Details
[GRANT, Ulysses S.] Manuscript document, signed by Maj. Francis Lee, Jalapa, Mexico, 26 June 1848. Proceedings of a Board of Survey exonerating Grant of charges of theft following the loss of $1,000 of public money. 2 pages, 4to, separations at horizontal creases
LIEUTENANT GRANT IS EXONERATED IN THE THEFT OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS
Grant demanded a court martial after $1,000 entrusted to him was stolen from the tent of Capt. John H. Gore. Here is the report of the investigating panel of three fellow officers--Maj. Francis Lee, Lieutenants M. Maloney and D. F. Jones. "The Board find from affidavits presented to them, from other statements, & from facts within their own knowledge, that Lt. U. S. Grant, Commissary & Regimental Quartermaster, 4th Infantry, had deposited in the trunk of Capt. Gore, 4th Infantry, for safe keeping, the sum of $1,000 public money, that it was placed there for security on the night of the 16th of June 1848, at Camp near Puebla." The trunk was one foot from Capt. Gore's head as he slept, and "the corner of the tent was cut open and the trunk stolen out...Every exertion was made to find the thief, but to no effect." The trunk and some of its content was later found dumped in a mill near the camp, "but the money was gone. The Board are of the opinion that no blame can attach to Lt. U. S. Grant, that he took every measure to secure the money, that the place he deposited it was the most secure in camp, and they exonerate him from all censure." Grant's honesty may have been vindicated, but he was still charged with replacing the government's missing money! Several dockets on the verso show the matter being referred to the Congressional Committee of Claims in 1852 and 1853, and then a final docket referring it to the Committee on Military Affairs on 12 March 1862.
LIEUTENANT GRANT IS EXONERATED IN THE THEFT OF GOVERNMENT FUNDS
Grant demanded a court martial after $1,000 entrusted to him was stolen from the tent of Capt. John H. Gore. Here is the report of the investigating panel of three fellow officers--Maj. Francis Lee, Lieutenants M. Maloney and D. F. Jones. "The Board find from affidavits presented to them, from other statements, & from facts within their own knowledge, that Lt. U. S. Grant, Commissary & Regimental Quartermaster, 4th Infantry, had deposited in the trunk of Capt. Gore, 4th Infantry, for safe keeping, the sum of $1,000 public money, that it was placed there for security on the night of the 16th of June 1848, at Camp near Puebla." The trunk was one foot from Capt. Gore's head as he slept, and "the corner of the tent was cut open and the trunk stolen out...Every exertion was made to find the thief, but to no effect." The trunk and some of its content was later found dumped in a mill near the camp, "but the money was gone. The Board are of the opinion that no blame can attach to Lt. U. S. Grant, that he took every measure to secure the money, that the place he deposited it was the most secure in camp, and they exonerate him from all censure." Grant's honesty may have been vindicated, but he was still charged with replacing the government's missing money! Several dockets on the verso show the matter being referred to the Congressional Committee of Claims in 1852 and 1853, and then a final docket referring it to the Committee on Military Affairs on 12 March 1862.