The Charlotte journal. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1835-1851, 1842-01-20
From The Iaaepsnaeat, Jan. 4.


From the Independent Jan. 4.
We find the following in the New York
American
"GEN. GAINEs.--The runor some days
ago Of the arrest Of this officer for leaving
his Military Department without orders,
and repairing TO Washington, was AT least
premature though, we believe there is no
doubt that che General is absent without
leave from his post-russibly permanent
leave ofabsencc viii be ordered in bis case,
and tue next in rank he detailed to the com.
mand of bis Military Department.-This
perhaps is the least ungracious mode of
setting aside a soldier who has done the
State some SERVICE bit whose faculties
now are supposed to be somewhat impair.
ed
OF one who has done such honorable ser
vice as Gen Gaines, and whose military
merits have always been adorned by a
high private worth, it is fit that one speak
with all possible tenderness. When Ru.
NOR was rife here, not long ago, with tales
Of his disobedience OF orders, bis contuma-
cv. his arrest, and even the severity with
which he had been treated, we took pains
to arrive at such facts as could be depend
ed on. The results but this: Gen. Games
did, we believe. quit his command impro.
perly--not SO much because he did it upon
a sort Of contingent and constructive leave.
/ from the Secretary at War, which ought
-. f,sl
/ it was direct violation Of duty TO address
an application of this kind to the Secretary,
passing oyer his superior officer. the Com.
mander.in.C Chief. We have strong rca.
sou, TOO, to believe that lie quilted his Di-
vision without assigning the command (as
he should have doue) TO the next superior
eflicer--thus leaving his Division without
any military head. We have ascertained
1 that,--rrave as these facts rendered the
case,---iie was treated With all possible con-
sideration, and an unsolicited leave of abb
sence rendered him, in the properest terms.
To this he replied, by an enumeration of
his services, and an intimatIon that, when
he wanted a leave of absence, he would
apply for it. Respect for his high SER
vices, his advanced ago, and for certain
1 fancios with which his mind is entirely
possessed, pointed on, The only course tha,
could be taken with him, unless all idea OF
dicipline in the Army was abandoned; and
leave Of absence for him was made out,
I by tho express instruction of the President
hmself.-But we do not understand that
leave to DO permanent, as the American
states il 10 be.
Though aware Of these facts, We have
forborne to mention them through consid-
eraiions that will easily be understood
So much of the matter has now, however,
become public, that il is useless any longer
1 TO withhold simple statement Of the truth.
We feel bound, at the same time, TO remark
that, in every view Of the official proprle.
ties Of his station, Gen. Gaines does what
! is exceedingly unfit, in going about the
country, lecturing upon his plan of Nation.
al Defence. Nor does it diminish the un.
becomlngness Of the thing, that his lady
however charming or eloquent, should holl
forth, after him, on the opposite topic Of tn
Horrors of War. Regard for one Of tn
highest and most uneontamnateG brancheI
Of the public. service, induces us 10 speaJ
out, thus far, upon the whole matter.