VINDICATION OF BRIG. GEN. J. MCKINSTRY, FORMERLY QUARTERMASTER WESTERN DEPARTMENT

McKinstry, Justus

Published by [St. Louis, 1862

About this Item

102pp, stitched, original printed wrappers with wrapper title [as issued]. Wraps worn at extremities, with rear wrap detached but present. Else Very Good. This copy has the signature of 'Colonel A.M. Bowman, U.S.A. West Point N.Y.' An officer in the Mexican War who was brevetted major for gallantry at Churubusco, McKinstry later became a Quartermaster during General Fremont's short-lived command of the Army in Missouri. This appointment marked the beginning of his troubles. St. Louis, a sleepy town which had little of the commercial life necessary to sustain a city, suddenly awoke with the coming of the Army. The vast economic power McKinstry wielded as Quartermaster led to charges of favoritism, bribery, and the like. General Hunter arrested him for dishonesty, on orders of General McClellan, in late 1861. McKinstry prepared this document in St. Louis after his arrest and before his court martial. Addressed to Quartermaster General Montgomery Meigs in early June 1862, it objects to his confinement and the order which "forbade communication with any one," and rebuts "the most foul and malicious slanders concerning me" and the "assaults upon my character." Nevertheless McKinstry was convicted of the charges; Lincoln dismissed him from the service in 1863. Later McKinstry became a New York stockbroker and land agent. FIRST EDITION. II Harv. Law Cat. 17. Nicholson 903. Sabin 43469. Not in Nevins, Marke, Eberstadt, Decker. Seller Inventory # 23609

Bibliographic Details

Title: VINDICATION OF BRIG. GEN. J. MCKINSTRY, ...

Publisher: [St. Louis

Publication Date: 1862

Binding: Soft cover

Edition: 1st Edition