Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1852-08-06


late date. Gen. Jackson, the commander OF she
Southern Division of the U. S. Army, issued On Or
der concerning the government OF that DsIs,In:
This order was spoken of in terms hlgnly lnsulns
to u brother officer, with whom ne nao oesh On
terms of intimacy. Of the language OF Gen. Scott,
Con Jackson was informed by IN anonymous letter
from New York, and he Immediately made respect
full call upon Gen. Scott for an explanation. me
reply of Gen Scott, as appears from the annexed
letter, was insulting and opprobrious. ms le1ter
we have never in print, but to IL zen. 'acAson
replied as follows -
GEN. JACKSON TO GEN. SCOTT.
HEAD QUARTERS, DIVISION OF THE SOUTH,
NASHVILLE, Dec. 3, 1917.
Sir: have been absent from this place for con-
siderable time, rendering the last friendly once
could to particular friend, whose eyes closed on
the Goth ult. Owing to this your letter OF the 4'n
October was not received until the 1st inst.
Upon the receipt of the anonymous communica-
ton made me from New York, fastened to lay 1t
before you that course was suggested TO me ny I"e
respect felt for you man and solder anu 'lla'
you night have it in your power to answer no" iar
YOU had been guilty of so base and nexcusable con-
duct Independent of the services you had renoef-
ed your country, the circumstances OF your wearing
the badge and insignia of soldier. led me to the
conclusion that was addressing gentleman WIN
those feelings you written to- and hao an ldea
been for moment entertained that you could nave
descended from the high and dignihed character OF
Major General of the army of the United States:
and used a language opprobous and lnsolent as
you have DONE rest assured | should have viewed
you rather too contemplate to have held any con-
verse with you on the subject 1t you have lived in
the world thus long in the entire ignorance OF the
obligations and duties which honor impose, you are
indeed past the time of hearing and surely he must
be ignorant of them, who seems so little to under
stand their influence.
Pray. sir, does your recollection serve, in what
school of philosophy you were taught; that to lei
| IF Io1N
and clothed in language decorous and unexcep-
tionable, an answer should be given, couched in
pompous nsolence and bullying expression had
hoped that what was charged upon you by my anon
ymous correspondent, unfounded had hoped
so from the belief that Gen Scott soldier and
gentleman but achen see those statements doubty
confirmed By his 1cords. it becomes matter OF
inquiry how far of honorable feelings can re-
conce them to himself or longer set up Il claim to
that character. Are you Ignorant sir, that had my
order, at which your refined judgment is extreme
| ly touched been made the subject of inquiry, you
might from your standing. not your character, been
constituted one of my judges How very improper,
then, was it, thus situated and without knowledge
of any of the attendant circumstances for you to
have pref judged the whole matter This at differ
ent times and in the circle of your friends you could
do; and yet had been arraigned, and you detailed
as of my judges, Nth the designs Of assassin
lurking under q far exterior, you would have APP
preached the holy sanctuary ofjustice! Is conduct
like this congenial with that hgh sense of dignity
which should be seated in Il soldiers bosom Is it
due from brother officer to assail in the dark the
reputation of another, and stab him at a moment
when he cannot expect it? | might insult an hon.
orable man with questions such as these but shall
not expect that they will harrow up one who must
be dead to all those feelings which characteris
tics of gentleman.
In terms as polite as | was capable of noting,
asked you if my informant had stated truly if you
were the author of the publication and remarks
charged against you and to what extent reference
to your letter, without any comment upon mine, will
inform how far you have pursued a similar course
how little of the gentleman and how much of the
hectoring bully you have manifested. If nothing
else would, the epaulets which grace your shoulders
should have dictated different course, and have
admonished you that, however small may have beer
your respect for another respect for yourself should
have taught you the necessity of replying at 1eas
mildly to the inquiries suggested :; and more espe
cially should you have done this, when your owr
constructions must have fixed you guilty of the
abominable crime Of detraction-of slandering ant
behind his back officer. But not content will
answering to what was proposed, your oreraceen
ing PANTY has led you to make Offering of your
advice.
Believe me, sir, it is not in my power to render
thanks think too highly of myself to suppose tina
stand at all in need Of your admonitons: and to-
lightly OF you to appreciate them as useful Fo
good advice always thankful but never fail tt
spurn it.when know it to flow from an incompe
tent and unreliable source the breast where bas
and guilty passions dwell is not the place to look fo
virtue. My notions, sir, not those laugh
III modern school, and in fashionable high life the,
were imbibed in ancient days, and hitherto have
and yet bear ne to the conclusion that he who cal
wantonly outrage the feeling ofancther-who with
out cause, extend injury where none is DONE i
capable ofany crime, however detestble in its nature
and will not fail 10 commit it: whenever it be mpos
: ed by necessity.
l shall not stoop to justification of my order be
fore you, to notice the weakness and absurditie
of your tinsel rhetoric it may be quite concusiy
to yourself and have no disposition to attempt con
vincing you, that your ingenuity is not so profount
as you have imagined it. To my government, when
ever it may please, hold my self liable to answer
the course took and the intermedling spies ant
: pimps of the war department. who in the garl
of gentlemen hold mysefresponsible for any griev
. ance they may labor under en- my account, witt
whom you have my permission to number yourself
For what have said offer apology you hav
=, deserved it ALL and more it necessary to sa
more. | will barely remark in conclusion, that
you feel yourself ogriered at what is here said an
communication from you will meet safely at thi
place.
have the honor to be, very respectfully you
most ob't sery't,
J ANDREW JACKSON.
Brevet Major Gen. w. Scott U. S. Army, N. Y
To this letter, after a delay of one month, Gener
: al Scott replied as follows:
, GENERAL SCOTT To GENERAL JACKSON
HEAD QUARTERS, 1sT AND Sd MILITARY DEPART
f MENTs, New York, Jan. 2, 1917. I
SIR: Your letter of the Sd ultimO. was handed
me about the 22d, and has not been read, | Nigh
, say thought Of since. These circumstances wi
show you that it is my wish to reply to you :: dis
: passionately."
n regret that cannot accept the challenge YOU O.
me- hans I ho nod