New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-02-13
GENERAL STONES ALLEGED TREASON.
one OF THB PROOFS AGAINST HIM.
SUSPICIOUS CONDUCT or OTHER OFFICERS.
Of The N. Y. Tribune.

Correspondence Of The N Y Tribune
WASHINGTON, Feb. II, 1909
The action regarding Gen. Stone excites no sur
prise among those who have been familiar with biz
conduct the last six months. The developments in
regard to bin only another illustration of what
we have been so slow TO learn, that friendship to
Slavery is hostility to the Republic Gen. Stones
wife is notorious for her Secession tendencies while
his own course has made him object Of quite gen.
eral suspicion The discovery Of his REASONABLE com.
munication with the enemy is said on good authority
to have happened in this wise:
A soldier in one of the New-York regiments, who
bad procured his discharge and came to the Capital
for the purpose of getting bis pay, mentioned to
gentleman in one of the public Offices that there were
suspcious circumstances connected with Gen. Stones
movements, and related the following incident:
While he the soldier was on picket duty near
Edwardss Ferry, some time subsequent TO the Bale
Bluff affair, Gen. Stone rode down near the Ferry.
accompanied only by servant After some little
time he went to an unoccupied house near, and
bringing out spyglass looked across the river. lie
then remounted aud rode away but shortly returned
to the house, and again brought the glass into
requison and seeming to discover the object of bis
search waved his hat as though communicating Q
signal. Directly about dozen horsemen came out
of the woods on the opposite side Of the river Gen.
Stone going to pickets, remarked that these
must want something, and suggested that some Of
them should cross and see what it might be. Five
men volunteered to go this service, and reach
ing the Virginia shore, the Rebels proposed that
thew should remain as hostages while an equal num-
Der of their party crossed for the purpose Of having
an interview with Gen. Stone, which proposal was
accepted, and the Rebels accordingly crossed and
met Gen. Stone. They withdrew from the river
bank near the house above named, and remained in
conference for some time. a soldier at the Ferry
observed sealed packet passing between the Rebels
and Gen. Stone. One of the Rebels remarked to ono
Of the men who remained as hostages, that they
" had come down by appointment" The one who
headed the Rebel party was Capt. Porter.
Ii may be asked why it is that these facts did
no, come sooner to the knowledge Of the proper au-
thories One reason is the difficulty, if not danger,
involved in the making of charges by private
against an officer of high rank. Still further, COM
municnton has been as far as possible prevented ~
Gen. Stone between the men OF his command and the
CAPITAL He is said to have manifested nervous
anxiety in regard to this, as though fearing that
some one who might come here from bis command
might know something Of bis doings. Rumors Of his
di,lovalty have for long time been current, but
have seemed lack any more substantial foundation
than the well-hnown rebellous proclivties OF some
Of his relatives By marriage and the fact that he
manifested anxiety protect known Secessonis's IN
their right to property in human fesh-a fact SO no.
tcrous that since the recent article in THE TRIBUNE
on The MARYLAND Oyerseer,' he has been generally
characterized by that title.
Its 10 be hoped that the arrest OF Gen. Stone viii
lead TO the exposure of the reasonable proceedings
which have laid open all plans TO the rebels Let
me suggest TO Mr. Secretary Stanton, or TO the Com
nitee on the Conduct of the War, that some inquiry
into the associations of certain officers OF the regular
service. not so high in rank as Gen. Stone, might
lead 10 the exposure Of other leaks. For example:
several officers Of the regulars who constitute por.
ton of the Provost Guard, have for months boarded
with the wife Of one who held high Office under
Floyd and who 10 himself with the rebels, while she
is a notorious Secessionist, and in communication
with the rebels. II may be that the gentlemen IN
uniform who frequent her house are entirely fros
from sympaihv with the sentiments she processes,
and that she learns nothing from them OF purposed
movements; but i, would be well TO ascertain for
certainty whether it be or not. The military sc-
onainance Of the lady in question would seem TO
boye benefited the Secession clique Of which che 10
one in some mysterious way. few weeks ago, az
time when "no passes were granted, not even by
Gen. Stone to permit wife to search for the body
of her husband murdered Balls Bluil. lady resid-
ing with her secured pass taking with her
trunks containing Winter clothing for the husbands
of two or three Secession ladies, as well as written
communications, and variety of supplies which GU
rous eyes were not permitted to examine; Tor which
reason we are in doubt as TO the precise amount OF
aid and comfort afforded by her visit 10 Dixie"
She returned, duly bringing papers which con.
stitu,ed her agent for one who fled 10 Jeifdom
months ago, leaving bis goods and house behind In
the house an Irishnan and his family were domes-
teated il being intended that he should occupy tho
back part of it, and keep the property in order AS
the owner did not return, the tenant concluded to
occupv and nav no rent. The laws OF the district
favor the tenan: SO far that unless notice IL given BY
Il specilied time, the landlord cannot evict him for
the space of 36i days. But, on the return OF the
lady mentioned from her trip to Virginia, tho
military arm was by some means Drought in'o to
QUESTION, and the tenant was elected by summary
process unknown to the civil law in such cases.
This is mentioned as an illustration of the mex.
picabls occurrences which continually perpex loyal
residents of Washington, and which make 1t manifest
that open disloyaty does not always cut oil those
who manifest it from the sources Of power and OF
favor.
THE BUTLER EXPEDITION.
Bosros, Wednesday, FEB ~ 1907