Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-04-05
General Butler Talking to Rebel Olsr-

Uymans
The NcrEOlk New Regime Of March %
publishes twO.cOlumn report Of fhs sx-
animation Of Rev. George D. Armstrong,
Of that city, by General Butler. This is
the same clergyman who Eas recently SEN
tenced to imprisonment ct Fort Hstterss
fer his rebel sentiments. An aid Of Cen
ersl Butler conducted the first examins-
tion, but the General himself afterwards
made q careful personal Investigation,
cross questioning Mr.. Armstrong very
sharply. The following are extracts from
the report Of the interview:
General Butler-I perceive that in your
former examination you declined answer
ing this question; ado you call yourself
loyal man in letter and spirit to-day Z"
Mr.. Armstrong; do not dsclineto an
swer now if I were to put my own inter
probation upon it, should ssy am; butI
don't know, sir.
Genersl-Well, sir, perhaps / can teach
YOU. Now, sir. what Is the name of that
gentleman who had taken the oath, and
while coming out Of the Custom House
with you, made the remark that he would
like to spit upon the northern Yankees 2"
Mr.. A.-Mr Charles Reid. l declined
to answer on my former examination be-
cause had not his consent to fell, sir;
but since that IhAve seen him, and he has
given me his consent to mention his name.
Genersl-Where is Mr.. Reed2
Mr.. Ale is in Norfolk.
General-(to an side.) Telegraph to
Colonel Wheldon, Provost Marshal Nor
folk, to arrest Mr.. Charles Reed and send
him here. He lives on Main street.
Genersl-He stated that, as he came out
from taking the oath
Mr.. A-Yes, sir.
General-with the cath fresh upon his
lips and the words hardly dry in his
mouth, he ssid he wanted to spit in the
face ef the northern Yankees 2"
Mr.. A.-Well General, he took it with
the same view as did.
General agree TO that.
Mr.. Al meant to say
Genersl-Stop, sir, don't like to be
insulted. You said, sir, that that internal
secessionist wanted to spit in the faces Of
loyal men of this Union, and that you
took the oath with the same view as he
did, or rather he took ii with the same
view that you did-it makes no difference
which. 1 agree, sir, that you did. Ihsve
treated you, sir, during this interview,
with propriety and courtesy up to this
moment, and yet you, cir, here tell me, in
order 10 clear this vile wretch, who shall
be punished as he deserves, that you took
the oath to my government with the same
view that he did. n
Mr.. A-Well. sir, it was 8 mortifying
fact to confess that we were conquered
people; and it was the irritation growing
out Of that fact.
General-You have not helped il, sir
You had not better go on in that direction
any further, sir, for your own sake Now,
sir, while you did preach very virulent
sermon upon The Victory Of Msnsssas,"
at the recommendation of the Confederate
Congress, have you ever since preached in
your pulpit q sermon favorable to the
Union cause, or one that would be likely
to please the loyal, and displesse the dis
loyal
Mr.. A.-No, sir, I never have.
After some further questioning, the ex-
was continued as follows:
General-You said you looked upon the
hanging of John Brown as just and right |
because he interfered with the peace Of the
,ountry.
p Mr.. A.-Yes, sir.
Genersl-Very good, sir. Now, then,
would you look upon the hanging of the
prominent rebels, Jefferson Davis, for in
Itsnce, as just and right. You know the
'ebels have interfered with the peace Of
he country and have caused rivers of
,lood to flow where John Brown only
jaused pints. What do you say to-
hiatt
Mr.. Al would not, sir.
Genersl-Are your sympsthies with the
Union or the Confederate cause.
Mr.. A.-With the Confederstes.
The examination concluded with the fol-
owing order from the General:
Make an order that this man be com
litted to the guard house, in close con-
nement, there to remain until he can be
to Fort Hatteras, there to be
ept in solitary confinement until further
rders and send copy Of this exsmins-
on to the officer in command there"