Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-08-16


street shall constitute company 10 be command
ed by the officers at present attached to Capt. Har-
mans company, and that all that portion of the said
district lying North of said street constitute a new
company to be organized according 10 law"
The Major attempts to avoid the force of his own
vote by saying that this order was only adopted in
view Ut the fact that provision made for a re-
adjustment of the company boundaries throughout
the regiment. 1t is true that when the Saun,on
company was divided, it was suggested that there
were other companies in the regiment which might
require division, and one was prepared to sug-
gest proper mode of effecting the object the fol-
lowing order was proposed by me and adopted with
out a dissenting voice.
Ordered that 1t. Col. Bell. Maj. McCue and
Capt. Sterrett be appointed committee to inquire
and report to a court of Inquiry to be held in the
town of Siaunton on the second day of the next
training of officers-what changes, if any, ought
to be made in the division of the regiment by bat
talions and companies.
At the training of officers, the regimental court
assembled to receive the report of the committee,
but 1t was agreed that the formation of the Artl-
lery company at Mount Scion had removed all ne
cessity for further action and nothing more was
done in the matter.
Although the order for the organization of the
new company was peremptory and unconditional,
no notice was taken Of it by Lit. Col. Bell who
proceeded at once TO hold an election for Colonel
oil the Regiment. made no complaint against this
course, although knew had more TO expect from
the new company than either of the other candi-
dates.
When the new election was about to come on it
was found that the same course was again to be
pursued in regard oihe new company; whereupon,
without any agency of mine, paper was gotten up
and signed by some forty members OF the company,
stating, that although more than three months had
elapsed since the formation of the company, they
were yet without officers TO represent them in the
approaching elections; and demanding as right that
the company should be fully organized before that
election.
When that paper was handed TO It. COL Bell,
he brought 1t TO me and asked my advice as to what
course he should pursue. declined advising on
the subject, and he then, as he afterwards informed
me, consulted with Col. James Crawford, who ad-
vised him to organize the company. This advise
he determined TO follow, and at his request wrote
an order to that effect, which was published in the
newspapers.
was not present at the election but as soon as
1t was over Lieut.. Colonel Bell came to my Of
flee with list of the officers elected and requested
me to write the certificate of election. wrote it
and handed 1t TO him to be sent to Richmond
The Major complains that all five of these off
GERS voted for me-that it was known they would
do so when they were elected, and that it was gen
orally known that no one but Baldwin man could
have been elected. 1t s they all voted for me-
and have very little doubt they were elected with
knowledge that they would dc so, but if such
was the fact, it was more my misfortune than nv
fault, that my neghbors desired my election -
How many votes could | get in the town of Mount
Scion
1t is proper that should here notice most sim
gular charge made against me by Maj. McCue in
relation to the commissions for this new company.
He states that sealed package containing these
commissions, addressed to the Commandant Of the
regiment, by mistake went TO Parnassus p. o.
that the Post master forwarded it to Staunton-
that it fell into my hands, that broke the seal and
distributed the contents without any authority from
Bell, and without his knowledge.
| He charges that was induced to do so by the
fact that knew Ii Col. Bell, the Commandant, to
be opposed to the organization Of the new company,
and that feared he would stop the commissions if
they fell into his hands.
| 1t is true that such package did fall into my
hands /; it handed to me by Reuben d. Hill,
Esq, who informed me that it was sent to me by
Col. Rankin. 1t is true that broke the seal in
the presence of Mr.. HILL and that finding the com
missions tor the new company, did proceed To dis
tribute them to those for whom they were intend
ed 1t is also true that had no express authority
from 1t. COL Bell to open that package, and that
did 1t without his knowledge. But it is not true
that knew Bell to be opposed 10 the organization
OF the new company--on the contrary, ] knew that
he was in favor OF that organization. He had told
Inc so repeatedly after his consultation with Col
Crawford, and he had, as Commandant of the Re
gment ordered and superintendent that organiza-
ton, and certified the elections to the Governor
| Nor is it true that had any fear of his stopping
the commissions knew he had no such DISPOSE
tlon-and also knew that he had no such rgh,
If had supposed he would have dsapproved Of the
disposition which | made Of the commissions,
would certainly have handed them to him.
Unfortunately for this charge it happens that 1t
Col. Bell did not, and does not, disapprove of the
disposition made of the commissioner the contra
ry, he has informed me that did with them pre-
clsely what he would have done himself
i felt fully al liberty TO open that package, and
opened 1t without moments hesitation. | fe
warranted in doing so by the relations subsisting be
tween Lit. Col Bell and myself. | had been fol
seven years his adviser in all matters connected
with The militia and had done all his official cor
respondence with the Executive during that perioc
i had written the certificate upon which thest
commissions Were issued, and | knew the view.
and purposes of Bell with regard to them
When first heard Of this charge called upor
! 1t. Col. Bell to- learn whether he was complaints
Of what had done-he informed me that he wa
not complaining, and had not thought of such
thing-that had done nothing more than our re
lations warranted, and that had disposed of tn,
commissions precisely as he would have done him
self. He has made the same statement to others
ltmay not be improper to state that while Col
Rankin was IN command of the Regiment | had ex
press authority from him TO open all such package
AN authority which frequently exercised ant
it may be that it was owing to this circumstanc
that he sent the package TO me.
In making this charge against me, Mai McCu
has assumed to himself the office of champion 70
one who does not desire his services If any on
had right to complain of me, it was 1t. Co
Bell, and he approves of what did.
The object of this charge is to break the force {
a charre brnnpht by me AGAINST Mai McCne whic