The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1863-02-27

numbered, in all, from 500 to GOO mon :
Capt Oanaelds eonancs at McMlppvIIle
wps most poblo and unselhsh--such hs
would seem sirnnge indeed 10 one "deserv.
ing Of an ighominiOus deatb," yotsuch as
We should naturally expect. under tho cir.
camatanoes IN him. Knowing that the
mon, on being paroled, would DO asked to
sieu paper promising never sgsin 70 bear
arms against tho Southern Contedsracy, no
told them all TO refuse TO do Il, and, In
person, gave to tho Rebel officers their
unanimous decision to that effect where
upon they were psrolcd unconditionaily.
These are Che facts, ns wo understand
them, which led to Capt Cannoid's dismissal
from the hescrvicej and wo respectfully ask
those Of our cotemporarles who have pub
lishej tho above order, 70 give him the ben
eht Of them. We know tha, milltsryr rulc
is, at best. most harsh and tyrsppical. aud
that mercy. 10 be obtained, must not be
sought wbsre ihatrule prevails. But jus
tico, which IN this instance, seems 10 have
boon withheld from bravo and faithful Of
icer, wo have right to demand even there.
When the ordcr was issued which pro-
nouucod Capt csnGeld responsible for
tho disaster of tho 21st of Jaruary. he
was confined in Q Southern prison---denied
tho pryiloge.a accorded 20 the vilest criminal.
of vOico in his own bohslf-~as unconscious
of the cxis,ence Of such an ordor as Of tho
guilt charged upon him. Whatever may
have been the tribunal to which bis case
was submittod. and upon, tho Judgment Of
which Con. Rosecrans based bis action, be
was. of ccurso, triod summarily. and con-
demned upon sr paris testimony. Were
the boys who were captured with him. aud
who, Of all, would have tho greatest ressor
to complain of bis mlscondnct. called u
testify All who have boon consulted on
the subject. say that they had never though
bo could be in the least blame worthy
until after they were parclcd. whom the,
heard Of bis disgrace. What was the tri
bunal, and who woro the Witnesses
That tho disaster .or which Capt. Csnfelt
Is held responsible by the order of Gen
Rosecraus, was the resul. Of unmili.ary CON
duct, We shall not deny. although wo eanno
see how. uudor tho circumstances. u coult
have been avertod, bad every ordinary pre-
caution been taken. Nor shall wo nttemp
to shield Capt. Garfield from any responsi
biIity that Justly attaches to him. hut VIZ
insist that he ought to DO compelled 70 besl
no more, oven though he Is now poworless 4
prevent t. II ,he is innocent. or MOI
alone guilty, the fact should bo known.-s
We psk for him no more than Justice, ans
accuse no other. We trust, however, that
we may be pardoned for foeIing, in com
mon with this entire community, o deep
interest in his fate, and for expressing the
general determination that. II tho truth; and
the whole truth, can vindicaie him, ho shall
be vindcaied. II is no ligb. matter to thus
disgruce on officer who has always borno .
good name, and who has done bis duty so
bravely and faithfully. Capt. Garfield is
not frIendless there are more than wo may
number. in his Regiment aud at home, who
still! bave faith In him, and who regard his
capture and nominal disgraoe % bis misfor-
tune rather than his fault