Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-05-17

= = =
The Offer of a military appointment
60 Cen. CampbeIl---The Facts of
| the Case.
| A correspondent writes US as follows
ut is widely reported throughout this
county, as we'll as throughout the State, that
| Gov. HARRIs offered no position in the army
of Tennessee, or if any, one of inferior
grade, to Gen. w. B. CAMPBELL The people
wish to know how the facts are"
With view of doing justice to all con-
cerued, and of counteracting. as far as posi-
bic, injurious misrepresentation of. and i'm
| putations upon, the course Of Gov. HARRIS
and Gen. CAMPBELL, growing out of the mat
ter, we have taken the trouble to inquire IN
proper quarters aud ascertained the facts
| touching the offer of an appointment in the
army 10 Gen. CAMPBELL What we state
may be relied upon as authentic.
Without having consulted Gen. CAMPBELL,
| but regarding him as a gentleman whose emil
nent ability as a military leader, justified the
s,en Gov. HARRIS selected him for the posi-
ton of Junior Major General, and intended
to submit the appointment to the General
Assembly for confirmation. But, before this
Intention could he carried out, Gen. CAMP
BELL visited the city aud had conference
with the Governor. In that conference Gov.
HARRIS made known his desire for Gen
CAMPBELL to accept chief command in the
army, whereupon Gen. G.. promptly and cor
daily avowed his disirust of his fitness for
such position, and declined the responsible
ity. Apprebending that Gen. G. had con-
ce1ved the idea that the chief command was
rendered him, Gov. HARRIS Immediately
stated that it was the second position which
be desired him to fill Gen. CAMPBELL still de-
elined, not from any indisposition to serve the
State ia this trying and perilous crisis of our
affairs, but solely on account of his modest
appreciation of the intrinsic value of his
services. The matter, however, was held
under advisement u MIL the next day, when
be promptly declined the appointment.
Finding that Gen. CAMPBELL was firm in his
determination not to take chief command,
and still DESTROYS to secure his services, in
any capacity he might choose, the Governor
laid before him list of the other military
appointments at his disposal, and requested
him to make his selection. Gen. CAMPBELL
replied that he was not, at present, prepared
to accept any position. He, however, held
himself ready at any and all hours to render
the Governor any assistance in his power
The views and feelings of Gen. CAMPBELL, in
relation to this subject are expressed IN the
following extract from letter written by
him on the LIST of May, to a friend:
must say to you that l will not accept
any position for which | am satisfied that |
am not fully and properly qualified. 1t will
require. In this great emergency of our
State, higher abilities than | possess to COM
mand her armies and to WELD her brigades
and divisions. l may enter the service OF
my State. but it will be in subordinate ca
pacity- Ny business, and the condition of
my family forbid my leaving home i'm
mediately. Our State will need the services
of all her sons. and mine shall be with her,
in that capacity IN which | think | can serve
her best. l want no place OF position in
civil life, and can give my person, at any
moment as soldier, when L shall be needed.
We deeply regret that Gen. CAMPBELL felt
to decline the appointment
which was at his command. Together with
thousands of his many admirers in this
State, who have unbOuuded confidence in his
splendid abilities as commander, we had
sincerely trusted that Tennessee would have
the advantages of his services in leading |
position. Whilst, however, we confess to a
serious disappointment, we respect and honor |
his motives, and are gratifed to know that
he cordially and warmly espouses the cause
of his State. and is willing TO fight in her
defence when his services are absolutely
needed.
Our contemporary of the Memphis Bulletin
who has had an opportunity to know some
thing of the spirit and motives of Gov.
HARRIS. in the discharge of the new and
duties recently devolved upon
him, declares that be has exhibited so A." much
of the patriot, and so little of the partisan
that no one need apprehend injustice at his
hands. We believe this to be true, and that
in tbe tender of the Junior Major Generalship |
to Gen. CAMPBELL, he was prompted by an
earnest and laudable desire to subserve the |
public good. Indeed, in the selection of
appointees to all the military positions |
by the Legislature, he has, we
believe, endeavored to make the best selec |
tfOns from the materiel offered, and TO render |
the military organization effective, rather |
than to promote the interests of party. He
has, we are assured by those who have been
witnesses of his conduct in these matters,
borne himself with great candor and frank