, 1861-09-04

The Sentence Of Col. mcCunn-Wara-
Ing TO Volunteer 0fhcerss
The finding Of the Court martial in the case
Of Colonel ncCunn, has been promulgated.
sentence G! the Court Is that he be reprimand.
ed IRON the headquarters Of the General
ccn maEdlrg the Army Of the Potomac
In executing this duty, General Mcclellan
ssThe General eomu auding confirms the
finding and sentence Of tie Court; but, in de-
irg so, he aEEEmee tia. the sentence was made
thus light in confederation cf the inexpe1ience
cf tae accused. Col. McC1nn, it would ap-
ptar Irom the record, is ignorant Of the first
g1ta: principle Ehich should guide au soldiers
Of whatever 1a1k, VIZ: Implicit obedience to
ant Hun7er, aEd his right to demand Col. Nc
Curn's a s, were most clear and ungusstioR-
able It was the authority directly delegated
through the Provost Marst al Of the General
commanding this Army, a1d should hare been
obe5ed rs respectfully and implicitly as If the
d. mand had been made by the G Gsueral in per-
stE. Tie Hammer Of the cff1ce. making the
demand should have had no inflnence, but the
Colonel should have obeyed the order respect
fully and promptly.
"H the manrer OF Lieut. Hunter was in
proper, and that it vas go is by no msana clear
| to the General commanding, It Was tie duty
OF Col. McCunn to Laye retained his selfpo5,
session and self respect, and to hare complied
| with the direction to show his pass, trusting
| to Subsequent action for redress. Col. Nc
| Cum showed BY his demeanor, as it appears
Oh tie record, that he has yet to learn at 1east
@aeo things bqo4r he becomes competent to conf
| naand a regiment, and thee are ss!f command
| and respect for proper authority. The pass
shown BY Ce!. MeCann Was improper in form
| and Lieut.. Hunter Was perfectly right in de-
/ c}tDirg TO recognize its validity. The paper
| submitted by Col MeCnnn as his defence is
! in many respects irrelevant, sud in others dis
t cieditab!e. The Court would bava been en-
tissJy justified in refusing to receive it.
The General commanding fa1Iy approves the
fndipg Of The ConEt, which characterizes The
| conduct Of Col. McCunn a5 s'preiudicil to
t good order and military discipline" and dc.
sires to t1Rress the hope that this Instance
will be sufficient warning to him and ali 9th,
er officers who Ma5 feel disposed to place
I themselves in opposition to the constituted
Military auth1ritiee. The finding Of the Court
may be regarded as quite lenient, but the G en-
e1al is prevented from remaudiDg the case to
tie Court, for reconsideration, pa1tly beca1se
+ thereby be consumed, ard partly because hs
is willing to attribute Col. McCnnn'E conduct
mainly % the fact Of his being an inexperienced
| soldier. This occaeion IS aYailed Of to assurk
al persons Il th.s Army, Of whatever grade
that discipline and implicit respect for author
| ity vii, a. al hazards, be enfprced. The Gen
era1 commanding ls happy to stste that th.
Ssst ms1erity oi this army e7ince the nos
soldtet1y anc patriotic feeling, and that he /;
proud to command so noble a body Of men
Tie exceptions are few, indeed. Col McCon.
Will resume his sword and his dnties.n
The punishment thus sternlg inflicted can
net pnt 90 much towards making commits
saontd cHcers mere mIndful CT orders ans
obed!en1 to the rules Of the service