The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-10-20
Letter from General Sl0cum.

SYRACUSE, N. Y, Oct II, 1865
To EDITOR THE ALBANY EVENING JOURNAL
SIR noticed several illusions in your paper to
transaction which occurred at voksburg while was In
command at that place. in which 1t Ia alleged that the
government extensively swindled
AS this transaction occurred more than year ago. as
have since been promoted from district commander 10
the command of corps and again to the command OF an
sarmy; and sent back to that city on the sur
render Of the rebel armies to higher command
than had before heidi and during all this time
had been informed that any 0ical act OF mine
had been questioned by the government and as the
first knowledge OF the action Of the boardthc proceed
ings Of which you pubsh-was received by me through
the columns Of your paper assumed that this matter
unworthy of my attention. and that every sensible
in the State would at once pronounce i an cleo
pioneering trick. In your issue OF yesterday however,
you assert that my character as man OF honor ant
tegrity 6emf ate that should answer certain question
which you PROFOUND.
Il has been whispered to me by politicians that you
are much anxious TO defeat my election AZ Secre
tary OF State than you 10 protect my honor How
ever reputation is more valuable than office, shall
disregard these suggestions and your questions
In connection with this matter inclose the statement
of Colonel Starring President OF the board which In
vcstgatcd this subject and the affidavit OF my adutant
who conducted most Of the business In connection with
IT, who, at the close of the war, was promoted TO the
rank OF brgadier general by brcvet, and now hodsa
King. / respectfully request that yos publish these
statements with my answers TO your questions.
Now to the questions and answers
First-Why did Slocum put duty as quartcrmaster
q lieutenant OF his stanY &C.
Observation-Disclosures STEINER was never member OF
General sooums staff but during the two that he
served with Slocum he always duty in the
quartermaster's department He was on such duty at
vcksbug when Socum was ordered TO relieve the post
Quartermaster at that place. and was tho only person
then present who could take tho positi on.
Secmd-why did he refuse TO allow the claim 10 No
land and afterwards allow II To Gran2
A. He refused to allow the claim to holland for the
stated to him Noand and for the reason which
induced him to take out OF the hands Of Grant, after
II had been delivered in Slocums absence viz that
there claims than cotton. He did not allow
IL Grant, but sent IT, with all the papers pertaining 10
the case the Treasury agents at New Orleans just
he told holland he should do all Of which appears in the
evidence you have published and In the affidavit OF
General Rodgers.
Sherman In regard to captured cotton?
A. The order of General Sherman referred 10 cotton
captured from rebels within the lines OF the enemy II
appears from the statement Of Colonel starring who in
vestgated this matter that this cotton taken from
loyal man liviag within our own lines and taken for
specific purpose. General Slocum never disobeyed an
order from General Sherman the public would proba
bly, have been informed Of the fact long ago
FJurh-why was confidential staff officer hanging
A. Probably (provided any such officer thero) be
he had business there with his superior he chief
OF his Department., who was located at that place
Fyh-wby was slocum with Grant In bis room night
after siah,f
A. During the first two Gays after slocums arrival at
vicksburg he boarded at the Washington Hotel After
that he never spent an hour In Grants room or any
other room in any hotel in vicksburg.
.Sirfh-why did he make attempts To make Mcpherson
Responsible &c ,,.
General Rodgers to the orders OF McPhcrson.1
think have answered each and all OF Your
questions II you have any others 70 PROFOUND they
will be checrfuly answered will not connne the ex
animation my official during the war, but you
20 back any period anterior 10 the war; For in-
stance, you can question my record az member
of the New York Legislature Of 1859 WILL II you de-
sire, tell you and the public the political reasons pre-.
sented 10 by confidential friends Of the then editor OF
the Albany Evening Journal TO induce me TO vote Tor
certain swindng railroad bills and my reasons for de.
clning TO do 80.
search the records and ask your questions. Go 10
Onondaga where was born and where nearly all my
life has been spent. Ask my most bitter political Toe
land who now very bitter VI there u or
ever has been stain upon my private character II you
nnd one, PROFOUND your questions Go IN Generals
Grant and Sherman, and ask " my military record y
fair II not, come on with your questions.
search the RECORDS Of the War Department and SOC u
you can nd there word against me, except the rPa
proceedings you have published which, unfortunately
Tor your case have attracted much more OF your M.oh
ton than they have that Of the War Department
But don't forget the Assembly documents OF loos anu
" you end my name recorded N favor 2, .no sm
ding schemes by means OF which the republican mem.
bers Of that and several other legislatures were &c
bauched and disgraccd by the King OF the LonDy hod
me the public for IT, The man who controncd .no
lobby those days also controlled the party
He drove tho republican coach until came 70 oanser
GUS road when he slipped or giving tho relns 10 Mr.
Greeley Now II Is about entering on good ROAD ags'n
he has very adroitly slipped back iE'o nus Ola Phce
knocking Greeleys hat his eyes ana snaching th'
reins from him. Proper questions WIZ enc,s replies 10
honest followers and calculated 10 Afford intense salts
faction 10 uthe gentleman with tho hat over bis eyes"
| Proceed with your questions. The witness IT. your
truly, HENRY W. sLo'om.