The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-11-23
The Removal Of General FIRE.
derrick steele.
EXPLANATION of His Violations Of Strict Men,
trality in Dining with Maximiian's Officers
and Dancing with Mexican Senoritas.
He Falls a Victim to the Monroe
Doctrine.
General Weitzel Succeeds to His
Command.

Command.
Our Brownsvtue Correspondence,
BRowSsvnLE, Texas, Oct %, 1865
GENERAL STEELE RELIEVED
by special orders, No "a headquarters, Military Divi-
sion OF the Guf dated New Orleans October = 1858,
Major General r. Steele, commanding the Western dis
ict Of Texas has been relieved BY the terms OF the
order he is granted thirty days leave OF absence at the
expiration of which he directed to report to the Adu-
General Washington by letter II has, however,
since TRANSFERRED that he has been assigned 70 the De-
parment Of Columbia including the State OF Oregon and
she Territories Of Washington and Idaho headquarters at
Fort Vancouver
Though granted more important and extended COM
oand in recognition Of services which could well be
ignored yet it understood among the well informed
th the Generals grew Of certain supposed
manifestations of sympathy toward the imperial autho
Yes the other side Of the Rio Grande inconsistent
with the present relations OF our government
toward that unhappy country. This subject has
boon fully commented by several Northern
Journals and spirit regret TO say, antagonistica
10 a and meritorious officer The reports upon
which these comments have been based seem to have
been from obscure Mexican journals published in
the interest of "the Emperor" which evidently
actuated by desire to make it appear that govern
was favorably disposed toward Maximan or from
the lips Of lying and interested gosspers, who knew lit
tie Of what they speaking and cared to know less
Having reached this frontier after General Steele
had arrived and assumed command and having carefully
watched and noted the manner in which he has per
formed his intricate duties consider it than
just gallant officer to correct Of the false i'm
which have gone abroad through the country
10 reference to his course here.
While naturally / have means Of knowing the pre-
else instructions given General Steele upon assuming
command Of the district yet as it is well known that
our government had determined for the present to
maintain strict neutrality between the conflicting
powers Mexico it is fair to presume that his instruc
tons we're accordance Herewith At the time
recognised the republic with Juarez at its head
she legitimate government and openly expressed
sympathy for the liberal cause. These facts we're well
understood upon occupancy of this frontier by
both sides Of the river, and in the official and
which has taken place between the
respective representatives of authority nothing has at
any time been said or done inconsistent herewith and
the very few occasions upon which these represen
tatives have met they have been freely acknowledged
and commented upon.
soCAIITws
II may somewhat strange that few social courte
extended and returned by officers and gentlemen OF
different natonates even under the pccuiartes the
present CASE should be represented extern
and most unfavorabe comment by large and infu.
onta portion Of the OF the country and eventually
result in the removal OF distinguished officer, whose
highest crime defined by his opponents, that he
dined NAL dpropos. Yet such has been the in
the present instance may properly refer TO the details
IL a somewhat curious fact considering the comments
referred to, that during his stay upon the Rio Grande
General Steele has not extended single social invitation
10 imperial military officer nor has he received one
During the late visit of Senior Kobes, Minister OF
Public Works under Macmillan, 10 Matamoros he called
upon General Steele, in Brownsville, and was naturally
enough, received with courtesy Before leaving he re-
quested the General to dine with him at fonda or
restaurant in Maamoros, which was accepted The din
took place the 9th OF August, and as am credta
bly, informed well gotten up, considering the crcum
stances Little wine was drunk, and only one toast
given, and that by the host forward verbatim. II
win be that II is not distinguished for originality
II was as follows 1.-THE distinguished American officers
here present General Steele responded simply thank
ing the gentleman for the compliment ! may, paren
thecay observe that the affair created no great sens
on on this frontier Your ndeatigabe correspondent
who might have been at the dinner had he chosen, did
not think il worth reporting
On the 10Th OF August, Napoeon's fete day, dinner
given Matamoros by Mr. Meter, the Prussian Con-
sui in that city General Steele was invited and &C
cepted Several other American officers were invited
have heard that any declined Good dinners were
luxury Vegetables were scarce. Government did
mot furnish them, nor could they pe purchased. Inc
officers paying twenty i've cents and half dollar Of
their hard earned for single onion that they might
not die. SO fortunate accepted. Let US hope
IL may not be counted unto them for unrghteousness,
though several imperiaist officers with red pantoons
and highly ornamented blue coats were also present
The dinner was a success have heard it pro
nounced by competent authority, though did not Taste
After dinner wine was brought on the table drunk
M the custom in this country and others outside n
cid New England. Several toasts were offered II has
been that General Steele here toasted the Empire
Nothing could DO more absurd. His toast WAS a. fol
lows, remembered and repeated 70 me by distinguished
sco-from their proximity they must have community
Of ntcrests May their relations hereafter be friendly
may they mutually assist each other Ia the develop
ment Of their vast natural resources"
u 10 worthy OF notice that In the remarks made and
toasts offered particular pains were taken not TO offend
Abe prejudces OF the Americana present well known to
be IN favor the berale The t0st Of Senior Robes
folIows:-'T drink To the government OF Mexico,
whatever may be it's FORM which will secure the lives
and property the people and give prosperity 70 the
As has been remarked this dinner was given on
Napoleons s day and yet allusion made either
% him To the Emperor Macmillan, were toasts
offered or drunk in their honor by any one, whether
American or foreign.
During stay here three balls have been given by
che citizens and officers Matamoros at the theatre As
was the custom before the war and has been since,
ickes were sent over 10 the headquarters here for tho
use Of such officers as might wish TO attend This Gus.
tom has existed FOR years under unlimited
number OF governments. Let sope that IL will con
tnue Dancing and is concomtaais reached high
state OF perfection IN Mexico and the opportunities
for social pleasures upon tins frontier are extremely
limited Pardon us the balls Oh fadous sticllers for
Monroe doctrine and erudte expOnnders Of inter.
national lawf Surely word OF treason 10 the great
doctrine was spoken AZ We whired through 'the wind
fngs of the may, with Senortas dark but charming
Tor whom we had the language of the eyes alone
General Steele present ON two three Of these
occasions At no one Of them was he presen, longer
than an hour During the season Of iestiyy held In
celebration Of the glorious days Of Mexcos n.
dependence alike interesting 20 liberal anu imperaust,
the General danced twice HIS partners charming
and though for the four years OF the aud two years
Iror thereto he has had leave Of absence chance
az visiting his friends Of Indulgence social inter
course vet am happy TO say be acquitted himself nd.
inraby The result OF early education was evident The
General dances we'll and for ths who VIII cast stone at
S For -four years the General has been in tho field,
without an hours inermission, save when moving TO
assume higher aud more important command, won BY
his galanry and great abilities Surely the limited in
dugeno in social Intercourse herein faithfully described
has not cemented one stone OF the fabric upon which
rests the bogus empire Of Marimilian
COMMAND
by the departure Of General steele devolves upon Gen
Wetzel, tina senior Officer present The following Is
al ihn nrhnK r,nila lod LIZ he =