April 1865 – surrender, assassination, joy, resignation, despair, mourning. And news of alleged corruption in the military bureaucracy.
Four from Seneca County, New York newspapers in April 1865:
REMOVAL OF MAJOR HADDOCK. – It is reported that Maj. Haddock has been removed from the office of Assistant Provost Marshal General at Elmira, and placed under arrest. He is succeeded by Maj. A.T. Lee.
Major John A. Haddock.
It is stated that Major John A. Haddock continues in close confinement in his room at Elmira, awaiting trial before a Court martial on charges involving the grossest official misconduct and personal turpitude. The charges are that he has abused his position of Assistant Provost Marshal General for the Western Division of this State, to secure dishonorably and corruptly large personal profits; has acted in complicity with bounty brokers, giving official orders and varying them to advance their schemes and put money in their pockets; has received presents of large value from recruiting agents, to whom he has given unusual facilities to enlist men, a large number of whom afterwards deserted; together with other charges of the gravest nature which can be brought against a public official. – The charges, if established, will convict him of foisting improper recruits upon the army, and of sending such orders as to compel the mustering in of men with small bounties, many of whom deserted. To cover his frauds he denounced others engaged in the same service.
A.A. PROVOST MARSHAL GENERAL. – The Elmira Gazette says Major Haman, 10th U.S. Infantry, has received the appointment of Assistant Provost Marshal General of the District of Western New York, vice Major John A. Haddock, removed.
PRISONERS AT ELMIRA. – There are now only 5,041 rebel prisoners at Elmira waiting to be exchanged.
