capt. George A. Armes, U. S. Army, retired, No. 1405 F Street, Washington, D. C. : Sir — In reply to your inquiry of the ioth ult. in the matter of your brevet for gallantry in action against Indians August 2, 1867, I have the honor to invite your attention to the adverse decision contained in letter of July 15, 1890, from this office, which is ad hered to. Very respectfully, (Signed) J. C. Gilmore. Angel Island, Cal., September 19, 1894. My Dear Major Armes : You generally have the inside news in Washington, and I wish you would write me your views as to the next Brigadier. I hear is strong, and recently that is after it. I fear that I am "not in it" from some reports that man of Texas made against me of "offensive partisanship." It was a lie of the blackest kind, but it did its work. Hope you are flourishing. Sincerely yours, Wm. R. Shafter, Colonel First Infantry. Proctor, Vt., October 2, 1894. Dear Captain Armes : . I spoke with General Schofield when in Washington, but he gave me no definite reply further than to say, as I knew, he held 643 that it was strictly a military matter in the hands of the Com mander of the Army. As I told you, he considers that it is strictly a military matter, and I have never known him to pay the slight est attention to any influence or recommendation. I did not get an impression that was favorable, but still, he did not say. I shall be much pleased if he decides in your favor. Very truly yours, (Signed) Redfield Proctor. Maj. George A. Armes, Dear Sir — The Cardinal received your letter of October 29, in which you complain of Sister Angelica interfering in your domestic affairs. After investigation, the Cardinal finds that your wife asked Sister Angelica to take your daughter into the convent. Sister Angelica says she cannot be blamed for the mar riage of your daughter, as she is not responsible for it. The Cardinal regrets very much that there should be a disa greement between yourself and Sister Angelica. Yours very respectfully, Wm. T. Russell. (Copy.) Tennallytown, D. C, November 8, 1894. Mrs. Lucy Armes, 1303 R Street, N. W. : Dear Madam — Your letter of the 6th inst. reached me yester day. I see how difficult it will be, situated as you are, to raise the money needed. Miss Mary French has the money, but whether she will lend it is another question. I approached her for a loan for a gentleman in town here, but she refused to loan money to her neighbors. The Buckman family are great friends of hers, and they may be able to do something with her for you. Then Mrs. Shoemaker has money, and may be willing to do this kind ness. Should either of them ask mv advice about loaning to you I will urge them to do so. I sincerely hope that you will get through successfully, both for your sake and that of the children. I remain, your brother in Christ, J. M. Barry. No. 1405 F Street, N. W., Washington, D. C, December 4, 1894. Cardinal Gibbons : Reverend and Dear Sir — Yours of October 31 was duly re ceived. Important matters have occupied my time, or I would have answered it before. 649 I hope you will not allow the misrepresentations made to you by Sister Angelica to remain unacted upon without further inves tigation, giving me an opportunity to furnish further evidence if necessary. I enclose a slip from the Washington Times showing the des perate effort being used to prevent, if possible, the removal of Father Barry, who, I am confident, after a careful investigation will be proved unfit to be trusted in a responsible place. Any person who will take advantage of a position entrusted to him to use it in meddling in family affairs and in bringing ruin, conten tion and disgrace upon a family is unfit to be trusted where he can do further harm. The sooner Father Barry is sent from here the better it will be for the interest of the Church. Hoping it will not be necessary for me to publish the charges against Fathers Barry and Stafford and Sister Angelica, I remain, Your obedient servant, (Signed) George A. Armes. Fairfield— My Residence. CHAPTER XXXIII. January I, 1895. The sun came out clear and bright this morning, and in full- dress uniform I met the Army officers at the War Department. They called on General Schofield for the last time as Lieutenant- General of the Army, as he is to be retired this year. He met me very cordially, shaking hands, and then headed the column, which marched to the White House, where we all shook hands with Mr. Cleveland and his wife and the Cabinet ladies. After meeting a large number of my friends in the East Room, I took George and Oscar, my two oldest boys, in the carriage, and we called on other friends. January 3, 1895. Met Senator Gibson at the Shoreham last evening, who has agreed to take an active part, with his senator friends, in insisting upon General Schofield's approving my bill for brevet, as recom mended by Generals Hancock and Sherman. January 6, 1895. Spent most of last evening at the Arlington, in company with Colonel Stump, Mr. Sieger and several other gentlemen. Had quite a long interview with Senator Proctor, who appears very friendly to me. He stated that he had seen General Schofield about my brevet Lieutenant-Colonelcy, and that he did every thing he possibly could to induce him to approve it. January 8, 1895. This afternoon I called on a number of senators at the Capitol, who strongly endorsed an application to General Schofield re questing him to send in my name to the Senate for brevet Lieu tenant-Colonelcy, as follows: is^n^t* (thambev, ^ashtngtcrtJan., 8tht 1S95. Gen. John M. Schofield, U. S. A. Dear Sir:- I have known Maj George A. Armes for over fifteen years and will consider it a personal favor if you will have his name sent to the Senate for Brevet. Lieut. Col. as recommended by Maj. Gen» W. S. Hancock, August 20th, 1S67. <^Vv_. #&<£• £L^- ^2^d^ ^yyL x ^^^6^ y^i. ju^^u_ 653 // fCi&f'isi^- o-ft^? oaCtzz, a r^A^^, yy • 7y^>^vr?vy££&te (7~zy7> >t*^ ^w*»^ y^-*^ *7&sT~Zy 7%C£ <£fc<^/z>^»-e_j- -of AJt-7-r-rt^ y>tm-<£t- r&^?i yi*yz y 7fy-z^Kj Az^t^y^C y tfi-i, ^/jrryT^-e? -j^-x^,-* /Apt**, /u 6a<& s&xs/zsnx &Ts%yt^ "Z^ /tj*7 y^A-^7t^2 Ay^orf -U* 7, £x«sA 655 Gone rai John W, Schofield, U.S. Array. Dour Sir; Maving known Haj, Geo. A. Arrnes, U.S.A, Tor several years aa a gallant and ncri tonouB officer and gentleman, wo ask, as a personal favor to ua — that you hhvc hic nominated for Bvt. tt. Col. U.Sj Army, as recommended by Generals Hancock & Sher nun August 18G7, We ask this i.pon the ground that he ha3 earned it, is legally cntitlod to it, and should have it. 'jftfo\ yyyyA^AZtt^^eA ^^^, 656 . J\Ma~iUas y^ <^r' 7i4K4Aua> j y,- Pn^ 657 .C. ^7y /^ IS9 f J7u n 'cUaZ^T* ZXasf 7fc*l/r'^y- ^<^*? /7LK, a7~ %&. A^C^Zgt^f^ 71 fuf~A7^^. "V_ y . / ^^ A'M. /HyC? ^L.<^7_ / et--r--*-<-*\ /n /l-<5V» C^i l.«J?TL- ^tyjcMe*^—, *y? z-r^^i y^^y£~^ y yy^c^ yy y^^z^^u^Tt ^^ ..- > 7A>i^2~ooL7«^7f~7z, J- &4uu- tdcr ^Ut^c^ ^&r ere ^Ze^^T y**iT? a-c^7^ *U^e7*jy ce***^*-^ c/^ ^£tr&s/ aa€^s & ayige^yyy AT /Zst^-ryt^t ^^ A2e-/yyi. SZjQytsty-r es- A^o^J^S y Jl~ £^JL<^~^A^ ft? Al^r^r~y<-^-y y^Z^y^C <7A* QatA^a^^AsCu^c? . ktcu^i .*+, u-t-i. .£#&& &y~> & l^d^L*-^-*^ 7i7 y e~ ^ y Hi/ ' W ^^cJ -€^./u^ S-o -*z-*-^yy£^^y^ A3L«--n&, -u/^eJC ^-fe~ TT ££_-<2^-<^' — fc> cyy^<=y&^ 7i8 ¦^ ^^*-*^4 '&1~*%-'>>**%k/. IhWAij J*u^yn^*yr™^ ^ * ^~— — -^ ^u~^& */&«*- *^~^ *a~~>*- ^ ^ >— ^ «yy—*^f ^c^ ^JL_ MJs**> *+*-**• < H*k n. Ulup. Tb ~I>UllcD«ul <5£ S^ f. -jy^»- y 7(2- *Z fey?*. yA*yt&J. atlashinoton. 0. (S. May 35th, 1895. The President. Sir :— We, tho undersigned, urgent ly reeoraaond and request the appolntaont of Col. Goorge A. Anoes, rotlrod, to the posi tion of Brigadier General of volunteers. His military record during the late uar between tho statec, and since then in tho Indian wars on the Plains, justly entitles him to tho recognition asked for. We feci assured that his appointment V70uld sive general satisfaction to tho amy, and the country at largo. Col. Armes entered tho Union Amy fron Virginia, and served with great gallantry to tho close of tho war, re ceiving several proaotions for distinguished sorvloe on tho field. Ve urge this appointment ao one eminently proper to be made, boliovlng that it will redound to tho best iutorost of tho service JkjyifiiiuM^ .H^/t - fs>\-^*^oCe*>U . Bmastttuotmi, g. ® M/j2/«^- ... 189 8" &$t Ua., Ov/\ 0^ CoJcb IdXJL u/i vlajl cia- C'M^w */w /0™'\$ aMcu. If cfa^Q^r, 722 AU^. "JCivilcO iitati's -Senate, ,*:*v,G70,. 0 t t^u^l^ <^>iuic^i/4 Q***- (u/t yy~*r a- *- V*~y La^^S/ Ifas4. Q_<^^A k C*^a) Ori^Tc^yj i^isisi^jt' V a*, &A£„^. 7^ 7/z-j^zy24r*~~^. May 8, 1898. Spent last evening at the Ebbitt with General and Mrs. Nash, whom I have not seen for several years. I congratulated him upon his promotion to Commissary-General. He and his wife are very proud of the honor. 7 -'3 May 20, 1898. Saw Secretary Meiklejohn again today, who consented to mv seeing all the papers that Major Garlington had fixed up. Took Mrs. Senator Warren, her father and sister to Camp Alger near Falls Church. June 1, 1898. Saw Congressman Wise last evening at the Ebbitt House, who according to an agreement called with me to see the President today, where we met Senators Faulkner, Thurston and many other of my friends. The President treated us very pleasantly, saying he would examine the papers and give me justice. I then called on the Secretary of War, who seemed a little vexed to think that I would insist upon favorable action, and I inferred that he would do all he could to prevent it.. May 14, 1898. Attended Jefferson dinner last evening at the National Rifles' Hall and listened to the speeches of Mr. William J. Bryan, Sen ator Jones, Governor Tyler, Dr. Harper, Mr. Croker of Ne.w York and many others. June 3, 1898. Had a long talk with Senator Spooner, who promised me his support. While at the Adjutant-General's office today I met Gov ernor Beaver, who shook hands with me. June 11, 1898. Called on Col. Beriah Wilkins today, who agreed to- do every thing in his power to assist me with the President. Also saw the President, who has sent my papers back to the War De partment. December 31, 1898. General Alger's pretended friendship in our many conversa tions and meetings before he was made Secretary of War has failed to meet my expectations officially, for no other reason that T can account for than that he has placed himself in the power of a few incompetent and dishonorable subordinates, who seem to control his course as Secretary of War, causing the newspapers and the whole country to attack him in the most violent manner. I cannot recall where any official in public life has ever been abused and scandalized more than Secretary Russell A. Alger, unless it was Belknap. Socially he has been friendly. 724 The following papers in chronological order will serve to illus trate the events of the year 1898: Washington, D. C, January 22, 1898. Maj.-Gen. Nelson A. Miles, U. S. A., Washington, D. C: Dear General — I hope you will be able to find time enough from your many duties to look carefully into the merits of my case, and not allow me to be slaughtered through the misrepresentations of subordinates, several of whom I have ignored and have no respect for. There has been an element in the War Department for years determined to crush and ruin me, deceiving those in authority by all kinds of malicious representations, tending to reflect upon my character as an officer and a gentleman. There is nothing that can be brought against me that I am ashamed to face and cannot fully explain to the satisfaction of any honest man. I have an swered every excuse that General Schofield made for his alleged reason in not sending up my nomination, and there are no good reasons why it should not be sent up, with the exception that Gen eral Schofield's friends and supporters, who are my enemies, some of whom are holding positions where they can cowardly place on che record such malicious stuff that a stranger, without thorough investigation, is liable to form unfavorable opinions. From the fact that I earned this brevet, and was recommended for it by my post commander at the time, after, as he states in his report, a careful examination and without any solicitation or re quest on my part, I do not think any weight should be given to a malevolent and made-up charge, supported only by the cross- mark of a degraded and insubordinate negro who was used at that time for the purpose of trying to prevent my restoration to the service,, and which, after a thorough investigation at the time, was settled in my favor. You cannot help but see what a small, contemptible and disgraceful act it was for General Schofield, Col onel Vincent and the other cowardly sneaks who conspired to try and secure the evidence from more ignorant negroes to sustain the first affidavit that had been filed away for years, which affidavit they had read and copied over to suit themselves, in order to ob tain the marks of these ignorant negroes, which, you know as well as myself, can be secured by an officer of the Army who will fix up any kind of paper, and call in one of these illiterate negroes and have him swear to it, the negro taking for granted that whatever this Army officer may tell him to do is all right. And at this late day to bring up a matter of this kind is not only a reflection upon me, but upon Colonel Corbin, my post commander; Generals Han cock and Sherman and other officers who supported me during my career in the Army. Therefore, when it is properly considered, it can easily be seen that there was a conspiracy and these dishonor- 725 able and vicious means used in a cowardly and underhanded man ner to try and crush me. All I can say is that I will defend my honor against any imputations as long as I have strength enough to do so. Hoping you will be able to end this matter with as little delay as possible, and prevent serious trouble and scandal, which, in the end, will not prove of any interest to the service, or to those mixed up in it, and believing you to be my true friend, I remain, Yours truly, (Signed) Geo. A. Armes. January 27, 1898. Captain George A. Armes, 1 40 1 F Street N. W., Washington, D. C. Dear Sir : The Major General Commanding directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, marked "personal", of January 22, 1898, the subject-matter of which refers entirely to official matters, and to inform you that your language and statements concerning offi cers of the Army and officials of the War Department cannot be. received, either personally or officially, without meeting proper and official consideration. He further directs me to say that if you have any grievance or complaint to make, the Army Regulations amply provide the proper course for you to pursue, and hereafter it would be advisable for you to govern yourself accordingly. Very respectfully, (Signed) J. C. Gilmore, Assistant Adjutant General. (Third Endorsement.) War Department, January 25, 1898. Respectfully referred to the Adjutant-General to convene a Board, consisting of Brig.-Gen. J. C. Breckinridge, Col. Thomas Ward and Maj. W. H. Carter, to investigate the application of Maj. Geo. A. Armes. for appointment as Brevet Lieutenant-Colo nel, report the facts and make recommendations thereon. Bv order of the Acting Secretary of War, John Tweedale, Chief Clerk. (Fourth Endorsement.) A. G. O., January 27, 1898. On further consideration, the Acting Secretary of War modifies the detail for this Board to the following: Colonel Young, Third Cavalry; Major Lebo, Sixth Cavalry; Major Conrad, Eighth Infantry. The Board to be convened at Fort Myer by letter. Saml. Breck, Adjutant-General. 726 Headquarters of the Army, Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, January 29, 1898. Col. S. B. M. Young, Third Cavalry, Washington, D. C. ; Maj. Thomas C. Lebo, Sixth Cavalry, Fort Myer, Virginia; Maj. C. H. Conrad, Eighth Infantry, War Department: Gentlemen — I am instructed by the Major-General Command ing the Army to inform you that, by direction of the Acting Secre tary of War, you are. constituted a Board to meet at Fort Myer, Virginia, upon the call of the senior member, for the purpose of investigating and reporting upon the application of Capt. George A. Armes, retired, for appointment as Lieutenant-Colonel by brevet, United States Army. The Acting Secretary desires that the Board report the facts ascertained, and transmit the report, with their recommendations thereon, to the Adjutant-General of the Army. Very respectfully, Saml. Breck, Ad j utant- Gen er al . For Maj. George A. Armes, U. S. A. (Ret'd), Washington, D. C. Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, February 9, 1898. Capt. George A. Armes, U. S. Army (Ret'd), 1405 F Street N. W., Washington, D. C. : Sir — I am desired by the Acting Secretary of War to acknowl edge the receipt of your letter of the 2d inst., in regard to your appearing before the Board appointed to examine into the matter of your claim for a brevet, and to inform you that your request was sent to the Board for its consideration, and has been returned with the information that you have been advised by the Board that if you have anything to communicate to it touching the matter of your claim you can do so in writing, and that if the Board desires your presence you will be so informed. Very respectfully. (Signed) Theo. Schwan, Asst. Adjt.