Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1866-10-04
Col. Thomas Stephens.

The Mineral Point Democrat makes an
unprovoked personal attack on Col. Thos.
Stephens, formerly commanding the %
Wisconsin Cavalry, assuming that its
abusive and injurious article is authorized
by the simple denial of the Tribune that
the Colonel was delegate to the Cleveland
Convention. 1t is enough to characterize
as merely contemplate the effort of the
Democrat to cast disreppte on veteran
officer whose services in that department
of the army where he was on duty, were
favorably recognized by, with one excep-
ton, ali his commanding officers, and in
the case of the exception alluded to, were
finally vindicated by an oruer from the
War Department The War Department.
order dishonorahly diSmissing Col. Steph-
ems from the service, was procured by
Maj. Gen. N. I Dana, commanding the
districts ofWest Tennessee and Vicksburg
His interposition in the matter General
Dana persistently denied, saying, on being
questioned about it by Maj. Gen. Wash
burnc, that he knew nothing Of the rea-
sons fos it, that he himself was greatly
surprised at the order, that he thought it
grossly unjust, and that it had probably
been issued upon the unfayorable report of
some officer Of the Inspector Generals De-
partment. Subsequently a letter was
found al Head Quarters District of ficks-
burg, copied. in the ''letters sent book, ,
over Gen Dana's own signature, addressed
10 the Adjutant Generals Department at
Washington, which fully accounted for
Col. Stephens dismissal. In this letter
Gen. Dana declared that Col. Stephens
farther connection with the regiment would
be detrimental; that during the Colonels
absence on sick leave it had been brought
to state of effective discipline which it
had never before known. Gen. Dana as
sociated Col. Stephens with men Of the
character and military record Of Lieut.
Col. Eastman, and Major Richmond, stat
ing that if charges were preferred against
the Col they could not be successfully
tried, owing to the fact that he exercised
species Of terrorism over the officers
of the line, who would not dare to tes-
tify against him. Fer these reasons he
recommended the imperative interference
Of the War Department. Gen. Dana's
action in the matter is accounted for by
the fact that he wished to oust the Colonel
so as to make place for Col. Ned Osband,
his personal favorite Col. Stephens Sc
niorty among the officers Of cavalry entitled
him to the position Of chief of cavalry,
which position Gen. Dana desired to have
filled by Col Osband. Upon the discoy~
cry of Gen. Danas letter and the duplicity
Of the Colonel's enemies, q statement OF
the facts was laid before the War Depart
ment, which at once revoked its previous
order, remanded Col. Stephens to Memphis
and peremptorily ordered Gen. Dana to
bring charges, if any charges there were
to be brought, against the Colonel, or fail
| ing this, to at once renstate hi in in his
command. There were no such charges
which could be brought, and General Dana
was obliged to restore him to the head Of
his regiment The Colonel was afterwards
detailed On general court martial duty,
where he remained until his honorable dis
charge from the service, six months after
| the close of the war. The author of
article in the Democrat knew well of the
main fact Of Col. Stephens vndication
and reinstatement to his command. and
must stand condemned of base attempt
to vilify and calumniate faithful and ca
pable officer in that war throughout which
the sympathies Of the present editors and
| friends of the Democrat were with rebels
in arms, and whose sympathics are still
with rebels, devising by the strategies Of
peace the means Of re-acquiring powv. and
control in the affairs Of the government.