Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-06-12

IKE MORGAN hlFLks AND OkNs EITCHs-4ue
Asbtabula Sentinel, in its issue of two weeks
ago, took occasion t. attack with consider
able severity our. comments on the course Of
Gen. Fitch in descending from a high posi-
ton to that of private soldier, charging US
with seeking TO degrade the members of the
Morgan Rifles for the purpose Of magnify
ing Gen. Fitch. We disclaimed any such
intention, but held, and still hold, that the
conduct of the General was in the highest
degree commendable. In relation to this
matter, we haYe received from q gentleman
residing in Ashtabuls cOunty's communica-
tiou, in which he comments at considerable
length on the article of the Sentinel, and
also upon a communication 10 the Sentinel
Oh the subject signed "seelye," as well as
presents facts in connection with the or
ganization of the company, and how far they
had an understanding, as cl lined by the
Sentinel, s'that they we're to have rifles"
He furnishes extracts from a speech of in
structions delivered to several companies
and parts Of companies OF volunteers by
Brigadier General Caldwell, on the 2lst Of
April, the Morgan Rifles being among the
number. We give below the remarks of
General c., and the conclusion of our cor
respondents letter. Gen. C. said;
GENTLEMEN Presidents Proclama-
| ton. and the orders from Head Quarters at
! Columbus, call for your enrolment as iTfdll-
tn, the papers sent by me 10 your several
towns were Issued for the enFollment Of in
fantry. You who have signed those papers
are enlisted as infantry to fill the reluisiiiOn
made by tho War Department Of the Gener-
al Government on the State for thirteen re-
/ giments. observe, however, that the
company from Morgan have erased the word
! Hinfantry," and inserted in its stead " RI
Aes." a .l.s
Gentlemen of the Morgan Company, am
not authorized by the War Department, t.
promise that you shall have rifles and should
you insist upon them it may diminish youl
chances Of being accepted. The Govern
meat nav not be able TO obtain rifles for you
This, however, leiH promise: Should yoI
be accepted, Twill use whatever of influences
1 possess with the Department, to obtain fo
YOU such weapons as you desire. And furth
er, I viii assure you that neither the Stat
nor the General Government viii send yOV
. into the Geld poorly armed. Still, further
I I - -.
| viii say that the regular United States ar
nv musket is q very efficient weapon, in
general engagement perhaps scarcely les
formidable than the Minnie gun. Now
: gentlemen. hO1o many Of yoW are l0illiHg I
take tie field and fight The battles Of you
= country, IN her time Of peril WITH SUCH ARM
AZ SHE NAY FURNIsH you? So many as az
c signify it by saying "sye." A ringiD
? a aye'' came up from the company. f'Con
I trary minded say nay" Now, although yoJ
correspopdent was within fifteen feet of tb
company, not q no. did he hear.
IN view of these facts, can it be said i
: roaI verify that "Lhese men volunteered wit
the understanding that they were 10 hay
. Z rises p" that they "only exercised their uE
: doubted rights when they withdrew"
there any good ground for saying that thel
B was even @ taeit understanding OF the kind
lam mvssIf a citizen Of Ashtabula, but
sense Of Justice impels me tosay that deel
Gen. Fitch only TO have erred IN pledgin
himself 70 take the place Of men, who. VI
der such circumstances, would halt in 2
g way Of duty; and that had been memb
Of that com pany, should have considers
that il, after these remarks by Brig. Ge
=. Caldwell, suffered my name 10 remain {
y the roll, had no claim on the county
Ashtabula, the State Of Ohio, or the Gener
l. Government, for anything other than Il
. common United States army musket. I, tc
forbear Comment upon the conduct of the
seven men," but it is due 10 this county
say that there were several thercompani
8. who earn estly desired place among Il
country's defenders, without even asking
. tacit Understanding that they were to ha
\. arms better than the ordinary.
ConeurTing most cordially in Seelyi
a. views on "pseudo patriotism, /" and hoPi
that Gen. Fitch will be ''dragoOned" By {
% Government from the position Of f'private
e into cne worthy of his nagnanimity, Al
Sir, ~ You're for justice, s5g @. VI. "
81 KIHesTILLE, June 10, 1861. q