-Gen. Washington, D. C, February 18, 1898. To His Excellency William McKinley, President of the United States : Sir — It having occurred to me that "a stitch in time saves nine," I respectfully call your attention to the fact that, in my opinion, a force of 50,000 volunteers, with 10,000 regulars, and with our Navy promptly concentrated in the vicinity of Key West, Florida, 727 with General Brooke in command, ready, if necessary to defend °yy°u^ ^S a„n?tl0n' we can either require the payment for loss ot the Maine, indemnity for loss of lives, or take possession of Cuba— and the whole question settled within sixty days, with honor and credit to our country. I, therefore, tender my services, and agree to organize 25,000 men, ready for active service, within hve days from the time authority is given me and as soon as you become satisfied that the situation is in such shape that prompt ness is required. Congress and the country will sustain you in set tling the Cuban question immediately. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) G. A. Armes. 23 Fifth Avenue, New York, March 1, 1897. My Dear Colonel Armes : I shall be glad to attend the Second Army Corps Banquet in Washington on the 16th inst., if able to make the journey back to Philadelphia on the following day, where I have already promised to dine with the Hibernian Society on St. Patrick's Day. I always find pleasure in meeting representatives of the Second Corps — Hancock's Braves — of whom you are one, and to whom I know he was much attached. Sincerely yours, D. E. Sickles. Col. Geo. A. Armes, U. S. A. Washington, D. C, March 29, 1898. To the Hon. Secretary of War : Sir — A resolution having been offered and adopted at a meeting of the Second Army Corps Association, and the undersigned ap pointed as a committee to urge the passage of the bill pending in Congress for the construction of a Memorial Bridge across the Potomac river to Arlington, we respectfully request that the Hon. Secretary of War recommend its passage and especially call the attention of Congress to the necessity of a bridge being established for the use of troops encamped on the Virginia side of the river, in addition to the many other urgent reasons why it should be con structed. Very respectfully, (Signed) G. A. Armes. R. A. Batchelder. A Bill for the Relief of Capt. George A. Armes. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the provisions of law regulating appointments in the Army, by pro- 728 motion in the line, are hereby suspended for the purpose of this Act, and only so far as they affect George A. Armes, and the Pres ident can, if he so desires, in the exercise of his own discretion and judgment, reinstate, and, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, appoint said George A. Armes, Captain, retired, in any vacancy occurring in any regiment of cavalry, to the rank and gracie he would have held if he had remained continuously in the service on the active list. Sec. 2. That all pay and allowance from June, 1870, unjustly withheld from said Armes, by reason of the proceedings or find ings of any court-martial, or retiring board, upon proper proofs being made, shall be refunded and paid to said Armes out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated. (First Endorsement.) A. G. O., Washington, April 5, 1898. Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War. This bill provided in effect that Captain Armes shall be restored to the active list and be appointed to a vacancy of Colonel in the cavalry arm. To do this would set aside or suspend the promo tion of a Lieutenant-Colonel, a Major, a Captain, a First Lieuten ant and a Second Lieutenant of cavalry when a vacancy of Colonel happens, and retard by one file the promotion of cavalry officers below the rank of Colonel. Captain Armes was placed on the re tired list September 15, 1883, by direction of the President, upon the finding of a retiring board that he "is incapacitated for active service," and that "such incapacity is caused by nervous prostra tion, mental excitability and cardiac dilation." A statement of As sistant Surgeon Carter, Post Surgeon at Fort Stockton, Texas, where Captain Armes was stationed, which is attached to the pro ceedings of the board, says : "I have no hesitation whatever in declaring my belief that Cap tain Armes' condition is such as to render him unfit for the respon sibility and duties incident to the service, even as they occur in the comparatively easy and regular routine of ordinary garrison life, and positively incapacitates him to meet and discharge any weighty responsibility that might arise in any emergency." Under all circumstances it is believed that the legislation pro posed would result in no benefit whatever to the military service, but, on the contrary, that it would be detrimental to its interests, of very doubtful benefit to the individual on whose behalf it is pro posed, and unjust to the officers who have continuously rendered service to the Government, in depriving them of promotions to which they would be justly entitled upon the occurrence of a va cancy of Colonel in the cavalry arm. (Signed) H. C. Corbin, Adjutant-General. 729 Washington, D. C, April 7, 1898. Gen. H. C. Corbin, Adjutant-General, U. S. A.: Sir — Having read your endorsement in relation to Senate Bill No. 4305, referred to the War Department for report, I confess that I was shocked, amazed and disappointed by such a statement from one whom I had supposed was sufficiently fair and friendly to make a favorable report. Before the bill is returned, I would suggest that it may be to your own interest in the future to modify that endorsement, which the records will show, by an honest and careful examination, should be in my favor. I have never said a word to anyone that could be construed to cast the least reflection upon your own record. I look upon your Department as one that should be run upon honest principles, the same as a bank, and when any employe of a bank has been discovered to be a thief, proper steps are generally taken to dispose of him, and the Army should be conducted on the same principle. Drum, Ruggles and Breck proved to be cow ardly and treacherous in that capacity, as I have had occasion to know from my own experience. Socially, General Ruggles was very interesting and entertaining ; officially, he did not act honestly with me. Generals Williams and Kelton left honorable records, and I had no fault to find with their official duties in my case. You have a splendid chance to fill with honor and distinction the position you now hold — a better chance, I think, than any man heretofore appointed from the volunteer service in our Army. If you begin your new duties by showing the country that you pro pose to act upon honest principles, and do justice to all, you will surely succeed in establishing a record to be proud of, although it will be quite a task for a time to weed out of the Army the many unworthy creatures now posing as honest men. I cannot refrain from reminding you that while others have given out many seri ous and damaging things about your record, which, if true, would greatly astonish your friends and the public, I have always stood by you and defended you against such aspersions concerning your record, whether during or since the war. It should be remembered that the Assistant Surgeon at Fort Stockton, who assisted Colonels Wade and Grierson in having me retired, had been reprimanded by me for quite a serious offense when I was in command of the post. He afterwards took advan tage of his official position to connive with others to ruin me, if possible. The alleged reasons given from that source for my re tirement were false and known to be false by the instigators. I write this, not in a fault-finding spirit, and not for the purpose of causing you to do me any special favor not fully justified or warranted by the facts of this case; all I ask is to be fairly dealt with. Respectfully, vour obedient servant, (Signed) G. A. Armes, Capt., U. S. A. (Ret'd). 73° In Camp near Santiago, August 7, 1898. My Dear Father: We have been rushed around so lively, and my supply of writing paper was so short until three days ago, when I received a small package of it, that it has been impossible for me to write to you before. Even now I have only a few minutes to spare, so cannot give detailed accounts of things. We have had a pretty rough time of it. After a forced march, reached the firing line in time to have a few bullets whistle over our heads, and to learn what the shriek of a shell sounds like. We also found out what it was to . dig trenches for forty-eight hours straight, without food or sleep, little water, a hot sun, violent rains, inky darkness at night — ex cept when the lightning flashed over — and, worse than all, the whistle of some stray bullets among us. All of the above I know you have experienced, so will not dwell on them longer. We have orders to leave early this week for Long Island, and it is rumored that we will be mustered out soon after, and if you find out such to be the facts of the case, try and see some one at the Museum and secure a good position for me there upon my return. Has the Army of the Potomac held its reunion yet, and do you expect to attend? Unless I get seasick on the boat I will have a chance to write you a long letter soon; but, then, at the last minute, the order for departure might change, and we may have to remain here much longer. I hope not, anyway. Oscar's company started for Puerto Rico, but I heard they had gotten near Santiago when they received orders to return to Port Tampa. Warren Reed, who used to be in your employ, now a private in K Company, seems to keep well, but he is sick of his job, and says he wishes he was back attending to your horses again. William Poore of Tennallytown, who enlisted in Co. K., died of typhoid fever at Sibony, Province of Santiago, Cuba. As for myself, I am perfectly well, with the exception of a slight cold. I had a six days' case of mountain fever, but went back on duty last Wednesday. Under the full rations 1 am now getting I am growing fat. Good-bye until next time. Write as soon as you can. Your loving son, George K. Armes, Co. E, First District Vols. To the Editor Army and Navy Register: Dear Sir — The enclosed is a copy of a letter I sent to the Secre tary of War, in order that he might investigate General Wade be fore he was sent on so important a mission. I also desire to espe cially call your attention to the fact that I never made a false charge against anyone, or have I ever made a charge against an officer except for the interest of the service. After I had first been mis represented, villified and persecuted, and in every instance where 73i an officer has been tried upon charges made by me he has been con victed, and in several cases sentenced to- the penitentiary. One officer, who fixed up a set of false charges against me, served a term in the penitentiary before he was made a Captain in the reg ular Army, and many of his friends are still at the War Department taking advantage of their present positions to keep me misrepre sented. I can truthfully say that no charges have ever been made against me by any officer of the Army who is, or ever was, a gen tleman and honest in his motives. And all I can say is, that when such men as Wade and Clous are selected for responsible trusts, it might prevent serious embarrassment to- know who they are before they are placed in important positions, and I think the files of the War Department will show I am right. Respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) G. A. Armes. Washington, D. C, November 2, 1898. To the Hon. Secretary of War, (Through the Adjutant-General, U. S. A.: Sir — I respectfully call your attention to the order of the Act ing Secretary' of War, dated September 27, 1895, ordering me in arrest. As I have not received any order from the War Depart ment relieving me, I respectfully request that one be issued. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) G. A. Armes. November 26, 1898. Verbally relieved by General Schwan. By order of Gen. H. C. Corbin, Adjutant-General. Senate Chamber, Washington, D. C, December 19, 1898. Maj. Geo. A. Armes, Washington, D. C. : Dear Major — I have unintentionally misled you about the nom inations of Gen. S. B. M. Young, Gen. J. W. Clous and Capt. Wil liam P. Duvall. I think they were confirmed Thursday afternoon. ] do not think vou lose anvthing by it, for I feel assured that those gentlemen were held in such estimation that nothing would pre vent their confirmation. Yours truly, (Signed) J. R. Hawley. 732 Washington, D. C, March n, 1898. Maj.-Gen. Nelson A. Miles, Commanding Army of the United States, (Through the Adjutant-General, U. S. A.) : Sir — Having just glanced over the report submitted by the Board, composed of Colonel Young, Major Lebo and Major Con rad, appointed to look into the matter in relation to my brevet, I hasten to call your attention to the unjust position in which it places me. The report shows upon its face a lack of fairness and an evident purpose on the part of the Board to do me a great in justice. The report further shows upon its face that the deliber ations of the Board were conducted altogether in my absence, and without giving me an opportunity to be heard, although I solicited in writing that the opportunity should be given me. It must be obvious that the proceeding was not only ex parte, but controlled by influences hostile to me personally and to my claim, and in vio lation of the Articles of War and the Army Regulations. Such a finding and such a report, emanating from a "Star Cham ber" proceeding, should not be sanctioned by the General of the Army, and will not be sanctioned by the public at large, and I am ready and prepared to show, upon a fair and open investigation that all the material allegations contained in the report, affecting the matter in controversy, are absolutely false and unworthy the attention of the Department or of any honest man. Therefore, reposing great trust and confidence in the integrity and the fairness of the present Commanding General of the Army, whose keen sense of justice will not knowingly permit the perpe tration of such an outrage upon an officer wh>o, during the war, and subsequently on the plains, discharged his whole duty, to the satisfaction of his superior officers and the Government, and was recommended for the brevet in question by the most gallant and distinguished officers of the Army, after a careful investigation at the time, as the records of the Department clearly and conclu sively show, I most respectfully request that no definite action be taken on this report until said Board has been reconvened, the case reconsidered and an opportunity has been given me to appear be fore the same in my own defense. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) George A. Armes, Capt., U. S. A. (Ret'd). (First Endorsement.) A. G. O., March 12, 1898. For the Commanding General of the Army. 733 (Second Endorsement.) Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D. C., March 15, \t-,. The Major-General Commanding recommends that the Board be reconvened, and that this communication be referred to it. J. C. Gilmore, Assistant Adjutant-General. (Third Endorsement.) Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, March 17, 1898. Respectfully referred, by direction of the Secretary of War, to Col. S. B. M. Young, Third Cavalry, Washington, D. C, Presi dent of the board of officers convened under the letter of instruc tions from this office of January 29, 1898, and adjourned, sine die, February 28, 1898. The Secretary directs that Colonel Young reassemble the Board for the consideration of this complaint, and for such action thereupon as they may deem just and proper. The proceedings of the Board, together with the papers upon which the Board was originally appointed, are herewith. H. C. Corbin, Adj utant- General. (Fourth Endorsement.) Washington City, March 21, 1898. Respectfully returned to the Adjutant-General of the Army, at tention invited to additional proceedings herewith. S. B. M. Young, Col. Third Cav., President. (Fifth Endorsement.) Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, March 22, 1898. Respectfully returned to the Major-General Commanding the Army, inviting attention to the additional proceedings of the Board of Officers in'this case, attached to its former proceedings, here with, and to its findings and recommendations, as set forth therein. Theo. Schwan, Asst. Adjutant-General. (Sixth Endorsement.) Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D. C, March 25, 1898. Respectfully submitted to the Secretary of War, attention in vited to the last paragraph of the additional proceedings of the Board, dated March 21, 1898. Nelson A. Miles, Major-General Commanding. 734 (Seventh Endorsement.) Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, D. C, March 26, 1898. Respectfully referred, by direction of the Assistant Secretary of War, to the Judge Advocate General, U. S. A., for his report and recommendation on the additional proceedings of the Board of Officers of which Col. S. B. M. Young, Third Cavalry, was Presi dent, in the case of Captain Armes, herewith. The Assistant Secretary desires that the proceedings of this Board and the report of Major Garlington, Inspector-General, of his investigation of the complaint of Lieutenant Duvall against Captain Armes, and also the letter of Captain Armes of the 23d inst., herewith, be considered confidential until the Judge Advo cate General shall have submitted his report. Theo. Schwan, Asst. Adjutant-General. (Eighth Endorsement.) War Department, Judge Advocate General's Office, Washington, March 28, 1898. Respectfully returned to the Adjutant-General. In view of Captain Armes' letter of March 23, 1898, to the Sec retary of War, it will probably not be considered necessary to carry out the recommendation of the Board, that Captain Armes be re quired to set forth the facts on which he bases the charges against the members of tEe Board, which are contained in his communica tion (to the Major-General Commanding of March 11), even if this would otherwise have been desirable. I would recommend that Colonel Young be furnished with copies of Captain Armes' letters of March 11 and 23, with a view to his preferring charges. If charges should be preferred it would be best that it should be done in this way. G. Norman Lieber, Judge Advocate General. (Ninth Endorsement.) Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, D. C, March 30, 1898. Respectfully referred to Col. S. B. M. Young, Third Cavalry, Washington, D. C, inviting attention to the recommendation of the Judge Advocate General, endorsed hereon, which is concurred in by the Assistant Secretary of War. Captain Armes' letters of March 11 and 23, and a copy of one from him of March 26, 1898, are enclosed herewith. Theo. Schwan, Asst. Adjutant-General. 735 (Tenth Endorsement.) r, if „ - Washington, D. C, April 5, 1898. Respectfully returned to the Adjutant-General of the Army, with all the papers in this case, together with charges and specifi cations preferred against Capt. George A. Armes, U. S. A.rmy (Retired). S. B. M. Young, Col. Third Cavalry. (Eleventh Endorsement.) Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, D. C, April 8, 1898. Respectfully referred to the Judge Advocate General, U. S. Army, for his remark or recommendation respecting the charges preferred against Captain Armes by Colonel Young, herewith. By order of the Secretary of War. Theo. Schwan, Asst. Adjutant-General. (Twelfth Endorsement.) War Department, Judge Advocate General's Office, Washington, D. C, April 9, 1898. Respectfully returned to the Adjutant-General. The first specification alleges that Thornton's affidavit was "in all material averments" false. I do not think that this is definite enough. The specifications should indicate which particular averments are false. It is not necessary, however, to set forth the affidavit in full, and then repeat those parts of it which are alleged to be false.. It would be sufficient to set forth the latter. This is also true of the second specification. Both of these specifications should contain averments to the effect that Captain Armes knew the statements to be false. Specifications might also be preferred charging him with officially making use of false affidavits, know ing them to be false. But it is a question whether it would be best to open up all this inquiry. I seriously doubt it. . The third, fourth and fifth specifications are properly drawn. G. Norman Lieber, Judge Advocate General. (Thirteenth Endorsement.) Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, D. C., April 12, 1898. Respectfully returned to Col. S. B. M. Young, Third Cavalry, for amendment of the charges as suggested by the Judge Advocate General in his preceding endorsement hereon. The papers per taining thereto are enclosed herewith. By order of the Assistant Secretary of War. Theo. Schwan, Asst. Adjutant-General. 736 (Fourteenth Endorsement.) Fort Ethan Allen, Vt., April 16, 1898. Respectfully returned to the Adjutant-General of the Army. lt is requested that the Law Department frame these charges and specifications against Captain Armes (for my signature). The requirements of good discipline and Army Regulations, 4, 1895, demand that Captain Armes be brought to trial at the earliest date practicable. S. B. M. Young, Col. Third Cav. (Fifteenth Endorsement.) Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, D. C, April 18, 1898. Respectfully returned to the Judge Advocate General of the Army, who will revise, or prepare, charges and specifications against Captain Armes, as requested by Colonel Young. By order of the Secretary of War. Theo. Schwan, Asst. Adjutant-General. (Sixteenth Endorsement.) War Department, Judge Advocate General's Office, Washington, D. C, April 20, 1898. Respectfully returned to the Judge Advocate General with amended charges, the only amendment being the omission of the first and second specifications. See my former endorsement here on of April 9. G. Norman Lieber, Judge Advocate General. (Seventeenth Endorsement.) Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, D. C, April 21, 1898. Respectfully returned to Col. S. B. M. Young, Third Cavalry, Chickamauga National Park, Ga., for signature to amended charges and specifications. Theo. Schwan, Asst. Adjutant-General. (Eighteenth Endorsement.) In the Field, Headquarters Third Cavalry, Camp Geo. H. Thomas, Chickamauga Park, Ga., April 24, 1898. Respectfully returned to the Adjutant-General, U. S. A., en closed charges. S. B. M. Young, Col. Third Cav., Commanding. 737 General Miles ignores the Board and concurs in Gen. Hancock's recommendation. (Nineteenth Endorsement.) Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D. C, December 27, 1898. Respectfully returned to the Secretary of War. These papers have been before me, as well as my predecessor, on several occasions. I would state that I have so much confidence in, and respect for, General Hancock's opinion, and his superior judgment in all matters of this nature, that if there is no clear and sufficient reason to the contrary, I have no hesitation in concur ring in his recommendation herewith relative to Captain Armes. Nelson A. Miles, Major-General Commanding. Notwithstanding the filing of these charges I was never brought to trial on them, as it was well known they could not be made to stick, arid a trial must result in my vindication. CHAPTER XXXVII. December 31, 1899. On the morning of January 1 I dressed in full uniform, met General Miles, commanding the Army, at the War Department, and after congratulating him, marched with other officers of the Army to the President's house, where we shook hands with the President and the Cabinet ladies assembled, meeting many friends as usual. Afterwards I made calls on Cabinet and citizen friends. During the past year the most of my time has been occupied by trying to induce the Secretary of War and the President to undo the wrongs that had been heaped upon me for years at the War Department by statements manufactured from dishonest sources. So far I have been unable to get a proper investigation. Several men who have made false representations and maligned my record, deceiving those in authority who employed them to investigate the facts of my case in relation to my military record, have been rewarded by promotion to higher and more respon sible positions in the Army. Among those who have been re warded are Col. S. B. M. Young, who was promoted Major-Gen eral ; Lieutenant Duvall, promoted Lieutenant-Colonel ; Major Garlington, a Lieutenant-Colonel; James A. Wade, Major-Gen eral in the Volunteer Army, and J. W. Clous, a Brigadier-Gen eral. I am confident that a careful investigation of the facts and charges I presented against those individuals will prove them unfit to hold any position of trust and a disgrace to the Army. Among the members and Senators who have taken a personal interest in going with me in person to the President, Secretary of War and others are Senator John W. Daniel of Virginia, Sen ator Thurston of Nebraska, General Grosvenor of Ohio, Hon. E. R. Ridgley of Kansas, General Brady of Petersburg, Hon. R. Wise of Virginia. I have also been engaged in overhauling my records and cor respondence, condensing the same, with many original letters and extracts for the purposes of this book in order that the pub lic may have an opportunity of reading what has taken place in connection with mv movements from 1861 to date. 739 The documents for the current year follow chronologically : Washington, D. C, March 26, 189.9. To the Hon. Secretary of War, (Through the Adjutant-General, U. S. A.): Sir—Judging from the report of Maj. E. A. Garlington, Assist ant Inspector-General, who was ordered to investigate the Duvall case, I should think fair-minded men could readily see the preju dice cropping out of this report against me, and that Major Gar lington has taken advantage of his position to conspire with said Duvall to make it appear that I was guilty of some military offense justifying a court-martial. I, therefore, request that the proceedings in the matter may be referred to the Judge Advocate General for a careful and thor ough investigation, together with authority and instructions to prefer charges against Major Garlington and Lieutenant Duvall . for conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, and for vio lation of Army Regulations and specified Articles of War, and on such other charges as, in the judgment of the Judge Advocate General, the good of the service may demand. It will be noticed that Major Garlington was in a position where he was free to do — and was supposed to- — his. duty without favor itism, reporting the true facts and actual condition of the case. But instead of that, this narrow-minded, narrow-gauged officer has allowed his prejudices and his feelings to warp his judgment and to lead him into a cowardly attack upon my military record. If such feeble men are to be entrusted with an officer's character and war record, then it is high time that the office of Inspector- General of the Army were abolished. The reputation and charac ter qf no man in the Army is safe if secret reports and misrepresen tations can be made by these understrappers to superior officers, who- have not the time to look into the details of many of the cases, and must take for granted, usually, that the reports are correct and true. To affirm or sanction a report such as Major Garlington has made in this case is to establish a dangerous precedent and give full faith and credit to a report that should be thrown into the waste- basket. As a heavy taxpayer, I do not believe that money should be appropriated to retain such officers in positions. I shall never believe that the War Department can be used by such petty subordinates of the Army as Major Garlington and Lieutenant Duvall, neither of whom ever saw a day's service in the field during the late war, to assist them in a mean and cowardly attempt to- crush an officer whose gallant and meritorious services on the field of battle have, on many occasions, won the admira tion and applause of such distinguished commanders as Meade and Hancock. 740 As far as Colonel Young, Major Lebo and Major Conrad are concerned, I have only to observe that they are three very weak men, and can be easily used by such schemers as Garlington and Duvall, who have been educated at the Government's expense, and would naturally have considerable interest in controlling such men as the Board was lately composed of in the investigation of my case. Because a man is educated and is bright and intelligent it does not necessarily follow that he is honest. No doubt many are in prisons today who are highly accomplished, educated and gentlemanly men in appearance. Since the honorable record of a true soldier is more prized by him than his life, all true men of honor will expect me to stop at no risk, no peril, in defending, in time of peace, what I gained on the battlefield, when my sniveling accusers were wearing marble-but toned roundabouts in the awkward squad. . I believe that the propriety of my request, that the Judge Advo cate General be authorized and directed to carefully investigate the proceedings in this case, will be readily recognized by the Depart ment. I have the honor to be, sir, your obedient servant, (Signed) Geo. A. Armes, Capt., U. S. A. (Refd). Lynchburg, Va., July 24, 1899. Col. George A. Armes : Dear Colonel — I enclose the letter which I addressed to the President respecting the application of Messrs. Greenwood, Man- nion & Co. for railroad franchise in Cuba, as requested by you. I was glad to show you and your friend any courtesy or accom modation in my power. Please give me the full address of General Greenwood. Yours, very truly, Jno. W. Daniel. Omaha, Neb., September 23, 1899. George W. Armes, United States Army, Washington, D. C. : My Dear Sir — In the case of Mark M. Coad, arising out ofthe Indian depredation committed on the 19th of January, 1867, a claim for the same which was made out and affidavits made imme diately after the time of the raid, the Court of Claims have seen fit to reject all of this class of testimony, and has compelled us to look up the witnesses and take depositions. I find this to be a very difficult matter from the fact that witnesses are scattered all over the country, and a great many are dead. However, I have succeeded in tracing a feAV of these men and taken their deposi- 74i tions. In our dej>ositions your name is mentioned very frequently. I do not suppose that you now remember very many of the details which took place at that time. One reason why it is necessary to have your depositionin this ease is to verify the -accounts given in the other depositions, namely, * * * I would like to hear from you and to know how you are getting along. I may. go down to Washington during the winter or next spring, and if so I will call and see you. Very respectfully, John F.* Coad. The letters herewith are from two of the men in my old com mand, the Second Cavalry, and show in what esteem I was held by the men in the ranks Who participated with me in some of the severest campaigning ever known to the Army : Maiden, Mass., October i, 1899. Maj. Geo. A. Armes: Dear Sir — Your letter of the 7th of September received, and I should have replied before had I not been so busy since my vaca tion. In regard to the Pumpkin Creek fight, I don't think I can give you much more information than you have, but I can give you the name of the comrade who was shot in the shoulder. His name was Moore, a private. Tfie boys called him "Reddy" More, if I remember aright. The arrow was bedded in to the shoulder-blade; had notches in it so that it could not be removed, and he was sent on to the States to have it taken out, and never came back to the company again. There was one Indian captured and brought to Fort Sedgwick, and escaped from the old stable, when he ran for the river, and somehow got away. I think Corporal or Sergeant Clos'e relieved the guard to go to dinner. If you write to Comrade Toe Buckholtz, Smithfield, Ohio, I think that he can give you val uable information, as he wrote me once that he had some records of our service taken at the time. Sergeant Oscar Close, Corporal Chas. H. -Haynes, Privates Michael Co-nnell, Wm. Floyd, Wm. Humphries and Michael Haley were with Lieutenant Lyman S. Kidder's party who were killed by the Indians on Beaver Creek about the ist of July, 1867, while carrying dispatches to General Custer, who was at that time along the Republican. Kidder had with him ten men and an Indian guide. I have a list of the names sent me from Washington of the entire party. The five that I have, given you are the only ones that were with us 'at that time. The official report of the time so many were frostbitten is that we left Fort Sedgwick January 22, 1867, and returned January 26; two officers, thirty-seven enlisted men,' five citizens ; country passed through, Lodgepole Valley ; tribe operated against, Cheyenne; captured sixty-seven head of 742 cattle and one pony; twenty-seven men frostbitten; one man who after had feet taken off resides in New Hampshire ; his address is Frank B. Flanders, Goffstown, N. H. The report also says that Lieutenant Jenness, Twenty-seventh Infantry, since killed at Phil Kearney, was along with us. The party was in command of Second Lieut. G. A. Armes. Lieutenant Hamilton was along. I think Hamilton was killed in the Spanish war, a Lieutenant-Colonel. In the report they have the distance we traveled on this trip 249 miles, and I think you deserved great credit for working as you did in keeping the boys from freezing to death, in making us walk when that drowsy feeling would come over us. If this information will be of any service to you I am glad to give it. If I can do anything more I will cheerfully do it. Yours truly, Albion H. Droun, 18 Garland avenue, Maiden, Mass. Smithfield, Ohio, November 19, 1899. Maj. George A. Armes, U. S. A., Washington, D. C. : Dear Sir — Through the kindness of my friend, John Burnside, I am enabled to communicate with you. I had heard through Comrade Droun that you were living in Washington, or had lived there some years ago, and when Burnside was here last week I asked him to look you up if you were still in Washington. I thought that, situated as you were, and having personal knowledge of me, you might aid me in getting my pension increased. I have been drawing $12 per month for general disability since the dependent bill was passed, but about two years ago I placed my application for increase as an original applicant, and based bv dis ability on a severe freezing that I got on that memorable trip in January of 1867, of which you were in command. I was examined a year ago last September. About three months ago I furnished a history of my whereabouts, and the work that I have been doing since I left the service. I am confined now to a wheel-chair, and have been off my feet since May, 1891. Dear sir, I am glad that I got on your trail. I was not trailing, but just crossed it, so to speak, and hope that you may aid me in getting what I want. I don't ask you to go out of your way to do this, and I hope you will do it for the sake of Auld Lang Syne, and because it is in your heart to do the favor, and I'll place it on record beside that other favor you did me long ago, when you loaned me your overshoes — a thing that don't happen very often in the reg ular Army. of 743 ^mTrlZr Wdl' Hnd enj°yhlg lik and the 8°od thi<^ Yours truly, P. S.