Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-08-12
The Retirement of Gen. W. L. CBaldy)
Smith.


The Rochester Dem0crat has the following
correspondence from Grants army.
The announcement of the removal o. Naior
General ". F. Smith from the command of the
Eighteenth Army Corps has been doubtles- re-
ceive'i with much surprise by the northern pub
lie as 1t was in this army. There had existed
universal impression, based upon striking past
evidence, that Gen. Grant had the very highest
opinion Of the natural ability and professional
requirements Of Gen. Smith, and that their re-
lat0ns partook Of the utmost intimacy and mu-
tual confidence and trust. 1t is unquestioually
true that such WAS the case in the past Tic IS
no secret that for the official eminence General
Smith has enjoyed until lately he was mainly
indebted TO Gen. Grant Upon his strong re-
commentator Gen. Smith was nominated and
confirmed a MAJOR General, and elected % the
high command from which he has Just beea rc-
moved. To break such close ties and proiuse
determination the part Of the man that lid
so much 10 raise tien Smith TO send him into
retirement, powerful causes must have certainly
been at work.
IL is asserted by those that claim 70 be we'll
informed on the matter, that Gen. Smith mani
festel spirit Of ,ult-fnding speedily resulting
in serious misunderstanding and consequent
want Of harmonious cooperation. very soon at-
ter he assumed command under Gen. Butler
~ = AA-N flAAl A-till1l AAtls LAfA allt
time his command became connected with the
Army Of the Potomac near Cold Harb0r until
he was released, he likewise showed disposition
% sttirize. know better than, and produce diff
cultes with MS direct superiors, that seriously
embarrassed Gen. Grant and affected the ezecu-
ton Of his plans. 1t is furthermore said, tLat
he himself made exertlons. not creditable o. him
as a man and an officer and incompatible with
the interest Of the service, TO secure higher COM
mands
The fact that Gen. smith hal troubles both
with Gen. Butler and Gen. Meade is too uoJ1-
rious in this army to be denied. II was not
known that there had been for some time hardly
any personal and very little official intercourse
between him and the generals mentionCl. Of
the character Of the troubles | know only that
those with Gen. Butler were of an official, those
with Cen Meade Of a personal nature. But
whatever these differences or difficulties may
have been | know Gen. Smith too well 10 be-
heve or admit for a moment that they arose from
any other motive than ardent zeal for the good
Of his country and the thorough overthrow Of
the military power Of the rebellion That zeal
may have lei him into indiscretions; but if he
did commit such they should be judged by his
motive. The natural independence OF thought
ami expression Of Gen. Smith-a virtue which
becomes often a fault when exercised within the
necessary restraints of military life, no doubt
had also something to do with bringing on his
official difficulties.
As to the allegation that Gen. Smith enter
tanned unduly ambitious schemes for his per-
sonsl aggrandizement, and attempted TO carry
them out to the detriment of the service, it Is
impossible that there is any foundation for it
think l am correct in saying that he dill be-
Heye a removal Of certain Of the commanders IN
both armies required by the interests of the ser
vice and necessary for the successful teruliua-
ton of the campaign. But this belief arose
from conscientious conviction, aud not from sell
fish wishes and aspirations, however unwarrant-
ed it may have been.
That Gen. Smith is an able officer, | think not
even his worst enemies will deny. The loss Of
his services at this juncture Is sadly to be re-
GREETED That they will be lost, at least il the
future operations of this army, is certain, for
Gen. Grant removed him from the command Of
the Eighteenth Corps for cause-suficient in his
opinion for the steP-and, as disposed toward
him now, seems not likely to give him another
command under him. To the credit Of ten.
Grant be it said. that he frankly communicated
to Gen. Smith the motives of his action against
him