The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-09-13
THE WEEKLY PIONEER AND DEMOCRAT.
Hon. Cyrus Aldrich i'm Response to
Adjutant General Sanborn.

Hon. cyrus Aldrich i'm Response to
| Adjutant General Sanborn.
MINNEAPOLIS, Sept. Z, 1861.
| Editor Pioneer and Democrat.
In the card of Adjutant General San.
born, published in your paper of the Sd inst,
find the following:
When arrived at the camp of the First Reg.
iment at Washington, was inquired of at once
| by several of the privates who were originally
mustered 10 for three months, what my opin.
ion was as to their being bound to serve for
three years. Igave but one answer to all those
inquiries, and that was, that there was no
doubt of their liability to serve for three years,
and in every instance was met with the re.
spouse from them THAT the matter had been
| submitted to Window and Aldrch, and that
they thought we were not liable to serve more
| than three months"
As I did, upon all occasions, when APP
piled to by members of the regiment on that
subject, most distinctly state to them that
they were legally bound to the service for
three years or during the war, and as have
no reason to question their veracity, must
believe that they have been grossly misrep-
resented by Adjutant General Sanborn and
others. If such is not the case, call upon
him for the names of those who stated
"that the matter had been submitted to
Window and Aldrich, and that they thought
we were not liable to serve more than three
months" know, that in that whole regi-
ment, there is not one single private who
can truthfully say that ever gave him any
such advice, nor do / believe one can be
found who will so testify.
While very much dislike to occupy your
space or the attention of the public with
matters more or less personal to myself, yet,
in order that yourselves and the public
can judge whether or not there has been
lying or Misrepresentation in regard to mat
tiers pertaining to the First Regiment, and
if there has been, who the guilty party or
parties are, I respectfully request you to
publish the following letter:
HEADQUARTERS, DEPT. N. E. VA,
| ARLINGTON, August 10th, 1861.
SIR:-I have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of the letter signed by yourselfa and Hon.
NJ. S. Wilkinson. dated August 10Th, inquiring
as to the correctness of a paragraph in semi.
official report of Colonel John B. Sanborn, Ad-
jutant General of Minnesota, to the Governor
of the State, as follows:
"Col. Sanborn reports Col. German all right
''in the judgment of his snperiOrs. The day be.
fore the battle, in the Council of war held at
'sGeo. McDOwelPs headquarters, Cole. advised
''the retiring of the army to Centreville there to
"entrench and wait for thorough recOnnois.
"sance of the enemy's works, and if necessary
''for achievements. This advice was not heed
led in. the Council, whereupon he entered
"written protest against fighting the enemy in
''ther strongholds the next day." To which l
have to say-there was no Council of War the
day before the battle, at my headquarters
nor did have a Council of War. On that day
! l assembled the Commanders of Divisions.
Commanders of Brigades, and head of my staff
at my headquarters-not in Council. but to re-
ceive the orders for the next day. The ques.
ton of moving forward was not for discussion,
| Col. German commanding only a regiment
was not ordered to report, and was not pre-.
sent officially at the assemblage. if even he was
| present at all l have no recollection of see.
ing him there.
| AS to his having advised the retiring of the
army to Centreville, there to entrench and
wait for a thorough reconnaissance of the enc.
| VIC lie So &p I how mi
that at that time the army-except an advance
guard of two Brgades in one direction, and
one in another-had not yet arrived at Centre.
vile but was from half mile to mile and
half behind it Certainly no such discussion as
reported took place in my presence, and as to
the Colonels having entered written protest
as stated, believe him too good soldier to
have done such thing. If he ever wrote
protest never saw it or heard of it till re.
ceived your letter.
| have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Sir, your most obedient servant,
IRWIN MCDOWELL,
Brigadier General Commanding.
In the discussion as to the clothing of the
regiment, 1 have had but little to say, al,
though have known much of the condition
of the men and their clothing, and have had
in my possession some evidence on that sub.
ject and in order that justice may be done
to our volunteers of the First" and their
friends in our State, and that yourselves
and the public may judge whether or not a"
the truth has yet been officially stated, SO
far as related to their first clothing not.
withstandng the herculean efforts that have
apparently Eeen made to procure or obtain
that truth-I submit the following petition,
received by me in July last, but which l
| Laxo MT I'LL thia dax, ouor ox tod a., ax.