The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-10-14
PHILADELPHIA, Sept. %, 1864

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. q, 1864.
Ny DEAR S1R-Our acquaintance and
all of the relations that have ever existed
between us, are confined to two or three
accidental meetings, at one of which you
were pleased to refer to the lasting inn
preston made upon you when a boy, by
the kindness of my father, who always
took you by the hand and gave you cheer
ing friendly words of encouragement and
advice. You were pleased to acknowledge
to the son the kind and valuable influences
received by you from the father, and to
proffer your friendly services whenever
they would be acceptable.
Under the above circumstances you pre-
pared for me and my friends no ordinary
surprise when you deliberately composed,
deliverd, and published in the Press of
the Esd inst, a voluntary unprovoked at
tack upon me in the following words:
cit got out that the President was de-
termined to have the army moved, and it
was found that Gen. Mcclellan had no
plan and here I may state that we owe
the Peninsular campaign to those distin-
guished Senators, Latham of California,
and Rice of Minnesota, and brigadier in
the column of Joseph Hooker. General
McClellan's plan was concocted by others
and put into his hands. 1t was agreed on
in a council of, war. That plan was sub.
mitted to the President. 1t was submitted
in the presence of Secretary Stanton.
Stanton put them through strict course
of examination. One General. Blenker,
owned that he did not understand the
plan, but would sustain it, as he thought
he had to obey the mandates of his chief.
Gen. Naglee was one of those present, and
Stanton observed that he had but one star.
Sir said Mr.. Stanton, you have no
right here.' 4 am representing General
Hooker said he. 1t was afterwards found
out that Gen. Naglee was absent without
leave, and that fighting Joe Hooker knew
nothing of the council" (Applause)
Now, my dear sir, this statement is
simply false, and On the part of your
friend, Mr. Edwin NJ. Stanton, Secretary
of War, maliciously false.
The Peninsular campaign was not indi-
Gated by "Senators Latham of California,
and Rice of Minnesota, and brigadier in
the column of Joseph Hooker, as asserted
by you. General Naglee was at Washing
ton, with proper leave, and with the full
knowledge Of Gen. Hooker, and was a
member of the council of war by direction
of Gen. Mcclellan, to represent the divis-
ion of the army at Budd's Ferry, in the
absence of Gen. Hooker, who was too far
removed from Washington to be present.
And, unfortunately for the veraciiy of Mr..
Stanton, the impertinent remarks you as
cribe to him could not have been made,
tor there were no officers of the council of
war entitled at that time to more than one
star.
Now, Judge, you know, or should know,
that the reputation of Mr.. Stanton for
truth and veracity is not above suspicion,
and that you may well believe anything
that may be said regarding his great Incl
Witty and rudeness, for, not excepting
yourself, have never seen or heard of an
officer or civilian who did not condemn
HIM for the utter want of all the requisites
of gentleman.
This is not the first time Mr. Stanton
has been guilty Of the most deliberate.
malicious misrepresentation and for your
qualification will relate an instance that
occurred upon my arrival in Washington.
Immediately after the conclusion of the
"seven days fight" in the beginning of
July, 1862, and when l was surprised to
learn that during the continuance of that
desperate struggle, and during the time of
dreadful suspense, whilst nothing could be
heard of Gen. Mcclellan and his gallant
army, Mr.. Stanton had everywhere de-
nounced Gen. Mcclellan as traitor to
his country, and as incapable of command
ing a regiment. learned this from a
number of the members of Congress, who
were astonished and COMPOUNDED, and who
with pain eagerly sought from me solne
explanation of such extraordinary con-
duct. Icould render them no satisfaction
but reported the circumstances to General
Mcclellan, upon my arrival at his head.
quarters on the following day, the sth Of
July. His surprise, judge, was greater
than mine; without uttering word he
turned to his portfolio, took from it a let.
ter which he placed before me, and said
head that; l have just received it from
Mr.. Stanton"
With bis consent, made copy of the
letter, and, returning to Washington
placed it in the hands of those who hai
heard the denunciations of Mr.. Stanton
and who had advised me of them. They
desired to read it to the Senate. and t.
publish the outrage and the vindication
and they telegraphed to Gen. Mcclellan