Carroll free press. [volume] (Carrollton [Ohio]) 1834-1861, 1846-07-10

DAhs NHhG W uthAtuM tIAA-1
letter of the eGIh May-last mi
twas with surprise | learne
of War regarded with disappro
made by me upon the Governe
and other States for assistance.
was made (the 4th of May last
was in the most critical simatio
left with neither adequate means
tain the national honor-oppos
near four times as strong as his
from his military stores. The
certain whether he could escap,
By his own gallanuy, and the inl
age Of his officers and men, and tn,
of God, he exuicated himself from
~. At this crisis he requested uoot
10 him with all possible despatch.
der of this division of the u. States
mediately sought the means of NEE
es. And would have deemed m
to my trust, and meriting dismissal
vice, if | had postponed action on L
two weeks, until orders could have bee
from Washington.
The War Department may deem tn
troops asked by me as greater than II
required. This, | must confess, woy
me, as the War Department asked
a bill authorizing the levy of 5000
and appropriating ten millions to md
cXigency.
The War Department seems to be
that there is no discretionary power
me to act without positive orders.
would ask, for information, if servil, q.
tion should occur; ifan irruption shoul h.
! by large tribes of Indians; if swa m =
erS, with PaiXhan guns, were seen no
bout this seacoast; or if General, at
of great part of the army of the Uni
upon the frontier of neighboring State
should ask assistance, would it be my d
fuse all aid until should have received
from Washington | humbly conceive |
latter case has existed within the last mon
if have erred in deeming General Tay
his army in a situation so hazardous as to d
immediate succor, it is an error under VIII
country, the Congress and the War D"pa
have equally labored. Had assistance
layed by me, and had General Taylor
my been cut off, | would have regarde,
indelible stigma on my name. | am a
the exercise of such discretion must
the peril of the officer exercising it,. B
| can never hesitate to incur whenever
fare of the country demands it. If | e |
unwisely, | am willing that my commits
be forfeited; or if exercise it vainly, Oh
honorable purposes, am willing to
am more than willing to abide the &C
ces of my conduct in this matter, confd,
am that have not transcribed my duty,
ed with greater zeal than the emergency re
If the battles of the 9th and 9th of May,
contested as they were for time on bot
had resulted in the loss of Taylor's ar
would have plunged the whole Union int,
mourning, and into the most poignant of
man grlcls, an abiding sense of sell-repro
the settled and cold Indifference with wi
want of competent force and supplies ha
for months witnessed.
The talented and gallont General DIG
who for long time commanded the fine
sion of volunteers have ever seen since I
of 1914 and rs, and who, | am sure, has
perior for the command of this descrip
force, with l.. Texada, ESQ, one of tn
promising young members of the Legi,
and the talented Judge Bryce, were not
seem to suppose, private citizens. Their
Louisiana volunteers, and gentlemen {
responsibility, and were appointed by me
as officers of the General Staff, upon tn
principle that the distinguished Edward
ston, A. L. Duncan, and John R. Gryn
first rate lawyers, were appointed by JacA
act as staF officers.
Jackson's object was, as my object ha
been upon such occasions, to maintain tn
principle upon which the defence and tn
pendcace of our beloved Union must ever d
that to be private Uoiunieer is to hold a hi
tioa of honor, whence an acting geaer
may with strict propriety be taken and put
ty in the absence of the regular staff of the
These appointments, and all the meast
ken by me to which you object, were deer
me essential duties, and discharged by N
principles sanctioned by the greatest an
men ever known by me, some of who
their degrees in military and political sciC
the school of our beloved Washington,
and Knox; and in the more civic school
forson, and Dearborn, and Gallatin; and,
last, not least, in the school of Madison,
Dallas, and Armstrong, Monroe, Calhou
master spirits Of the war of 1919 to 18l
1916.
Be assured, sir, that | will obey with
pleasure the orders of the President of tn
ted States, according to my oath of ofic
to the reprcmands with which you have
ed me in the last year, and in the last anC
ent month, although they strike me as nc
not being warranted by the sentence of a {
court-marshal, yet | carelcssly submit to
as they seem to be a source of pleasure
War Department, and certainly inhict no
on me. can conceive but one motive fC
frequent occurrence, and that is, that m,
shall be so banded before the country t
public may be prepared to see with indifi
my name passed in silence if more disting
officers are created in the army. If this
the labor is useless, as may very soon b
Bile to discharge the active duties of my
sion, (though long in the enjoyment of ex
healthy for am already old, of content
position, and have received sufficient distil
during my humble life. Not the least Of
distinctions do regard the late prompt acC
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