Military officer; born in
Glastonbury, Conn., Dec. 6, 1786; joined the army in 1813; promoted first lieutenant in March, 1814; served through the
Mexican War, being promoted colonel and chief of ordnance in March, 1848.
On Nov. 6, 1850, he sent a letter without the knowledge of the
Secretary of War to
Colonel Huger, commandant of the arsenal at
Fort Monroe, respecting the purchase of ammunition, on the receipt of which
Colonel Huger made a contract to buy a large quantity of shot and shell.
[
3]
When this fact became known to the War Department
Talcott was court-martialled, found guilty, and forced to retire on July 8, 1851.
Many prominent men declared the sentence unjust and illegal, and attempts were made to reinstate him, but without success.
Hon. John C. Spencer wrote a
Review of the trial to prove the error of the judgment.
Talcott died in
Albany, N. Y., April 25, 1862.