-While a member of M Company Jthe^e^ondTkeot a diary for nearly the whole three years, and if it wlhinteres vou to votf XyrtT* WhiCh P6^115 t0 *at Ja™^ tri^ will send J. A. B. JOS. A. BUCKHOLTZ. Albion H. Droun. Among my supporters and defenders was Col. Thomas P. Ochiltree, a gentleman who has been dined and wined abroad more than any other American that has ever visited Europe, and deservedly so, which is substantiated by the following extracts from official records from the War Department and an account of his life written by Gen. Marcus J. Wright : "When a mere boy Colonel Ochiltree volunteered in Walker's company of Texas Rangers, and was engaged in the campaign on the Mexican frontier against the Apache and Commanche In dians. * * * Afterwards enlisted in a Texas battalion under Col onel Wigfall, subsequently the First Texas Infantry. * * * When 744 General Sibley was dispatched by President Davis for the conquest of New Mexico Colonel Ochiltree became a member of his staff, and distinguished himself in the New Mexican campaign. He served with General Longstreet, participating in the Seven Days' battle around Richmond. He was advanced as Chief of General Sibley's staff in the Army of Southwest Louisiana, participating in all engagements of that command. He served as Assistant Ad jutant-General to Gen. Dick Taylor in the brilliant campaigns in which Brashear City was captured, and assigned as Assistant Ad jutant-General to Gen. S. B. Maxey, Department Indian Territory, taking an active part in the battle at Poison Springs, Ark. He also did special service under General Rains in the defense of Rich mond. He was wounded and captured at the battle of Sailors' Creek, the last pitched battle of the Army of Northern Virginia, and in 1865 confined in the Old Capitol Prison in Washington. In 1866 he became editor of the Houston Daily Telegraph. In 1867 he was sent to Europe to represent the merchants of Galveston to secure the establishment of a steamship line to that point, in which he succeeded. In 1872 he visited Europe as Commissioner of Em igration for Texas. In 1873 he was appointed United States Mar shal by President Grant. In 1882 was elected to Congress as the first native of Texas ever sent from that State. "While in Europe during his sojourn he was received with great distinction by such leaders as Gladstone and John Bright in Eng land, and Victor Hugo and Lafayette in France, and Lasker and Baumberger in Germany. He was also widely known in civil life as the author of the Lasker resolutions." Extracts from the Rebellion Records. General Sibley's report of operations in New Mexico, January to May 4, 1862: "* * * I beg in conclusion to bring to your notice the intelligence and valor of the members of my staff. * * * Lieutenant Ochiltree, aide-de-camp." Report of Lieut.-Col. Wm. R. Scurry, Fourth Texas Cavalry, battle of Valverde : "* * * Major Pyron was also in the' thickest of the fray, and contributed much by his example to the success of the charge, as did also Lieutenant Ochiltree of the General's staff." Report of Capt. T. T. Teel, Sultey: "* * * Lieutenant Ochil tree, aide-de-camp, who rallied the men to the charge, and in the line, leading on the troops * * *" Jefferson Davis to Gen. H. H. Sibley, Richmond, June 7, 1862: "I avail myself of an opportunity of communicating with you in a speedy and direct manner through your aide-de-camp. * * * Captain Ochiltree will inform you of our condition in this region, and this will be to vou a sufficient explanation for failure to rein force you to the full extent of your necessity. * * *" vf Col. Ochiltree Leading "Sibley's Brigade" at the Battle of Val Verde. 746 In perusing these pages the reader can see that my opportuni ties for learning the motives of human actions in public affairs have been abundant. He will recall that I have been accustomed to take part in the discussion of national issues as every four years they are made up for the consideration of the voter. He will re member that, having been cradled within an atmosphere wafted from Mount Vernon, I was proof against the seductive political heresies which swept my neighbors, even Lee, the veteran soldier of Arlington, into the seething waters of rebellion. I am no pessimist. I believe in that product known as the American. I believe our national life to be onward and upward, with an occasional halt, possibly. The political atmosphere may become dark and murky, but a glorious sunburst is sure to fol low. The more portentious the cloud the brighter the light that ensues, as one of General Pinner's letters to me proves. When the people become quiescent through ease and comfort corrupt influences have full play in public affairs. Then the people wake up and set matters right for a new start in the direction of the general welfare and individual liberty. Should we not therefore strive in time and while our institutions are still intact to find and put in force a safeguard against the day of peril ? I propose as my contribution to this end and as a remedy for tlie many evils already in play a constitutional amendment limit ing the tenure of the Presidency to a single term, the incumbent to be eligible for election to the same office only after the lapse of two intervening full terms. The reasons for this are too many for me to undertake an exposition of them in a work of this kind, ex cept briefly. I specially call attention of the reader to the neglect of many officials who have complaints and serious questions to decide affecting the past or future of a person's character, record and standing, financially and otherwise, who often refer the examina tion of such matters to unreliable and incompetent subordinates, approving such reports, whether the findings are founded on fact or not and whether they be just. In many cases the seeker of justice is led to believe that prompt action will be given, causing the victim to live in hopes of vindi cation. But he is often driven to poverty, his whole future career ruined, and finally becomes desperate. 747 If it is not the intention to honestly investigate these cases cer tainly deception should not be practiced, and thus bring ruin and desolation, not only upon the party seeking redress, but also upon innocent women and children because of the lack of frank, candid and honest action. Whatever of criticism appears in these pages is not from me as an officer of the Army, but solely in my relation as a citizen of the United States, and is made in the interest of the public service. I may say also that it is without malice. I feel that the country should know of the many persecutions which those officers who- incur the displeasure of superiors are subjected to, especially where trivial charges are made against them and trials had whose end and aim is their dismissal. The trouble lies in the fact that there is no appeal from the conclusions of a military court. If a board of review consisting of eminent civilian attorneys versed in military law were ap pointed by Congress to go over all the details of trials before the President was called on to approve the sentence or proceedings the constantly recurring effort with Congress for redress of of ficers dismissed would cease and the Army benefited beyond cal culation. Many cases come to me now where,, if this had been done, justice would have been secured, and one, that of Maj. Andrew Geddes, would have resulted quite differently, as has been demonstrated by the thorough investigation given it by various Congressional committees, which have proven that he has been one of the best officers in the Army, a gentleman above reproach. From the date of entry in active service as a Lieutenant the voungster begins a systematic effort to secure promotion or as signment to duty other than in garrison, where increased pay and emoluments ensue. Political influence is enlisted, and regu lar siege laid upon Senators and Congresmen by women to set them upon the President and War Department. These pages show so much of what is here spoken of that it is not necessary to go into further detail. The too-frequent excuse one hears among officials that they have no time to properly discharge the duties they were ap pointed to perform would no longer be heard if less time was spent lunching and wining with the professional politicians who infest the capital. 74§ The remedy for this condition is to enforce the law as it is today, which forbids such action on the part of officers, and thus give promotion and detail in accord with merit rather than favor itism. Here 1 may end the record of a busy life that has not been without its bright side, notwithstanding the efforts of enemies to make it a wreck. My personal acquaintance and contact with many of the great characters of our nation's history, their tested and proven friendship under trying circumstances, their faith in my honor and integrity, all tend to make me thankful to Almighty God that I have lived in this age and have performed my allotted, if humble, part in the stirring events that adorn the historic an nals of our country. And now, in conclusion, I may be pardoned if I set forth plainly the fact that in my whole military career I have never been reprimanded by superiors for remissness in the performance of duty ; that in no case has there ever been a report against me by an Inspector-General for neglect of duty in any particular ; that I always promptly executed any order that I received from proper authority ; that I always comported myself as a gentleman, Of which there is plenty of evidence in these pages ; that I have been the victim of .malign influence and petty persecutions of a very large number of personages, from the exalted Secretary of War clown to- the scrub Lieutenant ; that I have lived an honorable life and deserved the highest esteem of those who know me best ; that most of those who have followed me so relentlessly have met with the punishment meted out to criminals and evil-doers generally ; (hat my oldest friends are my best ones, still stand by me, and have never regretted that they have done so, and that I am still here respected by my fellows, a man among men, ready to serve my country whenever duty calls me. Among the social events of the year 1899 of more than ordinary moment, was the marriage on Dec 28, of Miss Jane Faulkner, daughter of Hon. Chas. J. Faulkner, to Dr. William White, of Nashville, Tennessse, at the family residence in Boydsville, Mar tinsburg, West Va. The ceremony was performed by Rev. F. M. Woods, D. D., assisted by Rev. T. DeWitt Talmadge, in the presence of a very large number of guests and a bevy of beautiful bridesmaids. They were Miss Sallie Faulkner, Miss Mary Wills, niece of Gov ernor Kellogg, Miss Maude Talmadge, daughter of Rev. Dr. Talmadge. Miss Kitty Reed, daughter of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Miss Mary Paxton, daughter of the Reverend Dr. Paxton, of New York, Miss Mary Warner, daughter of B. H. Warner, Miss Alice Cary Burdette, daughter of Walter W. Bur dette, one of our leading merchants, now retired. After the festivities were over, the happy couple departed on an extended tour, and finally arrived at Nashville, where they con tinue to reside. This wedding was, undoubtedly, the finest ever celebrated in West Virginia. The large number of distinguished guests present ; the great beauty of the bride and her attendants ; the elegance of all the appointments ; the magnificence of the collation, all con tributed to make it the most notable of similar festal occasions ever witnessed in the State. -!i„' j 'Ji: . -.-Jl .TfcJlS^ -J,', , 7 yf- '¦/<{ bo:-. :-'Win"jjn W f! BOB" T*« ADDENDA. In the mass of material from which this book was compiled, many things have been overlooked that possess interest. Here with are presented a number of plates that should have been inserted and are- now added : Asking the President to Appoint Me a Brigadier-General of Volunteers. Senator Martin. President MeKinley. Senator John W. Daniel. Congressman Cushman. Major Armes. Colonel James D. Brady My devoted friend. Adjt. Gen. H. C. Corbin, with whom I ser ved on the frontier over thirty years ago and has always been on good terms with me, deserves special mention here as my reports of Indian engagements went through him to Division and Depart ment Commanders, the records showing his favorable endorsement of my actions. 75° Secretary of War Asking Advice. Being shrewd, diplomatic and from Ohio, he has worked himself into the confidence of the many public officials and is now a Major General, a position of great honor. It is very interesting to be in his office and see the Secretary of War stand waiting for advice on how to proceed in official matters Gen. Miles is not "in it" at all as it appears; in fact, it would hardly be known that we had a General of. the Army ; but General Corbin, with his Secretary, the Secretary of War, has so well pleased the President that it is con sidered unnecessary to consult with the General of the Army in re gard to the disposition and movement of troops. In one of my communications to General Corbin, I reminded him that if he would make it a point to be straightforward and honest in his deal ings he is destined to be a great man. With the combination of a President who claims the confidence of the religious element and an Adjutant General representing the precisely opposite element, working in harmony, what wonder the war with Spain was short, sharp and decisive. With numerous sons and nephews of prospective delegates and other politicians unprovided for, there is no reason to doubt that this gallant soldier will becom the ranking officer of the Army. 75i Queen Lii.iuok alani. Col. Parker. Among the friends who have aided me by words and acts of en couragement in the preparation of this volume are Colonel Sam Parker and Prince David Kawanakoa, of Hawaii. Col. Parker is about forty-seven years old. He comes of the old royal family of Hawaii; was Prime Minister to Queen Lilioukalani, but by education and travel is thoroughly American. Notwithstanding the fact that he was a strong royalist, he is, by careful considera tion of all the conditions, thoroughly satisfied with the annexation of Hawaii. He is a firm believer in the future of the Islands, in President Mckinle}7 and in the Republican party. He was chair man of the first delegation from the Territory of Hawaii to a National Republican convention. No man in Hawaii can compare with him in the popularity and love in which he is held by the native Hawaiians. He is a man of more than ordinary intelli gence ; the largest land owner in the Islands and one who inspires confidence wherever and whenever met. 752 Prince David, of Hawaii. Prince David is a nephew of Queen Liliuokalani. He has never taken any interest in politics but at the same time is thoroughly bound up in the interests of his people. He is a close friend of Col. Parker, and is a genuine good fellow and polished man of the world. 753 My Daughter Ethel in Amateur Theatricals. Among the staunchest supporters I have had at all times are Senators C. K. Davis, of Minnesota, and John W. Daniel, of Va. In season and out these gentlemen have defended me from the malicious attacks of my persecutors, both on the floor of the Senate and elsewhere : 754 Senator C. K. Davis. Senator John W. Daniel. Wm. St. John. Wm. Lyman and Wife. 755 Another of my friends is Wm. St. John, who is the representa tive ofthe famous Pintsch Gas Buoy, now being used by all "lead ing maritime nations, Mr. St. John being the pioneer in its intro duction in the United States. On one of my trips through the East and North I visited the home of my cousin, Wm. Lyman, in Massachusetts, whose por trait with his wife appears on the preceding page. Was 13-©pa.5tme-&t8 guwuu ot ge&tflteu, gtttHmu, an« ^lianfloncd gaml.s, Vv^ lAJo^. V\ W^ ^ ^^ vaV-^-^ \^yt^ vJ^y\y. 756 eadauabtm y>meta( oJlectUtitmo &ewice; umu &)uudm* oM^ fed %.. tf^^^'irrt**' &1r^*~--t-^- Z7/ f/Lc*, iZi—pZ&s <4Lcj2i -4&^yy*< *-i>l_ y^zy 't*-^c:^--^ <^&L- y^£-<—' y/yj-^c.7y^fyJp. 757 ^fl^7- ^7-C— 4^-w *^"(?~?~£~*~z^~&7 ^c. -e.4.4/ «J? ZZs x£-£-<5< 758 The above letter from Gen. Shafter shows that my opinion of Gen. Grierson coincides with that held by the former. This being my first attempt at book-writing, I became so much interested after I begun with my stenographer and typewriter that I had 5,500 pages in duplicate from my diary of thirty- eight years of an accumulated official correspondence and other material. When I arranged to have a book of 700 pages printed, I had to eliminate a large portion of interesting matter on hand. In some subsequent edition of this work much of what remains will be in cluded. It would be to the interest of the service and the country at large to reorganize the Army, and to thoroughly investigate the War Department in regard to Army matters during the past twen ty-five years and adopt some system where such men as General John M. Wilson, Chief of Engineers, and many others who have performed their duty so faithfully and to the interest and credit of the service, can be rewarded and have merit recognized, in some way, without political arid social influence. I believe the reader will acknowledge that I have not keut back any of the news tending to place me in a bad light before the public, but in exposing the character and animus of the creatures who have tried to ruin me, I may not be the bad man they have sought to make me appear. I have many friends among the diplomats and none whom I value more highly than Minister Wu Ting Fang, of China, who has demonstrated that he is of the highest order in the art of diplomacy. I may be pardoned if I refer to Dr. E. C. Bedloe, sometime consul at Amoy, China, who has been my constant friend, and who is one of the most popular of all our consuls. pTT\TTQ INDEX Abercrombie, Gen., 65. Adams, A. W., 386, 396, 700. Adams, C. H., 366. Adams, Lt., 165. Ainsworth, F. C, 10, 663. Ainsworth, S., 366. Albany Journal, 8. Albee, G. E., 13, 378, 383, 383, 385, 298, 468. Albright, C., 379, 445. Aldrich, N. W., 633. Alcorn, Sen., 390. Alderson, J. D., 657. Alexander, A., 148. Alexander, C, 421. Alexander, Prof., 159. Alexandria Gazette, 41, 149. Alexandria Sentinel, 41. Alger, R. A., 693, 694, 700, 718, 723. Allen, Lt., 355, 363. Allen, T. E., 363. Alley, J. B., 540. Allison, F. H., 171, 174, 189, 196. Allison, W. B., 653. Airman, Lt., 306. Almy, J., 393. Alvord, H. S., 248. Alvord, T, G., 359, 366, 718. Ames, — , 679. Amick, Lt., 250, 253. Anaconda Standard, 8. Anandale, 15, 19, 23, 144. Anderson, A., 247. Anderson, G. S., 598. Anderson, Hon., 566, 581. Anderson, ,T., 249. Anderson, T. M., 10, 70, 71. Andrews, G. L., 458, 502. Angelica, Sister, 644, 648, 649. Anheuser Brewery, 562. Anthony, H. B., 366, 442. Apache Bill, 274, 301. Appleman, A. R., 371, 386. Appleman, Mrs., 615. Appomattox, C. H., 141. Ara.pahoes, 312. Arlington Heights, 65, 115, 116, 140, 142, 326. Armes, Cecily, 522. 