The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-08-10
.L,ber,y OF Conscience''-Gen. Wool.

uJsber,v OF Couscience''-Gen. Wool.
As an act justice TO the military service the secrs
tary of War and myself amipducsd TO notice an article
published in the Boston 8as aud other papers
Liberty Of Cor science the Secretary OF wax
lstpg to the case Of Private Dugsan Oh the 0"''A
II il not true asserted by the editor Of the aaas
that Private Duggan was punished or refusing nv
church. nor il it true that the sentence was set ASIDE
the Secretary Of War For d obedience Of orders ana
leaving his company without psrpisson no Vas "na
eced to the pay of hns Of about hve aosfs; anu
This IL all the punishu he has received tne ienow
ing letter to the Secretary, however, exhoits a'r"e
hittory Of Duggans cast = w..,uo-o, Julv s, 1851
Sir Il have the homer ssreeaby to your lverSan re-
quest to report my action IN ths c s rn,mhns 6v
General Court Martial. ordered by Brevet bresadier
General walbseh The Jie sct;nr in
= ne case, and sent them 10 myself Tor decision re
q ued the proceedings to the dsnersl WITH
= .bich observed that inasnuch "a Dulgan exniot'o
- pere a spirit of characterization than religious scru
y tim Thought he deserved punishment Atthe same
d in tbess RENTED The General stil declined a,tng
e requa and returned the proceedings 20 me no'
% rity fort would submit the case to higher sa' no.
- enolosedNion This declined TO do, and issued the
+ exception r. (which RENTED the sentence with the
Wslbscb by fine OF FIVE doliars,) Informing densrai
settled by hy that If he desired to have the qnestlon
should attend, authority whether OF not Catholic
would submit thetestant church, on his application
that character nstion But me case S vas not on
ply 70 his scrupies but Tor refusing 70 ap
from church. and for cer for permission 70 stay away
mission am very yyd Isrs %il s'"p''' ~
(signtd) dent servant -
a IL Is proper, however, TO re- voiN 1 -, w =. =.
ceivipg the letter of the Secrek tnat prevs 81
July that portion also Of the ~ ar ,,on Ar
q hvg ao,,aTs per month was BY this rem,s
/ 40 is my reply to the Seer a me- =. NV
L SAp QUARTERS, Eas. D,v,sexl
. sIn II had the honr this d x Julys, 1851
mrnicaton Of the 15tl instant 20 rec.iye your
would enclose two orders bowng m atqswer thereto,
private james Duggaa t. soldier the cas-
Allow s ~ ba, he IT, refusing go TO ohurs
"a TO go to church, you will perceive BIZ an examinati
. q the order No IL. BY special oii.r N, 30 Won w
also observe that have RENTED tn residue Of his Sc
Y tence. The only punishment he ecssed was fine
- about five dollars. have the honor t. be- cir,
. Your obedien> servant
l. (signed) JOHN WOOL
There was evidence before the court, e.cent II
simple declaration Of Duggan to OF the w.pess.
that he was Catholic From the testimony Of Coon
Gardner. i baye no doubt that had Duggan commits
Gated to the Colonel that account his religio
scfupes he could not ccnecentiously attend a ri
testant church, he would ave been excused But u
he would not DO, and ieft Is company For this act
dhobeditDce and characterization, and for nothing oil
Iapprov,d so much Of the sentence rs imposed fne
i've dollars
From the remark Of the editoS of the Alias upon Il
letter OF the secretary Of War might be Inferred TIL
hs emcfgs efthe army as vel yself are ntolerat
and would putsh man for dccliD ny to give up to
officers in the amy his religious belefr gratf.
= TO md the editor exhibiting toSsc the Catholics,
especially 70 the Irish. tbose trant feelings which
less become his head than his h, art But yield not
him q any enc else in feeling and synpatLy for peoT
wfo have suffered more from oppression ana bad
ment than any Other the q the globe Far fro
it Indeed, / would extend 10 them 10 the fullest
tent-tbe guarantees Of the constitution and
hgious liberty. JOHN Il. WOOL, U. b. A.