Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-03-15

MERITED REBUKE-HoLT AND THoMPsoN.-
Mr.. Holt, late Secretary of War, publishes in the
National Intelligence long and severe reply to
the statement recently issued by ex-Secretary
Thompson from his retreat in Mississippi. Mr..
Holt is indignant at Thompson's declaration that
the movement for the reinforcement Of Fort Sum
ter was 'sa concealed trick" On the contrary, be
asserts that the project of reinforcing Major An
derson repeatedly aud frankly discussed in the
cabinet and adds;
'sWhen conclusion finally reached, the re-
solution of the President was announced in terms
AS emphatic as he probably ever addressed to one
OF his SECRETARIES. SIT is now al over, and rein
forcemeut must be SENT, was his language; and
these words were spoken In open council, the hon
orabe Secretary of the Interior himself being
present. 1t 10 strict accordance with the COM
mand thus given that the Star of the West was
chartered and the reinforcementS sent forward In
all these circumstances the public viii look in vain
any traces of trick on the part of Gen. Scott
or of the Secretary OF War. 1t is true that in
the hope of avoiding waste of human hfe an
endeavor was made to 'concea' the expedition from
the hostile troops in charge of the forts aud bat
teries in Charleston harbor; but this endeavor the
vigilance and zeal OF the Secretary defeated.S
The following extract from Mr.. Hollis letter ex-
plansa point which has given rise to dispute:
tfThe .countermand' spoken of was not more
cordially sanctioned bv the President than it was
by General Scott and myself. 1t was given, not
because of any dissent from the order on the part
of the President, but because of letter received
that day from Major Anderson, stating in effect
that he regarded himself as secure in has position
and yet more because Of intelligence which late on
Saturday evening reached the Department that a
heavy battery had beea erected among the sand
hills at the entrance to Charleston harbor, which
would probably destroy any unarmed vessel rand
such was the Star of the West which might at
tempt to make its way up to Fort Sumter. This
important information satisfied the government
that there present necessity for sending Ie-
Inducements, and that when sent they should 90
not in vessel of commerce, but of war. Hence
the couutermand WAS despatched by telegraph to
New York, but the vessel bad sailed a short time
besore il reached the officer TO whom it was ad-
dressed"
Mr.. Holt adds that sGhls plain statement is sub
mitted in the belief that, before intelligent and
ca andd public, it will afford a complete vindcation
of nay copduct as well of the conduct of that
ilustrous patriot and soldier, Leutenant- General
Scott whose stainless honor certainly needs no de
fence at my hands against the aSpersions of the
present or Of any other assailant."
The following noble vindcation Of his own con.
duct concludes Mr.. Holt's explanation;
ssIf this explanation shall secure to me the con-
fidenee of those uehearted patriots who viii love
our Union better than all the spoils and power
which revolution promise, then shaa little re-
gard the condemnation of men who for the last
two months, haze necessarily denounced me
throughout the South, simply and solely because
have refused 10 blacken my soul with perjury, by
betrayiug the government Of my country, while IN
its service.