The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-07-02

had resulted in the loss of Tayl.r's a,mv i,
would have plunged the whole onion into deen
mournlng-and into that most poignant, of all bu
man griefs--an abiding sense Of self repro,cb f,r
the settled and cold indifference with which b;s
want of competent force and supplies had been for
months witnessed.
The talented and gallant Gen. De Buys. who
for a long time commanded the finest division of
volunteers, have ever seen since the war of 1871 a
and rs. and who, am sure. has no superior for
the command OF this description of force, with T..
Texada. Esq. one ct tho most promising Young
members of the Legislature, and the talented
Judge Bryce, were not. as you seem 10 suppose.
private citizens. They were Louisiana volun
teers, and gentlemen of high responsibility, and
were appointed by mo To act as officeJs of the
general staff-npon the same principle that the
distinguished Edward Livingston. A. T.. Duncan.
and John r. Grymes, all first rate LAWYERS. were
appointed by jackson to act as 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 hide
pendence of our beloved Union must forever de
pend that to he a private voiunieer is to hold n
station Of high honor, whence an acting general
stGt may with strict propriety he taken and nut
on duty in the absence of the regular staff of the
army.
These appointments, and all the measures tax
en- by me 10 which you object. was deemed by me
as essential duties. and discharged by me upon
principles sanctioned by the greatest and hest of
men ever known 10 me. some Of whom took their
degrees in military and political science in the
school of our beloved Washington, Greene, and
Knox; and in the more civic school of Jefferson.
and Dearborn, and Gallatin and, though last. not
least. in the school of Madison, Eustis, Dallas,
and Armstrong Monroe, and Calhoun, the mas
ter spirits of the war of 1912 To 1914 and 'I5.
Be assured, sir, that I will obey with much
pleasure the orders of the President of the United
States, according to my oath of Office As to the
reprimands with which you have honored me in
the last year, and in the last and present month.
although they strike me as novelties, not being
warranted ny the sentence of general court
martial, yet carelessly submit 10 them, as thew
seem to be source Of pleasure to the War De-
partment, and certainly inf1ict no injury on me-
can conceive but one motive for their frequent
occurrence, and that is, that my name shall be 80
banded before the country, that the public may
be prepared to see with Indifference my name
passed by in silence if more distinguished officers
are created in the army. Ii this is So the labor is
useless, as may very snon be unable to discharge
1he active duties of my profession. (hough long in
my enjoyment OF excellent health } for am al.
ready old, of commended disposition, and have re-
ceived sufficient distinction during my humble life.
Not the least Of these distinctions do regard the
late prompt aoar measures of Congress and the
President. and the noble-hearted Lonisanians, and
other whole souled western and southern men. is
not only indirectly, but expressly. generously,
and unanimously approving my conduct in having
for many months urged the adoption of the prln-
cipal measures which have recently been carried
as by acclamation
do not wish to have the place Of any General
or other officer known 20 me. /, c:r, was born al
time and reared among men who had not learned
the art of marching to distinction by trampng
under foot the claims of their dearest friends or
brother soldiers.
Very respectfully. yours,
EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES,
Major General u. S. Army,
Commanding the Western Division. !
Hon. WIN. l.. MARCY, Secretary of War,
Washington City, D. c.