The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1866-12-20
.aaistellaneuas.
THE PARDON. OF GEN. PICK
ETT-THE RIGHTS OF BEL
IIGERENTS, t
WASHINGTON, Dec. II.


sage to the House transmitting de-
tailed information in regard to the
rebel General Pickett. asked for at
the last session. Inclosed is let
ter from Attorney-genera Stanbu-
ry, transmitting all papers on file
relative to Picketts appli cation for
pardon. The Attorney-general
says: O.
"No action has been taken on
these papers, and he has no infor-
nation Of any proceedings institu
ted against Pickett for cruelty to
prisoners, or any offense against
the laws of war;" q % 4 i-'-'l.
1t win be recollected he was
charged with hanging a number Of
. United States soldiers for alleged
desertion from the rehel army.
Pickett's application admits having
approved sentences by court-mar-
tial of deserters who were unmis,
takably identified, and says his ac-
ton was sanctioned by the Con-
federate Government, and says he
willingly renews his allegiance to
the United States. ...,..---
General Pickett's letter to Gen
eraI Grant is of the same tenor,
and is endorsed by Grant as fol-
lows:
Respectfully forwarded to His
Excellency the President of the
United States, with the reoommen-
dation that clemency be extended
in this case, or assurance given that
no trial will take place for the Of
fenses charged against G. E. Pick
EFT. During the rebellion bellig-
erent rights were acknowledged to
the enemies Of our country, and it
is clear to me that the parole Civ
en- by the armies laying down their
arms protects them against punish
nlent for acts lawful for any other
belligerent. In this case, know,
it is claimed that the men tried
and convicted. for the crime e'and
convicted of desertion were Union
men from North Carolina, who had
found refuge within our lines and
in our service. The punishment
was a harsh one, but it was in
time of war, and where the enemy,
no doubt, feltit necessary to retain,
by some power, the service of eve
ry man within their reach.
General Pickett / know person
ally to be an honorable man, but
in this case his judgment prompted
him to do what cannot be well sus-
tanned, though l do not see how
any good, either to the friends Of
the deceased, or by fixing an ex-
ample for the future, can be Sc
cured by his trial now. 1t would
only bring up the question whether
or not the Government did not dis.
regard its contract entered into to
secure the surrender OF an armed
enemy. [Signed] US. GRANT,
Lieutenant general.
MARCH 16, 1866.
Secretary Stanton reports that
the examination of the rebel ar
chiyes for the proceedings Of the
court-martial alluded to- has not
yet been completed. The record
required not having been found in
July, 1866, the Adjutant-general
submitted to the Secretary OF War
a statement by a reliable person,
recommending the arrest and trial
Of General Pickett.
Taking into consideration the
action Of the Supreme Court OF the
United States in the case of Mill
gan and others, who had been tried
and convicted by a military COM
mission, and the doubts cast upon
the jurisdiction of such tribunals,
the Secretary of War has not felt
authorized to pursue the course
recommended by the Judge Advo-
cate General until the opinion of
the Supreme Court should be form
ally promulgated. The magnitude
Of the offense alleged against Pick
EFT is such that there should be no
person to contest the jurisdiction of
the tribunal to whom the trial may
be committed.
[Signed] E. M. STANTON,
BCNpLNG.-A young husband and wife.