The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-02-06


The Charges against Gen. TiiiseH.
Col. G. C. Sibley, of the Sixteenth United
Infantry, stationed in Savannah, has been APP
noiuted Assistant Commissioner of the Freed
mems Bureau for the State Of Georgia, as has
been already mentioned ,vice Gen. David Till
son of Maine, who has been, at his own re-
quest honorably mustered out of the service of
the United States as Brigadier and Brevet
Major-General of Volunteers. The Savannah
Republican of the 23d inst publishes correspon-
dence giving in detail certain charges against
Gen. Tillson, made by A. Alpiora Bradley, tne
colored lawyer, and Gen. Tillson's deniai y,
them. The charges were made in ie''el W
Senator Wade, which was forwarded ny NM
with an Endorsement to the Secretary Vi war;
who referred it to Gen Howard Ihat oihcer
sont praa,oy,S latter to Gen. Tillson, who, in
rot,,rn;,,,, - nronounced the charges false and
malicious, and said'
T baya never, in single instance, taken
+,aodnoen to nv plantation under duress ON
tbe annboat, or in any other way, or compelled
shem TO divide their crops with the former
owners of land granted them by Gen. Sher-
mans order. ] did not arrest Rev. King Tat
nall in his church on Sunday, at Wilmington
W. III
things charged by Bradley, nor have the me-
groes Marcus Barstow Andrew Washington
and Daniel Williams, made affidavit that ar
rested Rev. King Tatnall, drove the people in
to the church, &c. as Brad ~ asserts they have
done. Two of the negroes
signing this affidavit have since, in my pres
ence, and that of Capt Pickett, Col. Pritchard,
and several other gentlemen, freely admitted
that the affiday it is fase-that did none of the
things therein set FORTH and that they were led
on and incuced to make the affidavit by Brad
lev One of them Andrew Washington, after
ward returned weeping and with every appear
ance ofsincere sorrow, humbly begged my par
don for the injury he had sought to do me, say
ing that it was all Bradley's fault
About year since, Bradley was arrested
and triei by a Military Commission, on the
cha of melting riot among the freedmen
of this city. He was convicted and sentenced
to Fort Pulaski for one year-the most impor-
tant witnesses against him being respectable
persons of color, The Hon. Secretary of War
direct ID that Bradley be released. Soon after,
he was found in Augusta attending a Conven-
ton of freedmen, and openly denouncing the
name and memory of President Lincoln.
The Hon. Secretary of War ordered him to
leave the State or 60 to Fort Pulaski and serve
out his sentence. He left the State, but, since
the decision of the Supreme Court of the Unit
ed States relative to Military Commissions, he
has returned and has exhibited the most extra
ordinary activity in visiting diffenent localities
holding public meetings. advising the negroes
not to give up the old grants of land held by
them, or allow the act Of Congress before
mentioned to be enforced, but to resist its exc
cution by force and arms. Acting under his
advice, many of the freedmen are arraying
themselv against the officers of the Bureau,
Obstructing them in the performance of their
duty, and treating the provision of Congress,
designed solely for their good, with open
contempt, and otherwise acting in a
manner which will inevitably result
in irreparable injury to themselves
More recently his teachings have resulted
in open, armed and organized resistance to the
authority of the United States in the ad join
ing parts of South Carolina, which, but for the
prudent, careful conduct of Gen. Scott, would
have resulted in the most frightful conse-
quences. For giving the freedmen this mis-
chevous advice, and writing silly, useless pc
titions for them, Bradley is charging exhorbi-
TINT fees. He has repeatedly and openly de-
fed the civil, military and bureau officers, de-
claring his ability and his intention of invok-
ing the vengeance of the authorities at Wash
ington upon those who dare to execute their
orders in manner which did not meet his ap-
proval; and has frequently asserted that blood
would flow in the streets if his advice and die
tation were not accepted. This was regarded
as vain idle boasting; no one for moment be-
heving that man of Bradley's character
would secure the unquestioned support and
Endorsement of Senator of the United States.
1t is matter of surprise and regret that the
honorable Senator from Ohio should unhesita-
tingly express his conviction that the wild and
extravagant statements of Bradley are true, OF
that in any way, directly or indirectly, he
should lend the influence of his high position
to strengthen the hands of such a man in the
very great injury he is doing the planters and
the freedmen themselves Senator Wade can
by no possibility be in the possession of facts
which warrant his belief that have at any
time been guilty of such acts of tyranny, out
rage and oppression as those charged by Brad
ley. His Endorsement is unwarrantable 1t
conveys a gratuitous insult to one who has
habitually exercised more care and felt more
anxiety to do juetice to all men than is exhibit
ed in this instance by the honorable Senator,
whose officially expressed conviction can have
no better foundation than his own prejudice.
DAVIS TILLsON.
Late Brevet Major-General and Asst. Com
missioner.
The Republican speaks of the two Commiss-
toner's as follows: Col. G. Sibley, onr gentle
manly Post-commander, whose excellent dici-
pine over bis troops has won the admiration
of our citizens. will at once enter upon his new
and surely arduous duties. That ample JUS
tice will be done both planters and freedmen
We have no doubt, while the military expert
ance of Col. Sibley will prove of great value in
maintaining that constant efficiency which the
intricate duties of the Bureau demand, and
which cannot be safely and properly perform
ed without strict discipline is enforced
While Gen. Tillson, in retiring will carry with
him the best wishes of our citizens for his fut-
ure welfare, we congratulate them on the
appointment of a successor so well qualified in
every respect to assume the onerous position
he has now resigned.