Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1861-05-24
From fde 81. Louas Re publican, et .Nay 1914
Interesting from Sc. Louis.
GEN. HARVEY AND THE VoLUN.
TIERS.
MILITARY DEPARTMENT OF THE WEsr.

ST. Louis, May 15, 1861.
Ny atiertion has been called 10 publications
IN several Of the city papers, to the effect that
the volunteers under my command q: this pos.
W ere disordeily, and they were acting, to some
extent, iu The defahce of the discipline Of rbe
army.
deem il my duty, and it affords me great
pleasure to say, that these pnbicntions are
wholly upfounded, and do great injustice 70
the volunteers. These troops have submitted
cheerfully and with alacrity to the discipline
of the service. and nothing has under my OBJ
seryatiop, or been reported TO me, that should
subject thom to the Injurious publications to
which | have alluded.
beg to express NY entire disapproval Of
such unfouuded publications, as they are only
calculated to ipjIr the public service, and cre-
ate disquiet and ill-teeIing in the community.
w. s. HARNEY,
Brig. Gen. U. 5. Army, Commanding.
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT A ND SLAVERY IN
MISSOURI.
GENERL WM. ;. HARNEY. COMMANDING
THE MI LITARY DEPARTMENT OF TUE WEST.
ST. LOUIS, Mo- Sir: 10 common with thouss
ands who have perused your admirable procia-
nation of this morning ] return YOU the
thanks of citizen Of Missouri for its patriot.
ic tone and tranqailzipg assurances.
There is nothing n ths paper which, in my
opinion, needs explanation; yet | wish to be
able 20 answer, with the authority of your
name, question which l have already replied
to on my own Judgment. Last evening, gsn-
tlemen Of the highest respect a bility aud intel
geuce, from Green county, Missouri, asked me
tphpfhrP ! - -. -
Uuited States Government to interfere with
the Institution of negro slavery in Missouri
or any slave State, or impair the security of
that description of property. OF course, my
answer was most unqualified ly, aud almost To-
dignantiy, 10 the negative. | told aim that
| bad no neaus of forming an opinion which
we're not open to every other private citizen
bnt that l felt certain that ihe force of the
United States would, if necessary, be exertad
for the protection of this, as we'll as arY other
kind of property. wiz you Re good enough
10 spare ttom ycur engrossing military duties
so mncd tlae as may be required 10 say wheth.
er | aps@e'ed ccrrectlyl
have The honor to be, With the highest re-
sPect, yonr most obedient servenf,
THOMAS 7. GANNT.
ST LOUIS, May II, 1861
MAY IA, 1861
THOMAS I. GANNr, Esq, 81. Louis, No
DIR: have just received your note of this
date, inqniring whether, in my opinion, you
we're correet in replyiog to Citizsn of south
western Missouri as to the purpose of the
United States Government respecting the pro-
lection of ne garo property.
must promise by saying that have No
speeieei instructions on This bead from The War
Department. Bat should as sooa expect to
hear shas the orders OF The Government were
directed towards lie overt hrog Of any othal
kiad Of property IS Of this in negro slaves.
1 eHteTtliR 10 doubt whatever that yoQ an.
swered the question you mention correctly
| should certainly have answered IT in the
same manner, and think, with the very feel
ings you describe. am not a little astonish- |
ed chat such question could he seriously put /
Already sioce the commencement OF these |
uubapPy disturbances, slaves have escaped /
from their owners, aud have sought refuge in /
too eamps of the, UDited States troops fIom
Northern Sta:es, aud commanded by North /
ern general. They were carefully sent back /
10 their owner. An instruction of slaves
was reported to have taken place 10 Mary land !
A NortheEn general offered to the Executive /
OF that State the aid of Northern troops uuder /
bis OVID command, to suppress it. Iucendi4ries
have asked Of the President permission to iu-
wade the Southern States, aud haye been |
warned that ans attempt 10 do this will BE- I
punished as crime. / repeat il, bave DO
special means of knowledge oD this subject, |
but what have cited, and my general acquaiD
tance with the statesmanliks views OF the |
President, makes me confident i'm expressing |
the opinion above given.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, |
WIZ. S. HARNEY,
i}rigadier General commanding Military De-
partment OF the West