New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-10-20
sLICUM,s COTTON BUSINESS.
w hat He and His Friends say-Rcfattina
Testimony.
sLoCUM's EVIDENCE.

In letter to The Albany Ecening Journal
Gen. Slocum says;
I'm connection with this matter II incose the state
ment Of Col Starring president Of the board which In.
ated this subject aud the affidavit of y adjatant
who conducted most OF the business in connection with
IL Who at ths cOse OF the war, was promoted to the
rank Of BrigaderGeneral by brevet, and now holds
high and responsible position under the Hon. Preston
King / respectfully request that you publish these
statements with my answers to your questions.
Now 10 the questions and answers
Frst; Why did Slocum put on duty as quartermaster
a lieutenant of his staff &c.
Answer. Lieut. STEINER was never member OF Gen;
Slocums STAFF but during the two years that ne served
with Socum he always on duty IN the quarter
masters Department. He on such duty at ylcks'
burg when Slocum was ordered TO relieve the post
quartermaser at that place. and was the only person
tnen present who could take the position.
Second Why did be refuse TO allow The clam 10
Noand and afterward allow 1t to Grant,
A. He refused to allow the claim TO holland Tor the
reason stated to him (Noland), and for the reason
which induced him to take il Out of the hands OF Grant
the Treasury agents at Now Orleans just as he tod
holland be should do, all Of which appears ~ the
evidence you have published and in the affidavit OF
Gen. Rodgers. 80 CO.,
TIird. why did he disregard the order ofGen Sher'
man in regard 10 captured c0ttonf
A. The order of Gen. Sherman referred to cotton
captured from Rebels within the lines Of the enemy It
appears from tho statement OF Col starring Who IN
yestIgatel this matter that this was cotton taken from
loyal man living within lines, and taken Tor
specific purpose Gen. Slocum never disobeyed an
order from Gen. sherman or the public wouid prooapH
have been informed OF the fact long ago.
EqAlA: Why was 4 confidential stanohicer hanging
around New 0rleansf
A. Probably (proyided any such officer was therel
because he had business there win ms Na'
chief of his Department. who was located at that pace
FUM; Why was Slocum with Grant ID MS rooni nie"'
after nlghti
A. During the first two days AFTER socu's aTF,ci at
vicssburg no boarded at tue Washington Hotel After
that he never spent hour in Grants room, VI an!
other room in any hotel In Vicksburs. n.
SIh Why did he make attempts to make nc
A. See statement Of Col Starring and affidavit
Of Gen Rogers as to the orders Of MCPHERSON u.
think have now answered each ana al % !Su5
onestons IL YOU have any others TO PROFOUND, tnel
viii be- cheerfuly answered will not CONNIE theex
animation to my official course during the war; pGt yot
cas 90 back 10 any period anterior 10 the war dof IN
stance you can question Inc on my record as menipe
OF the NeW.York Legislature OF 1859. Snl, II yoI
desire tell Won and the public the poca, reasons pre-
sented 20 me by confidential friends OF the edtoE Q
certain swindug railroad bills and my reaso9' for de
chniDg TO do so. .,.,r,,r.,c-,
! was President Of the Board Which Investigated N
dence unlimited left no doubt IN the mind Of any men
her Of the Board as 20 the LOYALTY OF Mr. Noland or
the fact that about 600 bales OF cotton had been take
from hu and used to protect vessels and aiteI oeihg
used had been placed In storehoGse at Vicksbure
The Board reported in accordance with the above iae'
| and recommended that when the eIact amount take
shonld be established i should De restored 70 nm.
subseg uenty saw the Enforcement OF Cen MePhers0
approving the action of the Board, aud ordering IN
District Commander TO carry It's recommendation III
+. A. sEARRrSG, late Col. 72d Illinois Infantry.
In addition to this. Breyet Brg..Gen. H. c. Rogers
the chief Of Slocum's staT. makes a statement:
Ihnve served three years az Adjutant General 70
Gen Soonm; was acting In that capacity for bin VIII
BIO was stationed at Yicksburg In leoi, and kno" q
tue circumstances connected with the claim ioi eoIIo
h., Ngla IL
sentcd 10 Gen Mcpherson. commanding DepaTtmeh
in 1888 and board. oI which Col +. a starring wa
President had been convened 70 inyesugiteit u. IN
board reported that Mr. Noland was loyal mani tina
about coo bales Of cotton had been taken from him D.
the United States Government aud used 70 protee
vessels in passing Rebel batteries on the MISSISSIPPI
River and that tie cotton taken AID used was SUI
sequently placed ia Government stoiehOuse at tlckh
burg The board recommended that the cotton DO re
stored 10 the claimant.
Gen Mcpherson, commanding department. approve
the finding ~ the Board: but the amount OF coito
taken was definitely stated, he ordered the dstre
commander at Nicksburg u convene another Board U
take evidence that point and directed him 20 deye
20 Mr. holland from sny cotton then In possession 0
the Government at that place, the amount when shou
b. found due HIN.
II A board which was convened for this purpose re
ported the due holland to be COO bales This re
port was presented 10 ne while Gen Slocum was sesen
from NlcksburS; and IN 2Oedeneo 70 Tue oIdeI OF "
Department commnnder / directed the Quartcrmaste
20 deliver 20 the claimant the amount OF cotton io1n'
due him. Gen. Sloeum returned 10 flcksourg eeior'
the cotton had LEFT that place but afr Porton OF
had been placed vessels. Another person naSng
similar elaim against the Government protested agans
the delivery 10 holland Of the entire amount on w
ground tLat IL lon nore on hand with which the Gov
ernment could pay bis claim. Gen. Socum at one
eounormanded he order issued by me for the delivery
Of the cotton Noland aud directed that al tue eooi
hond DO shipped 10 the Uuited States Treasury Agent
al New Ocuns together with the proceedings OF boil
boards the orders OF the Department commander eDS
all the evidence taken In the case IL was so shipped
and in the hands of these agents when Gen. sloea
left Mississippi.