Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-31
A CARD

have observed, in q recent number of the Wing,
and also in other Richmond papers, publication under
the caption "Golonel N. g. Harman," which purports,
in part to be taken from editorial of the Rocking
ham Register which contains injurious and uniounded
imputatiUDs ON me.
What instgated the Editor of that paper to publish
an article so variant from the facts aud unfair in its
character, can be only matter of conjecture.
The material allegations Of this editorial are, that
assailed Colonel Hartman anonymously and that he
having traced the authorship OF the attack to me,
promptly demanded investigation which resulted in
his triumphant acquittal.
These allegations will be eficctually answered, far
a am concerned, by the following brief statement of
facts:
In September last having noticed in the report of the
proceedings of Congress- that proposition had been
introduced into that body for the appointment of acorn
mtec to investigate the affairs Of the QuartermascrS
and CommissaryS Departments, wrote letter to Col
Baldwin, who my near relative, and immediate repre-
sentative ia Congress- suggesting that instead OF stand
ing committee, whose opportunities to investigate would
BE- very limited there should be select committee, with
authority to sit during the of Congress- ~ visit
the different military posts where large expenditures
had occurred, and 10 send for persons aud papers.
thought then land still think that the public interests
demanded the appointment OF such committee (which
could make thorough aud sitting investigation, I'M
trsmmeed by the narrow and technical rules which gov
crn the proceedings Of military tribunals. BY way Of
argument ia favor of my proposition, referred TO the
general opinion which had found uterance through the
newspapers aud other channels that there bad been
ous abuses in these branches of the public service and
mentioned several rumors Of alleged mpropreties in
this vicinity which had been the general subject Of con-
yersaton among the most intelligent and respectable
citizens of this community. i referred 10 them, how
ever "a rtHuors, and expressly dsclamed any knowl
edge of the truth or fasehood Of any Of them. 1t
NAV be proper add, that l mentioned the name
of no individual as connected with these runners.
had no thought Of preferrDg charges against any one
aud the only object Of nv letter was 10 convey 10 Col
Baldwin my views of the best means Of accomplishing
the object which Congress had 10 view Had suppos
ed il would have been used for any other purpose,
c,r:alnly would have objected Wilhoat nv knowledge
or consent but unquestionaby With no improper mo-
tive Col B. during Interview with the 4uAsteruiGs
ter General read HIN portion OF ny letter, stating
at the time TIA; tie suthor Of Il. That officer,
understand after some conversation on The subject re-
cues.ed Col s. to give him copy Of that portion Of
nv letter Withholding the Col B. furnished the
ecr7 a. requested omittng the zane of the author
aud the Quarteraster General shortly afterwards for
vsrded copies TO Col. HarmAa aud other officers at
Staunion correspondence ensued between Col. haI.
man aud myseE-a copy OF which Transmitted to the
Cuaytcrmasier General, on the 9TH Of November. On
the 9th Of November, general order was Issued By
the AdjutSnt General Of which the following Is 50 en-
tract
"By direction Of the President, ccart Of Enquir5
will assemble at Stauntop Va, the srd proSliuo, or
AZ soon " chAhuIuS h"~
report upon certain charges and implications against Col
NJ G. liarman, 52nd Va. Volunteers, respecting his
conduct whilst acting QoarermGes at Stanton, and
also as enrolling officer under the CONSUMPTION laws At
the same place"
What reasons influenced the action Of the President
in ordering the Court or whose instance il was Done
am unable TO say rf s-r -..-,.- -.
When the members Of the Court arrived NJ Staunton,
thew addressed to a note, through their recorder
requesting personal interview with me at their hotel
Ths respectfully declined for the tWofod reason that
did not choose place myself even apparently in tho
attitude Of prosecutor Of charges which had not pre-
rred andn which felt no special concern and because
/ desired that all my communications should be in wr
ting that there could be misunderstanding of their
purpoFt As an act of Justice however 10 Col BArman
and dereneet the wishes Of the Court addressed
them communication stating the substance Of the rp.
mors which had been generally circulated in connection
with his name, but again expressly disclaimed all
knowledge Of their truth alsehood On examination
before the Court made the same disclaimer.