Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-08-27
10 THE EDITORS
THE RAvar, NEwBuRoH, JuIY S, 1853

HE EAvIEE, NEwBURGE, july 5, 1853.
In the National lnteigencer of June 25th notice
long article from Gen CocKE devoted to me Among the
many singular epistles with which as an author have
been honored this is the most extraordinary The fact
of its appearance in the columns Of the Iategencer was
sufficient guaranty of the character Of Geu Cooke as
gentleman without any other confirmation on your part
have so high respect for your opinion that would
take It against even heavier rebuttng testimony than
that furnished IN the tone and language Of the commUni
cation Still think it was unkind il the General to OBJ
tain your endorsement of him, and then set to work so
assiduousy to vtate he has n the commencement
and conclusion Of his appeal
In the first place, whose moral nature is so ex-
qustely alive to any deviation from the truth ought
to have corresponding perceptions Of it, that whe
denorncing statements as he should not be ltterng
the grossest snrsoAs Gen. Cooke opens with my at
tention has been directed to an article &c. Assh
s oraa< osd charges are sscde qeaiEst Gen. V
rov aors myself" SC. New, Gis sinpiy faise and
if Gen. Cooke cannot be correct in tae enunciaon Of his
proposition no one can expect hmto succeed in the de-
monsraon of il; or in more military phrase, if the
plan Of his campaign tie based or mere fco the resut
must be--a coart MARTA.
Instead Of many serious and grave charges being
made against Gen White" &c., there is not made
from first to last In the first place, state simply that
while Gen. Jackson remained at Dittos landing, wait
White had promised to forward, he dispatched General
Coffee without the slightest ntmaticn that Gen White
was blameworthy the matter could have done diff
ferenty do not intimate even that jackson was usti
fable in so waiting the fact it occurred with
out comment The only other reference to Gen. Whites
conduct where say that his refusal march to Fort
Srother left the feeble garrison of the latter in peril
state" This is another simple fact given to account
for the conduct of Jackson. / make comment upon
it do condemn in the least, intimate that Gen.
White perfectly jusfabe IN the course he pur
sued. II | had thought lie deserved condemnation
should certainly have said The failures of Gen
Floyd Claiborne and Col Russell to carry out the grand
features Of the campaign also mentioned facts that
did occur, and not matters Of complaint and fault
finding This whole flourish of trumpets, therefore and
burst Of eloquent indignation the "brave and gal
LIANT dead has been got up By Gen. Cooke for his
exclusive benefit If the brave and gallant dead has
received any damage solely because Gen. Cooke has
been such an unscrupulous resurrectonst have
assaed Gen. White but, the contrary, have felt the
highest respect him. and ptied him only being the
subordinate of Gen. Cooke.
The other charge, 50 weighty as to demand two CO.
lumns aud half Of the Iutegencerto refute it, is COM
prised il tie following sentence Gen Cooke from the
first seemed resolved to withhold a aid from Gen jack
son lest be himself should be ecpsed in the campaign
This is the I" head and front Of my offending Here
again / state simple fact without comment VIZ that
he sssrzcd SC. This is true and the sesiRg was so
strong that he was paTa!ea fort to this day
labors under the obloquy It cast upon him. grant
the sentence indicates my bellies. sni for il thought
had sufficient grounds may have been mistaken, but
the rivalres Of officers and always have been the
most commoa grounds Of complaint ana hence the least
damnatory
But one of the chief apologies Of Gen Cooke thus
obtrrdng himself en- the public is the desire vindi
cate the truth of history History is doubtless auoh
obliged 70 him for his phaathropic aspirations, but
imagine SIZE would have known how much she had
been outraged but for the information thus kindly volun
teerei have no doubt OF the immaculate patriotism
of Gen Cooke nor if did before, could entertain
question Of his bravery for if that little sentence could
excite such violent symptoms Of courage, and awaken
such martial bearing, well imagine how terrible
his aspect have been when in the actual presence
Of the enemy.
The facts alluded to il the sketch Of Jackson we're
given simply illustrate his career for was writing
biography not history Of the Creek war have how
ever been engaged for the last two three years on
history Of the war Of 1872 and it is stereotyped
But If the omission Of the which has had such
spasmodc effect on Gen. Cooke would alleviate 10 the
smallest degree his excessive anxiety to " riadicas the
truth Of history will expunge it.
MeSsIs. Cummings an1 late, IL seems, come 10 the
rescue Of Gen Cooke, and declare they entirely gno-
rant Of the refusal Of Gen. White to march to Fort
strother; the former who is captain, adding that if
he did refuse there doubtless good and sufficient
reasons for it. No doubts it, most naive and innocent
captain and will state for your benefit who ought to be
better o5aed before you venture opinion, that Gen.
White did at first obey the order Of Jackson and
part Of the ay Fort Stroller hR he ras arrested By order
Of lis commander Gen. Cooke. This fact did not state
in my sketch Of Jackson but it is nevertheless true and
il for this countermandng Of the order Of his supe-
ror officer instead Gen Cooke asserts Of his patriotic
address his troops that his sword was taken from him.
Absurd and ridiculous as this whole miniature tempest
is free acknowledge that if the obnoxious SEN
tence trifng as it is is unjust it should be cancelled
Justice rarer virtue in this world than mercy and
should be sorry refuse il any The precepts Of
Justinan should be the motto Of every man, h5nsst
Drere aierar idut cui7ae tri5Rsre, and ifGen
Cooke had not gone of hacocted and compelled me to
read his fierce communication this bsterng summerday,
but addressed me civil note he would have found that
could have been candid, just and courteous without
the use Of budgeons epthets, that, applied to Ha-
bee Indian would have made him throw down his toma-
hawk in savage disgust say it svery possible that
may have done Gen. Cooke injustice still his conduct in
that campaign has an ugly look To say the least was
unfortunate that major general should have gone
through it without smelling powder am always thank
full to be corrected but do not refer court martas
If Gen. Cooke wishes to retain the character Of truth
81. ,;r rrito