548, 566, 577, 613, 633, 641, 644. Armes, C. H., 16, 19, 149, 251, 275, 332, 472. Armes, Dorothy, 646, 680. Armes, Edith, 646. Armes, Ethel M., 522, 613, 631, 633, 641, 645, 646, 663, 680, 681. Armes, G. A., ancestry, 13; birth and parentage, 15, 16; boyhood, 17-24; espouses Union cause, 26; calls on Secretary Seward, 27; arrest No. 1, 39; arrest No. 3, 32; received by Mr. Seward, 33; appointed messenger, 33; first military duty, 38; wounded at Fairfax C. H., 47; arrest No. 3, 48; opens a store, 52; arrest No. 4, 53; wounded, 55; escapes amputa tion, 56; visits his mother, 57; sells watermelons, 58; wounded at Wil liamsburg, 59; runs a hotel and stage, 59; in the sutler business, 61; enlists as, private, 64; declines to black boots, 65; made a sergeant, 65; made a lieutenant, 66; at Ports mouth, N. H., 72; arrest No. 5, 72; arrest No. 6, 75; arrest No. 7, 78j letters from Gov. Woodbury, 79-80; returns to Washington, 82; takes dispatches to Gen. Grant, 88; on Gen. Hancock's staff, 89; unhorsed, 90; fighting near Hanover C. H, 92; at Cold Harbor, 95; extracts from diary, 97-112; at Fort Stevens, 115; at Elmira and Utica, N. Y., 117; commissioned as captain in 2d N. Y. Art., 118; at Hatcher's Bun, 123-126; at Petersburg, 136; arrest No. 8, 137; court-martialed, 137; com manding at Fort Whipple, Va., 143; at the trial of Mrs. Surratt, 143; on duty at Fairfax C. H, 145; at the "Grand Union Tournament," 147; buys a farm, 152; resolves to go to the frontier, 154; at Fort Ellsworth, 163; at Fort Wallace, 167; arresting Benham, 176; letter from Gen. Bates, 178; at Fort Sedgwick, 181; attacking Indians, 186-189; arrest No. 9, 193; arrest No. 10, 197; rescu ing the woodchoppers, 206; makes report to Capt. Mix, 210; meets Spotted Tail, 217; made captain in 10th Cavalry, 222; returns to Wash ington, 224; studies for examina tion, 225; passes, 228; at Carlisle barracks, 229; at Ft. Leavenworth, 229; scouting, 231; at Ft. Hays, 235; 760 wounded by Indians, 239; fights with Indians, 243; makes report to Capt. Corbin, 245; arrest No. 11, 250; arrest No. 12, 253; court-martialed, 257; acquitted, 259; arrest No. 13, 264; court-martialed, 268; arrest No. 14, 275; skirmishes with Indians, 270-285; arrest No. 15, 282; at Ft. Lyon, 286; makes report to Gen. Mc- "Keever, 293; arrest No. 16, 298; ar rest No. 17, 306; prefers charges against Maj. Graham, 307; at Camp Supply, 303-313; arrest No. 18, 313; at Ft. Leavenworth, 318-334; letter to Col. Merrill, 319; court-martialed, 323; in close confinement, 327; sen tenced to dismissal, 333; returns to Washington, 336; becomes real es tate broker, 336; efEorts to be re stored, 337-350; buys Washington Transcript, 352; advocates Hancock for President, 353; petitions for re storation, 354-358; at Saratoga tour nament, 360-367; the duel, 363; an tagonism of Belknap, 369; large real estate deals, 371; ready to avenge Gen. Ryan, 372; secures honorable discharge, 377; letters of congratu lation, 378; his marriage, 380; hos tility of Belknap, 387-389; real es tate deals, 390-396; his charges against Belknap, 397; writes to him, 401; causes his resignation, 403; complimented by the press, 404; Blaine's attack of vertigo, 411; works on his case in Congress, 412- 416; his bill passes, 417; indebted to Watterson, 418; President refuses to sign, 419; efforts to reopen case, 421-425; applies to Secretary of War, 426-428; bill for restoration in Congress, 431; works on his case, 435-437; bill passes both Houses, 438-449; visits Hon. C. J. Faulkner, 450; restored as captain, 451; goes to Texas, 452; arrest No. 20, 455; re leased, 458; scouting, 462-466; arrest No. 21, 467; hostility of "The Dutch man," 468; closely confined, ,478; sentence commuted, 479; at Ft. Mc Kavett, 480; court-martialed, 481- 489; ill health, 494; at Ft. Stockton, 495; hostility of Col. Wade, 501; re turns to Washington, 502; efforts to secure a transfer, 502; returns to Texas, 504; at Ft. Stockton, 504; let ter to Secretary of War, 510; scout ing, 519-522; trouble with Col. Wade, 533; before retiring board, 527; rec ommended for retirement, 538; is retired, 530; indignant, 531; returns to Washington, 533; writes to Pres ident Arthur, 532; at real estate again, 534; letter to the President, 539; real estate deals, 543-557; vis its Gov. Woodbury, 548; goes to Cal ifornia, 558-562; buys Oxford Mili tary Academy, 563-565; assumes charge, 567; letters from patrons, 568; closes the academy, 570; organ izes riding school, 573; visits St. Louis, 576; appointed a notary pub lic, 586; insulted at inaugural pa rade, 586; altercation with Beaver, 588; pulls his nose, 589; arrest No. 22, 590; court-martialed, 591; sus pended for five years, 593; receives gold medal, 593; letter to Secretary of War, 598; persecuted by Scho field, 602; plans extension of Conn. Ave., 605; aided by Senator Stewart, 607; large real estate deals, 609-617; moves into "Fairfield," 614; corre spondence with War Dept., 628-630; sentence remitted, 630; entertains his old regiment, 633; takes part in Cleveland inauguration, 634; attends Senator Faulkner's wedding, 637; visits Florida, 640; celebrates his birthday, 641; entertains Unity Club, 641; notified of divorce pro ceedings, 643; opposes daughter's marriage, 644; writes to Cardinal Gibbons, 648; efforts to be made lieut.-colonel, 650-660; arrest No. 24, 661; is released, 663; Judge Brad ley's opinion, 663; writes to Scho field, 667; to D. S. Lamont, 670; again to Schofield, 673; attends opening of Hotel Chamberlin, 680; domestic troubles, 681; visits Rich mond, 683; Rochester, 683; avoids the District courts, 683; arrest No. 25, 683; tricks a deputy marshal, 685; visits Burlington, Vt., 685; his wife secures divorce. 688; buys Ap pomattox battlefields, 691; " visits Appomattox, 693-697; visits Albany, N. Y., 698; works on his brevet case, 700-704; writes to Secretary of War, 707; scores Schofield in another, 710; writes to the President, 712; applies to be made brig.-general, 713-734; writes to Gen. Miles, 719; to Gen. Corbin, 729; to Gen. Miles again, 732: to Secretary of War, 739. Armes, G. K.. 455, 522, 577, 614, 646, 650, 663, 725, 730. 761 Armes, Grover C, 646. Armes, J. 0., 14. Armes, Lucy, 522, 645, 646. Armes, Mrs. O. C, 19. Armes, Oscar St. J., 566, 645, 646, 650. Armes, Spring, 180, 181. Armes, Willie, 646. Armes, Wm., 13. Armes, W. E., 16, 19, 149, 159, 231, 235. Armistead, Maj., 195. Army and Navy Register, 9. -' Army of the Potomac, 559, 577, 578, 584. Arnold, Benedict, 4. Arnold, Col., 183. Arthur, C. A., 532, 541. Ashford, M., 572. Asper, J. S., 345. Associated Press, 8, 9. Astoria, 561. Atkins, A. B., 8. Augur, C. C, 84, 85, 136, 150, 151, 154, 155, 158, 223, 375, 409, 410, 494, 500, 502, 528, 530, 531, 532, 599. Auld, Wm., 703. Austin, Dr., 571. Averill, W. W., 10. Axline, Gen., 585. Ayres, A. S., 8. Babcock, Gen., 394, 433. Babcock, J. W., 8. Bachelier, G. S.\ 359, 360, 366. Bacon, Car>t., 537. Badger^ A. O., 255, 289, 291, 292. Bailey, R. Q., 9. Bailey, Mrs., 557. Bailey's Cross Roads, 44, 52. Bains, Gen., 411. Baird, Gen., 502. Baker, Col., 144, 145. Baker, Gen., 104. Baker, Hon., 394, 580. Baker, I. V., 366. Baker, L., 7, 705, 715. Baker, S. M., 149, 153. Baker, W. W., 641. Balance, J. G., 11. Baldridge, Rev., 459, 501. Baldwin, F. D., 11. Ball, Maj., 538. Ball, M. D., 35, 37, 38, 353, 354. Baltimore Sun, 8'. Bankhead, Gen., 270, 302. Banks, N. P., 358, 431. .. Banning, Gen., 394, 397, 398, 407, 414, 415, 417, 419, 431, 436. Banzhof, C, 258, 267, 306, 314, 670. Barber, Maj., 504. Barker, E. A., 242, 243, 245, 247, 252. Barlow, F. C, 10, 92-95, 98, 103, 104, 105, 107, 108, 110, 112. Barnard, Judge, 547, 640. Barnett, W. B., 162, 263. Barnitz, A., 323, 324. Barnum, Gen., 599. Barnum, Sen., 583. Barr, Col., 543, 597. Barrett, 0. D., 352, 638. Barry, Father, 644, 648, 649. Barry, T. H., 12, 352, 367, 368. Bartlett, J. J., 581. Bartley, Miss A., 340. Bartley, T. W., 336, 341, 345, 355, 421. Barton, C. S., 119, 502. Bash, D. V., 11. Bassett, T. E., 264. Batchelder, Miss, 631. Batchelder, R. N., 10, 93, 543, 639, 669, 702, 727. Batchelder, W. W., 349, 433. Bates, A. E., 164-171, 177, 179, 181, 182. Bates, E. W., 486, 487. Hates, J. A., 12. Bates, Mrs., 496. Batter, Corp., 247. Bayard, T. F., 398, 407, 574. Bayliss, Mrs., 556. Beach, Capt., 387. Beal, Mrs., 701. Beale, E. M., 581, 621, 634. Beale, R., 643. Beale, T., 625. Bean, J. W., 12, 45. Bear Creek, 281. Beard, Mrs., 390. Beardslee, Adm'l, 703. Beaxivais Ranch, 219, 220. Beaver Creek, 245, 248, 249, 303. Beaver, J. A., 559, 577, 584, 585, 586, 587, 588, 593, 596, 597, 599, 600, 629, 635, 658, 659, 660, 665, 685, 723. Beck, W. H., 271, 279, 282, 284, 286, 289, 291, 292, 351, 455, 632. Beck, Mrs., 286, 293, 641. Beck, Sen., 537. Becker, — , 239, 240. Becker, P. A., 247. Beckwith, A., 33. Beckwith, P. E., 571. Beckwith's Ranch, 464. Bee, H. P., 503, 512. Beebe, Maj., 198, 203, 257, 359, 502. Beebe, Mrs., 198. Beecher, Lt., 249, 271, 275. Beeman, — , 260. Beese, W., 189. Belden, J. J., 8, 657, 717. 762 Belger, Maj., 357. Belknap Rifles, 570. Belknap, W. W., 333, 334, 336, 341, 342, 343, 345, 369, 373, 384, 385, 388, 389, 394, 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 403, 404, 406, 407, 409, 413, 415, 420, 426, 428, 437, 439, 560, 570, 670, 723. Bell, C. E., 695. Bell, C. H., 641. Bell, J. C, 641. Bell, Lt., 301. Bell, W. R., 8. Belmont, P., 574. "Ben," 57. Benham, A., 175-178, 255. Benham, H. H., 13. Bens, E., 633. Bent, R., 283, 284. Benteen, Col., 257, 272. Benton, H. H, 72, 82. Bentzoni, C, 11, 473. Berdan, Gen., 557. Berdan, Mrs., 631. Berrett, J. G., 391, 621, 635. Berry, A. S., 276, 298, 301, 656, 720. Berry, Gen., 530. Betten, Ben., 333. Biddle, — , 433. Big Creek, 237. Bigelow, O., 386, 534. Biggs, Gov., 595. Big Mouth, 310. Big Springs, 174. Billings, J. S., 603. Bingham, H. H., 8, 656. Bird, C, 10, 704. Birdsall, A. J., 595, 633. Birney, A. A., 393. Birney, W., 7, 89, 92, 93, 94, 102, 103, 105, 106, 108, 109, 643. Bispham, Dr., 554. Black, Gen., 545, 558, 559, 560, 576, 580, 581. Black, J. D., 11, 699. Black, Mrs., 560. Black, R. J., 568. Black, W. M., 11. Blackburn, J. C. S., 413, 681. Blacker, Judge, 478, 479, 487. Blackman's Ford, 54. Blaine, J. G., 7, 377, 410, 411,- 443, 444, 445, 446, 504, 542. Blair, F. P., Jr., 343. Blair, J. F., 594. Blanchard, N. C, 654. Blankman, — , 546. Blinker, Gen., 52. Bliss, A., 575, 583, 584. Bliss, A. O., 640, 706. Bliss, O. F., 126. Bliss, Z. P., 10. Blunt, J. G., 160, 712. Blunt, J. W., 222. Blunt, M. M., 458, 462, 465, 467, 469, 473, 475, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 485, 486, 487. 496, 599. Bodamer, J. A., 230, 233, 234, 239, 240, 241, 247, 253, 261, 269, 375, 276, 292, 668. Boden, Capjt., 225. Boggs, — , 283. Boggs, Dr., 382. Bond, S. R.. 573, 596, 609. Bonham, W. L., 35, 36. Bonsall, Lt., 278, 285, 287. Bonsall, Mrs., 285. Boone, Gen., 286. Boonville, Mo., 383, 571. Booth, E., 531. Booth Lumber Co., 78. Bomon, — , 534. Borden, Lt., 303. Boston Journal, 8. Boston Traveler, 8. Bourke, Capt.,' 586, 587, 590, 595, 597, 599 Boutelle, C. A., 8, 657. Bovey's Ranch, 197. Bowen, Sen., 554. Bowman, A. H, 194. Bowman, J. B., 148. Bowman, Miss L., 149. Boyce, S., 641. Boyd, — , 301. Bo'vd, Capt., 136. Boyd, E. M., 9. Boyd, J., 421. Boylis, Mrs..' 229. Bo'vnton, C. A., 8. Boynton, H. V., 9, 391, 408. Boynton, Prof., 622. Brackett, Col., 695. Bradlev, — , 564. Bradley, A. C, 344, 663, 675, 717. Brady's, 108. Brady, J. D., Ill, 669, 716, 738, 749. Brady, Jos.. 669. Bragg, Gen.. 435-438. Brainard,. Maj., 101. Branca, Baroness, 678. Breck, S., 704, 725, 726, 729. Breckinridge, J. C. 10, 640, 694, 704, 706, 725. Breckinridge. W. C. P.. 656. Breckon, J^ A., 9. Brenner, J. L.. 720. Breslin. ,T. H. 366. Brewer, E. P., 12. 763 Brice, C. T., 654. Briggs, J. L., 633. Briggs, Lt., 285. Bright, Jessie, 336, 340. Brink, — , 239. Bristow, Sec, 392. Britton, — , 586. Broadhead, Mark, 223, 356. Brockenbrough, Dr., 408. Brodhead, J. F., 386. Brooke, J. R., 10, 94, 303, 685, 686, 698, 729. Brooks, — , 465, 472. Brooks, F., 633. Brooks, Maj., 381. Brooks, N. M., 702. Brooklyn Eagle, 8. Brooklyn Times, 8. Brotherton, D. H., 302, 323, 338. Broughton, W., 148. Brownell, F. E., 267, 269. Brown, — , 301. Brown, A. H., 189. Brown, Capt., 195, 199. Brown, J., .248. Brown, J. B., 656. Brown, J. C, 512. Brown, J. D., 573, 574. Brown, J. E„ 126. Brown, H. G., 461, 475. Brown, Priv., 282. Brown, Prof., 639. Brown, Sergt., 129. Brown, W., 547, 638. Brownston, Maj., 159. Bryan, S., 690, 693. t Bryan, W. J., 656, 6B7, 723. Bryant, — , 580. Buch, H., 189. Buchanan, Dr., 236, 241. Buchanan, T. A., 11. Buck, H. S., 567,' 568. Buckeye, M. V., 12. Buckholtz, J. A., 189, 741, 743. Buckner, Gen., 687. Buckner's Ranch, 291. Buell, A. C, 394, 396, 425. Buell, D. H., 322-332. Buffalo Commercial, 8. Buffalo Springs, 303. Buffmgton, J., 344. Buford, N. B., 224, 375. Buford, T., 157, 224. Bugher, A. H., 554, 556, 557, 572. Bull Run, 52-56, 213. Bullis, J. L., 11, 504. Bullitt, J. C, 611, 612. Bunce, Adml., 681. Burbank, Maj., 203. Burchell, — , 429. Burdette, S. S., 558, 559, 690, 692. Burgess, B. J., 563-569. Burgess, C. H., 5, 683. Burgess, G., 345. Burnell, W. B., 10. Burnett, Gen., 452. Burns, J.-M., 12, 262. Burnside, E. A., 10, 91, 101, 102, 103, 190, 356. Burnside, J., 742. Burr, E., 12. Burr, F. H., 633. Burr, J. 345. Burrows, — , 583. Burrows, J. C, 652. Burton, B., 116. Bush, J., 452, 469. 472, 473. Bushnell, G. T., 633. Butterfield, D., 10, 35, 36, 687. Butterworth, Capt., 38, 41. Butler, B. F., 35, 82, 638. Butler, Corp., 263. Butler, E., 369. Butler, M. C, 451. 'Butler, Prof., 645. Butler, R. R., 310, 316, 344. Byrne, E., 363, 377, 278, 281, 282, 294. Byrne, G. C, 365. Cabell, W. D., 621, 696. Cadmus, C. A., 655. Cahill, Lt., 204. Caldwell, J. C, 189. California Syndicate, 607. Callahan, — , 501, 559. Callahan, Miss, 559. Callow, H, 189'. Camden, J. N., 651. Cameron, D., 544, 545. Caminetti, A., 656. Cammack, — , 393. Camp, Col., 192, 223. Camp, L. M., 84, 116. Camp Beecher, 298. Camp Blaine, 464. Camp Bullis, 519. Camp Butler, 464. Camp Cockrell, 466. Camp Faulkner, 466. Camp Fry, 73. Camp Grenada, 464. Camp Grierson, 231. Camp Hancock, 180. Camp Hayes, 463. Camp Hazelton, 464. Camp Lee, 463. Camp Lookout, 216. Camp Maish, 464. 764 Camp Maxey, 463. Camp Noland, 463. Camp Plains, 218. Camp Ridley, 463. Camp Ritchie, 463. Camp Sandy, 316. Camp Santa Rosa, 463. Camp Starvation, 218. Camp Supply, 335. Camp Turner, 463. Campbell, — , 690. Campbell's Camp, 236, 237, 239. Campbell, G. A., 247, 252. CampbeU, Gov., 563, 585, 693. Campbell, J. A., 247. Campbell, T. J., 655. Candee, Maj., 562. Cantwell, Col., 567. Capron, Gen., 391. Carey, A. B., 10, 46, 251. Carey, J., 652. Carlton, Capt., 387. Carleton, C. C, 8. Carlisle Barracks, 156, 157, 229. Carnegie, — , 508. Carney, Wm., 189, 212. Carpenter, F. H, 245, 252. Carpenter, J. A., 247. Carpenter, L. W., 231, 254, 255, 257, 264, .272, 311, 312, 314, 349, 350, 387, 433, 551. Carpenter, M. H., 377. Carr, — , 184. Carr, Gen, 284, 286, 289, 293, 295. Carrick, A. F., 189. Carrington, H. B., 10. Carro, Miss, 700. Carroll, Corp., 174. Carroll, D., 624, 626. Carson, Col., 589, 603. Carson, J. M., 8, 13, 589, 603, 717. Carter, C. H, 81. Carter, D. K., 345, 355. Carter, Judge, 548, 550. Carter, S. A., 78, 81, 343. Carter, W. F., 493, 495, 506, 507, 516, 523, 524, 525. Carter, W. H., 10, 704, 706, 725. Caruth, A. G., 657. Casey, J., 344, 355, 386, 422. Casey, J. S., 11, 285. Casper, M., 189. Castello, J., 189. Castle Garden, 3. Catts, Rose, 585. Causey, J. W., 657. Cayotte Station, 265. Cedar Rapids, 62. Centerville, 18, 52. Chamberlain, Judge, 171. Chamberlin, J. F., 9, 680. Chambers, Col., 556-557-558. Chandler, G. H, 81. Chandler, Z., 37. Chapman, D. C, 641. Chapman's Creek, 300. Charleston News, 8. "Charley," 16, 17. Chappel, Dr., 643. Chase, E., 641. Chase, G. T., 386. Chase, S. P., 60. Cherry, C, 641. Chevy Chase Land Co., 608. Cheyenne — , 561. Chicago News, 8. Chicago Record, 8. Chicago Tribune, 8. Chinatown, 560. Chipman, Gen., 231, 262. Chisman, Miss A., 638. Chevington, J. M., 338. Christiancy, Sen'r, 431. ^Christy, Sergt., 237, 672. Church, Capt., 9. Churchill, Prof., 641. Cincinnati Enquirer, 8. Cincinnati Times-Star, 8. City Point, 113, 114, 133, 134. Clapp, W. H, 11. Clark, — , 231, 353. Clark, Capt., 130. Clark, Hon. C. D., 7. Clark, G. B., 608. Clark, J., 213, 214. - Clark, M. C, 544. Clark, R. J., 633. Clark, S. M., 714. Clark, T., 189. Clarke, — , 160. Clarke, F., 358, 481, 484. Clarke, I. P., 120. Clarke, J. M., 422. Clarke, J. W., 454. Clarke, Miss, 340. Clarke, S., 339. Clarke, S. N., 9. Clarke, W. H., 394, 421. Clarkson, Gen., 588, 700. Claude, H., 644, 683. Clay, C. M., 32. Clayton, P., 12, 358, 373, 375, 379, 400, 403, 413, 445, 696. Clem, J. L., 11. Clemens, Misses, 641. Clephane, Miss J., 340. Cleveland, G., 535, 551, 573, 574, 575, 576, 581, 586, 635. 