The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1862-05-09
Was General Smith Drunk !

This is the question that has lately agita-
ted Congress, army correspondents, and the
people. For the good name and fame of our
state (of which Gen Smith is a native,) for
humanity's sake, and above all, for the conso-
lation of those who had friends killed and
manned in that heroic but fatal charge at
Warwick Creek we want to believe him in
nocent OF the crime laid to his charge. But
We object to much of the testimony i'll his be-
half. For instance: Fred. A. Aiken, who
claims to be one of Gen Smiths aids-de-camp,
takes occasion to write long letter to the
Rutland Herald, fully exculpating Gen Smith
from the aspersions made against his charac-
ter. This might be well enough, (supposing
it is trueD if he had stopped there but he
cannot let pass the opportunity to attack MIR
Morrill, for the resolution which he offered in
the House, characterizing his (Morrill's)
statement as "untruthful, indecent and wick
ed"
Fred Aiken is so well known in Caledonia
county that his endorsement of any mans
character would no: be valued very highly
He vas member in regular standing of the
late rotten democracy-held clerkship at
Washington under the traitorous adminlstra-
ton of James Buchanan, which he was oblg-
ed to yacate sometime after MIR Lincoln was
inaugurated president. And we have not the
slightest doubt but that an opportunity to
yilify MIR Morrill, our excellent representa-
tive in Congress, would be gladly accepted
by him. Perhaps he could in this manner
pay off old scores, as very likely Mr. NJ. was
instrumental in ousting him from his fat o.
flee at the capital.
Although We do not consider the testimony
of such men as Fred. A. Aiken worth row
o. pins, We are willing to leave this matter
with the senate military committee, who are
investigating the matter. As candid, re-
spectful letter, we copy the following, said to
be signed by all the Vermont colonies who
were III the actlOn OF the lOtn
Hon S. Foot, u. S. Senate:
Rive, the undersigned, officers COM
handing troops in the field in General Smiths
division on the day of the late action at Lees
Mills, the 10th inst, having seen the remarks
Of MIR Morrill, of Vermont in the House Of
Representatives on the 23d inst. in which he
states that the commanding officer of tina,
6 Al.
wise rejecting on him, and knowing that the
statement and reflections are without founda
ton in truth, and that Mr. Morrill, must have
been imposed upon, take this means of unit
ing in and communicating this distinct de-
NAL.
p. S-Since the above was in type w
have seen the following letter from Ger
Smith to Mr.. Morrill,. We will only sa,
now that man whose Incorporate habit
have become so notorious might have cnosel
more respectful style; but then, We sup
pose this is his style:
CAMP NEAR YORKTOWN, Va, !
April 80, 1862.
Hon. Justin s. Morrul-Sir: You hav,
seen nj, IN your place in the House of Re
representatives., to utter foul SANDER agains
me. You have offered to the country no eyi
dence in support of your naked assertion
You have, so far as | can learn, taken n,
public steps to collect testimony to substan
tiate your charges, and the indignant denial
which have gone from officers of this divisio,
to yourself and colleagues have failed to eli
cit from you an open and frank apology. l
is now my time to speak, and here, face t.
face with brave foe, l turn back to you, al
assassin, and tell you you must prove YOU
charge against me or make your retracton a
public as the libel; and am certain thai
throughout the length and breadth of thi
great land, every manly heart will say hav
demanded no more than have right t
compel. WIN. F. SMITH,
Commanding Division in the Army Of tn
Potomac.