Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-10-12
Esom ths MaruLand Losrnal.

1 u
paper, dated Piscataway, Sd Sep. 1927. II will
be seen that the charge made by Gen. Jackson,
in the POSTSCRIPT, to his letter, written to ~
ham Queens, Of Kentucky, in July last, against
General Washington, charging him with or
dering deserters 10 be shot without trial, is en-.
tirely false, he never having issued any such
order We several weeks since, gave an extract
Of Col Beslls letter, which has as we have un-
ders,ood, been pronounced by several Jackso-
mans who have heretofore bore the character OF
gentlemen, Of being fabrication Of our own;
that Col. Beall never had written 10 us on the
subject In order to prove 10 the public, that
their assertions in saying that the extract pub
lished by US, is fabrication Of our own, we
have been compelled to publish Col. Beall's let
"Piscataway, Sd Sept 1927.
Dear Sir,
Your letter Of the 23d ut. was received the
2slh and should have replied 10 il immediate
", but was much indisposed.
SIN the year 1879, believe about July, was
ordered from the man army with company
of Infantry to join Major Lee, who commanded
body Of horse and foot, watching the enemy
then posted at Stoney Point, in the state Of n
York, on Hudson River. 1t. Reed was attach
ed to my company. After some time spent on
this duty, Major Lee called on Lieutenant Reed
10 take party of men, l think eleven, and go
10 the lines, watch the enemy, and TO take any
men he might hnd in the actual act ofde
sertion TO the enemy, shoot them, Cut their
heads of ard bring them 10 him or send them
10 Head Quarters, do not exactly recollcct.-
was standing near Major Lee when he gave
the order. It. Reed did take three men in the
act Of d, ser.ion and shot one cut his head OIL,
and disposed Of il agreeable 10 his orders So
much in answer 10 your request.
81 will take the liberty TO make remark
or two.
ain General Reeds answer TO the interroga
tory of Baltimore paper he says the PROPOSE
ton is substantially true. ! do not believe
G. neral Reed means to assert that his o. ders
were from General Washington, for It is uuu-
sual for the chiefof an army 10 give orders 10
an officer detached from separate command,
hence il 1t. Reed was Censured, 1t could not
have been by GencI al Washington 1t. Reed
would have received his orders from General
Washington if he had been sent on command
from his person or PRESENCE. When 1t. Reed
received his orders from Major Lee, recol>
lcct Lee was writing, and my impression was
he was writing TO General Washington; Gen.
Reed, says his orders were in writing, and If so,
! | have no doubt tn were what Major Lee
was.wrii ing. 1T is strongly impressed upon
my mind that Major Lee was either much
censured or arrested for this action, Of course
irCould not have been an order OF General
Washington's; and If mistake not, Col. How
ard Of Baltimore who who was with the army
and seldom forgets occurrences OF the KIND,
will bear me out in this opinion.
81 heard General Wa, hington once in al
dressing his soldiers give orders eff your right
hand man or left hand man Civ way, club
your musket * knock him down. not cut of
their heads but this was at an awful time IN
deed. when he was opposing the march If the
enemy TO Philadelphia in l777. The anmuni-
ton was so damaged by the excessive rain,as to
place our sole dependence on the bayoEet.
general Jackson has been frequently com
pared 10 General Washington in all his con
duct and character, but the injustice OF the COM
parison will evidently appear to the candid
enquirer, and partly to Justify General Jackson
in his inhumane, and rash, aud unjust conduct
in the military command. General Washing
ton is charged with putting men to death wI'h>
GU, trial-bu: we will for moment suppose
Gen Washington did give such orders, the
comparison Of the time and occasion with that
in Gen Jack sons case, must TO every rejecting
mind, Justify one while the other should be
condemned as cruel and savage. In General
Washington's military career, 1t was time OIL
peril indeed, when the Rights, Liberties, Pro-
perty and every thing most dear 10 our Eoun-
try was at stake against relentless superior
foe, hence the most wise, efec,ual, anfdecisive
measures were ndispensib!e.-Ge Jack
son ordered those oruel:,es (not for deserl'on
to the enemy when engaged in ,rfing, pet
,y, dirty Indian savage foe al corner OF the
Union and with force of the United States al
his command, in the rear.
very respectfully yours,
WIN. D. BEALL.