North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-03-18
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE soUrH.


terests of the service, require that General
Naglee should be relieved from duty. The
said Brigader General Henry M. Naglee is
therefore hereby relieved from duty in the
Department of the South, and Brig. General
Orris 5. Terry will Immediately assume COM
mand of all the United States forces on St.
Helena Island. Brig General Henry NJ Ma
glee will proceed to the city of New York by
the first steamer, and report by letter to the
adjutant-general of the army.
BY order of Major General DAVID HUN
TER.
Chas. G. Halphine, Assistant Adutant-
General Tenth Army Corps.
PORT Royal, March 10.
Inasmuch as the dissensions of this depart
ment have become theme of newspaper con-
troversy, which is producing an erroneous
impression detrimental to the expedition, it is
due to all concerned that a correct statement
of the facts, which are gathered from official
papers, should appear, in order that the re-
sponsiblity may rest where it properly be,
longs. First let it be understood that poll
tics have nothing to do with the matter.
When movement was commenced in the
department, General Hunter asked the Sec
rotary of War to allow General Foster to
take part in it, owing to the reason that Gen.
Foster was particularly well qualified for the
work, he having full and complete knowledge
of the fortitications and streams in and about
the point to be attacked. This request was
at once granted, and accepted by GeneraI
Foster, with the understanding that he and
his forces were to take separate comm and
under General Hunter, to execute a special
duty, after which (Foster) with his troops
was to return to return to North Carolina.
On arriving here General Foster ascertain
ed that it would be several weeks before a
movement would be made, owing to the rea-
son that there had been no concert Of action
between General Hunter and the navy as to
the time when the attack should be made
1t appeared that it would be two months a,
least after the arrival of General Foster he
fore the navy would be ready, which greved
him much because Gen. Hunter had not ap-
prised him of the fact before his forces lef;
| North Carolina, which would have enabled
him to take Wilmington long before the ser
vices Of his troops would be needed here.
there being at that time enough lron-clads at
Beaufort, n. c., to accomplish this work with
General Fosters troops, who were then
ready for movement.
General Foster remained here q few days.
when he was called to Newbern to look az
ter its defense. Soon after his departure
General Hunter issued an order consolidat-
| ing all of the troops from North Carolina in
TO the Tenth army corps to the astonshment
OF Fosters fol ces. This at once produced
discord and bitter feeling. Prior to this
General Foster had left General Neglee in
| command of his forces, who entered pro-
test against this unexpected order. On
hearing of this. General Foster at on ce pro-
ceeded to Washington to save his comman d
and secure q definite understanding. He
succeeded IN having the consolidating order
OF General Hunter revoked by the President.
who caused written instructions TO be given
to General Hunter, which say that "the
men and materials of General Fosters COM
mand shall be kept in condition to be re-.
turned to North Carolina at any moment af
ter their mission has bean accomplished, and
the command of the same shall remain as
left by their chef.'
Alter the appearance Of this consolidating
order General Foster informed the Secretary
of War that he could not, with self-respsct.
return to this department. Inasnuch as
General Naglee had protested against this
order, it was feared at Washington that he
might be obnoxious to General Hunter, and
IN order to obvate this supposed difficulty
Assistant Adj-Gen. Townsend was dispatch
ed hlther to inquire into the matter, with
authority to inform Gen. Hunter that he
might release Gen. Neglee, if any ill-feelines
existed. To this Gen. Hunter RESPONDED
that the best understanding existed between
himself and Gen. Neglee, and under no con
slderatlon would he part with Gen. Naglee,
as he regarded him as among the ablest and
most experienced officers in the army, and
ne was just the man he (Hunter) wanted
In addition to this Gen. Hunter immediate
ly wrote letter to Gen. Naglee, which was
OF the most complimentary character, urg.
ing him to remain and lend his valuable ser.
vices to the expedition.
Matters at this stage Of the proceedings
stood in satisfactory condition, and GEN
erai Fosters troops were appeased, knowing
that Gen, Naglee, in whom they had great
confidence, was to be with them as their
leader.
AS soon as General Hunter had received
instructions from Washington to revoke his
consolidating order, and knowing that Gen.
Foster had brought it about, he (Hunter) at
one ordered General Fosters taft out of