Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-01-19
MILITARY COURT OF INQUIRY.
If IA Bsi1izsrs Ckrs.isis

hs Wa sIftntsc0, inc result OF the
recent secret session Of this court is
its assent TO the remonstrance OF Cenl.
Gaines: In them he insists. in . series
Of arguments. upon his right to blend
his accountability in the Florida failures
with that Of Genl. Scott. and become
party to the issue. This was mani
tested this morning by the suspension
Of the business Of Scott and the taking
up Of documentary testimony In eluci-
dalton Of Gaines participation IN the
much talked OF Campaigns. The lat
ter Genl. IL In excellent health aud rs
Nivacious a. any OF his Juniors. He 10
unques,ionably ~ fair q specimen Of
the easy gentility Of the oldcn time as
one could desire to see; his deport-
ment during the whole OF the sitting
was that Of one who knows himself Sc
riously wronged. but. conscious Of in
nocence, prefers the gradual develop
ment Of hts merits 10 vain menace
and windy defamation. His address
10 the Court was characterized BY rea-
son, pertinency aud very commendable
forbcarance. He is somewhat circum-
locutory md occasionally cratic in bis
Smiles, but his benignity and dignificd
preciseneSs atone for thousand faults.
whatever error, Go his fame may fall,
Look Al the man aoL you'll forget them ALL"
or the two aides Of Genl. Gaines,
Capt. Hitchcock is the most familiar
10 our countrymen. He il wns who
gave the QuaIter-master, Genl. Jessup,
such a concise lesson on Military eti-
quette in the commencement Of that
worthy's interference with his betters.
The captain was the bearer Of the
Stars and Stripes 10 the camp Of Santa
Anna, aud intimsted to that parsonage
the Importance Of non-intervention,
sc. His satisfactory performance OF
every duty hitherto assigned him at
tracted the attention Of the American
Colonization Society;an the Governor
ship Of Liberia was offered him. but
long familiarity with military life, and
the high value placed upon his services
BY his brethren-in-arm have induced
him TO forego the honorable trust
Capt. Mccall, another aide Of Genl.
Gaines. bears the impress of soldier
and man Of business, and is known 10
your readers as the author Of paper
in the New Orleans Bulletin, the tenor
Of which so offended Cecil. Scott, and
drew from him on a former occasion
the expression Of language which in
his cooler moments am sure he de-
prcca,cd. "lf the Court" said the
Genl. "conceives the Capt. so green
as to need instruction, they are at lib.
er'y to bestow IT." The Captains IN
equivocal reply TO the question olivia
ted the necessity Of discussion on the
subject.
On the opening OF the Court Major
Gen. Gaines addressed il in nearly the
following words: "Mr. President aud
Gentlemen Of the Court, propose to
show that the order. giving me the
Command Of the Western Department
Of the Army. was sufficient to Justify
my movements in Florida. II was as
much incumbent on me 10 relieve that
frontier as IL was for me to fy to Sack
e,ts Harbour in 1911; TO the shores OF
Niagara, and take command Of the
forces there, during the invalid condi-
ton Of the gallant Brown. Sir, I tho't
IT my duty to check the Seminoles and
10 afford the FloTiddisns tina. security 10
which az citizens they were entitled
aud which H.. Constitution CT the U.
States guarantees TO all who live with.
in lis influence, and | did afford them
that protection, Sir. BY these re-
marks dcSIre 10 show The similarity
al the circumstances which governed
me in both cases there the Court sug-
gested TO the General the expediency
Of deferring further remarks until the
Judge Advocate had concluded the
reading Of the documentary testimony
given in his case.
GeneraI Gaines. ut is far from my
purpose, Sir, to retard the business Of
the Court, but think that the remarks
I was about TO offer would at this time
be appropriate" Yes General, said
the President, I'VE had better begin
with the documentary testimony on
the part Of the government Per
haps so" said Gen. Gaines. The in
quiry will then be confined To its pro-
per limits; il will curtail explanations
and narrow down the subject" Or
ders Nos 6o and Is from the War De-
partment were then read by the Judge
Advocate. They refer, as your rea-
ders know, TO the causes Of the failure
OF the Florida Campaigns and the I'M
authorised appearance in print Of GER
tain orders addressed 10 Gen. Gaines.
The General here resumed his adj
dress.) at so happened, may it please
the Court, that the orders TO join the
gallant Brown did not direct me in
terms TO fire upon an enemy. but 10 60
forthwith to my post and assume com
nsnd. did so. This alone. Sir. was
efficient IN the estimation OF soldier
% Justify him IN doing every thing TO
check the enemy and avail himself Of
pll the resources Of The frontier 10 ef-
feet the object Of the campaign. The
great aud good President Of that pc
Rod commended my conduct; Con.
gress awarded me lie vote of approba.
ton; the approval Of my country ws'
bestowed upon ne. but do not think
because I did nv duty then and there.