Smyrna times., 1862-05-15
Gen. LnGkWnnd.

GOA4' AVGkWUUu'
Gen. Lockwood, who commanded the frst
Delaware Regiment, (three months men) and
who was subsequently, nominated by tho Pres
ident for Brigadier General in the volunteer
army has, we regret TO learn, not yet been Con-
hrmed by the Senate. He has, however, since
his nomination by President Linco n, more than
malt year since, been acting in the ca pacity
OF Brlgader-his expedition TO the Eastern
Shore of Virginia being familiar to all our read.
ers. Being the Cnly general from our little
State in the army, it was very natural that we
should feel an interest in him as embodying
and bearing the honor of the State, so far as
leading officer was concerned, in the effort to
put down this unnatural rebellion and it is with
feelings of chagrin that we hear combinations
have been brought against him TO rob him of
his merited honor, and the army of a valuable
officer.
Gen. Lockwood is no politician, and has not
been pressed by his friends for the place which
his merits command, for political reasons; hence
our reason for speaking as above.
Upon the breaking out of the war he was in
the regular army, where, we believe, he has
been since boy. and as an instructor in mill.
tary tactics is said to have no superior. In
consideration Of his experience and courage,
and being the only ne asked for by the State,
he should have been confirmed, and. doubtless.
would have been months since, but for the in.
fuencs brought to bear by persons opposed to
him and the war.
The ditficultes-if what we hear is true,
and we have it from good autho,ity originated
mainly in this State, and in reference to the
dis1rming of the home guards" Gen. Dix,
it appears, gave him orders sometime last Fail
to take the arms from the several compon nies
represented to be disloyal. Gen. Lockwood
had not time then in consequence Of his expe.
dltion down the Peninsula, to pay his respects
TO but two or three. About the lst of March,
having finished up the other JOB. he inquired
of Gen. Dix if he still wanted him to disarm the
companies referred TO, and received a reply
that if he had not already done it to do it at
once. He proceeded to obey orders, and can.
sequently visited several of our towns. Sew
eral prominent citizens of Dover, it is said,
wrote to Gen. Dix that it was very unpopular
movement and the latter, according to runner,
being an asprant for the Presidential chair
and consequently tenacious Of popularity, threw
the respons blIty on Gen. Lockwood, aud this,
with the natural opposition Of our Two Senators,
defeated his confirmation In addition to this
there were occurrences of similar kind in the
discharge Of duty while down in Virginia,
where the responsibility was afler-in conse-
quence Of supposed npopularity-thrown upon
his shoulders. On the other hand he met with
opposition from several radical anti slavery
Senators because he did carry out the instruc.
tioRs of Gen Dix in dealing enientIy with the
"secesh" and returning their fugitive slaves
whe had escaped to his lines In addition tO
this, it became his duty TO punish several of the
Western soldiers in his brigade for violation Of
private property, and hence, to crafty perso
nal revenge, the columns of the New York Iri.
bune were opened upon him with all the men :
dachy Of which it's writers are capable, charg.
ing him with mpathizing with .hc South and
disloyaty. Being between two fires, and no
finding friends in the Senators from his owr
State, it is net to be wondered at that there i.
danger of his defeat. II is not to late however
and we hope the Senate will yet confirm tn,
appointment, and give him an active place il
the field,