Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1864-11-17
THE MILITARY COMMAND AT NEW YORK.

1t seems that the transfer of Gen Butler and portion
OF his army to the city of New York has caused some
Misunderstanding to the command at that place which
has been referred to the War Department for settlement
The matter s explained follows in the Herald of yes
terday
THE BUTLER AND DIX EMBRoeIIo
very great Misrepresentation exists the public mind
DIS 10 the status of Gen Butler in the system of our militia
ry government The fact is that Gen. Hunt commands
the city and harbor Of New York by the assignment of
MAJOR Zen DIX, commanding the department, and that
Gen. Hunt neither has been relieved nor ia there on the
part of Gen. Dix have reason to believe any intention
of relieving him. Gen Butler was assigned by order of
the President to command all the troops arriving and to
arrive in New York harbor 10 other words he was TO
retain command Of all the troops from the Tenth and
Eighteenth Army Corps of his army on the James for
50 long as they might or may be detained here meet
have many OF thea not yet disembarked being kept on
board the transports which brought them from Fortress
Monroe ready to steam o any point of the city in which
their assistance The balance hear have been landed
at the various forts in the harbor The whole affair is
great muddle for which the exclusive responsibility rests
at Washington and which only be settled by decision
OF the authorities in highest command of our armies
Let US briefly recapituate OF the points of differ
ence between Gen Butler and the Commanding General
OF this department as they brought to by madame
rumOr, whose words are entitled to credit
Gen Dix applied to the War Department some brief
time ago for couple of thousand troops to be stationed
until after the election in the various forts harbor
these troops then to proceed for duty to the Canada from
tier for the purpose of repeng such raids the st
Adams affair and to the protection Of our chief
cities the borders of the Northern lakes Upon this tho
War Department through its Assistant Secretaries
the Secretary of War being i'll and unable to attend to
busness-apped to Gen. Grant to know if he could spare
troops the purposes named Gen. Grant referred
the matter to Gen. Butler saying that he could spare
troops from the Army of the Potomac; but that if Gen
Butler thought he could spare any from the Army of the
James he at liberty to make such details he could
afford Gen. Butler went to Washington, where he mme-
datey had interview with the Assistant Secretary of
War in question; and that officer ordered Gen Butler to
New York city at once to report for duty to Gen. Dix"
and to take command Of all troops arriving aud arrive
from the Army Of the James
On the arrival of Gen. Butler he formally took com
mand not only Of the city aud harbor of New York but
all New York State, and all the armed forces therein in
cudng the State militia although not mustered into the
service Of the United States To all this Gen. Dix en-
phatically objected, on the following grounds
have been able to learn First that Gen. Hunt
command of the city and harbor and gave perfect salts
faction to him-Gen. Dix. Secondly that he Gen. Dix.
still in command of the department and good
for erecting the peaceful and loyal State of New
York into separate military district and thirdly, that
for Gen Butler any other officer in the service of the
United States to attempt seZinQ control of the State
militia, not mustered into the service Of the Unon and
still liable the orders of the Governor gmmander-
chief Of the State troops, would be uncaed for and
unconstitutional act almost certain TO breed trouble aud
greatly tending to provoke the of violence which it
the duty of all good citizens in and out of
uniform, TO aid in avoiding.
For these Gen. Dix suppressed the hnal para
graph of Gen. Buffers recent General Order No. in
whca after stating that there be military orgsn
zaton in any State known to the law the militia and
armies of the United States" Gen. Butler
command Of oil the State militia with instructions
to the commanding officers of the State militia TO report
to him. This addendum was suppressed by command of
Gen Dix Maj Gen Sandord having earnestly expressed
his determination not to report to Gen Butler under any
such assumed authority although perfectly willing to
port to Gen. DIX with his command whenever properly
called upon by the rightful authorities.
Against these decisions Gen. Butler has taken appeal
TO Washington, where is rumored the Secretary of War
sustans the action of Gen DIX and s uureserved con
demnug the loose wording of the Instructions given by his
subordinate to Gen Butler the of the whole per-
pexiy The election being peaceaby be thinks
that the troops withdrawn from the Army of the
James should be Immediately returned to duty at the
front, with the exception Of the fifteen hundred two
thousand asked for by Gen. Dix for service along the Ca
madam line Whether Gen Butler will be returned to
that command sent to Buffalo, with brigade frem
the james river troops in harbor remains yet to
be seen
Gen Butler has since been recalled from the city of
New York and ordered 10 his former position James
River,