Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-08-10
.0bllo State:si,rI1|;aor>ro:,. ID n.
A SCRAP FROM HISTORY.
LETTER FROM GENERAL MORGAN
ON GENERAL HALLECK. u
MOUNT VERNON, Ohio, June G, 1868.


Az, that hejournals of that date armour
ced that General Halleck, In his report OF
December 2, 1862, stated that "the alleged
|, cause of the retreat from Cumberland Gap,
was the want of supplies," but that the
commanding officer had just before report
ed that he had "several weeks provisions
and ''that he would not abandon that I'M
portant post;o and that 'san investigation
had "been ordered" ..,..,,.
AS two months had elapsed since General
Halleck had been informed of the evacua-
tion, and as had not been notified that an
investigation had been ordered, so that
might have an opportunity of producing
evidence Of the facts upon which acted;
and as no intimatiOn had been given of any
dissatisfaction at Washington, as to my con-
duct, save an anonymous telegram, which
was discredited by the country, by the ar
my, and by myself in the exercise of the
right guaranteed to every officer, de-
manded prompt hearing before Court of
Inquiry or Court Martial. 10 that de-
mand, on the Goth of December, 1862, Gene
raj Halleck, through Assistant Adjutant
General Kelton, replied exhibit By that
Major General Wright was directed, some
time since, to investigate and report the
facts concerning that affair; and that "If
that report should be satisfactory no fur
ther proceedings would be required, and
that | would be held free from all blame"
You will observe, sir, that this assurance
of General Halleck was made on the 10th of
December, 1862, and that his report of gene
raj censure upon the operations of all our
armies was made on the I'd of that month.
My astonishment, therefore, was great,
when, in reply to my letter of January 9Th,
1868, General Wright, on the 9th Of that
month Exhibit C), informed me that on the
18th of October, 1862, six weeks before Gen.
eral Halleck wrote his report, he, General
Wright, had made his investigation, and
had written to General Halleck commend
ing my policy in evacuating Cumberland
Gap; and had stated that he 'did not see
how, with starvation staring him (Morgan)
in the face, and with no certainty of relief
being afforded, he. could have come to any
other conclusion than the one arrived at y
Gen. Wright further informed Gen. Hal
leck that "the evacuation was in pursuance
of the unanimous opinion of the general
officers of the command Exhibit D, rec
ord of council of war;; todS dnsntter of ReceS-
stu drising from their provisions being exhaust
ed, their communications Cn of, and no infor-
nation of dny prospect Of relief being received."
And yet. with this report of the investi-
cation, made in accordance with his direc-
tions, and by the officer selected by him
self, with this report lying before him, Gen.
Halleck published to the world that he had
ordered an investigation; but suppressed the
fact that the inUeStigdtion had been made Sil
,oeeks before the publication Of his report, ana
that my dction had been fully sustained.
Although have suffered public wrong,
/ feel too deep an interest in the great issue
for national existence now being tried on
the battlefield, to add new disturbing ele-
ment by making a public yindication. But
| would be unworthy Of the cause in defense
of which drew my sword, were | to allow
any personal consideration to prevent me
from placing on record a statement of facts,
as set forth in this paper. f.'...i ,,' a.,
Having waited in vain for a further reply
from Gen. Halleck, on the 18th of Janu-
ary, 1863 (ExhibitE) i wrote to you that
II had patiently remained under the pub
lie censure of Gen. Halleck for the period Of
four months, believing that time and inves-
tigation were only necessary to secure the
approval of my course !" and requested
to be informed "whether my conduct in
the evacuation of Cumberland Gap met
with the approval or disapproyal Of the
General i'm Chief" To that communica-
eation Gen. Halleck has not found it con-
venient to reply; but in his letter. Of Feb.
Bth, 1863 Exhibit F., in response to Gen.
Wright's letter Of Feb. 4th, 1858 exhibit
Gy, Gen, Halleck says: "The facts, as
retreat" What facts? Gen. Halleck pos
sessed no facts on the Sth of February, 1868,
which he did not know on the I'd of Decen-
Der, 1862, when he published his censure
fnhis letter of February 4th, 1868, General
Wright, simply re-affrmed the facts and
opinion already stated by him, in his Off
cial report of the Investigation, made Octo-
ber 18th, 1862. And in reply to General
Wright's letter of Feb. 4th, 1868, Gen. Hal
leck says, in his letter of Feb. Sth, 1868: In
this letter (of Feb, ,4th) and your former
letter toct. Is, 1865, you fully exone-
rated Gen. Morgan from all blame in aban-
doning Cumberland Gap, No further in
Vestigation will therefore be made" In
substance, Gen, Wright's letter of Feb. 4,
1863, and his report of October Is, 1862, are
identical, as, Gen. Halleck admits. Upon
what principle, then, did he publicly cen
sure my course upon receiving the first let
ter, and prtvatety Justify my conduct on re-
ceiving. the second. when both Sustained
Gen, Halleck expresses 'sregret that Gen.
Wright did not make a full and formal in
vestigation at the time it was ordered."-
And yet when Gen, Halleck penned theex
pression of that regret, he Knew that the
Investigation was as full and formal as it
could have been made except by Court of
Inquiry or Court Martial. He says that
such an Investigation swas due to General
Morgan, as well as to Gen. Wright and the
Government" If due to me, why did Gen.
Halleck refuse to grant me q, Court Martial
or a CourtOf, Inquiry, If due to the Gov
ernment why did not General Halleck pro-
1ar for ,tH< ~ !.