The New York herald., 1865-10-18
The ISLANDERS Against General slocum.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
No 10 West THIRTY NINTH SrRRvT

NEW YORK. October 16, 1866
Having read In q recent number of-the New York
Tribune attack the private character OF General
slocum, and having for many years been intimately
associated with General slocum as a near neighbr and
personal friend have taken the trouble Of investigating
this charge made against him.
inclose herewith statement made by Colonei star
rng President Of the Board having charge Of the
which the letter REFERS also the adavt Of
raj Rodgers, who served Adutant for General Slocum
during the
The fact that this whole matter has long since been
presented to the government ard that General socum
recently sent back vicksburg assume higher
command than thai previously held by him, would seem
to render any statement unnecessary but you think
proper wish you would publish shc cnclosed:-
HARVEY BALDWIN
STATEMENT COLONEL srARRNG
Twas president OF the board which investigated the
claim for cotton presented by Mr. Noland The evidence
submitted left doubt the mind OF any member Of
the board 70 the loyalty ofSMr Noand OF the fact
that about six hundred bales Of cotton had been taken
from him and used 10 protect vessels and after being
dB6d had bssn PLACED if sioreh56H u ylsksbnE The
board reported In accordance with the above facts and
recommended that when tho exact amount taken should
be established il should be restored 70 him subse.
quenty tho endorsement of General hcPborson ap
proving the action Of the board, and ordering the DIS
c commander 70 carry ' 1sc0~%1dssGS sTsRRSG into o'c
late Colonel Seventy second Illinois Infantry.
sATuEn ~ ApJprAEf CENTRAL noDoERA
have served three years Adutant General for Gene
raj elocum acng in that capacity for him while be
was staAsoned 81 vioksoury In 1894 and know all the
circumsancss connected With tno claim Tor cotton pre-
TO General McPherson, commanding department. IN lS03
and board OF which Colonel y A. Starring was presi
DON'T had been convened 10 investigate H. This board
reported that Mr. Noland was q loyal man that about
sx hundred bales Of cotton had been taken from him BY
the United States government and used 70 protect ves
sells in passing rebel batteries the Mississippi river
ana that the cotton taken and used subsequently
paced in . government etorehouse at vicksburg The
board recommended chat the cotton b restored 70 The
General McPbenon commanding department, ap.
proved the finding Of the board but - the amount Of
district commander at vicksburg TO convene another
board 10 take evidence that point and directed him
70 deliver 70 Mr. Noand, from any cotton then IN pos
which should be found due him.
beard which convened for this purpose reported
the amount due holland 70 DO six hundrcd'bsles Thi'
report was presented 70 me white General slocum
absent from vcksba and In obedience TO the order Of
the department commander directed the quarermastc
10 deliver the claimant the amount Of cotton found
due him General Socum returned 70 vcksburg before
the cotton had left that place. but after portion Of
sad smar cm On the 0 pro
tested against the delivery 70 holland OF tb'
entire amount on the ground that ei, non'
bis claim General slocum at once countermanded the
order issued by for tho delivery OF the cotton to No
land and directed that all the cotton should be shlppet
10 the United states Treasury agent at Now Orleans
gether with tho proceedings Of both boards the order
OF the department commander and all the evidence
taken in the case. II shipped, and was IN th'
hands Of these agents when General slocum LEFT Mis-
sssippL
During the three years that have served adjutan
for General Slocum know that he has never In sng
instance decided attempted TO decide any question in
volving title private property that be never n an!
instance surrendered property which had been seized b.
the government except In obedience to orders from hi
supcriors In command or from the War Department
HIRAM G. RODGERS
Personally affirmed before me this 10th day Of 0cto
ber 1885, Hiram G. Rodgers, late brcvet brgadicr gen
cra United States Volunteers who, being duly sworn
deposcs and says that above statement subscribed
| by him Ia true Of his own knowledge
JAS. MONCRIEF,
Justice Superior Court, New York.