New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-07-29

Gen Mitchell.
Gen Mitchell has been charged with specializing in
cotton. Again, what are all the facts1 The rapid
marches OF Gen. Mitchell had brought bis little army
far in advance Of all others, into cotton growing
and trading region. And before your correspondent
explains this specializing charge allow him to state
a fact which 10 Dot generally known-tbat Gen.
Mitchell was the first General who inaugerated the
system Of supporting his army entirely from the
enemy, and that, for three MONTHS all his forage and
large part Of his cOmmissary stores were obtained
directly from that source. But the cotton! Gen.
Mches soldiers his horses, his asses and hs mules
could not eat cotton. Cotton we were in need Of a.
he North. "Any Rebel who shall sell Yankee q
Iound of cotton shall be shot," 10 says bis majesty,
jeff Davis. -Four objects were TO be attained by
purchasing cotton Of the Rebels:
First: Every Rebel who sold cotton to Yankee
was liable to be shot by some muion of jeff Davis;
and, therefore, it was the interest Of the cotton
seller to keep as far away from said minon as poss-
BILE. Second: BY receiving fair price for bis cotton
the sellers interests run in the direction OF the North
and away from the South. Third: With the money
obtained from the sae OF cotton Gen. Mitchell could
pay the teamsters be was obliged to employ; and,
fourth be conld demonstrate to England and other
cotton manufacturing countries that if hisppicy was
adopted, they would soon be supplied with all the
cotton they would want. With the business Of At
tending TO the purchase and ssle Of this cotton Gen.
Mitchell had nothing whatever 70 do 1t was turned
over immediately to the proper officer, the Quarter
master on his staff, who is able to account for every
pound purchased and cold. The persons 20 whom
tins lotion wac sold brought letters from the most
prominent men of Ohio-the Governor OF that State
and other leading officials.
Gen. Mitchell has also been charged with being
Prosavery man, and desiring the perpetuity OF that
dauable ns tuition in preference to the suppression
of the Rebellion. Gen. Mitchell s not only an OH
Ger but soldier. The same obedience which he re-
quiree from the officers beneath him he himself ren-
ders to his superiop. Order No. 3, which by this
time must he worldwide IN it's no,oriety, extended
over the Division Of Gen. Mitchell. Like wall of
adamant, i, hemmed him in all sides, and embar-
raised every movement. For time this order was
obeyed. No negroes in addition to those already in
his camp, were allowed to enter. But Gen. Mitchell
had q line Of one hundred and twenty miles to pro-
tect and knew not at what moment the enemy in |
force might fall upon him. He must lave spies.
The white inhabitants would give him no informa-
.on. What could he do2 lie cent for one of his
best Brigadier. Generals and asked him If he knew
any one IN bs camp who possessed Sufficient courage
and intelligence 70 act as spy and learn the position
Of the enemy. The General told him that he knew
Of but one man; that he was O negro
slave by the name Of Sam Gardiner; that
he could read and write possessed TACT shrewdness,
courage all that was requisite to discharge efficiently
the duties imposed upon him. "But if he serves us,
we must guarantee his liberty" said Gen. Mitchell.
Yes" eaid the Brigader.General; "he will be
worth little without that" He shall have bis lib
erty, aud no shall all others who aid me, said Gen.
Mitchell, and in an instant conceived plan to sur.
mount the frowniug battlement, "Order No. g."
He sat down and wrote to the Secretary of War.
"a Shall guarantee to all negroes who will bring me
truthful information Of the enemys movements their
liberty and my protection" "Yesl' responded the
Secretary Of War. Liberty, protection, or any.
thing else they ask for"
Sam Gardner was sent for. He was told that he
should be free II he accomplished wba! Gen. Mitchell
desired him 70 do The tall form Of the negro straight
ened bis face cleaned with an almost superhuman
intelligence. The man who was but despised body
servant before seemed suddenly to have been trans
formed into another being. In reply to questions
prcpounded TO him, he suggested plan by which
daily information could be obtained OF the enemy's
movements along the entire line of 10 miles. His
plan was adopted and that very day put in execution
From tha, day until Gen. Mitchell left for Washing
ton, information wac obtained Of all hat was trans
pIing in the Rebel campo.
So much for.the Pro-Slavery charge. The rapid
and brilliant successes of Gen. Mitchell (be frankly
admits) could not have been accomplished without
the aid of the negro and that aid never could have
been obtained without frs. guaranteeing to him lib
ery aud protection.
But there 10 still another charge. With his per-
mission houses have been plundered and burned, |
rapes have been committed, little children shot, and
she preparation Of the whole catalogue Of crimes
tolerated and winked a..
To all who know Gen. Mitchell, denial Of these
charges 10 unnecessary but to those who know him
hot, il win be necessary TO present fact or two
which in themselves furnish ample refutation.
Gen. Ntchels negro spies brough, him informa-
ton that the enemy vas advancing in large force
upon the village Of Athens. Having but few men
there, an immediate retreat was ordered. All snc-
ceeded in escaping by rail except few in the last
train Of cars. The Rebels managed TO get in front OF
this train and saw the timbers of bridge over
which it would have 10 pass When the train came
upon the bridge the timbers gave way and all to-
gether, train and bridge, went down with crash.
The engineer, in attempting to jump OFT, was caught
by one leg between the engine and tender with his
head downward, with the hot Goals from the engine
falling upon him. His shrieks brought the negroes
to his assistance, but those demons in the garb OF
Rebel soldiers beat them back and would not allow
them to render any assistance. The next day