Washington telegraph., 1863-12-09

by an article in the Alexandria Democrat, over
the signature of 'Cassandria,' attacking the
military policy of Gen. Smith. We are glad
to find this tribute of justice rendered by
brave oticer, himself Louisianiao, to the
commander of the department. Soldiers, tried
and true, aye the best judges of each other:
Letter from Gen. Taylor.
|: BAYOU Beer, Nov 30. 1868.
l.Io the Editor of the Louisian Democrat:
/: Slr: The attack made by '.Cassandria" on
Lieut. Gen. Smith, in your last issue, induces
me Tor The first time in my life TO write for the
press. Had your correspondent confined him.
sell to generalities, L certainly could rot have
departed from my usual habit but there are
certain specific charges brought against Gen.
Smith, the incorrectness of which propose to
show.
1t appears from Cassandria's point of view.
that Gen Smith intends to abandon Louisiana.
Ii so, 1t Is certainly strange that so large pro-
| portion of the troops under his command should
De now actually engaged in defending her soil
As TO any future purpose he may entertain, L
| have to remark that he has not communicated it
| to me. On the contrary all my orders look to
| a stubborn resistance at every point and if any
! improper delay has arisen in constructing mil
| itary works, the fault is exclusively mine, for
! not once, but repeatedly has Gen. Smith urged
the Importance Of vigo Gus preparation for
defence at all points If the enemy learned
| from Gen. Smith his intention to abandon this
State, then Gen. Banks is the party to complain,
| 1or Walker, Mouton and Green have kept bad
| faith.
| The complaint that Gen. Smith has not taken
the neid In person. arises doubtless from the
| Tact that Cassandria has never considered the
enormous amount of labor necessarily thrown
I on the department commander with continent
1 10 look alter, and all the duties of the various
n0rceaEI connected with the war department
to organize and superintend. Even to the un-
important matter OF Gen. Smiths visits to Ar
kansas, there Is an error for instead OF one he
has to my knowledge made four or FIVE visits to
that State. and probably others.
! The statement that there has been no battle
or skirmish under Gen. Smiths guidance or ad-
| vice, unless possibly the unfortunate afiair at
Helena, IS equally erroneous Gen. Smiths
| responsibility at Helena was precisely the same
| as at Sabine Pass. and if be is charged with the
first. strict justice demands that be should be
credited with the last. So of other operations
! III the department. After complaining that
Gen- Smith has never taken the field, your
| correspondent goes on to say that he certainly
does ROt desire TO see him in the field In Texas
or Louisiana, etc, which, OF course. leaves to
the General no theatre but Arkansas. Now.
were Gen. Smith to conine his attention to Ar
/ kansas. that State mi eht be pleased. but assur-
| ediJ more persons than Cassandria in Texas and
Louisiana would complain and justly. Gen.
| Smith has already partially abandoned Arkan-
| many of the troops now defending Louisiana
| were drawn from Arkansas last spring. When
| Arkansas lately invaded and her capital
| fell, none of these troops were ordered back
| though the homes of the people of that State
| are doubtless dear to them as ours to u.s. 1t
! iS not, then, the people of Louisiana who should
| complain. In addition, no one knows better
than |, the pressure that has been for some time
! past brought to bear General Smith to
| send troops from here to Texas. None have
Ir1r of II
ought to have sent long since, their regi-
ment was in that State. Yet Louisiana is Of
malice prepence to be abondOned
Again-Gen. Smith is charged with leaving
last summer all Louisiana from Cans liver to
the gulf the mercy of Banks. Now, Banks
expedition was begun early in April very
! shortly after Gen Smith assumed command
here and before he possibly had time to change
the military arrangements existing at the time
of his arrival. No sOonor did be learn of the
| large force opposed to my small command than
| he ordered renforcements fl ON all quarters
and if they did not rrive in time to arrest the
| enemy, the fault is not Gen. Smiths, bat is to
| be charged to distance and the want of artii-
| cial means of transportation Gen. Smith was
| determined at that time to join me in the field
and was only prevented by my earnest eu-
| treaties to proceed to Shreveport from which
central position he could best hurry up rein
| forcsTnents. If any one then is to blame for
| permitting Gen. Banks to ever-run the State
| from Cane river to the gulf, it is l. and not
| Gen. Smith.
| As to the statement that it is the conviction
of nearly every man in Louisiana that Gen
! Smith has proved himself utterly untitled for
| his command I will observe that know no.
thing of public opinion; but if the people of
this State deny Gen. Smiths abilities, they
differ in toto not only from all the commanders
under whom he has served, but from all the
officers who nave served under him. As long
ago the Mexican war, when Gen. Smith, a
STRIPPING from West Point join I'd the army, his
commander. after marking his gallantry in
action, his enthusiasm for his profession and
his high personal character. predicted for him,
in my hearing, bright career. This COM
mander was the late Zachary Taylor, certainly
no bad judge of a soldier.
The facts stated in this communication are
all known to me, and some of them to me
alone, and | DO not doubt will modify the
opinions of Cassandra. | apply to you. Mr.
Editor, to publish this letter with the more
confidence, that you have shown yourself as a
journalist both just and independent. When
for many months the object of misrepre
sentation ard abuse, Y gave me a generous
support Until that time had passed away
[ could not consistently with my own indepen-
d,nce or yours, express my thsnks. | do
now, and most heartily, and claim for one
whom both respect and esteem the same jus
tce you accorded me.