The daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1863-1864, 1864-03-11
The Florida AtrOcity.

The more we learn of the influences which
led to the Florida expedition and the use
less massacre of Olustee the worse the
whole affair seems to be. There is an in.
tense feeling of indignation conceriug this
matter throughout the country which has
not yet found expression in the newspapers
or in Congress. The letters which reach
the North from soldi IT'S, officers, and civil
ians in that military department agree in
tracing the whole responsibility for the
expedition and consequently for the disas-
ter, directly to the White House, at Wash
ington. The most shameful feature Of this
whole matter ia the cowardly attempt by the
President and his friends to try and place
the responsibility upon General Gilmore,
in the face of this formal official docu
ment:
HEADQUARTERS Dept OF THE SOUTH, }
HILTON HEAD, s. 9. JAN, 81.
In accordance with the provisions of th 9
presidential proclamation of pardon and am.
nesty given at Washington on the 9Th day
of December, in the year of our Lord 1863,
and in pursuance Of instructions received
from the President of the United States,
Major John Hay, assistant adjutsnt general
will proceed to Fernandina, Florida, and Of
her convenient points in that state, for the
purpose of extending to the citizens of the
State of Florida an opportunity to avail
themselves of the benefit ofthat proclama
ton, by offering for their signature the oath
of allegiance therein prescribed and by is
suing to all those subscribing to said oath
certificates emitting them to the benefits
of the proclamation. Fugitive citizens Of
the State of Florida within the limits of
this department will have an opportunity
te subscribe to the same oath, and secure
certificates in the Office of the Post
commander at Hilton Head South Car
olina.
By command Of Maj Gen. Q. A. GILMORE.
E. w. Smith A. A. G.
1t is clearly pointed out that the expe-
dition was undertaken in pursuance of in.
structions received from Mr.. Lincoln him
self, who sen his own private secretary
John Hay, to restore the State to the
Union.
But there is asecret history in connection
with this matter. 1t seems that Mr.. Lin
coin was inspired to order the expedition
by tax collector, Sticxney, at Port Royal
This man, who is sharp, unscrupulous
New Highlander, after visit to Washing
ton, boasted that he had got "Old Abe" all
right. There was to be money 10 the thing
for himself and friends. Even the officers
were divided in advance. Hay was to be
the member of Congress from Florida,
while Stickney aspired to the Senatorship.
As only about thousand votes were re-
quired, they could be got FROM the soldiers,
camp followers, and suffers, who would oc-
.cnpy the State upon it's conquest
In every point Of view this has been q
most scandalous business. Why was Hay
mad Major and then an assistant adiutant
general over the heads of brave officers who
we're periling their lives upon the battle
field for honorable promotion2 What heart
can men have for fighting under such cir
cumstances2
Another shameless proceeding was the
sending home of two New Hampshire regi
ments, all the way from Jacksonville, i'm.
mediately after the slaughter, to vote for
Gilmore for Governor. The rsgiments-so
q well informed Port Royal correspondent
informs us-were not entitled to return on
but they were sent home notwith
standing, ct public expense, to help cleo
tioneer fer Mr.. Lincoln's Presidential can
vsss