, 1861-07-09
The Secretary of War and Fortress
Hunroe.~His Appointments of Suffers.
The Hon. Henry J. Raymond, editor Of the
N, 7. Times, writes from the fortress On the

The Hon. Henry J., Raymond, editor of the
N, T. Times, writes from the fortress On the
c0th IS fellows:
The regulations of the army require that
the Sutlt7. Of every garriso on shall BE- appointed
ly what is called the Council of Administra-
tlon, consisting Of the three senior officers
Of the post next to the commanding officer.
UnCcr this rule last summer, before this war
broke out, q Mr.. Moody, Who lived in this
State, beyond Hampton, and who had been
puryeyor for the hotel at this place as well as
for the Fortress, wa5 appointed Sutler By the
Eeuacil of Administration, then consisting Of
Captains Vodges, Roberts and Ord. The
appointment IVES confirmed By Col Dimmock,
then ard nov commanding officer Of the
pest, and Nj Moody received from the War
Department Lis warrant as Sutler for three
3carF. Thus the matter stood when ths
secession ordinance passed the Virginia Con.
yentlcr. Moody was q Union man, and a.
such was distrusted BY his neighbors. His
fsmily, however, and all his property were in
safety ioF either, # he remained in the service
Of the Union. The officers Of the fort, how
ever, urged him to remain, assuring him that
they Wtuld sustain him, and that the Govern
ment would unquestionably extend to Union
men in Virginia who might suffer for their
He decided to remain his family meantime
vas drivt from their residence, his property
seized and he forbidden to return. Hs haa
since heard nothing frcm or Of his family, but
has been deToting himself, with great zeal
and pesiduity, to the duties Of his post.
Some eight or ten days Eince, Mr Wistar
Of Pennsylvania made his appearance, either
In person OF BY an agent, at the Fortress, with
. written request from the Secretary Of War,
that he might be appointed Sut1er, In place OF
Mr. Moody. The Council Of Administration.
consisting Of Captains Roberts, Lerned, AMI
oEe other, was 1t oace convened, and the let
ter was taken into consideration Mr.. Moody
was found to have received his appoiat-
mett for the fixed term Of ta.ee years;
no prstence was made In any qrsr er that
he had not performed the duties uf MS off e
Hish perfect fidelity and to the eutire salts
iae'ien Of all concerned: and no Hauant
could be found either in the army regulations
@ o. II the practice Of the army, fer removing
bin in aIy other way than upon conviction
By court-'naTtia], on charges Of misconduct
distinctly made. In letter to the 8ccretary
q War, setting forth al these consideration
The Courcil, therefore, stated that thsv could
led 70 justification for the appointment: of
Mr. Wistas.
1hrs the matter stood until. this morning.
Wh5n Mr. We.eh, an intimate friend OF tie
atcretary Of War, aud connected, believe.
with this Department, came to the Fcrt with
an official order trom Mr. Cameron, appoi,,k-
ing Mr.. Wistar Sntler, in place Of VI. moody
removed.
There are two or three points involved in
this matter which make it one Of much graYcr
Importance than it would first appear. Inthe
frst place, fhe Regular Army officers regard it
az or attempt on tic part OF tho Secretary Of
uniform practice Of the Army, for no other
resncn than to make place for 4 political sad
pt1soral fagorite, and create opportunities for
ether personal and partisan adherents, to make
,asge Frefits by furnishing such supplies az
the sutler may require. The rImors of the
ealr1:on name three O. four persons wAs arc
II own to have been very active IN bringing
ahont this change, aud to have large invest
meLtH, and still larger expectations, in the
Eay OF supplies. The Regular officers regard
this as only one incident IN systematic cru
sade against their rights, by which the disc;p-
line, order and efficiency Of the military force
OF the country is to ba .cSiticed rcmorseleasly
to the greed Of political rartizass. lam ia-
c'ined to fear that, if this matter Is pushed,
and this appointment Of Wistar is insisted on
by Mr. Cameron, it will lead to very ea1a,nit-
Gus results IN regard to the efficiency of tie
Earr;son at this fortress.
It is stated that the President has .,t red
the Al MT regulations in this respect: 60 rs to
give the appointment Of Suffers to the Secra-
tary Of Var, instesa Ct the Council oi Admin
lttraticn- T.e 1eason assigned is, !hst the
pest mas no" becoma mach E1orH lacrattye
and, therefore, much no.e important E1-
lefs, toWeVec, I az greatly mi=..ssn, she
public viii regard this IS conclusive r.asoa
lor lsaviEg tie appointment in tba hands Of
the Military Council. II Mr. Cau+1on va. -
careful OF his reputation and personal honor
as one in his position should be, he worl!t: n1t
make such change in the army regulat;oas
as y IL simply place in his bands patronage
AID the power OF disbussing money, *hi5h
can be more uaefully exercised where it now