7*5 Cleveland Park, 7. Cline, — , 577. Close, Miss A. E., 149. Close, J. T., 62, 66, 131, 148. Close, 0., 189, 741. Closson, H. W., 11, 661. Clough, E. N. O., 378. Clough, J. P., 67. Clous, J. W., 297, 456, 458, 466, 468, 469, 471, 472, 473, 480, 481, 486, 498, 590, 597, 599, 600, 601, 725, 726, 732, 738. Cluss, — , 429. Clymer, H., 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 403, 404, 406, 407, 437. Coad, M. M., 740. Coad, J. F., 210, 211, 690, 741. Coates, E. M., 11, 40. Cobb, a., 338, 344. Coberton, Gen., 434. Coburn, J. C, 8, 355, 370, 379, 384, 385, 388, 389, 406, 445, 450, 513. Cocke, Gen., 35, 36. Cochran, J. C, 510. Cockrell, F. M., 7, 415, 442, 536. Cockrell, R. H., 148. Cody, W. F., 272, 580, 634. Coe, S., 20. Coke, Sen., 502. Colby, L. W., 722. Colby, Miss, 226, 251. Cold Harbor, 93, 97, 99, 108, 113. Coldwell, J. T., 386. Cole, C. C, 683. Cole, J. T., 643. Cole, Sergt., 521. Colgate, Miss, 75. Colladay, S. R., 292, 350, 495, 507, 516, 519. Collins, B., 129. Collins, Capt., 352. Collins, Chap'n, 284. Collins, W. R., 345. Colt, W. D., 345. Comstock, — , 169, 170, 171, 172, 173, 177, 271. Comstock, C. B., 10, 157. Comstock, W., 157. Compton, C. E., 10. Conger, A. B., 415, 574. Conkling, Sen., 273, 441, 442. Conkling, J. P., 365. Connell, M., 189, 741. Connely, T., 189. Conover, Sen., 442. Conrad, C. H., 705, 707, 725, 726, 733, 740. Conrad, H., 393. Constable, N. S., 45^4. Cook, A., 120, 138. Cook, L. W., 12. Cook, Lt., 235, 257, 300. Cook and Lewis, 644, 645, 646. Cooke, G. F., 11. Cooke, P. St. G., 10, 221, 224, 298, 300, 338, 347, 375, 409, 410, 556, 595. Coolidge, L. A., 8. Cooper, C. L., 351, 504, 536. Cooper, H. C, 67. Cooper, S. B., 655. Copcutt, F., 360, 366. Corbin, D. K., 72, 81. Corbin, H. C, 235, 236, 237, 240, 241, 244, 249, 254, 256, 489, 502, 504, 513, 635, 637, 704, 706, 709, 719, 724, 730, 733, 749. Corbit, — , 460, 516. Corcoran, W. W., 414, 553. Corey, Rev. Dr., 697, 702. Corkhill, — , 395. Coryal, — , 683. Countryman, P., 633. Courtney, Maj., 469, 472, 481. Cousins, R. G., 8, 657. Cowling, Mrs. I., 641. Cowling, Miss M., 641. Cox, C. C, 434. Cox, C. G., 261, 276, 288, 290, 291, 292, 296, 301, 302, 303, 306, 313, 316, 317, 332, 357, 368, 400, 424, 448. Cox, Gen., 711. Cox, Judge, 645. Coxen, A., 148. Crafts, Col., 108, 128. Craig, Col., 286, 421. Cramp, C. S., 694. Crandall, F. M., 11. Crandall, Mrs., 641. Crane, Parris & Co., 6. Crane, W. H., 657. Crawford, A. M. L., 258. Crawford, F., 9. Crawford, J., 686. Crawford, S. J., 250, 252, 298, 423, 424, 545, 703. Creecy, — , 535. Cressen, Col., 698. Cresson, C. C, 12. Crimmons, J. D., 694. Crittenden, Capt., 699, 700. Crittenden, Col., 286. Crittenden, T. T., 263, 264, 356, 421, 437, 439, 449, 452, 531. Croker, — , 723. Crosby, — , 247. Crosby, Dr., 77. 766 Crosby, H. T., 376, 451. Crowley, Col., 571. Crumble, C. A., 347. Cub Run, 54, 55. Culberson, D. B., 656. Cunningham, Col., 266. Cullom, S. M., 7, 582, 597, 714. Culver, Dr., 565, 567. Cummings, A. J., 8, 721. Cummings, A. G., 81. Cummings, Gov., 204. Cummins, A. S., 661. Cnrry, R., 189. Curry, M. vV., 189. Curtin, Gov., 577. Curtis, — , 304. Curtis, G. M., 8, 577, 720. Cnrtis, W. E., 8. Cushman, Hon., 749. Custer, G. A., 257, 284, 287, 391, 322, 325, 326, 343, 407, 408, 412, 425. Custer, Mrs. G. A., 412. Custer, Tom, 235. Cutts, Mrs. M., 631. Daingerfield, W., 352. Dallas, Maj., 223, 386, 425, 481. Daly, — , 191. Daniel, J. W., 7, 654, 692, 732, 738, 740, 749, 753. Darling, J. A., 11. Darlington, S., 312, 574. David, Prince, 757. Davidson, J. W., 258, 385, 387. Davies, Gen., 554. Davis, — , 254, 559, 560. Davis, C. K, 7, 430, 442, 652, 753 (Mrs.), 692. Davis, E. J., 503, 512. Davis, Mrs. G., 393. Davis, G. B., 598. Davis, H., 7, 633, 690, 694. Davis, H. T., 258, 262. Davis, Jefferson, 53, 744. Davis, Mrs. J., 6.82. Davis, J. C, 189. Davis, J. W., 189. Davis, L. J., 393, 421. Davis, Miss, 71. Davis, W., 11, 254, 266, 276, 286, 289, 311, 314, 467, 480, 493, 494, 499, 501, 526, 529. Dawson, R., 171, 189. Day, 690. Dayton, Col., 82. Dean, — , 456, 632. Dean, Judge, 547. Dean, Sergt., 174. Deerfield, Mass., 13, 14. De Grafenreid, H. A., 8. De Kay, D., 42, 43. Delahay, Judge, 257. Delaney, D. F., 148. Delaney, M., 189. Delaney, W. H., 148. Delmar, — , 632. Dent, J. C, 12. Denver, J. W., 433, 534, 535, 536, 561, 562. Denver Republican, 9. Depray, J. A., 12. De Rivas, M. E., 365, 366. Derlin, J., 189, 227. De Rndio, C. E., 12. De Russey, — , 43. Desmar, H, 189. Des Moines Register, S. Detroit Free Press, 8. Devine, A., 570. Dewees, Capt., 204. Dewey, — , 679. Dewey, J. E., 189. Dibrell, Judge, 436. Dick, J., 383. Dickerson, — , 456. Dickey, C. J., 481. Dickinson, W. S., 366. Dickson, W., 535, 571, 576. Dimmick, G., 189, 211. Dinsmore, H. A., 8, 657, 720. Divin, A. S., 10, 80, 118, 119. Dockery, O. H, 344. Dodge, E. A., 301. Dodge, F. S., 484, 505, 506. Dodge, R. I., 214, 215, 219, 220, 514, 598. Doherty, E. P., 355. Dolan, P., 189. Dolph, Sen., 561, 588. Donley, J. B., 344. Donley, J. F., 189. Donnan, H., 189. Donnan, W. G., 445. Donnelly, J. B., 356. Donnington, Miss M., 362. Donohue, M., 559. Donohue, W. H„ 82, 301. Donoylien, W. B., 345. Don Pedro, 410. Don Piatt, 431, 432. Dorsey, Col., 580, 583, 584, 585. Doswell, R. W., 695. Doubleday. Capt., 699. Dougherty, Dr., 99, 96, 99, 103, 104. Dougherty, E., 546. Douglass, Com'r, 433. 595. Douglass, Maj., 274, 290. 767 Dowell, A. H., 352. Downing, Maj., 561. Draney, Miss, 641. Dresser, Lt., 36, 38. Drew, Misses, 543. Drew, Mrs., 631. Driver, W. R., 120. Droun, A. H., 742. Drum, Mrs., 578. Drum, R. C, 141, 502, 503, 507, 512, 515, 530, 531, 533, 534, 541, 565, 567, 575, 578, 583, 584, 587, 591, 600, 729. Dudley, Comr., 503. Dufour, A., 189. Dugan, Lt., 162. Duggan, Maj., 412. Dugin, J. S., 81. Dulan, Father, 554. Dulaney, H. G., 553. Dulaney, R., 611. Dulaney, W., 34. Dungan, V., 189. Dunn, VVT. M., 420. Dunnell, E. G., 9. Dunwoody, H. C, 10. Durborow, A. C, 655. "Dutchman, The," 2, 496. Duvall, Lt., 673, 698, 704, 726, 728, 734, 738, 739. Dwight, — , 620. Dykeman, F. E., 633. Eads, L. T., 552. Earl, Dr., 435. Earl, F., 595, 609. Early, J. A., 115. Easterly, C, 456, 459, 460, 462, 465, 467, 468, 470, 472, 477, 478, 48ff. Eastman, — , 557. Easton, L. C, 257, 358. Eaton, 385. Eaton, Col., 286, 337. Ebbitt, The, 6. Eddie, Lt., 160. Eddy, G. L., 12. Edgerly, W. S., 11. Edmunds, Sen., 441-444, 543. Rdson, J. J., 694. Rd wards, Capt., 503. Edwards, C. A., 8. Edwards, F., 189. Edwards, W. A., 8. Edwards, W. L., 29. Egburt, H. G., 137. Egerton, H., 558. Eggleston, Dr., 572. Elderkin, W. A., 10. Elkins, S. B., 422, 430, 631, 652. "Eli Perkins," 365, 366. Ellicott, — ; 669, 677. Elliott, Maj., 243, 244, 247, 248, 256, 284, 658. Ellis, — , 169, 534. Ellis, Col., 562. Ellis, J., 189. Ellis, W. F., 7. Ellison, — , 556, 557, 605. Ellsworth, Col.; 21, 36-41, 267, 269, 301, 305, 317, 401. Elmira, N. Y., 116-119. Ely, S., Jr., 359, 365, 366. Embrey, J. H., 421. Emmerson, Corp., 171. Emory, M. G., 6, 226, 340, 345, 421. Endicott, Sec, 543, 574. English, G. H., 254, 357, 259, 318, 333,. 355. English, Maj., 195. English, W. B., 655. Enterkin, H., 189. Erskine, C, 189. Eslin, — , 611. Eugster, E. W., 641. Evans, — , 446, 557. Evans, J. F., 386. Evans, J. O., 370. Evans, Lt., 563. Evans, Mrs. S., 641. Evans, Sergt., 282, 284. Evarts, Sen., 575. Ewing, C. W., AA5, 356, 394, 421, 429, 430, 432, 435. W Ezekial, Lt., ^66. Pair, Sen., 553, 554. Fairbanks, Sen., 695. Fairchild, C. S., 559, 565, 567, 574, 575. Fairfax J 414. Fairfax' Ct! House, 30, 21, 24, 27, 29, 40, 44, 46, 59, 146, 147, 148. Fairfield, 577. Falls Church, 30, 65. Fannagan, J. W., 347, 357. Farmville, Va., 136. Farnham, N. L., 39. Farnsworth, Gen., 367. Farwell, C. B., 503, 504, 513, 584. "Fat Andy," 111. Faulkner, C. J., Sr., 450, 451, 46U. Faulkner, C. J., Jr., 432, 575, 637, 651, 723 Faulkner, C. P., 12. Faulkner, E. B., 638. Faulkner, J. G., 449, 451. Faulkner, Miss M. C, 638. Faust & Tyler, 681, 688. 768 Fay, J. B., 81. Fearing, H., 46, 81, 83. Fenton, Lt., 192. Ferman, — , 534. Ferry, — , 151. Ferry, T. W., 345, 447. Fessenden, G., 189. Fetterman, Col., 199. Field, C. C, 159. Field, E., 11. Fielder, G. B., 700, 705. Fields, Judge, 554. Finley, Maj., 412. Fisher, Col., 521. Fisher, G. P., 344. Fisher, Lt., 253. Fisk, Gen., 508, 527, 530. Fitch, Dr., 313. Fitch, Lt., 198. Fitzhugh, Mrs., 47, 49, 50, 51, 144. Fitzpatrick, D., 189. Flagler, Gen., 383, 700. Flagler, Col., 620. Flanders, F. B., 189, 742. Flannagan, Sen., 374. Fleming, G., 595. Fletcher, — , 150. Fletcher, J., 386. Fletcher, L., 657. Fletcher, Lt., 91. Fletcher, T. C, 160. Flipper, H. 0., 509. " Flood, C. E., 165, 167. 174, 175, 177. Flood, H., 696. P Flood, J., 697. Flower, Gov., 687. Floyd, W., 741. Foote, — , 212. Foote, G. F., 469. Foote, Miss K., 577. Foote, W. T., 657. Foraker, J. B., 7, 696. Ford, W. S., 29. Forney, 534. Forrester, F., 247. Forsyth, G. A., 11, 262, 273, 275. Forsyth, J. W., 495. Fort Casper, 201. Fort Columbus, 452. Fort Concho, 453, 467, 473, 474, 493, 499. Fort Constitution, 75. Fort Dodge, 274, 289-294, 297, 303. Fort Ellsworth, 160, 162, 163, 171, 177 562. Fort Gibson, 260. Fort Griffin, 453. Fort Harker, 230, 231, 251, 298, 300, 302, 304, 306, 658. Fort Hays, 235, 236, 243, 245, 247, 248, 249, 254, 256, 258, 259, 267, 269, 275, 284, 291, 293, 294, 301, 312, 319, 562. Fort Laramie, 182, 189, 192, 194, 195, 199, 303, 204, 209, 210, 223. Fort Larnard, 303. Fort Laurence, 249. Fort Leavenworth, 160, 163, 229, 230, 231, 234, 252, 264, 269, 297, 316, 318, 320, 321, 323, 327, 328, 335, 336, 426. Fort Lyon, 170, 171, 174, 175, 278, 279, 286, 287, 290, 292, 294, 296, 373. Fort Morton, 126. Fort Myer, 44, 142, 194. Fort McKavett, 480, 481, 490. Fort Parker, 562. Fort Phil Kearney, 199, 211. Port Reno, 115. Port Riley, 160, 162, 231, 248, 254, 257, 259, 260, 293, 387, 562. Fort Runyon, 37. Fort Saunders, 212. Fort Sedgwick, 177, 181, 188, 190, 191, 194, 205, 209, 210, 212, 313, 215, 219, 221, 223, 224, 410. Fort Sill, 311, 385, 386. Fort Stevens, 115. Port Stockton, 454, 459, 461, 467, 470, 473, 474, 477, 487, 495, 515, 517, 521, 533, 536, 538, 539. Fort Sumter, 41. Fort Wallace, 162, 163, 166-181, 265, 266, 367, 270, 294, 563. Fort Whipple, 43, 140, 336. Fortress Monroe, 59. Porwood, W. A., 10. Foster, J., 189, 192. Foulk, Capt., 441. Fowle, R., 148. Fowler, J., 77. Fowler, W. J., 670. Fox, — , 212. Fox, A., 148. Fox, F. G., 29. Frank, Adj., 46. Frazer, Miss, 700. Frazier, J., 477, 478, 508, 513, 517. Frazier, Judge, 501. Freeman, H. B., 183. Freeman, Lt., 632. Freeman, P., 189. French, G., 149. French, J. T., Jr., 635. French, J. W., 10. French, Lt., 97, 103. French, Miss M., 610, 648. French, W. W., 365, 554. 769 Friar, B. E., 10. Froham, I., 607. Frost, Miss, 572. Frost, Mrs., 572. Fry, J. B., 553. Fry, S. D., 8. Frye, W. P., 7, 440, 653. Fryer, Dr., 257, 302. Fuller, A. M., 12. Furnice, A. H., 189, 211. Gaines, Col., 645. Gaines' Mills, 99, 101. Galbraith, H. S., 197. Gale, W. H., 581, 595, 633, 679, 701. Gallagher, — , 521. Gait, — , 554, 588. Galvin, J. C. H., 465 476. Gantt, J. M., 625. Gardiner, — , 638. Gardiner's Ranch, 464. Gardner, Maj. H., 11, 706. Garfield, J. A., 415, 416, 418. Garland, Gen., 551, 586. Garlington, E. A., 706, 718, 728, 732, 734, 738, 739. Garrett, A. E., 345, 352. Garrison, Wm., 189. Gates, — , 610. Gay, Hon., 544, 555. Geddes, Col. A., 11, 454, 455, 462, 466, 747. Geddes' Ranch, 519. Geddy, G. W., 12. Geissenheiner, J. A., 655. Gennmond, Lt., 199. Gentry, W., 264. Gettysburg, 141, 577. Geysers, 560. Gibbon, J., 10, 92, 101, 104, 105, 106, 108, 111. Gibbons, Cardinal, 648. Gibbs, Col., 157, 250, 274. Gibson, — , 391. Gibson, C. H., 633, 639, 640, 650, 651, 693. Gibson, Col., 586, 587, 590, 596, 597, 599, 600. Gibson, E. J., 8. Gibson, Wm., 189. Gifford, A. W., 492, 531, 576, 577. Gifford, Mrs., 576. Gilbert, — , 390. Gilliland, G. E., 9, 562. Glover, C. C, 615, 622, 635. Glover, Gen., 398-407, 410, 415, 417, 531, 583. Gobright, — , 412. Godfield, G., 247. Goldsborough, 561. Gonzales, M. J., 55, 460. Goodale, G. A., 598. Goode, J., 678. Goode, Prof., 622. Goodloe, Col., 585. Goodwin, Capt., 707. Goodwin, Nat., 694. Goodwin, P., 24. Goodwin, W. P., 12. Gordon, D. S., 10, 46, 194. Gordon, H., 189. Gordon, J. B., 421, 577, 652. Gordon, J. H, 247, 252. Gordon, Maj., 530, 570. Gorman, A. P., 651. Gorman, Lt., 44. Gosman, J. J., 189. Goss, W., 641. Gould, S. F., 137. Gowans, Sergt., 522. Gracey, G., 633. Grady, — , 352. Grafton, B. F., 7, 226, 344, 355, 374, 434. Graham, G. W., 2, 253, 263, 264, 265, 306- 309, 313-322, 330, 332, 383, 392, 424, 426, 448, 674. Graham, J. H., 366. Graham, P., 227. Grand Tournament, 365. Grandin, E. B., 621. Grant, F. D., 325, 391-393. Grant, Gov., 561. - Grant, L. A., 630. Grant, O., 391, 393. Grant, U. S., 9, 68, 84-89, 93, 97, 98, 104, 111, 113, 114, 136, 213, 214, 222, 225, 261, 265, 269, 370, 332, 337, 341, 344, 345, 351, 353, 372, 379, 3S2, 409, 419, 428, 441, 634, 666. Grant, W. G., 366. Gray, — , 631. Gray, Gov., 576. Greely, A. W., 10. Greely, H., 352, 353, 379, 380. Gregg, Lt., 183. Green, — , 186, 196. Green, C, 189. Green, Gen., 699. Green, Geo., 555, 556, 575. Green, J., 10, 162, 163, 183, 189. Green, O. D., 10, 162. Green, Rev., 700. Greenleaf, C. R., 10. Greenwood, Marmion & Co., 734. Grey, Capt., 573. 1:1 77° Grey, Miss, 572. Grierson, B. H., 2, 248, 254, 255, 260, 262, 307, 308, 351, 436, 441, 453, 455, 458, 462, 472, 474, 493, 494, 495, 500, 502, 510, 511, 540, 599, 647, 658, 660, 729, 758. Grierson, Miss, 255. Griffin, Gen., 106, 409. Grigsby, H. G., 29. Grimes, J. W., 214. Groman, M., 189. Groom, — , 673. Groome, Gov., 632. Grosvenor, C. H, 8, 541, 558, 621, 694, 696, 704, 714, 738. Grout, W. W., 657. Grow, — , 391. Gunekel, L. B., 379, 445. Gunnell, W. P., 29, 148. Gunston & Co., 393. Gunton, W., 434. Guthridge, J., 8. Gwynn, E. P., 362. Gwynn, R. C, 362, 373. Hacket, A., 189. Haddock, Mrs., 77. Haden, — , 663. Hagner, Judge, 643, 681, 683. Halm, — , 6. Haines, P. C, 10. Halderman, J. A., 421. Hale, F. H, 316, 328, 329. Hale, H., 127. Haley, M., 168, 189, 741. Halford, E. W., 11, 591, 629. Hall, Capt., 558. Hall, D., 189. Hall, Dr., 126, 455, 457, 465. Hall, J. D., 11. Hall, W. P., 11. Hall, R. M., 344. Halleck, W. F., 11, 181, 182. Hames, C. D., 657. Hamilton, Capt., 235, 284. Hamilton, C. A., 8. Hamilton, Lt., 162, 742. Hamilton, Sen., 371, 390, 416, 615. Hammill, J. S., 137. Hammond, W. A., 10. Hancock, J., 504, 505, 534. Hancock, W. S., 10, 88-118, 134, 155, 156, 159, 178, 180, 201, 203, 230, 234, 256, 261, 293, 348, 352, 353, 375, 382, 399, 409, 410, 424, 429, 433, 439, 440, 452, 503, 527, 534, 551, 552, 553, 647, 651, 654, 658, 666, 669, 724. Hancock, Mrs. W. S., 569. Hand, J., 189. Handford, E., 190. Handley, J. M., 366. Hanford, 169. Hanna, Lt., 385, 286. Hanna, Mrs., 285. Hanny, J. W., 11. Hanover Ct. House, 91, 92. Hanover Junction, 89. Hardesty, — , 406. Hansbrough, H. C, 7, 654. ' Hardie, J. A., 10, 85-87. Hardie, Lt., 349. Hare, L. R., 11. • Harker, — , 272. Harlan, J., 334. Harland, Dr., 433. Harmer, A. C, 656. Harmon, W. R., 197, 351. Harney, W. T., 540. Harper, Dr., 723. Harrington, E. J., 156. Harris, Sen., 436. Harrison, B., 585, 586. Harrison, Capt., 169. Harrison, Carter, 417. Harrison, Dr., 603. Harrison, P., 641. Harrison, R., 631, 692, 696. Hart, A., 61, 386. Hart, Capt., 197. Hart, Col., 576. Hartleben, Dr., 641. Hartley, J., 469. Harvey, Gov., 298, 345. Haskell, — , 438. Haskell, Col., 94. Hastings, Gen., 585, 586, 588. Hatch, — , 284. Hatch, J. P., 10, 552, 553. Hatch, W. H., 657. Hatcher's Run, 122-128, 138, 213, 382, 409. Haughev, Lt., 216. Haulia, J. H, 703. Havard, Capt., 254. Hawkins, J. P., 10. Hawlev, J. B., 379, 384, 445. Hawley, J. R., 379, 384, 445, 628. Hawley, R. B., 720. Haxhurst, J., 152. Hay, J., 8, 719. Hayes, — , 247. Hayes, E. M.. 10, 393. Hayes, H. C, 9. Hayes, Mrs., 682. Hayes, R. B., 431, 449-452. 40u. Hayes, W. T., 656. 771 Haynes, C. H., 189, 741. Hays City, 258, 270, 274, 294. Hays City Times, 253. Hays, Lt., 287. Haywood, Col., 701. Hazelton, — , 447. Hazen, W. B., 397, 399, 401, 437, 497, 502, 504, 512, 513, 517, 518, 532, 533, 534, 542, 543. Hearst, Sen., 576, 577, 581, 596. Heath, J., 149. Heger, Dr., 614. Heiner, G. G., 661. Heiner, R. G., 501, 513, 514, 541. Heintzelman, S. P., 10, 36, 37, 47, 49, 52, 54, 57, 59, 68, 213, Heiron, P., 189. Heiskell & McLeren, 7. Heiss, A. E., 8. Heleluhe, J., 693, 703. Heleluhe, Mrs. W., 703. Helmick, W., 356, 358. Henderson, Col., 588. Henderson, T. J., 656. Hendricks, Viee-Pres., 544, 545. Hendricks, Mrs., 576. Henicke, W., 189. Henley, — . 