It was found that the valise and money had been taken by Parker, who had
mounted a horse and ridden away. He was pursued so closely that revolver
shots were exchanged between the sergeant, who was badly mounted, and
the thief. The sergeant alleged that he could have shot Parker if he had
been provided with a gun instead of a revolver.
The facts in relation to this subject were developed upon a court of
inquiry called for that purpose; and much of the above recited is
derived from the evidence of Major Bash himself, taken upon such
inquiry.
The following is the finding of the court concerning the conduct of the
paymaster in the premises:
That Major Daniel N. Bash, paymaster, United States Army, did not give
such direct and detailed orders to the members of the escort as to the
manner in which they should guard the public money in his (Bash's)
possession while en route to Fort McKinney as the importance of the
matter required, and that he did not take the proper and necessary pains
to see that any orders which he had given on this subject were duly
obeyed.
This finding defines a case of negligence which renders the paymaster
liable for the loss of these funds. But a number of army officers,
including the members of the court of inquiry, suggest that the
paymaster thus found at fault should be relieved from responsibility.
This is much the fashion in these days.
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