ment was under the direction of Col. C. W. Tilden, 16th Me., and the Western Department under A. D. Streight. Col. SANDERSON having been a hotel keeper, and having some reputation as a cook, was selected as kitchen director of the Eastern Department.

Major Wm. Russell, A. A. G. M. M. Div., says :

"Soon after our arrival Col. SANDERSON was requested to assume direction and supervision of the culinary arrangements of the department, which he did greatly to the advantage of all parties, introducing a system and regularity unattainable under any other circumstances.

66

His duties were to teach the mess cooks how to prepare their rations, arranging the hours and mode of occupying the stoves and tables, and settling all disputes in relation thereto, arising between the various parties engaged in cooking and setting the tables. The situation was a most trying one, and demanded the greatest amount of patience, good temper, and impartiality; and was calculated to make many enemies for its occupant. No man gave more trouble or called upon Col. S. more frequently than Capt. Atwood. So well did this system work, however, that we became the envy of the adjoining department, known as "Streight and Milroy's," and efforts were made to obtain an unanimous invitation to Col. SANDERSON to undertake the supervision of their kitchen, but the scheme failed."

Many other officers testify to the same effect, not only to the value of Col. SANDERSON's services, but also that the position was calculated to make the Colonel many enemies, and did make enemies. In a political discussion, Col. Streight took occasion to fasten a quarrel upon Col. SANDERSON, and abused him in a shameful manner.

Col. Rogers, who was present, says :—

Every officer that heard it censured Col. Streight. After the difficulty Col. Streight was a persistent enemy of Col. SANDERSON."

The testimony is unanimous that the personal bearing of Col. SANDERSON, while in prison, was courteous, affable and

gentlemanly, and that he was ever ready to perform kind offices for his fellow prisoners.

Col. Tilden says :—

"He was noted for keeping sundry little conveniences on hand for those less provident, and in many instances I have known officers to call on him for favors of this kind, who on former occasions had abused him, and he was always ready to meet their request if in his power."

Lt. Jones, Adj't 2d N. Y. Cav., after testifying to the numberless acts of kindness performed by Col. SANDERSON towards his fellow-prisoners, says :

"I have yet to learn an instance where he refused anything that was in his power to do, or give either to friend or foe, when applied to."

Very many of the officers testify that Col. SANDERSON lent them money on various occasions, and that he lent money to several officers to enable them to escape from prison.

It would seem from the statement of Col. Rose, that Col. Streight himself was enabled to escape by means of money loaned by Col. SANDERSON.

He says:

"Major McDanald borrowed money from Col. SANDERSON, by which he and Col. Streight effected their escape from Richmond."

And he says very justly:

"These officers would not have entrusted Col. SANDERSON with the secret if they had suspected him of treachery."

Major MCDANALD corroberates the statement of Col. Rose. Col. Rose is Col. of the 77th Regt. Penn. Vols., and was, according to his own account

"The originator of that scheme (the tunnel) and the leader of it throughout."

He says Col. Streight knew nothing of the tunnel until after he had been working at it for more than a month,

At the time Longstreet's Corps was passing through Richmond to reinforce Bragg, Col. SANDERSON offered five hundred dollars to any officer who would escape and convey the intelligence to our Government.

The kindness and consideration of Col. SANDERSON for his fellow-prisoners was shown when he left Libby Prison.

Major Russell says:

"When about to be exchanged, Col. SANDERSON divided among his companions and messmates everything he was possessed of in the shape of books, clothing, bedding and subsistence, amounting to over two hundred dollars, if not more, carrying away with him the contents of a haversack and one blanket."

His conduct in this particular was in marked contrast to that of his principal accuser, Gen. Dow, who, according to his own account, carried away from Libby "two large trunks."

That Col. SANDERSON was an active and efficient officer is undisputed, and abundantly appears from the evidence in the case. Attention is called to the statements of Genl's. Meade and Hooker, who both testify to his distinguished gallantry on the field of battle. It appears that he always insisted on going into battle with his Commanding General.

After a very careful and thorough consideration of all the evidence in this case, the Commission is of opinion that there is not a shadow of foundation for the charges of Misappropriation of Government Stores, or Disloyalty.

With regard to the charge of cruel treatment of our prisoners at Belle Isle, the Commission is of opinion that Col. SANDERSON, though strict in the enforcement of discipline, is innocent. The testimony shows conclusively that Col. SANDERSON was active and untiring in alleviating the sufferings and promoting the interests of his fellow-prisoners, whether enlisted men or commissioned officers.

The Commission is of opinion that the conduct of Col. SANDERSON while a prisoner in Richmond deserves praise and not

censure, and they respectfully recommend, that the order dis missing him from the service be revoked.

(Signed)

GEORGE H. CALDWELL.

JOHN C. CALDWELL,

Brig. Gen. U. S. Vols.,
Prest. Com..

GEORGE. A. H. BLAKE,
Col. 1st U. S. Cav'y.

Capt. & A. A. G., Recorder.

Office Military Commission,

302 "H," St., Cor. 17th,

WASHINGTON, Aug. 17, 1865.
(Official Copy.)

GEORGE H. CALDWELL,

Capt. & A. A. G., Recorder.

17. Paragraph 19 of Special Orders No. 272 from this office, dated June 2, 1865, is hereby amended to read as follows:

"The Military Commission, to whom the case of LieutenantColonel JAMES M. SANDERSON, Major, additional Aide-de-Camp;. and Captain, Commissary of Subsistence, United States Volunteers, was referred for investigation and report, having made their report, to the effect that Lt.-Col. SANDERSON'S conduct, while a prisoner at Richmond, deserves praise rather than censure, and recommending that the order dismissing him.

from service be revoked. Paragraph 7 of Special Orders, No. 207, from this Office, dated June 23, 1864, is by direction of the President, hereby revoked and annulled, to take effect May 27, 1865.

Assistant Adjutant General.

Lieut.-Col. JAMES M. SANDERSON-Present.

53. By direction of the President, so much of Special Orders, No. 288, Paragraph 17, from this office, dated June 8, 1865, as re-instates Lieutenant-Colonel JAMES M. SANDERSON, Major and Additional Aid-de-Camp, is hereby amended so as to restore him without loss of pay.