The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-04-12
From the New Regime, Norfolk, Va
Examination Of Rev. Geo. D. Armstrong
BIZ Nal. Gen. BENJAMIN T. Butler.

Armstrong, of an examination Of your
self, by one of my Aid-de-camps, in re-
gard to the question of your loyalty
Now l need not say to q man as expe-
rienced as yourself. that taking the
oath of allegiance is only a manifesto
ton Of loyalty-that as a man might
join your church and still be a very
bad man after so doing; so a man may
take tho oath of allegiance and still be
very disloyal man.
Rev. Mr.. A.-If you will allow me to
make a statement to you I will do so,
or will answer such questions as you
please.
Genoral-MaHe your own statement,
sir
Mr. A-The view with which I took
the oath was this l believe the Mill
tary Commander has a right to demand
Of the citizens at any time that they
shall take q parole. l regard Norfolk
as for the present, a conquered city ;
indeed, have had no idea that the
Confederates would again take it, and
that if it ever again did become q part
Of Virginia it would be by treaty at the
end Of the war wished, in accord
ance with the seriptural injunctions. to
obey "the'powers that be, and I bee
lieved the United States to be 'the
powers that be- took the oath with
the intentions of keeping it so far as
my actions were concerned. My feel
ines, of course I cannot control Ny
words and actions can
Coporol - That I,r;,,c 20 ma cir - n
matter to which | wish 10 call your
careful attention Your unrevealed
thoughts, l can only get by asking
questions. Now, sir, want TO ask you
a few questions Did you in any way
advise, consult with, or give any infor-
nation to Mrs Mcintosh in relation to
selling any property in Norfolk?
Mr. A.-Not that l recollect.
General-Let me try and quicken
your recollection little. You know
her2
Mr. A-Yes sir.
GeneraL-She Is a sister Of Capt Nc
Intosh, of the so-called Confederate
States navy.
Mr.. A-His wife; she is member
of my church She was about selling
her property.
General-Wait one moment Don't
you remember whether you advised her
about selling it in any way2
Mr.. Al talked with her. I don't
recollect what said, l believe there
was conversation about selling her
property and removing to Baltimore
no, not about selling her property. She
told me, as her pastor, that she was
going to remove TO Baltimore.
Generally you then and there
say to her that she had better not re
move or sell her property, because the
Confederates would soon have tho city
Of Norfolk, and her property would
then be worth more, or words to that
effect? Answer me that question, now,
without mental reservation or equivo-
cation
Blr. A--No, sir, urged her not TO 90
away from Norfolk, on account Of her
church.
General Did you say anything
like it2
Mr.. A-No, sir.
General-D you say anything as to
the time when you thought the Con-
federates would have Norfolk?
Mr. A-No, sir.
General-Anything of the sort?
Mr. A-No, sir.
General Well, sir, you may proceed.
l will hear the rest of your statement
Mr. A-Well, ii conducting the ex-
ercises OF the sanctuary, / have read
the PRAYER that was asked before the
war, with the addition Of prayer for
peace
General-You pray that God would
sustain ali rightful authority or words
to that effect2
Mr. A.-No, sir. I have not made
that prayer for eighteen months
General-You pray for the author
tiles?
Mr.. Al pray for the authorities
over US; and l publicly explained 10
my congregation, that in so doing, we
were praying for the President Of the
United States
General-Do your people 50 under
stand it2
Mr.. A.-They do. l have publicly
It
GeneraL-haYe you since taxing the
oath Of allegiance, or at any other time,
checked one of the members Of your
when he was praying for
the President?
Mr. A-Have / checked them q?
General-Chided them in any way or
form Of words2
Mr. A.-No, not that I recollect
General beg your pardon. sir it is
not matter Of recollection 1t Is 3
thing you cannot forget
Mr A-NO, sir.
General-Did not one Of the mem
bers Of your Congregation pray for the
President Of the United States, and did
not you say thas it had better not be
done; that there were two parties TO
please here2
Mr.. A-Never, sir
General-Nothing Of the sort?
Mr.. A.--Nothing Of the sort
General perceive that IN your for