Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-05-26
FOR THE GAZETTE.

ALUM STRINGS, May 9, 1868.
Mr.. EDIToR The mail has Just brought me Il
'aZette of the 9th instant After careful perusaI
Gen. Smiths rejonder | am in doubt whether on o.
to trouble you and Che public with another line p
the subject | do not think underestimate this h
second publication, hen say it does not serious
assault, much less turn any position have taken NJ
controveitany declaration | have made Therefore
should not notice it at all but for the charge il co
tans against of having ''let my post of DubZc d
g, and renamed absent during the whole investie
ion, On prsoate business. No one knews better tha
Gen. s. the cause and circumstances of that absenc
he was fully informed of them in the Committee an
by lis members But will repeat them for the II
formaion of Others not so we'll advised Of them as
is When the Committee of inquiry was ordered
attended it more than once to prefer charges ft
had none to which could testify, but in order I
learn accurately every hing that was to be learned
reference to the Institute Some personal friends
the Committee, knowing that had on hand a mos
important negotiation for my firm Tin the sale of til
Bath Alum Springs informed me it was very unce
tain aohen Gen. : could be in Rchmond-and the la
time | was in the committee room was told 1t vs
doubtful whether he could come at ALL as his healt
was not good, and that he had so teiegrephed, Th
Chairman remarked that he did not unders taud m
as having made any charges against Gen. S. or tn
lnsutute--Or as having any testimony to give in th
Premises so that If my busnesswas such reqair
temporary absence, IL ould not impede at II til
progress of the Committee | replied that only wish
ed to be preaent when Gen Smith and other witnesse
were testifYng, that might learn the real facts il
the case. Several members then remarked that if
intended to be absent only week. (as had said J +
would without doubt be there before the
began. AccoI dinghy left the next morning train
was two days getting home, remained st home tw
Gays, and took two days getting back to Richmond.
in.thOSe days, Gen. 5. had arrived in the city
the examination opena, carried through ant
closed, and the witnesses -dism issed. That is tn
whole story. Andfr the purpose this discussion
need not add another word to 1T. But my constitu
ents have right to know whether | am in The haiti
of neglecting my public duties to attend TO my privat
affairs On that point most willingly challenges scru
tny-appeallng TO the records of the Senate the re
cords of it's Committees ot which was Is member, an
to the personal testimony of every member of the Sen
ate. They would show that the four sessions ofm
service, l was never absent from the city but ono
for six days in March, 1862 when came at the earn
est solicitation OF the Surgeon General and of the In
spector General OF Hospitals, 10 attend 10 the ins
closing up OF the Alum Springs Hospital to make ov
er 10 the Government it's property, and to receiv
back from the officials, the property of my firm no
taken by the Government With this single excep
ton, never missed session of the Senate by daVl0
by mig hit (save only night session. when was to
unwel TO turn cut IN the midst Of a violent snow
storm,) nor was eQer absent from committee, ex
cept where was member OF two or more commit
tees, and they sitting at the same hour IF any
senator or Delegate present a 6stttr recOrt
than that. so far 9ndustTy and attention TO III.
a6tes business Is concerned, really do know b.
he is.
One word more and | shall have done. Genera
Smith nor any other can make me an enemy tc
the Virginia Military Institute or 'unfrIendly to it.
But lei her he all the pow er be may suppose
himself tc WELD deter from examining into it.
abuses, Whe e have respectable authority or sprob
babe cause" for bel ewing them to exist And sa,
here confidently, that ithe and a0 present that
case OF young Mcdaniel airer and better light to
the public, aud especially IT he will give satsfactor,
assurances to the General Assembly Of his firm pur-
pose and determination to suppress ia future those
abuses known in the Institute as "bucking he viii
lmpart sincere pleasure TO the pnbc and to the As
semby and to none more SO than to myself. But /
warn him again, that he can never do so by regard
ing such conduct as either promotiVe of "D5anly de
0e0pne7t or as instances Of youthful 5nd3Sereti0n
or at the worst as yOuttfut f0tIy.'
We are twice informed that nv competitor Major
Mclaughlin, is Visitor ot the Institute Not hav ing
seen his name in any of the records or public docu.
ments, did not know the tact till now doubt not
be would make good member OF the Board in all re
spects; and when am returned tothe Senate, If the
Executive shall re-nominate him, it will give me-
great pleasure to support him, and my vote for
hm. -Ts-ss-
Fellow citizens I'm the discharge of ny public
duties dared to give voice and utterance to what
sincerely believed to be your sentiments. For this
and this only, have been arraigned. IL Nigh have
been much easier and smoother sailing, have SAID
nothing. said what did believe. One does not
alway ind it either pleasant a profitable thing
y 60 right forward il me dscha,ge Of What he teeis
10 be plain duty. But that man is fit for pub
c trust wfo has not the rmneSs and b0ldneSs to dis
charge its duties conscentously, Jet who will be Of
ended.
You will excuse me for saying more at present.
The sensbitiOs of the whole country and especially
the sympathies of the people of Rockbridge.
deeply moved at this try ing moment, to think OF
ught, save the glorious deaths Of her heroes who
have fallen in her defence; and of the severe wound
Inflicted NJ on the person of that great leader whose
name and fame now fiji the world.
May 26, 1868. WEI. FRAZIER.
LEE'S ADDRESS TO THE
ARMY.
The following is copy of the address issued
by General Lee to his army, after the late bat
Ties:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF I
NORTHERN Va.
GENERAL ORDERS
No. 90.
With hear tfeit qualification, the General COM
mandlng expresses TO the Army his sense of the
heroic conduct displayed by the officers and men
during the arauouS operations in which they
have just been engaged. Under trying vicissl-
tudes of heat and storm you attacked the enemy
strongly entrenchet in the depths of tangled
and again on the hills of Fredericks-
burg, fifteen miles distant, and by your vaior,
triumphant ON so many fields, forced him once
more to seek safety beyond the Rappahannock
while glorious victory rebounds to your praise ;
and you are especially called upon to return
Srateluf THANKS TO the only OlYer OF victory, tor
the signal dellverance He hath wrought for US.
1t is therefore earnestly recommended to the
troops to unite on Sunday next in ascribipg to
the Lord Of Hosts glory TO His name. Let us
not forget in our rejoicing the brave soldiers
who have fallen in the defense Of their country,
and while We mourn their loss, let us resolve to
emulate their noble example.
The army and country alike lament the alb
sence, for the time, of one to whose bravery,
energy and ski we are much indebted for
success.
The following letter from the President of the
Confederate States is communicated to the Army
as an expression of his appreciation OF their SER
vices 81 have received your despatch, and rev
erently unite with you in giving praise to God
Tor the success with which He has crowned our
arms. In the. name of the people l offer cordiai
thanks to yourself and the troops. under your
command for this addition to the Unprecedented
services and great victories your army has "a
chieved.
With universal rejoicing produced by this hap
py result will be mingled general regret for the
good and brave numbered among the killed and
TSigned1 r. E. LEE,
General.
CHANCELLoRsvILLE, May f.
GENERAL Il have just received your note in
forming me that you were wounded. L cannot
express my regret at the occurrence. Could
have directed events | should have chosen toi
the good of the country to have been disabled il