Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-07-09
General Gaines.

censures Of the War Department, which was commu-
nicated 10 the Senate few days ago. 1t is the best
of all the Published letters recently written by the
General, and, batting a few uncalled-or expressions
does credit to Lis judgment and his temper. 1t GER
tainly goes far to create favorable impression re-
speeding his military conduct
HEAD QUARTERs, WESTERN DIVISION,
New Orleans, June 18th, 1916.
SRI have to acknowledge the honor Of your letter
Of the 2Sth May-last month
1t was with surprise | learned the Department Of
War regarded with disapprobation the request made
by me upon the Governors Of Kentucky and other
States for assistance. At the time 1T was made (the
4th of May last.) Gen. Taylor in the most crti-
cal situation. He had been left with neither adequate
means nor men to sustain the national honOr-oppos-
ed to army nearly four times strong his own,
and cut off from his military stores.
The country was uncertain whether he could es-
cape destruction BY his own gallantry, and the
indomitable courage of his officers and men, aud The
providence Of God, he extricated himself from the
difficulty. At this crisis he requested troops TO be
! sent to him with all possible despatch. As comman-
5der of this division of the United States army,
Immediately sought the Of meeting his wishes.
And | would have deemed myself recrcant 10 my
trust, and meriting dismissal from the service, if
had postponed action the subject for two weeks,
until orders could have been received from Washing
ton.
The War Department may deem the number Of
troops asked by me as greater than the exigency
quired. This | must confess would asionish me, as
the War Department asked and procured bill authO-
rzing tie levy Of $4,000 volunteers, and appropriate
(Sl0C00 000) ten millions to the same exgency.
| The War Department seems to be Of opinion that
there is no Discretionary power lodged in to act
without positive orders l. therefore, would ask for
informatOn-f seryile instruction should occur
if an Eruption should be made by large tribes Of
Indians--if a of steamers with Paxhan guns,
al
era at the head Of great part of the army of the
United States, upon the frontier of a neighboring
State near me, should ask assistance, would it be my
duty to refuse all aid until should have received
orders fIom Washington! l humbly conceive that
the latter case has existed within the last month and
1 if have erred in deeming General Taylor and his
army in situation so hazardous as to demand imme-
date succor it is an error under which the country,
the Congress- and the War Department, have equally
labored Had assistance been delayed by me- and
had General Taylor and his army been cut off, would
have regarded it indelibe stigma upon my name.
l am aware that the exercise of such a discretion
must ever be at the peril of the officer exercising IT,
That peril can never hesitate incur whenever the
welfare of the country demands it. If exercise it
unwisely, | am willing that my commission should be
forfeited if exercise it vainly, fer dshonora-
| bic purposes, | am willing 10 be shot. | am more
than willing TO abide the consequences of my conduct
in this matter, confident as am that have not trans
cendcd my duty, acted with greater zeal than the
emergency required. If the battles of the 6th and
9th of Nav so we'll contested as they were for time
on both sides, had resulted in the loss of Taylors
army, it would have plunged the whole Union into
deep mourning-and into that most poignant of all
human gries-an abiding sense of self-reproach for
the settled and cold indifference with which his want
of competent force and supplies had been for months
witnessed.
The talented and gallant General De Buys, who for
long time commanded the finest division of volunteers
have ever seen since the war of 1914 and 10 and
who, am sure, has no superior for the command of
this description of force with L. Texada Esq one of
the most promising young members of the legislature
and the talented Judge Bryce, not as you seem
to suppose, private citizens. They were Louisiana
volunteers, and gentlemen of high respecability and
appointed by to act officers Of the general
staff-upon the same principle that the distinguished
Edward Livingston, A. L. Duncan, and John r.
GrymeS, all first rate lawyers, appointed by
| Jackson TO act Is staff officers.
Jackson's object was, as my object has ever been
upon such occasions, TO maintain the great principle
upon which the defence and the independence of our be-
loved Union must forever Depend that to be private
volunteer is hold station of high honor whence an
acting general staff may with strict propriety be taken
and put duty in the absence of the regular staff of
the army.
These appointments and all tie measures taken by
me to which you object deemed by me as essen
tal duties, and discharged by me upon principles
sanctioned by the greatest and best of men ever
known to me, some of whom took their degrees in
military and political science in the school of our be-
loved Washington, Greene and Knox; and in the
more civic school of Jefferson, and Dearborn, and
Galatn; and though last not least in the school of
Madison, Eustis Dallis and Armstrong, Monroe and
Calhoun the master spirits of the of 1872 to 1914
and 10
Be assured sir that will obey with much pleas
the orders of the President of the United States
according to my oath of office. As to the reprimands
with which you have honored in the last year. and
in the last and present month"; although they strike
me novelties. not being warranted by the sentence
of general court-martia yet carelessy submit to
them as they seem to be source of pleasure the
War Department, and certainly infict no injury On
me.
can conceive but one motive for their occurrence,
and that is that my name shall be so banded before
the country that the public may be prepared to see
with Indifference my name passed by in silence if
more distinguished officers created in the army.
If this is SO the labor is useless, may very soon
be unable to discharge the active duties of my pro-
fesson, though long in the enjoyment of excellent
health I for am already old, Of contented dispo
stion and have received sufficient distinctions during
my humble life. Not the least of these distinctions
do regard the late prompt measures of Congress
and the President, and the nobehearted Louisanians
and other whole-souled Western and Southern men,
in not only indirectly, but expressly generously and
unanimously approving my conduct in having for
many months urged the adoption of the principal
measures which have recently been carried as by
accIamation
do not wish to have the place of any general or
other officer known TO me. l. sir was born ar time
and reared among who had not learned the art of
marching to distinction by rampling under foot the
claims of their dearest friends or brother soldiers
j. Very respectfully, yours,
EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES,
i Major General United States ARMY