The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-04-29
up whole day at time, and was not for near
time as If

rain and wind prevailed, SO much 50 that my
Sergeant, who was obliged to travel by pri-
vate conveyance, was not able to report. him.
relf and men, so that could leave Cleveland
before the 25thso January, as then did, but
leaving him behind sick with severe attack
of fever. then proceeded to Columbus, re-
ceived the 42nd men who had reported at
Camp Chase, fastened to Cincinnati thence
to Memphis as rapidly as possible, which lat
ter place reached on the morning of Febru-
ary Sd, at quite an expense to myself, in adj
vance of any transportation furnished by the
Government. At Memphis obtaining neces-
sary orders and transportation. shipped the
same day on board transport sForest Queen,'
reaching. Helena, ninety miles below, at IL M.
February 4th. Here an order was banded
me by the Captain of the Queen, emanating
from Gen. aGorman,7 then commanding the
post requiring all officers and men in the U.
s. service to disembark at once, at that point.
Immediately left the boat, found Gen. Cor
man, stated the facts to him in cennection
with myself and men. In short, I protested
against the order, and tried to obtain its revo-
cation so far as to enable myself and men to
proceed Gen: G.was gentlemanly, but firm,
assuring me that he issued it in, pursuance of
instructions from Gen. Grant, whose army
below would soon have to be, in his opinion
sent up to Helena, and high, points alongsthe
Mississippi, IN consequence of the high and
still rising water. He then accompanied me
to the boat, and there commanded me to or
der every soldier to leave it,adding, to use his
own language, "unless it is done at once, I'il
compel it with the force of hayonets., The
boat was cleared as ordered, and proceeded on
her way, while officers and men searched for
quarters and protection from the severe storm
of snow then raging. Having arranged for
my mems comfort first, Isought it for myself
= now. Avoiding detail, I will only say, that
being ''found unfit duty the Medical Di-
rector advising it, l was sent to the officers
hospital at Memphis. Remaining there thr-
teen days, l obtained a discharge s",asr conya-
alescent," and on the 10Th February took
& transport to Youngs Point, reaching there af-
ter many, to me, uncomfortable delays, on the
25rh of that month, reporting for duty as be-
fore stated 81 should also say that, after
reaching the hospital, Immediately reported
to my regiment by letter, which letter 1 am
informed was, not received until after had
reported there in person. Hence the. applir
cation and request of Col. Sheldon. had
not reported. in person, and my report in wri--
ting had not reached him up to the 18th of
February. But this was my misfortune, not
my crime, as charged against me. Why should
Col Sheldon state, unless he knew, that I was
relieved by the War Department Dee 25th,
whereas [ was not until January 9Th? Why
didsh not know, and why not so state. that
the Hlong delay" before reaching Helena was
or might have been in part caused by Gen.
Morgan's order, instead of not mentioning at
all, though relating to the men and interests
s of his own regiment? Why charge, that af-
ter reaching Helena I stopped without any
authority and returned to Memphis, unless
he knew this to be the fact? Thus, by fail
/ ure to state facts, (and l here charge no mo-
tive,9 which, if known, ought to have been
5 correctly stated, and by statementof others
which, if not known, ought not to have been
stated at all, a case was made against me-
Against my country orits cause, Pve commit
ted no offence, against myself and family I
have; and my only apology is that did it in
my zeal to serve my country, and to avoid
even the appearance of remissness in dnty.
A patriotic and devoted wife may forgive that
which / cannot forgive in myself. l ask no
other. OF my country ask nothing but JUS
tice. This demand. / also demand it from
those it has placed over me in command. 1
insist, also, that no hasty or ill-considered
breath shall blast reputation which, as a
man and an officer, had supposed stood at
least fair before my friends here and at home
1t must not be done. 1t cannot be unnoticed.
: hold myself responsible for whatever do,
and also for whatever say as an officer of
the army and as a citizen. / fear no investi-
cation either here or sat the headquarters of
the army, nor before any earthly tribunal.
invoke it, q '2s pf5 -
I am told that mo injustice to me was in
tended.'' ask, has none been done me? 1t
is true. that twenty-five days after had re-
ported in person to the regiment, and thirty
three after to Col. Sheldon, statement and
request, counter one--a truthful one as to
main facts, was made and sent forward by
Col. Pardee, commanding the Regiment; APP
proved by Col. Sheldon, commanding I'd
Brigade. The Government acted promptly
upon the first, and, upon the case as so made,
justly. Whether it will act upon the last
report and request, remains to be seen. That
it will. cannot much doubt. At the same
time / am not unmindful that injury is swift
er than reparation. ai .
The foregoing statement more lengthy
than at first intended will, feel confident,
to some. extent, set me right before all loyal
: men, and correct, also, any misarprehension
any of my friends may have been led into, in
reference to me, in seeing my name thus
spread before the public. ask this, 10 more.
In reference TO the Copperheads," and those
in sympathy with armed rebels and traitors,
who learn are rejoicing at my prospective
dismissal from the service, and who are swift
to retail lies, which, they love because they
are lies, I will only say. 'tis in character
with the scamps. There is not villainous
traitor, either North or South, but would re-
joice at the dismissal of every worthy Union
officer and soldier from the service. This is
what they want, and is what they viii ac-
| complish if bv any means. like the slimy