The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-09
protect the person. and Oroperty Of all nOn-eOmba-


protect the persons and property Of all non-eomb'
| taDtst 20. - f..fa. - ..f
| A war carried ON IN this way will not fail TO resu
in doing much rood and b1d lille harm 10 the troop
and welLdisposed people OF both natiOns for IL WI
make US better acquainted with each other, an
il NAV tend ultimately TO make US love on
another, as the Holy Scriptures require us all L
Loue our nsighb0rs. Ii the Mexicans and Yankees o
this Union have an opportunity of being acquainte
with each other, they would never think Of beinl
involved in such war as seems now TO menae
them. These have long been my deliberate views
all intolerant party newspaper ISLANDERS to the con
trary Notwithstanding.
am soldier Of the United States-the Who'll
United States OF America, and not a soldier nor
member OF any political party. This nation cal
never be defended by any one political party
Hence 1t was that George Washington suggeste,
The proprety Of The oath which was, under his aus
plees, prescribed by law, to be taken by every Office
OF the army-the oath which was taken by me il
the year 1893, while Washington was still living
an oath which every officer is in honor and in duty
bound 10 take and to carry out in all his military
conduct, IL is in the following words 81
- do swear that ! will bear true faith and allie
glance to The United States Of America, and serve
them honestly and faithfully against their enemies
and oppressors Whomsoeyer, and that ] will OBJ
serve and obey the orders of the President o
the United States and the orders Of the officers ap
pointed over me, according to the rules and articles
Of war so help me God"
| am satisfied that no man who is bound by this
oath can be an efficient member Of party, We are
all bound TO serve the United Siaiss and not party
or part Of the United States; but 10 honestly
all the people Of the United States and on the ap
proach Of war we Of the army should invoke aid
from all parties, for the national defence. In this
we cannot hope TO succeed without hsving uniform
al. T.IV,
In soliciting your particular attention 10 the an
nexed statement Of my assistant adjutsnt gen
sra, Major Samuel Cooper, have only TO add the
remarks which follow:
That much Of what | have received from the
military bureau Of the War Department, having
reference TO my conduct for long time past has
been in the spirit Of acrimonious rtprnand and this
without the authority of a general coun-maTtial
No sentence OF a court could have fixed on me more
marked censure than the awess act Of ordering the
movements of u brigade Of my division, conceal
ing II from me, aud thus attempting 10 censure me
for watching over the safety Of and sustaining that
brigade. This as much a violation Of the letter and
Apirit Of the military law, If | were eashsTsd by
rider Of an officer Of my own grade-an officer
always junior to me Indeed, | was in the year
1912, suspended from nv proper command, and my
pay reduced to nearly one half Of what was law
fully entitled to- without the authority Of general
court martial. When | was afterwards instructed
20 resume my proper command but few days
elapsed before found my military command to be,
il has since proved to be- perfect military mock
eIy as far IL could be made by the lawesss con
duet'of that same yindietiye junior. True, mad
my choice 10 submit 10 the official Outrages Of that
same junior, or 10 degrade myself by suffering the
vaingiorous instrument OF my persecution TO
achieve the triumph Of driving me out OF service,
and from the position in which he knows full well |
shall triumph all opposition in establish
ing my system Of national defence to the disgrace
of every military man who has covertly or openly
opposed me.
General Scott has not the power TO harm me with
out being aided, he in his intrigues Of July,
l6il, by the head Of the War Department, in man
ner and to an extent not sanctioned by law. What
were the precise conditions OF his promotion over
me have not learned; but this is fac. well known
10 the army and people Of the United Sltes that he
mad been but few months in his nc u'Fice before
mis- lntrgues for the Presidency liSUos-d in an
address tending to scand'lze the army end me Office
;onhded to him.
| had confidently persuaded myself that the army
md its eenior general officer would have Justice done
hem under the present administration, mas much as
he election Of Col. Polk clearly indicated deiermi-
,ation on the part Of large portion of the good peo-
Die of the Union to put do0u all Intriguing fer The
ucees,ion. In this hope will not despair.
know too we'll the nature Of your duties to ask
" expect Of you any special favor. | think il due
your official station and your character as states.
man, and more especially due TO the President of the
United States, the only lawful head Of the army, that
should not close this present communication with
ut claiming, as lawful right the privilege secured
me by the 18th, 77th, 18th, and other articles of
he rules and articles Of war; which clearly provide
hat if the President, the Secretary Of War, or Gen.
'cott should suppose that have committed a crime,
hat officer will be required TO exhibit charges against
nd Ca N al.
pom the President yourself will be pleased if it
e deemed necessary and proper from the nature Of
he charges, to order general ourtmartial for my
nal as the law most wisely and Justly puts it out
the power of that officer TO order general court.
martial for my trial in wherein he ,coud and
autst be my aeeuser. n: ,...,, .
There is, / am sure, but one man in this nation
apable of charging me with the crimes officially al
aged against me by that officer, and that man is
dsjor General Scott. Unfortunately for the army
nd the country, he is officially associated with the
Var Department. Not, however, it is hoped and
elieved, in such way as TO prevent your requiring
i'm, in his future efforts to wrong an officer or sol
Ter, to confne himself TO the essential restraints of
Military law. -. 49,. ... ... ,..4 /
| am truly grateful to the President for his good
pinion of my motives But if he should not find
ny official conduct as unexceptionable as he deems
~ motives to be, ought and shall expect to be
rought before general court-martial. ~
My call on Governor Mouton, under the circum-
anees and facts knopn 10 al The date Of my requisi-
on, was either right, or it was wrong II was a
ase upon which Iwould assume the responsibility
{ risking my life, as have often done while my
uty lie me in striking distance Of the enemy's shot,
,hich have hundreds Of times heard whistlng near
he, and cutting down my companions in arms.
,as not ignorant Of my duty as to imagine or in
mate to any one that my requistion was expressly
uthorized or that it would be the Of securing
, the volunteers their pay until sanctioned by the
resident of the United States.
All which is respectfully submitted. .
... EDMUND p. GAINES,
.... Major General United States army,
.... .s.. Commanding the western division.
To the Hon. w. l.. NANCY,
Secretary Of War,
Wash ngton city.
STATEMENT