General Sibley was dispatched by President Davis for the conquest of New Mexico Colonel Ochiltree became a member of his staff, and distinguished himself in the New Mexican campaign. He served with General Longstreet, participating in the Seven Days' battle around Richmond. He was advanced as Chief of General Sibley's staff in the Army of Southwest Louisiana, participating in all engagements of that command. He served as Assistant Adjutant-General to Gen. Dick Taylor in the brilliant campaigns in which Brashear City was captured, and assigned as Assistant Adjutant-General to Gen. S. B. Maxey, Department Indian Territory. taking an active part in the battle at Poison Springs, Ark. He also did special service under General Rains in the defense of Richmond. He was wounded and captured at the battle of Sailors' Creek, the last pitched battle of the Army of Northern Virginia, and in 1865 confined in the Old Capitol Prison in Washington. In 1866 he became editor of the Houston Daily Telegraph. In 1867 he was sent to Europe to represent the merchants of Galveston to secure the establishment of a steamship line to that point, in which he succeeded. In 1872 he visited Europe as Commissioner of Emigration for Texas. In 1873 he was appointed United States Marshal by President Grant. In 1882 was elected to Congress as the first native of Texas ever sent from that State.

"While in Europe during his sojourn he was received with great distinction by such leaders as Gladstone and John Bright in England, and Victor Hugo and Lafayette in France, and Lasker and Baumberger in Germany. He was also widely known in civil life as the author of the Lasker resolutions."

EXTRACTS FROM THE REBELLION RECORDS.

General Sibley's report of operations in New Mexico, January to May 4, 1862: “*** I beg in conclusion to bring to your notice the intelligence and valor of the members of my staff. * * * Lieutenant Ochiltree, aide-de-camp.'

Report of Lieut.-Col. Wm. R. Scurry, Fourth Texas Cavalry, battle of Valverde: "*** Major Pyron was also in the thickest of the fray, and contributed much by his example to the success of the charge, as did also Lieutenant Ochiltree of the General's staff."

Report of Capt. T. T. Teel, Sultey: "*** Lieutenant Ochiltree, aide-de-camp, who rallied the men to the charge, and in the line, leading on the troops ***"

Jefferson Davis to Gen. H. H. Sibley, Richmond, June 7, 1862: "I avail myself of an opportunity of communicating with you in a speedy and direct manner through your aide-de-camp. Captain Ochiltree will inform you of our condition in this region, and this will be to vou a sufficient explanation for failure to reinforce you to the full extent of your necessity. ***"

In perusing these pages the reader can see that my opportunities for learning the motives of human actions in public affairs have been abundant. He will recall that I have been accustomed to take part in the discussion of national issues as every four years they are made up for the consideration of the voter. He will remember that, having been cradled within an atmosphere wafted from Mount Vernon, I was proof against the seductive political heresies which swept my neighbors, even Lee, the veteran soldier of Arlington, into the seething waters of rebellion.

I am no pessimist. I believe in that product known as the American. I believe our national life to be onward and upward, with an occasional halt, possibly. The political atmosphere may become dark and murky, but a glorious sunburst is sure to follow. The more portentious the cloud the brighter the light that ensues, as one of General Pinner's letters to me proves. When the people become quiescent through ease and comfort corrupt influences have full play in public affairs. Then the people wake up and set matters right for a new start in the direction of the general welfare and individual liberty. Should we not therefore strive in time and while our institutions are still intact to find and put in force a safeguard against the day of peril?

I propose as my contribution to this end and as a remedy for the many evils already in play a constitutional amendment limiting the tenure of the Presidency to a single term, the incumbent to be eligible for election to the same office only after the lapse of two intervening full terms. The reasons for this are too many for me to undertake an exposition of them in a work of this kind, except briefly.

I specially call attention of the reader to the neglect of many officials who have complaints and serious questions to decide affecting the past or future of a person's character, record and standing, financially and otherwise, who often refer the examination of such matters to unreliable and incompetent subordinates, approving such reports, whether the findings are founded on fact or not and whether they be just.

In many cases the seeker of justice is led to believe that prompt action will be given, causing the victim to live in hopes of vindication. But he is often driven to poverty, his whole future career ruined, and finally becomes desperate.

If it is not the intention to honestly investigate these cases certainly deception should not be practiced, and thus bring ruin and desolation, not only upon the party seeking redress, but also upon innocent women and children because of the lack of frank, candid and honest action.

Whatever of criticism appears in these pages is not from me as an officer of the Army, but solely in my relation as a citizen of the United States, and is made in the interest of the public service. I may say also that it is without malice.

I feel that the country should know of the many persecutions which those officers who incur the displeasure of superiors are subjected to, especially where trivial charges are made against them and trials had whose end and aim is their dismissal.

The trouble lies in the fact that there is no appeal from the conclusions of a military court. If a board of review consisting of eminent civilian attorneys versed in military law were appointed by Congress to go over all the details of trials before the President was called on to approve the sentence or proceedings the constantly recurring effort with Congress for redress of officers dismissed would cease and the Army benefited beyond calculation. Many cases come to me now where, if this had been done, justice would have been secured, and one, that of Maj. Andrew Geddes, would have resulted quite differently, as has been demonstrated by the thorough investigation given it by various Congressional committees, which have proven that he has been one of the best officers in the Army, a gentleman above reproach.

From the date of entry in active service as a Lieutenant the youngster begins a systematic effort to secure promotion or assignment to duty other than in garrison, where increased pay and emoluments ensue. Political influence is enlisted, and regular siege laid upon Senators and Congresmen by women to set them upon the President and War Department. These pages show so much of what is here spoken of that it is not necessary to go into further detail.

The too-frequent excuse one hears among officials that they have no time to properly discharge the duties they were appointed to perform would no longer be heard if less time was spent lunching and wining with the professional politicians who infest the capital.

The remedy for this condition is to enforce the law as it is today, which forbids such action on the part of officers, and thus give promotion and detail in accord with merit rather than favoritism.

Here I may end the record of a busy life that has not been without its bright side, notwithstanding the efforts of enemies to make it a wreck. My personal acquaintance and contact with many of the great characters of our nation's history, their tested and proven friendship under trying circumstances, their faith in my honor and integrity, all tend to make me thankful to Almighty God that I have lived in this age and have performed my allotted, if humble, part in the stirring events that adorn the historic annals of our country.

And now, in conclusion, I may be pardoned if I set forth plainly the fact that in my whole military career I have never been reprimanded by superiors for remissness in the performance of duty; that in no case has there ever been a report against me by an Inspector-General for neglect of duty in any particular; that I always promptly executed any order that I received from proper authority; that I always comported myself as a gentleman, of which there is plenty of evidence in these pages; that I have been the victim of malign influence and petty persecutions of a very large number of personages, from the exalted Secretary of War down to the scrub Lieutenant; that I have lived an honorable life and deserved the highest esteem of those who know me best; that most of those who have followed me so relentlessly have met with the punishment meted out to criminals and evil-doers generally; that my oldest friends are my best ones, still stand by me, and have never regretted that they have done so, and that I am still here respected by my fellows, a man among men, ready to serve my country whenever duty calls me.