The Union. [volume] (Georgetown, Del.) 1863-1866, 1864-05-06
asslsfellaaenMa.V
General Butler Talking to Rebel
GENrgYman.

CKcrgyman.
The Norfolk New Regime Of March 90
publishes a two-columa report of the exami-
nation of Rev. George D. Armstrong. Of that
city, BY General Butler. This is the same
clergyman who was recently sentenced to I'M
prisOnmeat at Fort Hatteras for his Reoel
sentiments. An aid Of General Butler COZ
Quoted the Grst examination, but the General
himself aiterwara made careful personal
investigation, cross-questioning Mr.. Arm
strong very sharply, The following are ex-
tracts from the report Of the interview:
General Butler-I perceive that II your
former examination you declined answering
tlisquestiop BE, you eli yourself q loya!
man in lctter and spfrit to-dayS'
Mr.. Armstrong; do not decline 70 answer
now If were to put my own Interpretation
upon &, Should say am bat l don't know
sir. ,-r .-g a
General--Well sir, perhaps l can teach
you. Now, sir, what is the name Of that
gentlemen who had token the oath. and while
coming out of the Custom House with you,
made the remark that he would like to spit
upon the Northern Yankees"
Mr.. A.--Mr. Chas, Reid. declined to
answer on my former examination because
had not his consent to tell, sir; but since that
have seen him, and he has given me hil
consent to mention his name. 5sta a
General-Where is Mr.. Reidf
Mr.. Ale is in Norfolk.
General-(To an aidel Telegraph to Col
49, LII 4 ~
rest Mr.. Charles Reid and send him here
He lives on Main street.
General--He stated that as he came or
from taking the oath.
Mr.. A--Yes, sir.
General--With the oath fresh on his lip
and the words hardly dry in his mouth, h
said he ewanted to spit in the face Of tn
northern Yankees I"
Mr.. A.--Well, General, ho took it with Il
same view as did. ans
General--I agree to that, sir.
Mr.. Al meant to say
General-Stop, sir, don't like to be
suited. You said, sir, that that intern
secessionist wanted to spit in the faces
loyal men Of this Union, and tat you to
the oath with the same view as he did,
rather he took it with the same view that Y
did-it makes no difference which. l agri
sir, that you did. have treated you, s
during this interview with propriety a
courtesy up to this moment, and yet you 8
here tell me, in order to clear this vile wret'
who shall be punished as he deserves, Il
you took the oath to my government W
the same view that he did.
Mr.. A.---Wel sir, il was notifying
to confess that we were a conquered poop
and it was the irritation growing out of t
fact.
General-Y0u have not helped it, sir.
had not better go on in that direction
further, sir, for your own sake. Now,
while you did preach a very virulent serr
upon THE Victory of Manassas" at
recommendation Of the Confederate Congr
have you ever since preached in your pu
sermon favorable to the Union cause
one that would be likely to please the Il
and displesse the disloyal?
After some further questioning, the ex
nation was continued as follows:
General-Yon said you looked upon
hanging ef John Brown as just and r
because he interfcred with the peace Of
country.
Mr.. A.-Yes, sir
General-yery good sir. Now.
would you lock upon the hanging Of
prominent Rebels, Jefferson Davis fol
stance, as just and tight. You know
Rebels have interfered with the peace o
country, and have caused rivers of blot
flow where John Brown only caused
What do you say to that?
Mr.. Al would not sir.
General-Are your sympathies wit
Union or the Confederate cause2
Mr.. A.-With the Confederates.
The examination concluded with tn
lowing order from the General:
Make an order that this man be COZ
ted to the guard house, in close confne
there TO remain until he can be consig
Fort Hatteras, there to be kept in 81
confinement until further orders and
copy Of this examination to the OF