556. Henry, T., 137, 254. Herbert, H. A., 681, 705. Herman, E., 71. Herr, A., 596, 611. Herring, W., 344, 356. Hertsman, R., 190. Hess, F. W., 598. Hester, — , 400. Hewitt, O. W., 29. Hicks, Mrs., 362, 639. Hiestand, H. O. S., 704. Higths, — , 283. Hill, — , 391. Hill, A. M., 162. Hill, D. B., 642. Hill, Miss Ida, 317. Hill, J., 344, 357. Hill, R. G., 11. Hill, Sergt., 472. Hilliard, A. J., 137. Hillory, W., 247. Hillyer, Judge, 608. Hinks, E. W., 10, 78, 82, 116. Hischberges, J. P., 189. Hitchcock, Sen., 392. Hitt, S. R., 574. Hoag, A., 148. Hoar, G. F., 7, 652, 722. Hoard, J. T., 657. Hoban, — , 572. Hobon, Father, 484, 491, 534. Hodges, Mr. and Mrs., 641. Hoffman, Gen., 229, 230, 257. Hoffman, j . T., 359, 364, 366. Hoffnagel, M., 189. Hoge, S. H, 344. Hogg, G., 120, 122, 126, 128, 133, 133, 137, 138, 668. Holden, — , 19. Holden, A. B., 77. Holladay, — , 545, 561. Holman, W. S., 655. Holmes, Capt., 77. Holt, J., 347. Homel, E., 189. Hooker, C. E., 656. Hooker, Gen., 597, 621. Hooker, F. J., 189. Hooper, Fannie, 153. Hooper, Sarah, 153. Hope Castle, 15, 26, 147. Hopkins, — , 117. Horsford, F. H., 8, 718. Horn, Col., 395. Hort, Mrs. E., 641. Hosley, Col., 77. Hosmer, C, 336. Hough, Col., 484, 525, 527, 528. Houston Post, 8. Houston, R., 492. Howard, Lt., 250. Howard, J., 566. Howard, H., 673. Howard, 0. O., 10, 150, 152, 153, 158, 678, 686, 755. Howell, J., 247. Howgate, Capt., 436, 446. Hoxie, R. L., 11. Huff, G. F., 656. Hughes, — , 205. Hughes, B. H., 182. Hull, J. A. T., 8, 704, 719. Hulser, O. F., 127, 135, 138, 701. Humphrey, C. F., 11, 704. Humphreys, Capt., 133. Humphreys, W. J., 171, 187, 189. Humphries, W., 741. Hunt, 0. W., 148. Hunter, D., 46, 235-228. Hunter, Gen., 144. Hunter, Miss, 682. Hurst, Bishop, 692. Husk, L. W., 137. Hutchins, W. S., 8. Hyde, J., 132, 137. Hyde. T., 663. "Tke Coon," 365. 366. Walls, Capt., 558. Tngalls, R.. 10, 134, 160, .61. 503, 545, 772 546. Ingersoll, E. C, 421. Ingersoll, R. G., 352, 503, 504, 534, 608. Inman, H., 300, 570. Ireland, Archbishop, 696. [rwin, Capt., 381. irvin, Capt., 699. Jackson, — , 543. Jackson, j. W., 31, 33. Jackson, E. M., 362. Jackson, J., 267. Jacobs, A. H, 77. Jacobs, J. C, 366. Jacobs, J. W., 192. James, W. H., 11. Jarvis, W. P., 366. Javihs, E., 149. Jecko, Judge, 196, 577. Jecko, S., 196, 578. Jefferson Barracks, 571. Jefferson, R., 641. Jeffreys, Gen., 433, 638. Jeffries, Mrs., 697. Jenafer, Judge, 263. Jenks, J. E., 9. Jenness, G. B., 242, 244, 245, 246, 247, Jenness, J., 206, 207, 211, 742. 252, 254. Jennings, M. J., 365. Jessup, E., 138. Jewett, Adml., 543. Jewett, Maj. H, 525, 529, 530. Johnson, — , 561. Johnson, Comr., 391, 436. Johnson, J. J., 344, 421. Johnson, Miss E., 390. Johnson, Pres., 231, 310. Johnson, R., 390, 400. Johnson, Sen., 441. Johnson, Sergt., 245, 247, 271. Johnson, S. E., 8. Johnson, T., 624. Johnson, W., 366, 389, 671. Johnson, W. H, 363. Johnson, W. R., 365. Johnston, J. E., 281. Johnston, S. W., 356, 386. Jones, C. F„ 137. Jones, J. P., 7, 574, 723. Jones House, 91, 103, 104, 106, 110. Jones, Mary, 484.- Jones, W. A., 657. Jones, W. T., 358. Jordan, J. J., 165. Joy, J. T., 720. Judson, B. F., 365. Judson, D. T., 360. Junction City, 162, 255, 356, 262. Kalano-Kalani, 703. Kansas City Times, 8. Kasson, J., 545. Keane, Sergt., 187, 190, 211. Kearney, Mrs., 149, 151, 152. Keith, — , 685. Keith, D., 190. Keil, W. H., 481, 482. Keller, J., 192. Kelley, J. F., 635. Kelley, J. M., 236, 351, 387, 488. Kellogg, S. C, 598. Kellogg, W. P., 7, 428, 442, 546, 612, 690. Kellogg, Mrs., 209. Kelly, Capt., 505. Kelly, J. K., 379, 445. Kelly, Moses, 358, 370, 384, 385, 386, 391, 396, 421. Kelton, J. C, 10, 156, 214, 595, 598, 601- 604, 629, 729. Kemmel, J., 190. Kendall, Miss I., 237. Kendrick, F. M. H, 11, 83, 117, 705. Kennedy, W. B., 230, 253, 263, 264, 269, 270, 333, 387, 595. Kent, J. F., 10, 452. Keogh, M. W., 269, 272, 302. Keppler, C. J., 607, 616. Kerfoot, Misses, 641. Kernan, Sen., 117, 391. Kerr, A., 433, 435, 504. Kerr, C, 390, 434, 435, 567. Kerr, J. B., 351, 382, 434. Kerr, Mrs. J. B., 434. Kerr, J. L., 435. Kerr, K., 433. Kerr, Leeds, 435. Kerr, Miss L. H., 351. 380, 382. Kerr, S. S., 127. Kerr, Speaker, 394. Ketcham. J. H.. 8, 719. Ketner, Judge, 318, 328. Key, Postmaster Gen., 431, 433, 449. Keyes, A. S. S., 351, 387, 455. Keyser, Lt.. 300. Kidd, Maj.. 260-267. 271-277, 293, 294, 312, 314, 332. Kidder, L. S., 741. Kidwell, J. L., 3S6. Kidwell. Misses, 340. Kilbourn, H, 690. Killburn, H. S., 266, 2S2, 289, 292. Killgore, C. B., 656. Killgore, Gen., 5R3. 5S5. Kilmer, C, 365. Kilpatrick. Miss, 317. Kimball Miss J., 77. Kimball, R. B., 77, 297. 773 King. — , 156, 233. King, Capt., 544. King, Gen. H. C, 509, 526, 559, 566. King's Palace, 6. Kirk, Col., 689. Kirk, Maj. E. B., 11, 284, 285. Kirkwood, S. J., 213, 214, 334, 336, 436. Kischner, G., 190. "Knight of Fairfax," 32. "Knight of the Planet," 24. "Knight of the Ring," 22. Knox, T. T., 590. Koones, F., 386. Krounse, W. L., 8. Lacy, G. W., 633. Lagraw, Dr., 312. Lamar, L. Q. C, 574. Lamb, J., 720. Lamb, Mrs., 641. Lambie, J. B., 6. Lamon, M., 614. Lamon, Mrs., 582. Lamon, W. H, 32, 356, 361, 582. Lamont, Col., 551, 555, 575, 658, 670, 675. Lancaster, C. C, 613, 663. Landon, M., 366. Lansburgh Bros., 6. Laredo, Tex., 601. Larned, C. T., 374, 386. Larner, — , 433. Larner, F. W., 641. Larner, Misses, 349. Larner, R. M., 8. Lassiter, W., 504. Latham, Dr., 182, 188, 198-203, 209, 215, 219. Latham, Mrs., 198, 199, 215. Lauffer, S., 355, 549, 550. Laufler, Capt., 253, 258, 259. Lawrence, Fork, 210, 211, 212, 231. Lawson, Capt., 387. Lawton, H. W., 589, 597, 598. Lay, R., 284-286. Lay, T., 571. Leach, Gen., 352, 384. Leakey, W. P., 190. Leary, J. T., 355. Leary, P., 12, 257, 259. Lebo, T. C, 253, 255, 705, 707, 726, 733, 740. Lee, — , 217, 218. Lee, Capt., 505. Lee, C. G., 7, 643, 646. Lee, D. M., 139, 144, 145, 148. Lee, Father, 644. Lee, Fitz., 139, 393. Lee, G. W., 148. Lee, J. G. C, 11. Lee, J. M., 11. Lee, Lt., 262. Lee, P. L., 350. Lee, R. E., 25, 35, 43, 51, 53, 83, 136, 139, 140, 142, 144, 145, 628. Leet, Maj., 225. Leiter, — , 544. Lemly, H. B., 12. Lemon, Col., 558. L'Enfant, P. C, 624. "Leopard," 634. Leslie, F., 362. Lester, Lt., 163. Leupp, F. E., 9. Levy, J. M., 638, 697. Lewis, — , 208. Lewis, B. B., 396-400, 404. Lewis, C, 149. Lewis, Mrs. E. J., 362. Lewis, J. F., 357, Lewis' Ranch, 206-210. Lewis, W. J., 360, 365, 366. Liebenon, Capt., 137. Lieber, Gen. G. N, 734, 736. Liliuo Kalani, Queen, 693, 703, 751. Lincoln, A., 34, 66, 114, 115, 143, 145, 160, 579, 580. Lincoln, Col., 453. Lincoln, H. D., 521. Lincoln, Miss, 631. Lincoln, Mrs., 453. Lincoln, Mrs. M. D., 641. Lincoln, K. T., 504, 511, 513, 532, 536, 538, 539, 541, 542, 543. Lincoln, S. H, 11. Lindsay, Lt., 311. Litchfield, H. G., 11, 223. Little Raven, 310, 313, 314. Little, T., 351, 480, 482. Lloyd, E., 12. Lloyd, Gov., 563, 569. Lock, — , 528. Lockwood, Dan., 643, 700. Logan, J. A., 339, 357, 369, 374, 375, 400- 3, 412, 413, 419, 427, 514, 555, 559. Long, — , 519. Long, O. F., 12. Longstreet, Gen., 744. Lord, F., 363, 364. Lord, J., 366. Lord, T. W., 12. Loring, Dr., 546. Loughborough, R. H. R., 12, 487. Louisville Cour.-Jour., 8, 418. Love, Dr., 638. Love, Elsie, 638. Love, Maj., 638. Luddington, M. I., 10, 159, 356, 703. 774 Ludlow, W., 10, 574. Luitewitz, A. C, 321. Lyman, C, 694, 702. Lyman, Mrs., 77. Lyman, W., 11, 669, 755. Lynch, J., 574. Lyon, Corp., 200. Lyons, R. T., 189. McAdoo, W., 694. McAfee, J. B., 252. McAllister, R., 421. McAuley, Mrs. R. C, 641. McBride, W. C, 8. McCabe, J. B., 577. McCallaster, W., 135. McCarras, L. E., 717. McCarthy, D., 352, 539. McCartney, D. P., 421. McClellan, G. B., 59, 83, 141. McClellan, Maj., 504, 505. McClelland, E. L., 7, 643, 663, 673. McClerry, Gen., 501, 530. McCrary, G. W., 420, 438, 475, 549. McCreary, J. B., 656. McCrohan, E., 508, 519. McCullom, S., 190. McCune, Capt., 99. McDermott, G., 269, 421. McDonald, A., 366. McDonald, A. M., 344. McDonald, J., 719. McDonald, J. B., 12, 303, 526, 749. McDowell, I., 43, 47, 49, 50, 51, 54. McDowell, J. B., 529. McEwen, J. C, 365. McFarland, H. B. F., 8. McFarland, Miss, 414. McFeely, R., 10, 578. McGowan, T., 85. McGregor, J. F., 362. McGrew, Col., 585. McGruder, Miss, 613. Mclntire, Capt., 94. Mclntire, W. C, 635. Mcintosh, Col., 97. McKean, B., 190. McKeever, Gen. C, 230, 249, 269, 291, 293, 302, 504, 619. McKelden, J. C, 421. McKenzie, L., 41, 338. McKibben, C, 323, 324. McKillip, Sergt., 80. McKinley, Wm., 713, 726. McKnew, W., 6. McLane, Gov., 616, 621. McLaughlin, Maj., 454, 455, 456, 458, 460, 461, 462. McLean, J. R., 545, 569, 571, 572, 573, 588. McLean, W., 545, 547, 571, 581, 586. McMahon, M., 559, 634, 635. McMartin, J., 460. McMichel, Capt., 109, 110. McMillan, B., 8, 657. McMillan, J., 7, 587. McMillan, Mrs., 587. McNally, \., 12. McNeil, B., 148. McNutt, J., 258, 421. McOmber, G. E., 366.' McPherson, J. R., 535, 542, 549, 554, 575, 586, 651. McQuade, Col., 116. MacArthur, A., 10, 699, 704. MacDougall, C. D., 132, 379, 390, 445. Machen, J. P., 29. MacK, O. A., 72. Mackall & Maedel, 7. Mackall, D. S., 644, 683. Mackey, Misses, 340, 351. Mackin, Father, 644. Maddox, Dr. A. S., 645, 682. Maddox, S., 547, 555. Magruder, J., 544. Mahaney, R. B., 719. Maish, Col., 352, 373, 414-417, 431, 433, 436, 437. Maish, L. P., 8. Mallan, C. E., 356. Malone, F. M., 68. Manderson, C. F., 652. Mann, Capt., 283, 284. Mann, Mr. and Mrs., 19. Manning, Sec, 543, 544. Mansfield, J. K., 10, 35-39, 43. Manuel, Prof., 366. March, — , 405. Mare Island, 560. Markland, Col., 384. Marr, — , 583. 1 Marsh, B. F., 8, 704. Marsh, Capt., 62, 145. Marsh, Mrs., 641. Marshall House, 21, 40, 267. Marshall, J., 248. Marshall, J. W., 656. Martin, — , 563, 565, 566. Martin, A. N., 657. Martin, B.. 190. Martin, J., 652. Martin, M. C, 482, 491, 498. Martin, T. S.. 7, 718, 749. Martindale, Gen., 84, 116. "Mary Ann," 18. Mason. J. S., 461, 536. Massey, — , 55S. 775 Massey, Miss C, 149. Massey, W. D., 147. Masterson, T. P., 248. Mathews, J. A., 9. Mathey, E. G., 11. Matson, — , 576. Matson, Hon., 641. Matterson, B. T., 512. Matthews, W., 603. Maus, Capt., 631. Maxey, S. B., 7, 431, 433, 436, 442, 444, 478, 509, 744. Maxon, Lt., 12, 312, 313, 454, 482. Maxwell, Gen., 694. Maynadier, W. M., 11. Meade, G. G., 10, 88, 91, 92, 95, 97, 102, 104, 105, 106, 133, 138, 140, 141, 346, 347. Means, — , 547. Medicine Bluff Creek, 292, 295. Meaker, — , 407. Megrew, Col., 695. Meig's Ranch, 205, 208, 210, 211. Meiklejohn, Sec, 706, 723. Meinell, H., 302. Mendenhall, J., 598. Meredith, E. E., 656. Merriam, Mrs., 569. Merriam, Sen.. 403. Merriam, W. R., 570. Merrick, Col., 632. Merrick, Judge, 545. Merrill. L., 3. 298, 300, 302, 318, 319, 323, 332, 333, 343, 347, 407, 408, 550, 551, 552, 553, 599. Metzger, C. W., 8. Meyer, A., 656. Michael, — , 267. Middleton. Dr., 491, 498, 527. Miles, N. A.. 10, 98, 111-113, 121-127, 133, 298, 301-303, 375, 409. 535, 541, 561, 577. 663, 669, 677, 696, 704, 706, 709, 712, 719, 733, 737. Miles, Mrs. N. A., 298. Miller, Capt.. 98, 104. Miller, H., 661. Miller, Miss J., 362. Miller, L. B. G., 386. Miller, M., 633. Miller, O. L., 657. Miller, S., 633. Miller, Sergt., 171, 179, 184, 185, 188, 189, 195, 200, 595. Milliken, S. L.. 656. Milnes, W., 339. Mills, — , 555. Mills, J. S., 177, 190. Mills, Maj., 696. Millspaugh, Col., 459, 499. Miner, C. W., 481. Miner, G. S., 148. Minor's Hill, 44. Mitchell Bros., 360. Mitchell, Gen., 297. Mitchell, G. H, 366. Mitchell, J., 60. Mitchell, J. A., 344. Mitchell, J. H, 652. Mitchell, M. C, 6. Mitchell, R. B., 421, 429. Mitchell, W. G., 503, 671. Mitchell, W. S., 95, 100, 101, 261, 293, 307, 309, 316. Mitkiewicz, Count, 641. Mix, J., 165, 171, 183, 190-205, 209-223. Mix, Mrs., 198, 212. Mizner, J. K., 553. Moale, E., 11. Mock, H. J., 9. Money, H. D., 7, 656. Monroe, Mrs., 641. Montgomery, J., 234, 264. Monument Station, 245. Moore, Gen., 578, 595. Moore, H. L., 657. Moore, J., 10. Moore, Maj., 242-245, 310, 316, 337, 386, 402, 421, 535, 557, 658. Moore, "Reddy," 741. Moore, W., 190. Moore, W. B., 421, 424, 433. More, — , 215, 216. 219. More's Ranch, 215, 216. Morey, F., 8, 358, 367, 368, 403, 546. Morgan, — , 610. Morgan, Miss A., 362, 367. Morgan, D. B„ 544, 545. Morgan, F. P., 8. Morgan, J. T., 7, 654. Morgan, Misses, 349. H ',AQ 1ln Mor|an, M. R-, 101, 103, 105, 108, 110, 258. Morley, Gen., 384. Morrill, Sen., 442, 652. Morris, — , 384. Morris, C, 302. Morrissey, Mrs., 367. Morrison, D. L., 540. Morrison, J. N., 704. Morrison, J. S., 351. Morrison, J. T.. 12. Morrison, Lt., 480, 505. Morrison, P.- 269. Morrow, A. P., 11. Morrow, J-. 504. Morrows, Col.. 558. Morse. A. P., 635. Morse, E. A., 656. 776 Morse, J. S., 365. Morton, L. P., 548, 586, 597. Morton, O. P., 370. Mosby, Gen., 147. Moses, — , 550. Moses, W. B., 640. Mosher, Lt., 480, 483. Mott, Gen., 104, 105, 409. Moxley, — , 580. Moylan, M., 274. Muhlenberg, J. C, 11. Mullet, A. B., 557. Mullins, M., 269. Muncaster, Dr., 391. Munson's Hill, 65. Murray, — , 531. Murray, C, 248. Murray, Col., 679. Murray, T. J., 148, 149. Murphy, E., 654, 714. Murphy, Mrs., 702. Mussey, H, 518, 519. Musson, Sergt., 633. Musson, T. H., 120, 127. Musson, W., 344. Muth & Co., 6. Myer, Col., 142. Myer, P., 190. Myers, — , 387. Myers, J. W., 255, 257, 276, 289, 292, 306, 311, 357. Myers, L., 344. Myrick, J. R., 598. Myrick, Lt., 120, 138. Napoleon Bonaparte, 18. Nash, W. H, 10, 722. Nash's Ranch, 464. Negley, Gen., 384, 385. Neill, J. P. W., 181, 182, 183, 189, 190. 191, 192, 193, 194, 195, 196, 199, 200. 201, 204. Neill, T. H., 214, 481, 482. Nelson, — . 615. Nelson, A. D., 2, 297, 303, 306, 309, 312. 313, 314, 318, 332, 426, 671, 673. Nelson, Capt., 137. Nesmett, I. W., 379, 445. New, J. C, 513. Newberg News, 8. Newcomb, J., 492. New Fort Hays, 237-240. Newlands, F. G., 607, 611, 613, 620, 639, 656, 683. Newman, — , 196. Newmans, Miss, 340. Newton, — , 290. New York Army & Navy Journal, 9. New York Commercial, 8. New York Evening Post, 9. New York Herald, 8, 9. New York News, 8. New York Standard Zeitung, 8. New York Sun, 9. New York Times, 9. New York Tribune, 9. New York World, 9. Nichol, Mrs., 560. Nichols, Gen., 229, 262. Nixon, — , 566. Noah, J. J., 9, 415, 452, 457, 458. Noble, — , 229, 317. Noble, B., 491. Nolan, Col., 388. Norris, J. L., 635. Norris, Maj., 162. Ncrth, Anna, 91, 113. North Forks, 247. Norton, Lt., 183. Norvell, S. T., 351, 387. Norwood, Capt., 182-191, 195-203. Noud, Mrs. and Miss, 641. Nourse, — , 556. Noyes, S. B., 345. Nucent, T. M., 87. Nye, F. E., 11. Nye, J., 345. Nye, J. W., 338, 358. Oakes, J., 11. O'Beirne, Col., 480. O'Brien, A. L., 552. O'Brien, M., 302, 470. Ocean City, 6.- Ochiltree, T. P., 681, 743. O'Connell, J. J., 12, 495. O'Connor, H. O., 345. O'Driscoll, Maj., 694. O'Hara, J., 598. O'Laughlin, C, 9. Older, O. O, 15. Oliver, H., 127, 668. Oneida Free Press, 127. O'Neil, C, 344. O'Neil, J. H., 655. O'Neil, J. J., 655. Opdyke, Gen., 711. Orcutt, J., 13, 14. Ord, E. O. C, 12. Ord, Gen., 457, 458, 461, 468, 475, 480, 481, 4S4. 496. Orleman, — . 387, 462. Orth, — . 575, 639. Orths, — , 568. Osburn, D. W.. 633. Osterhold, W., 189. Otey, P. J.. 721. Ottaby, — , 283, 284. 777 Outhwaite, J. H., 655. Ovenshine, Capt., 250, 253, 258, 259. Owen, R. B., 162. Owens, S., 37. Oxford Military Academy, 564, 566, 567, 573. Paddock, Sen., 447. Page, C. H., 657. Page, Maj., 234, 297, 303, 306, 308-312. Pagh, C, 190. Palmer, A. W., 366. Palmer, Col., 118. Palmer, I. N., 10, 163, 169, 194, 195, 416, 419, 448. Palmer, J. H., 12, 529. Palmer, Pres., 562. Palmer, W., 384, 390. Palo Duro Ranch, 295. Parker, — , 456, 682. Parker, A. X., 366. Parker, D., 258, 300, 303. Parker, I., 89, 94, 100, 106, 598. Parker, Miss, 561. Parker, Mrs. M. M., 687. Parker, S., 751. Parks, — , 230. Parkman, — , 699. Parsons, C. C, 257-259. Paschal, T. M., 481, 482, 493, 656. Pascon, L., 485. Patrick's Station, 138. Patterson, Dr., 352. Patterson, J. H., 458, 469. Patterson, R., 8. Patton, Sen., 554. Paul, Gen., 555. Payne, — , 144. Payne, Sen., 544. Peace Commissioners, 301. Peale, Lt., 194. Pearse, Dr., 282. Pear's Spring, 518. Pearson, Miss A., 638. Peck, Judge, 692. Penneypacker, G., 11. Penny, G. C, 11. Penrose, Mrs., 285, 286. Penrose, W. H., 10, 278-289, 295, 424. Pepoon, S., 269, 351. Perrv, Gen., 263. Perkins, G. C, 654, 722. Perkins, Sen., 696. Perrin, E. O., 362. Petersburg, 97, 113, 119, 125, 130, 135, 136. Pettus, E. W., 7. Phelps, W. W., 550, 574, 583. Phila. Enquirer, 8. Phila. Ledger, 8, 589. Phila. Press, 8. Phila. Record, 8. Philey, Capt., 270, 317. Phill, Prof., 226, 227. Phillips, — , 663. Phillips, Col., 263, 638. Phillips, J. W., 656. Phillips, Miss M., 638. Phillips, R. A., 386, 415. Philley, A. S., 247, 252. Philp, J. B., 641. Philp, J. F., 641. Piatt, Don., 405. Pierce, Col., 678. Pierce, Gen., 409. Piers, — , 693. Pike, Capt., 76, 77. Pike, Gen., 559. Pine Bluffs, 211. Pinner, Gen., 746. Pitney & Bradford, 685. Pittman, Mrs., 366. Pittman, Sergt., 240. Pittsburg Com. Gazette, 8. Pittsburg Dispatch, 8. Pittsburg Leader, 8. Plato, Col., 503. Piatt, J. H., 344, 358. Plowman, Col., 393. Plumb, P. B., 443, 446. Plumley, S. M., 517. Point Lookout, 77, 80. Poland, J. S., 11, 333, 338. Poland, L. P., 338, 344, 345, 357, 408, 425 599 Pole Creek, 305, 210, 211. Polkinghorn, Miss, 340. Pollard, Dr., 92. Pollock, — , 545. Pomeroy, S. C, 339, 348, 358. Pond Creek, 162, 163, 165, 285. Poole, D. W. C, 469, 473. Poor, Col., 693. Poore, W., 730. Pope, Dr., 411. Pope, Gen., 101, 160. Poppert, G., 568. Poppert, O., 568. Porter, C, 11. Porter, Capt., 595. Porter, Col., 94. Porter, F. J., 10. Porter, H, 692. Portis, D. S„ 478, 479, 488. Portsmouth, N. H., 72-74. Posey, Corp., 237. Post, — , 550. Post, Mrs., 561. 77« Potter, C, 433. Potter, Col., 160, 161. Potter, Gen., 209, 212, 214, 233. Potts, Capt., 236. Powell, Capt., 35. Powell, D., 148. Powell, J. L., 506, 524. Powell, W., 148. Power, T. C, 654. Powers, — , 279, 284. Powers, H. S., 366. Powlett, Capt., 535. Poynter, Lt., 64. Pratt, R. H, 351. Prentiss, W. C, 7, 688. Prescott, — , 434. Preston, E. R., 77. Preston, S., 574. Price, — , 462. Price, Gen., 263. Price, Gov., 541. Price, J. W., 243-247, 252, 424. Price, Lt., 658. Price, Dr. M. F., 462, 464, 467, 470, 472, 476, 486. Price, T. L., 264. Priley, A. J., 248. Printop, J. J., 641. Proctor, R., 592, 593, 598, 648, 654, 705. Pruden, Col., 586. Pugh, Sen., 546. Pulizzi, Miss B., 641. Pulizzi, Mrs., 641. Pulitzer, J., 352. Pumpkin Creek, 224. Pyron, May, 744. Quinby, H. B., 455, 459, 476. Radcliffe, Dr., 546, 694. Radford, — . 