New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1864-05-23
THE TRUTH OF HISTORY.

Mr.. Raymond in his History Of Mr.. Lin
coins Administration, saw fit TO state unquali
fiedly that
"Gen. Mcclellan, while in command Of the Depart
ment Of the Ohio entered into a9rentn, with Gen
Buckner by which the substantial neutrality Of that
State Kentucky was recognized and respected"
AS We should have felt constrained to pro-
test, promptly and peremptorily, any such
agreement" had it come to our knowledge at
the time we were moved to controvert Mr..
Raymond's averment and call for his authority.
He responds as follows:
THE TRIBUNE repeats its conviction that Gen. Nc.
Cellan never had any understanding with Gen. Buck
by which the substantial neutrality Of the State OF
Kentucky was recognized and respected, Is stated
by Mr.. Raymond in lis History Of President LincOlns
Administration.
We must protest against this dexterous sub.
stitution Of understanding" for agreement"
Words are things. That there was some sort Of
understanding" between these two pro-Slave-
~ Democrats, was never denied BY Gen.
Mcclellan. He says his understanding was
that, in case the COnfederates invaded Ken
lucky, Buckncr, with his State Guard,
would drive them out again, without help from
any Federal force. As Gen. Mcclellan was
then about to lead a Federal army into Western
Virginia. then imminently threatened with
Rebel invasion, he did rot feel called on ~
demur to Gen. Buckner's proposal.
Mind, that We decline TO be lured away from
the gist of the matter actually in dispute.
There was never any denial or doubt that Gems.
laA int i'm
Cincinnati on the 9Th of June, 1861. If any
one has maintained that any difference or
rupture was then and there manifested, we have
not. If any one chooses to assert that they had
O good talk, and good dinner, and good time
we do not object. That they parted
cordially, is doubtless true; for Buckner had not
then proclaimed his treason. But, as to their
" understanding" it distinctly appears that
Mcclellan understood one thing and Buckner
another-that there was no real agreement y
between them. And VIC still think MIR. Ray
mond would do well to modify the statement he
makes in his yolume; but he will judge for
himself, Of course.
We append the documents he cites, 80 that
our readers may have the whole case before
them:
Gen. Mcclellan to Senator Crittenden.
CINCINNATI. June 2, 1867.
To the Hon. j. ], CITTENDES, Fyonkfort, Ky
The papers Of this morning state that Gen Prentss
Commander United States forces at Cairo has sent
toops aeross the Ohio River into Kentucky. hive no
ofcia notice Of such movement: but at once telc.
graphed Gen Prentss for the facts and stated to him
that II the report true dsorord HE course and
ordered him 10 make sneA movements without my
sanction previously obtained.
GEO. d. MCCLELLAN. Major General
I'VE submit that Gen. McClellan's dispatch
o certain agreement on tho oth.]
HEADQUARTERS KENTUCKY STATE GUARD,
LOUISVILLE, june TO- 1861.
Sir; On the 9Th instant at Cincinnati Ohio, Isnfsred
into an orranRemsnt rh Major Gen George B. MeCieon
Commander Of the United States troops In the States
north of the Ohio River to the following effect;
The ovtkoYtstss Of ~ SGs Of ksntUeky are 70 protect