East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1861-08-08

ing but what i, at the time, was luhy |
persuaded was necessary, and, under the
circumstances, proper. The Secretary,
whilst penning the causes which sent me
to my headquarters, must have overlook |
ed the fact that, at the time was issuing
orders to supply the various Governors
with arms and ammunition, no commnni-
cation could be had with the authorities
at Washington, and therefore he could
not be consulted. Nevertheless, | made
efforts TO consult him, by reporting what
/ | was doing to Lieutenant General Scott,
at the same time writing to him, anxious
/ to know the wishes and desires of the Ad-
ministration. i sent special messenger
10 Washington, who returned without
obtaining any information on the subject.
But the Secretary says i seriously embar-
rassed the prompt and proper administra-
ton of its operations, and that it was
itself in its ordinary course of business,
attending to the same matters, through
its properly authorized officers. How
could this be, when all communications
between Washington and the Northern
States were prevented by the rebels in
Baltimore IL, however, arrangements
were made in relation TO the movements
Of troops, or of arming the militia, with
reference to future operations in ne field,
or the protection of Washington, as indi-
Gated by the Secretary, |, as commander
Of the Eastern Department, next i'll rank
to Lieutenant-General Scott, ought to
have been notified Of the fact. This would
have been no less in accordance with the
general practice than it was due to the
high character so frankly awarded to me
in the several communications OF the Sec
rotary. Again, my experience in organ
izing and preparing volunteers for the
field would of itself have been sufficient
to have designated me for the services
which the pcriIous state of the capital
seemed to demand. /, however, received
no orders in the case "To hurry troops
to Washington" was not sent to me, but,
as it would appear, to the Union Defense
Committee OF New York, and the Cover
nors of States. The emergency demand
ed prompt action. 1t was called for by
the free States Of the North, apprehcnsive
that, not only the Federal capital, but
the Union, was in danger Of total dissolu'
ton. The services which | performed
were in accordance with the wishes and
desires of the people of the States North
: Of the border States, and approved OF
by Vice President Hamlin, Governor
Morgan, Senator Sherman, of Ohio Sen
ator Chandler, of Michigan; Senator Foot
: of Vermont; Senator Baker, of Oregon
to which | might add all the Governors
of the Northern free States, The requl'
sitions on me of the various Governors
: were in consequence of not being able to
communicates with the authorities al
!, Washington. II had failed or hesitated
i to perform what the whole country re-
CURED, l would have been denounced for
e wanting in zeal and trmness, if not as an
If enemy of the country.
d L received no instructions from the
u Secretary of War, and heard of none, ex
II cept in the dispatch of Thurlow Weed
It dated the 31sJ OF April, and what will b'
r found in the following letter:
= WAR DEPARTMENT, April "a, 1861
ALEXANDER CUMMINGS, Esq:-Ihls De
/; partment needs OF this moment an intelli
:, gent, experienced and energetic man, II
- whom it can rely to assist in pushing
= forward troops, munitions and supplies
. You are acquainted with the internal ar
: rangements and connections of the rail
roads in Pennsylvania over which for the
= present they will have TO come: and while
" | attn aware that your private affairs may
= demand your time, | am sure your pat
= riotsm will induce you to aid me even at
some loss to yourself.
:. With this view, will thank you, in
{! consultation with the officers of the army
a and navy, to assist in getting vessels, ar
y ranging with the railroad companies TO
y. ~ the accommodation of the troops as fas
- as they are ready to march to their des
C tination, and also to assist them in making
:. purchases or other arrangements, and t
:, communicate at the earliest moment an,
y information Of service to this department.
:, Very respectfully,
> SIMON CAMERON, Secretary Of War
," The above letter was Endorsed by m
as follows
- Alexander Cummings will confer will
:, Colonel Tompkins and Major Eaton
~ who will give such instructions a
= will enable him to carry out the In
= ten tons of the Secretary of War. II
- will also confer with the Union Defens'
= Committee, who will employ him in tn
- capacity and in the discharge of the du
:, ties indicated in the instructions of tn
a Secretary of War.
Of BY examination Of Secretary Cam
I. eron's letter to Alexander Cumming
I'd Esq, it will be perceived that civilia
of was charged with the execution of dutie
nt that properly belonged to the staff officer
o. stationed in the city of New York, viz
IN Col d. d. Tompkins, Assistant Quarter
n. master-G eneral; Major Eaton, Commits
ID sary of Subsistence, and Major Thornton
IS. of Ordnance; all capable, efficient an
II. prompt in the discharge of every dut
i. required of them, and under my order
Il. performed the duties assigned to MI
IN Cummings. The railroads to Washing
C. ton could not be used for the transpor
of talon of troops or supplies, owing to tn
W. destruction Of bridges, etc, by rebel