New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-08-11
The CONSCIENCE AFFAIR oS GOVERNOR ;

The CONSCIENCE AFFAIR 0S GOVERNOR
IsLAxp-ln The Tribune of he 5th inst We pub
hshed an article concerning the punishment of
soldier at Fort Columbus, on the oStensible ground
of his refusing to attend Protestant servce-the sol
der (Duggan) being Roman Catholic. In justice
to General Wool, We publish the following docu-
ments which put different face on the matter We
are glad to exonera;e the Commander of The East
ern Division from charge which We were 30 very
10th TO believe true:
To THE EDITORS OF THE NEwYoRK TRIBUNE
As an &C, Of justice to the military service, the
Secretary of War and myself | am induced 20 no
uce an article published n The boston Atlas, and
other papers headed Liberty OF Consclence-the
Secretary OF War, relating 20 the case OF Private
Duggan, Of the 4th Artillery.
Ii 5 not true, rs asserted by the Editor of TIE
Atlas that Private Duggan was punished for re-
msing to attend church, nor Is /; true that the SEN
ience was set aside by the Secretary of War. ior
dsobedence Of orders, and leaving his company
without PERMISSION, he subjected 20 the pay
meni Of fine of about FIVE dollars AMI tin, all the
punish menl he has received Tie following letter
TO the Secretary. however exhibits true history OF
Duggan'S case
WASHINGTON, SATURDAY. July ), 1851
SIR have tn honor, agrceabiy 10 your lverDaI
Duggan, ih Artillery, WHO was tried at For Codn-
bus, BY a General Couri Marla. ordered By Brcyct
Brigaa4er-C eneral Walhach. The proceedings o.
the Count were tItnSNltiedto General Walbach Who
declined acting IN the ease. and sent them 10 myself
for decision ! returned the proceedings 10 the Gene
raj. with Instructions, wnca observed that mas
much as Duggan exhibited far more spl OF m
| SubOrCnauCn nan religious scrupies. thought ne
deserved punishment A. the same time, suggested
that excel ting fine OF I'VE dollars the sentence be
RENTED The General still declined acting IN the
nd he a m a
quest that would submit the raSe TO higher author-
" for decision This declined TO DO. and issued tie
incosed order, (Which reunited the sentence with the
exception OF the fine Of nye dollars informing Cen
| Wabach by letter that If he desired 10 have the
question settled by higher authority, whether or not
| Catholic should attend Protestant church, on his
application would >uhm.t the question. But the
case was not one OF that character. The punish
mert inflicted was lot on account If MS religious
Scrupe>, but FOR refusing 10 apply - his commanding
officer for permission 20 stay away from church and
| for leaving MS company without permission.
am very respectfully. your obif servant,
(Sgneul JOHN F. Wool
Ii Is proper. however 10 remark, that previous to
receiving The letter OF the Secretary OF War; dated
the 18th Of July last, tina; portion also Of the SEN
tence imposing fine of s. per month was RENTED
| By this remission, Duggan was subjected only to
| fine Of s. The following IS my reply 20 the Sec
| Rotary
HEIDQuARrERs, Eastern DIVISION,
Troy, y Y, July IS, 1851.
SIR had the honor tins day TO receive your CON-
munica,lon OF the 18Th INST. In answer thereto
would enclose Two orders showing my acton IN the
| case OF private James Duggan, the colder / pre-
sumo, alluded 10 as having been punished for refus
| mg 10 20 20 church. Allow 10 say that be was
not punished for refusing 10 go church, as YOU Will
perceive by examination OF the order No IL. By
special order No. 81 you viii also observe that
| have RENTED the residue OF ms sentence The only
punishment he recelved was fine of about I'VE DOL
| lars nave me honor 20 be, sir,
Your obtdlent servant.
(Signed) john E. Wool.
There was 10 evidence before the Court, except
the simple declaration OF Dusgan to one OF the Wit
nesses that ne was a Catholic. From tie testimony
| Of Col Gardner, have no doubt that had Duggan
communicated to the Colonel that, account Of MS
religious scrup,es, he could not conscientously AZ
! tend Protestant church, he would have been eX-
cus,d. But this he would not Co. and left hls COM
pany Fer this act OF disobedience and nsubordlna-
ton. md for nothing else approved 30 much OF me
sentence as imposed fine oil FIVE dollars.
From the remark Of the Editor of The Atlas upon
the letter Of the Secretary Of War II might be IN
.etred that the officers Of the Army Is vel Is my