The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1863-03-06
Gen. Sherman Defends Himself.

Gen. W. T. SHERMAN has written Ions
letter to the Memphis Bulletin, dated
Camp before Vicksburg, Feb. 6, 1863.
He opens by stating that while he
thought himself merely fighting for bis
country, he finds himself as an enemy OF
the press. He then gives the restrictions
he placed upon papers in Memphis while
the city was under his command. These
were, no publications of the movements
of troops, and no comments upon the mo-
tves and conduct of Union officers. He
thinks properly that all men must forego
their private opinions and personal wishes,
and obey the law, not because law was to
their liking, but because it was law, and.
to secure unity of action, should be obey
ed. Now, what is the law of the land ?
See the act of Congress approved April O.,
1906;
ARTICLE 81. Whoever shall be convicted of
holding correspondence with, or giving intel
Ingence to the enemy either directly or indi-
rectly, shall suffer death or such other punish
ment as shall be ordered by sentence of gen
eral court martial
ART. 60. All suffers and retainers to camp.
all persons whatsoever serving with armies in
the field, though not enlisted soldiers are subject
10 orders according to the rules and discipline
of war.
Gen. Sherman says these are not mod
hut u
than the Government of the United States
The modern rule is the same, only more
specific. The latter portion of the general
orders Of the War Department number
sixty-seven, passed August 26, 1861, IS as
follows:
1t is ordered that all correspondence or com
munications, verbally or by writing. printing
or telegraphng, respecting operations of the
army, or military movements on land or water
or respecting troops, camps arsenals entrencl-
mcnts, or military affairs within the several
military districts 10y which intelligence shall be
directly or indirectly given to the enemy with
out the authority and sanction of the General
in command, be and the same are absolutely
prohibited, and from and after the date of this
order all persons violating the same will be pro.
BY order. L. THOMAS, Adjt Gen.
Gen. SHERMAN says his acts stand ex-
actly with those laws of Congress and Or
ders from the War Department, which, by
his sacred oath, he had been bound to
maintain. He also asks the editor of the
Bulletin to bear testimony to the manner
in which he watched the commanding dis
trict, having in view its safety. He in
quires ''while was justly severe to the
dishonest and criminal, do you know of
my sanctioning arbitrary or unjust action
on the part of my subordnates Was |
not ever present to attend to business, and
ever accessible to the most honorable and
deserving?" He concludes as follows:
As to my military conduct since l left
Memphis, | cannot speak, but the proper
authorities have all the means of knowing
whether l have fulfilled we'll or i'll the part
assigned me. People at great distance
in their quiet homes cannot measure the
difficulties here, and cannot judge of acts
and events SO remote. | can well afford
to wait and see others do better No
amount of detraction or defamation will
change what l conceive to be the only hope
Of restoring our proud nation to its proper
station among the nations of the world
viz: cheerful, willing and intelligent sub
mission to the laws of our country and the
constituted authorities of the Government.
1t is not true that attacked Vicksburg
because McClernand was expected ! had
not the least idea that McClernand was to
come until after the troops had been dis
embarked at Yazoo Island, and orders
were issued for battle McClernand did
not arrive until after the troops were re-
embarked, and l reported to him forthwith,
per orders, January I'd, 1868. The mum
Der of troops in Vicksburg when we reached
it was about $4,000, but they were rapidly
reinforced till they outnumbered us at all
points. W. I. SHERMAN,
Major General.