Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-07-19

perly conducted one. Some among the most lhti-
mate friends Of Capt. B. were decidedly OF the O.
pinion, under all the circumstances attending the
first election, that he ought not to be candidate.
| It. Col. Bell again by newspaper notice called
the officers together the th of March, at same
place. The friends of Capt. Ii. urged Lit. Colonel
Bell 10 call out the militia in Staunton, north OF
Main Street, (Which, by an order of the last Reg
imental Court, had been formed into new com
pany in order to elect officers. lie heslated a
bout doing So when those friends got up remon-
STRANGE and threatened him with appeal TO the
Governor He orders the election, and five Off
GERS, known to be supporters of Capt. b., are elect
| ed it was generally known that nO one else than
Baldwin man could have been elected 1t is pro-
per here observe that the order of the Regiment
al Court forming this new company, was sustained
only in view of the fact, that an adjustment OF the
company bounds throughout the Regiment was
looked to and provided for, by appointing commit
tee to attend it, and report to the next training
But for this, the motion to divide the militia com
pany in Staunton, would have met with little ia
YOUR, as it increased the inequality then existing
| between the town and the balance of the Reg
ment BY the formation of this company, the vol
unteer and militia strength of the town, numbering
about 240 men, represented by ~ officers, be-
sides other companies in the same Battalion
The Cd Battalion at this time, although containing
nearly or quite 500 men, represented by IL
officers-there being five vacancies.
Ii is proper here TO remark that no step was Ia
ken by It, Col Bell to fill up the several vacancies
which at that time existed in the I'd Battalion; the
LIST Battalion besides its large numerical majority,
having probably not more than two vacancies, and
being increased by the formation of this new COM
pany.-So much for the odds we had to contend
with.
The ! lth Of March arrives, and with it pretty
full attendance of officers only three absentees, one
a supporter of Lit. Col. Bell, one of myself, and
one doubtful Great excitement is felt by all par
ties, but without prejudice may say eriraordlpa-
ry exertons made by some of the friends of one
of the candidates. just at the moment Of going in
to the election 1t. Col. Bell declines. The ballot
between Capt. b. and myself results in his election
by two votes
Before the crowd dispersed it was whispered a
mong some persons that unfair and dishonorable
means were used by some of the friends OF my OPP
ponent TO secure his election. This has continued
10 be spoken of more less from that time to the
present. and has given rise TO several personal dit
ficulties. Reference to this matter will moro pro-
perly appear hereafter.
A delay of two weeks or more having interven-
ed between the election and the receipt of the com
mission. and learning indirectly that the delay of
its coming was supposed to be owing to my having
, written TO the Executive, ! then, for the first
time, determined TO do so, and gave the Depart
ment some reasons why protested against the com
MISSION OeiIlg lSSueu LOT Cdpt. DdiuWlH 10 tllS
received the following reply:
"Adjt. Gen. Office, April 9th, lS4S.
7 Maj. j. M. McCue:-
Sir,-The Governor desires me to acknowledge
the receipt of your letter of the 30th March, to
him, and TO inform you that the Col of the Tooth
Regiment was commissioned the day before it was
received and consequently the subject is beyond his
control.
The election took place on the 18th of March,
and no objection appearing, the commission was is
sued on the 3rd of April after having been sus-
pended full long enough, as was supposed to afford
time for such, if any existed.
The Governor regrets that your communication
> did not reach him in time.
Very respectfully,
Your Ohedient servant,
5 WIN. II. RICHARDSON"
will here assign as the reason for not informing
the Executive oPmy objections to the election of
Capt Baldwin, Immediately thereafter viz: The
, want success had met with before in writing,
and the firm conviction that the Executive by some
q means was indisposed TO yield me, even fair play,
in this affair; else why be operated on by such fri
volous objections to set aside the first election 2
Before the receipt Of this communication, consid-
, cradle excitement was getting up over the Regi-
ment, in anticipation of election of 1t Colonel.
SC. The project of forming company Of Ariille-
ry was conceived by some, in and about Church
vile, and very soon become known to the citizens OF
Mt. Scion /; the two places being the residences OF
the aspirants or the office of Lit. Colonel. Hsv-
ing been absent from home, several days, (my
thoughts about that time running more in the cUi
than in the military line, what was my surprise,
on my return, 10 be presented with roll Of the
names Of sixty good men and true, who had volun-
teered as members of an Artillery company. was
consulted as 10 the step necessary to be taken to
ganize the company. advised an application to
d Lit Col. Bell, then the commandment of the Regi-
. ment, for orders to hold the election An individ-
: ual called on him--he was absent from home, but
expected back daily. The fear was that Church
vile would anticipate them. The individual who
waited on 1t Col Bell, accidently met Captain
: Baldwin, who, at that time, had not received his
+ commission and Informed him (B.) of his intention
+ to apply to Bell. He informed by Baldwin,
t that if Churchvle and Mt. Scion applied TO him
d simultaneously he would give the latter preference
in view of the fact, that the LIST Battalion now had
" the Infantry and Rihemen, two out of three light
n companies. 1t. Col Bell was waited on and iSsu-
It ed the following order:
J. "Maj. j. NJ. McCue -
J., You are hereby required TO proceed to organize
n the Artillery company petioned for within your
Battalion, after giving ten days notice, and super
intend the election of officers for said company Al
o Mt Scion.
? WIN. A. BELL,
!, 1T. Col. l60th Reg't. " NJ.
9Th April, l848"
In compliance with this order, called The com
- pany together, and on The day on which the Ter
h days notice expired, the day before the election,
. received the following countermanding order:
rs "SrAUNToN, April 10, lS4S.
a Mai. McCue =
e Dear Sr,-T received orders from Col Baldwin
1t through Ad't. Peyton, directing me TO suspend tn
orders oiyen tn YOU TO ORGANIZE the Artillery com
70 pany at Mt. Scion, until further orders. You WI
e NOT thnrefnre rnceed 10 ornan MIC The cnnnanu nn