639. Rains, Gen., 744. Ralston & Siddons, 7, 663, 684, 688. Ralston, J. H„ 60S, 646, 681, 683. Ramsay, — , 522. Ramsey, A., 358. Rand, C. F., 356, 374. Randall, C. S., 655. Randall, E. L., 11, 269, 324, 327, 328. Randall, G. M., 11. Randall, S., 396, 397, 400, 433. Randall, T., 210. Randolph, — , 543. Randolph, Sen., 415, 433, 436. Raney, — , 447. Ratcliffe, Mrs. N., 153. Rawlins, J. N., 88, 89, 98. Rawlston, Capt., 298. Ray, — , 457. Ray, Capt., 216, 219. Reardon, W. W., 365. Redwood, — , 559. Reed, — , 390. Reed, P., 10, 374, 303. Reed, W., 730. Reeder, F. W., 73, 74. Reno, M. A., 549, 550. Reynolds, E., 360. Reynolds, St. J., 347-353. Rhea, J. S., 720. Rice, B. F., 390. Rice, E., II. Rice, F. R., 71. Richards, Sergt., 463. Richards, W. V., 12, 491. Richardson, F. A., 8. Richardson, John, 703. Richardson, Judge, 434. Richardson, W., 671. Richardson, W. K., 8. Richland Valley, 520. Ridenour, C. H., 9. Ridgeley, E. R., 8, 738. Ridley, Corp., 463. Riles, — , 179. Riley, Lt., 270. 271. Riley, O. N., 461. Ripley, H. L., 471, 480. Ripley, T. A., 81. Ritchie. D. F., 360, 363. Rixey, J. F., 657. Roach, — , 651. Roach, W. N.. 714. Robb, Sen., 572. Robbins, Gen., 406. Robe, Capt., 460. Roberts, — , 465. Roberts, Mrs.. 383. Roberts. W. H., 8. Robertson, — , 255. Robertson, B., 535. Robertson, Dr.. 110. Robertson. T. J.. 421. Robeson, Sec, 547. Robinson, A. G.. 251, 483. Robinson, G. F., 11, 478. Robinson, G. T.. 350. Robinson, J.. 24R. Bobinson, Lt., 226. ¦Robinson, Dr. T.. 641. Robson. Stuart. 663. ¦Rnokford, A. F.. 512. Rockwell, A. F , 11. 503, 580. Rodenboup-h, T. F., 163. 169, 221. 427. Boe. T,t„ 225. Bopssle, — . 554. Rogers, — , 258, 430, 433, 447. 449. Rogers, A., 12, 291, 293. 779 ' Rogers, A. J., 364, 366. Rogers, Col., 578. Rogers, J. P., 610. Rollins, J. A., 10. Rollins, Sen., 705. Romeo, 310. Rooms, C. M., 471. Rooney, — , 501. Rosecrans, W. S., 10, 538. Rosekrans, J. A., 363, 581, 586. Roseland, Va., 157. Ross, C. G., 339. Ross, Gen., 384. Ross, J. W., 657. Ross, S., 344. Rounds, — , 595. Roiizer, — , 9. Ruck, Gov., 578. Rucker, D. H., 10. Rudkin, Mrs., 682. Ruggles, — , 301. Ruggles, Gen. G. D., 674, 685, 698, 702, 707, 729. Runkle, B. P., 10, 430. Rush, Mrs., 504. Rush, R. H., 70, 85. Russell, — , 663. Russell, Maj., 500, 505, 506, 527. Russell Springs, 266. Russell, W. T., 648. Rutherford, A., 345, 355. Rutherford, A. R., 386. Rutherford, R. G., 11.' Ryan, Col., 610. Ryan, Gen., 352, 36S, 372. Ryan, W. S.. 81. Rye Beach, 75. Sabin, Sen., 554, 555, 557, 574. Sails, — , 465. Saks & Co., 6. Sale, E. O., 574. Salem Church, 92. "Sam " 20. Sampson, G. W., 344. San Antonio, 530. San Antonio Evening Light, 499. San Antonio Express, 8. San Francisco Chronicle, 9. San Francisco Examiner, 9. Sands, — , 572. Sands, L., 622. Sanzousi, S. E., 189. Saratoga, 366. Sarvis, J. A., 9. Sarvis, J. M., 8. Saunders, Miss, 459. Saunders, Mrs., 632. Saunders, W. H., 7. Savage, — , 560. Savage, Mrs., 560. Sawyer, P. P., 358, 690. Saxton, Lt., 235. Saxton, R., 10. Scales, — , 472. Scales, Gov., 403. Schade, Miss, 641. Schade, Mrs. H., 641. Schaffer, — , 595. Schermerhorn, S. J., 655. Schmidt, Miss, 703. Schneider, Capt., 300. Schneider, T. P., 7. Schneider, W. F., 682, 687. Schofield, Col., 508, 670. Schofield, Gen., 1, 291, 397, 303, 303, 309, 316, 317, 318, 322, 332, 335, 386, 593, 594, 599, 602, 603, 604, 616, 621, 637, 647, 650, 653, 658, 659, 660, 663, 665, 670, 673, 675, 709, 712, 724. Schreiner, H, 12, 461. Schull, Col., 504. Schurz, C. 433. Schwan, T., 590, 598, 726, 731, 733, 734, 735, 736. Solater. T. L., 673. Scott, Capt., 168, 177, 296. Scott, Dr.. 685, 699. Scott, D. M., 12, 701. Scott, D. W., 256. Scott, G. W.. 135. Scott, Wm. L., 561, 576. Scott, W. S., 33, 35, 36. 48, 49, 141, 142. Scripps-McRae Press Association, 8. Scurry, W. R., 744. Sedgwick, J., 10, 88. Segar, J., 156. 157. Sergeant. J. C. 190. Selkirk, Maj., 133. Senior, C. F., 190. Settle, T., 657, 693. Seville. Capt.. 694. Seward, F. W., 430, 446. Seward, W. H, 27, 30. 32. 42, 44, 47, 49, 50. 52, 53, 55, 57, 60, 62, 64, 157, 163, 226. Sewell, F. D., 71, 72. Seymour, Gov., 118. Shade, F.. 9. Shafter. G. W. R., 10, 490, 496, 508, 510, 647, 722, 757. Sharp, Col.. 241. Sharp, F. D., 12. Sharp. Gen., 685. Sharp's Camp, 241. Sharp's Woods, 206. Shaw, — , 100. 102. Shaw, Col., 503. 780 Shaw, J. B., 512. Shaw, W. B., 8. Shawnee Creek, 177. Shaw's Garden, 562. Shaws, W. R., 421. Shear, — , 631. Sheehy, Miss A., 641. Sheehy, Mrs. D., 641. Shehan, Mrs. G., 641. Schellabarger & Wilson, 7. Shellabarger, Lt., 285, 298, 301. Shellaberger, Judge, 541, 590. Shelton, Mrs., 92, 93. Shepherd, — , 182. Shepherd, Corp., 247. Shepherd, A. R., 370, 392, 393, 408, 412, 413, 433, 480, 572. Sheppard, Lt., 300. Sheridan City, Kan., 270, 274, 294. Sheridan, A., 257, 259, 272, 296. Sheridan, M., 262, 565. Sheridan, Gen., 92, 262, 265, 269, 270, 272, 274, 275, 276, 279, 287, 292, 295, 551, 575, 577, 578. Sherman & Grant, 393, 394. Sherman, John, 7, 346, 393, 433, 542. Sherman, J: S., 717. Sherman, Miss M., 337, 340. Sherman, W. T., 10, 174, 229, 234, 265, 262, 337, 345, 346, 381, 382, 410, 504, 511, 537, 558, 559, 561, 666. Sherwood, G. P., 71, 72. Sherwood, I., 365, 366. Shields, — , 509. Shoemaker, L. P., 7. Shoup, G. L., 7, 679. Shownbough Creek, 172, 173. Shurbon, Col., 160. Shreve, Mrs., 435. Shriver, E., 347. Shriver, J. S., 8, 87. Shrivers, — , 257. Shroeder, R., 8. Sibler, J. C, 657. Sibley, H. H, 744. Sickles, D. E., 9, 10, 577, 694, 699, 716, 727. Siggles, Corp., 465, 472. Sinking Water, 172, 173. Simmons, Corp., 129. Simmons, W. M., 467, 473. Simpson, R. F.. 148. Skimmerhorn's Ranch, 294, 298. Slack, Col., 583. Slater, W. H., 386. Smalley, E. V., 632. Smart, C, 11. Smart, Dr. C, 99, 104, 669. Smeade, J. A., 37. Smith, A. J., 137, 231-235, 250, 588, 663, 686, 710. Smith, C. C, 11, 255. Smith, C. H., 11. Smith, C. L., 633. Smith, E., 190. Smith, E. B., 8. Smith, E. M., 413. Smith, Mrs. E. P., 362. Smith, F., 348. Smith, J. A., 310, 344. Smith, J. C, 625. Smith, J. H., 569, 571. Smith, J. R., 491, 498, 527, 528, 531, 571. Smith, J. S., 702. Smith, L., 598. Smith, M. A., 656, 719. Smith, M. L., 392. Smith, Paymaster, 171. Smith, R., 11, 588. Smith, Wm., 10. Smith, W. M., 366. Smith, W. W., 8. Smithers, Lt., 275, 276, 278, 289, 290, 292, 306, 387, 454, 455, 457, 458, 462, 474, 505. Smithmyer, Col., 690. Smithsonian Institute, 274. Smoky Hill, 294. Smoky River, 266. Smoot, Miss L., 149. Smoot, S. S., 421. Smyth, Gen., 136, Snell, — , 414. Snyder, S. W., 68. Society Army of Potomac, 346, 347. Solomon City, Kan., 162. Somborn, E. K., 9. Somers, P. J., 657. "Sophie Sparkle," 366. Sotherland, Wm., 247. Soule, — , 575, 581. Soule, Mrs., 575. South Forks, 247. Southard, W. J., 433. Southgate, R. H., 365. Spauldins:, E. J., 162, 552. Spencer. Capt,, 223, 286, 495, 496. Spencer, G. E., 379, 399, 400, 402, 403, 405, 408, 441. Spencer, Senr., 412, 413, 415, 442, 445, 451, 452, 457. Spencer, T. S., Jr., 351, 366. Sperry, L., 656. Spinner, F. E., 344, 345, 346, 355, 358, 378, 386, 617. Spinola, Gen., 583. Spintie, F., 71. Spooner, Senr., 696. 78i "Spotted Horse," 170. Spottsylvania Court House, 89, 110. Spriggs, Corp., 337. Spri»ger, Gen., 400, 585. Springer, G. H., 252. Springer, I., 347. Springer, W. M., 655. Springfield, 111., 160. Spooner, J. C, 7, 718. Squire, Dr., 235. Squire, Lt., 576. Squire, W. C, 621, 651, 722. St. John's Academy, 569, 570. St. Louis, Mo., 562, 576, 581. St. Louis Globe-Democrat, 8. Stacy, M. H., 120. Stafford, Father, 644, 649. Stall, F. M., 247. Stambaugh, C. B., 226. Stanford, Sen., 543, 575, 620. Stanley, Adml., 433, 434, 450. Stanley, D. M., 468, 469, 473. Stanton, E. M., 157, 213, 712. Stanton, F. P., 344, 345, 348, 355, 386. Stanton, Gov., 541. Stanton, T. H., 10, 144. Stanwood, J. R., 74. Staples, Col., 572, 573, 595. Starks, — , 501. Stealey, H. W., 8. Stealey, O. O., 8. Stedman, B., 121, 127. Steedman, J. B., 709. Steen, E., 258, 269. Stellwagen, E. J., 611, 613. Sternberg, Dr., 266, 271, 274, 694. Sternberg, Mrs., 234. Sterrett, Rev. Dr., 609. Stevens, H. C, 8, 702. Stevens, M. T., 655. Stevens, T., 271. Stevenson, A. E., 652. Stevenson, J. C, 344. Stewart, — , 433. Stewart, D., 624. Stewart, J. N., 675. Stewart, W. M., 7, 408, 544, 605, 606, 609, 611, 616, 621, 652, 696, 722. Stewartsville, Mo., 568. Stierlin, Mrs. M., 641. Stierlin, W. O, 641. Stickney, W., 421. Stinemetz & Co., 6. Stockbridge, F. B., 574, 5S3, 585. Stockbridge, Mrs., 583. Stockton, — , 640. Stofer, A. J., 8. Stoffel, H., 190. Stone, E. D., 633. Stoneman, G., 36, 141, 142, 559, 560, 578. Stoneman, Mrs., 560. Stouch, G. W. H., 11, 162, 234, 296. Strang, E. J., 453. Street, — , 178. Strong, H., 550, 551, 614. Stump, Col., 650. Stuart, J. E. B., 56, 115, 159. Sturgis, S., 387. Sturgis, S. J., 319, 322, 323, 327, 328, 329, 331, 335, 355, 426. Suit, S., 7, 557. Sullivan, J., 190. Sullivan, J. K, 356. Sullivan, Priv., 200, 201. Sully, A., 275, 276, 277. Sulzer, Wm., 8, 714. Summer, E. V., 9. Summit Springs, 216. Sunderland, Judge, 544. Surratt, Mrs., 143. Sutro Gardens, 561. Sutton, W., 190. Swaim, D. G., 503, 513, 534, 535, 541, 698. Swann, Gov., 434. Swann, Mrs. Gov., 541. Swanson, C. S., 720. Swayne, Col., 67. Sweet, O. G., 455, 458, 460, 462, 467, 475, 478, 479, 486. Sweitzer, N. B., 469, 525, 527, 552, 553, 558, 559, 561. Swett, Judge, 544, 554. Swisher, J. M., 503, 512. Swords, Col., 591. Sykes, Gen., 162. Sylvan Beach, 595. Sypher, J. P., 358. Tabb, Miss L., 638. Taft, Mrs., 408. Taft, Sec, 416. Taggard, S. G., 150. Talmadge, T. DeW., 574, 697. Tanner, Corp. J., 593, 669, 700. Tarsney, T., 563. Taverner, — , 621. Taylor, — , 555. Taylor, A. S., 35, 297, 301. Taylor, C, 149. Taylor, Gen. Dick, 744. Taylor, Hon., 582. Taylor, J. W., 68. Taylor, M. K., 481, 482. Taylor, W. M., 11. Teel T. T., 744. Teller, H. M., 7, 714, 503, 652. Terrell, C. M., 493, 494, 500, 507, 527, 782 531. Terrell, J., 153. Terrell, Mrs., 559. Terrett, G. H, 35, 36. Terrett, W., 149. Terry, Gen., 407. Tesson, — , 480, 491. Tetzner, C, 190. Theaker, T. C, 344. Thomas, Col., 229, 571. Thomas, E., 7. Thomas, E. H., 608. Thomas, G. H., 263, 363, 709. Thomas, H. W., 24, 27, 29, 32, 34, 146, 401. Thomas, M. M., 641. Thomas, Miss N., 24. Thompkins, C. H., 10, 44, 45, 46, 156, 234. Thompson, C. T., 9. Thompson, Capt. W., 269, 275, 398, 302, 386. Thompson, G., 562. Thompson, J. M., 7, 253, 258, 259, 269. Thompson, J. W., 692. Thompson, L., 204. Thompson, P., 681. Thompson, Salhe, 484. Thompson, Sec, 433. Thompsons, The, 74. Thornburgh, J. M., 379, 445. Thornton, Sergt., 237, 244, 247, 673, 698. Thorpe, Col., 503. Thurman, Sen., 576, 581. Thurston, J. M., 7, 714, 718, 738. Thyson, P., 371, 384. Tidball, J. C, 92, 97, 105, 108, 160, 514. Tighe, S., 9. Tillman, Col., 563, 565. Tillman, Miss, 503. Tillotson, W. R., 71. Tilman, — , 435. Ting, Shung Yu, 641. Todd, — , 271. Todd, H. H., 189. Toledo Bee, 9. Tollman, T. M., 490. Tom Greene Times, 499. Tompkins, Gen., 414. Tompkins, J. S., 215. Tonzalin, ^. E., 552. Torris Ranch, 508. Towell, J. H., 247, 252. Towers, L., 387. Town, F. L., 387. Townsend, E. D., 87, 144, 214, 315, 332, 342, 403, 449, 578. Tracy, --, 304. Tracy, C, 656. Tracy, D. F., 119. Tracy, Post Trader, 304. Trammell, W., 149. v Tremain, Col., 699. Trippe, P. E., 12, 505, 516, 522, 530. True, T. E., 11. Truesdell, Geo., 642. Tucker, J. 11., 417, 418. Turley, C. W., 148. Turnbull, J. G., 598. Turner, Dr., 165-169, 177. Turner, Sergt. W., 478, 486. Turner, W., 248. Turpin, Dr., 368. Tuttle, L. R., 344, 355, 358, 386. Tweedale, J., 641, 725. Twombley, H. V., 366. Tyler, Gen., 90, 91, 94. Tyler, Gov., 723. Tyson, Miss K., 367. Underwood, J. C, 344, 358. Union Hotel, 59. Upshur, Judge, 345, 346. Upson, C, 477, 502, 509. Upton's Hill, 44. Urell, Dol., 558. Utica, N. Y., 117. Vailant, Judge, 531. Van Allen, 129. Van Antwerp, J. S., 9. Van de Wiele, 387. Van Dyke, J., 548. Van Dyke, Mrs., 549. Van Horn, R. F., 344, 360. Van Kennan, M., 190. Van Syckel, Mrs., 641. Van Valzeh, D. D., 463, 466, 474. Van Vliet, F., 229. Van Vliet, S., 11, 523, 527. Van Voorhis, J., 655. Van Wyck, C. H., 338, 344, 5S7, 593. Van Wyck, G. P.. 344. Van Wycke, Chaplain, 301, 578. Van Wycke, Mrs.. 301, 57S. Vance, Senr., 392, 557. Vanderbilt, Com., 359, 360, 362, 364, 366. Vanderbilt, W. H., 543. Vandererle, Maj., 2S0. Vanderling, Maj., 543. Vanhorn, E.. 386. Vanreypin, Dr., 550. Viele, Capt., 387. Viele, H. K., 609, 611. Viele, J. B. V., 350. Vienna, 18. 783 Vilas, Sen., 632. Vinal, W. H., 12. Vincent, T. M., 456, 458, 461, 480, 481, 483, 493, 502, 516, 517, 520, 531, 599, 724. Vincent, T. A., 377. Virginia Sentinel, 355. Voigt, A., 614. Von Zedwitz, Baron, 572. Voorhis, Mrs. D. T., 641. Vorhees, Senr., 542, 652. Vroom, P. B., 11. Wade, J. A., 729, V30, 738. Wade, J. F., 501, 502, 504, 505, 506, 515, 516, 517, 518, 519, 522-525, 528, 599. Wadleigh, B., 379. Wadsworth, J. S., 10. Wadsworth, J. W., 720. Waggaman, H. P., 6. Waggaman, J. F., 642. Waggaman, J. T., 6, 573. Waggaman, T. E., 6. Wagner, Gen., 556, 557. Wakefield, W. F., 633. Wakeman, Sergt., 169. Walbridge, G. R., 386, 610. Walker, F., 495, 501, 510, 512, 513. Walker, F. A., 105. Walker, Gov., 396, 398, 413. Walker, J. A., 656, 720. Wall St. News, 9. Wall & Stevens, 66. Wallace, Lt., 234, 285. Wallace, R., 362. Wallace, Senr., 401, 433. Wallingford, Lt., 298, 301. Walsh, J. H., 350. Walthal, Senr., 563. Wamego, 260. Wandless, Lt., 199. Ward, — , 385. Ward, C. R., 351. Ward, Lt., 507. Ward, T., 704, 725, 758. Warder, B. H., 551, 553, 563, 564, 569, 613. Wardleigh, B., 444, 445. Wardless, Lt., 183. Wardwell, D. K., 72, 77, 78, 83. Warfield, G., 687. Warner, — . 177. Warner, B. H., 386, 554, 583. Warner, V., 720. Warren, F. E., 7, 654, 705. Warren, Gen., 94, 102. Warren, Mrs., 718. Washburn, E. W., 264. Washburn, W. D., 652. Washington Arsenal, 143. Washington, Geo., 14, 18. Washington, J. E., 655. Washington, Miss L., 362. Washington Post, 8, 9, 587, 589, 596. Washington Sentinel, 9. Washington Times, 8, 9. Wasson, Maj., 495. Waters, vv. E., 480, 481, 482. Watkin, Miss N., 638. Watson, — , 522. Watson, Col., 434. Watson, Paymaster, 480. Watterson, H, 416, 418. Watterson, H. M., 421. Weaver, F. H., 12, 493, 495. Weaver's Ranch, 519. Webb, Gen., 686. Webb, Mrs., 646. Webb, W. B., 548, 574. Webster, A., 53. Webster, Col., 182. Webster, C. W., 641. Wedderburn, — , 408. Wedgewood, Dr. and Mrs., 571. Weed, Judge, 578. Weeks, J. A., 72. Weeks, Maj., 490, 678. Weeks, Mrs., 678. Weidman, Sergt;, 210. Weir, T. B., 240, 256. Weitzel, Gen., 191. Welch, Miss, 340. Welling, Judge, 582. Wells, H. H, 359, 366. Wendals, The, 74. Wendham, Mrs., 72. Wentworth, Scout, 203, 232. West, Col., 257,. 287. West, Gen., 546. West, H. L., 9. West Lebanon, 76, 77. West Point, 14, 74. Westerling, R., 247, 268. Weston, — , 429, 433. Weston, J. F., 11, 277. Whaley, Gen., 84. Wheatley, — , 371. Wheatley Bros., 6. Wheatley, S. E., 574. Wheaton, S., 458. Wheeler, Mr. and Mrs., 637. Wherry, W. W., 671. Whipple, D., 74, 75. Whipple, Gen., 74, 76. Whipple, Lizzie, 75. Whipple, Willie, 74. Whistler, J., 120. Whistler, K. V., 93, 98, 143. White, Father, 436. White, Hon., 695. 784 White, Miss P., 695. White, W. J., 657.. White River Junction, 77. Whiten, Lt., 285. Whitehall, S. R., 12, 491. Whiting, Col., 638, 698. Whiting, Miss, 638. Whitney, Mrs., 575. Whitney, Sec, 543, 544, 547, 563, 571, 574, 581. Whittaker, Gen., 531. Whittemore, T., 11. Whithorn, — , 583. Whittlesey, Gen., 411. Wicks, Col., 241, 242, 251. Widdecombe, A. C, 64, 355, 3.83, 571. Widman, C, 189, 195, 205. WigfaU, Col., 743. Wiggins, Dr., 249. Wiggins, J. V., 641. Wilcox, 0. B., 10, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 41, 42, 47, 50, 51, 91, 213. Wilcox Landing, 96. Wild Bill, 232, 273. Wild, Joe, 301. Wilder, M., 391, 393. Wilderness, The, 113. Wiley, J. M., 703. Willard, C. C, 6. Willard, Mrs. C, 641. Wilkins, B., 562, 563, 589, 595, 685, 723. Williams, A. C, 421. Williams, Atty. Gen., 56. Williams, Gen., 398, 399, 415. Williams, J., 190. Williams, J. S., 537. Williams, L., 408. Williams, R., 10, 238, 628, 631, 729. Williams, S., 10, 133, 134. Williams, W. N., 261, 308, 313. Williamsburg, 59. Williamson, J. J., 633.' Williamson, Prof., 225. Willoughby, Judge, 575. Wilson, — , 254, 291, 415, 436. Wilson, A. A., 556. Wilson, Gen., 710, 758. Wilson, H, 358. Wilson, Jere, 590, 595. Wilson, L. P., 81, 92, 94. Wilson, W. V. S., 421. Wimer, J. B., 613. Windom, Sec, 544, 586. Windsor, D., 148, 585. Winger, Miss, 641. Winger, Mrs. B. F., 641. Winthrop, Maj., 449. Wisconsin, The, 9. Wise, G. D., 8, 656. Wise, M. R., 512, 718. Wise, R. N., 720, 738. Wisewell, Col., 82, 85. Witherell, Miss, 340. Witmore, Lt., 383. Wolcott, E. O., 652. Wolf, Dr., 480. Wolfe, A., 190. Wood, F., 366. Wood, H. C, 11. Wood, Judge, 544. Wood, J. H, 622, 710. • Wood, L., 10. Woodbury, Chas., 540, Woodbury, Dr., 394. Woodbury, Gov., £48, 592, 685. Woodbury. W. A., 72, 76, 77, 78, 80, 542. Woodfin, Gov., 698. Woodhull, M., 151. Woodruff, Dr., 465, 469, 470, 472, 473, 477, 478, 480, 482. Woodruff, E., 12, 699. Woods, J. C, 264. Woods, Miss, 340. Woodward, S. L., 351, 387. Wooley, E. J.. 252. Worley, E., 247. Wormley, 572, 575, 576. Worth, W. S., 10, 120. Worthington & Heald, 706. Wright, — , 336, 356. Wright, A. B., 656. Wright, Chaplain, 192. Wright, G. F., 344, 531. Wright, H., 10, 101, 365, 578, 579. Wright, Judge, 391. Wright, M. B. C, 669. Wright, M. J., 743. Wyatt, Col., 182. Wylie, A., 210. Wylie, W. P., 344, 356. Wyman, Maj., 83. Yard, E. O., 267, 269. Yard, J. E., 458, 469. Yates, G. W., 302, 323, 324, 332, 425. Yeomans, Judge, 690, 700. 703. Yorktown, 59. Yost, J., 657. Young, J. R., 8, 694, 696, 709, 717. Young, L., 583, 588. Young, N. C, 626. Young, P. M. B., 370, 445. Young, S. B. M., 60, 704, 706, 707, 725, 731, 733, 735, 736, 738, 740. Young, T., 421. Zadeck, A., 503. Zalinski. E., 12. Zering, Judge, 349, 373, 384, 678. Zeigler, — , 301. Zimmerman, G., 189. i r