Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1837-02-23
: T. |. T. L ITO \ :
TIE PRESIDENT AND THE ARMY

] VI i II AL IHtM IllL bItHb.
The opinion of Tie President on that part O
/ the proceedings Of the Court al Inquiry, now I'll
ting al Fredeliok, which relates 10 the oampaicf
against the Crceh Indians, is gwen below. Tue
proceeding, Of the Court, III respect to the failure
Of the campaigns under Generals Games and
Scott against the Semmoles 80 far as regards
tie case Of Major General Scott, have also been
submitted 10 the Pre- ldcnl; but we understand
that, IN con eQuenceo l the necessary cOnnexIon
between the cases OF the Two commanders the
President has suspended his examination OF the
proceedings IN respect TO Mai Gen. Scott, I'M
! I'll he shall have received the proceeding IN re
>pcct TO Major Gcnerel Games, when the whole
subject will be taken up and disposed OF.
OPINION OF TIE PRESIDENT,
On the proceedings Of the Count of Inquiry or.
dered TO investigate the causes OF the delay in
the campaign against the Creek Indians.
The President has carefully examined the pro-
ceedings Of the Court Of Inquiry recently held at
the cty OF Frederick, by virtue Of Orders Nos.
O. and CO so far as the same relate 10 the causes
Of the delay in opening and prosecuting the cam
paien in Georgia and Alabama against the hos
tile Creek Indians, in the year 1896 and ha,
maureIy considered the opinion Of the Court on
thI1 part Of the subject referred 10 H.
The order constituting Tie tonu directs il, a
mong other things, " TO inquire and examine IN
10 the fHU~t Oil lfl' ufldN III bI'Ilile IlOAftu
ting the campaign IN Georgia and Alabama F.
aarnst the hostile Creek Indians, in the year
1896, aud INTO every subject connected with the
military operations Of the campaign alore -ald E.;
and alter fully investigating the same, 10 report
The facts, together with its opinion on the whole
,uNi ct, for the information OF the Preside
Ii appear, from the proceedings, thai, after the
testimony Of nine witnesses had been received
by the Court, and after more Than one hundred
H., l,l. h,p
pro4uced IN evidence, and after Major General
Scott bad addressed the Court on the subject, the
Court Proceeded 10 pronounce It's opinion, as
follows;
Upon careful examination Of the abundant
testimony taken IN the foregoing case, the Court
IS OF opinion that no delay, which II was pract-
cable 10 have avoided, was made by Major Gen
eral Scott. in opening the campaign against the
Creek Indians. On the contrary, appears that
he took the earliest measures to provide arms
munitions and provisions for his forces, who
were found almost wholly destitute and as soon
as arms could bp put into the hands of the vol
untpers they were, in succession, detached and
placed 10 position, 10 prevent the enemy from re-
tirlng upon FLORIDA, and whence they could move
against the main body OF the enemy, as soon as
equipped for offensive operations.
?" From the testimony oil the Governor Of Geor
ria of Major General Sanford, commander II
the NptoT8li volunteers. anu HIinl otlici WHITES
,es of high rank and standing, who were ac-
quainted with the topography oil the country, and
the position and strength Of the enemy, the Court
; Of opinion that the plan of campaign adopted
by Mai Gen. Scott was well calculated loicad to
successful results. and that II was prosecuted by
him, as far As practicable, with zeal and ability,
until recalled from the command, upon represen-
tatlon' made by Major General Jesup, his Sc
ronl in command, from Fort Mitchell, in let
ter bearing date The Goth Of June, 1886, addressed
10 +. p. Blair, Esq. at Washington, marked
"priratr,n containing request that II be shown
10 the President which letter was exposed and
brough, to light by the dlgnihed and magnanI-
nou, act of the President in causing II 10 be pla-
.ed on file IN the Depar menl Of War, as an OH
! .ial document, anu which toims part OF these
croceedl..s. (See Document No. 2l4) Con
luct so extraordinary and inexpIicable on The
,art Of Major General Jesup, III reference 10 thu
,haracter Of SAID letter, should, in the opinion o
the Court, be investigated"
| The foregoing opinion IS not accompanied h'
any report Of the facts in the case, as required b.
me order constituting the Court ION the contrary
he facts are left to be gathered fom the mass c
iorsl aad Documentary e'lee:e contained - n