New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-10-28

Adjutdnt General Untted STATES Army washington, d. T.
SIR: have the honor to make the following
report relation to the municipal election OF the
City of Nashville for the information of the Generan
Chief.
On the oath OF September, received the following
municatons from Brevet Brig. Gen. Thomas Duncan,
commanding at Nashville
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT OF NAsHymLE.l
NASHVILLE, Tenn Sept H. 1857
Breret Maori GEN WIN. d. WHIPPLE, ASSISTANT AdjutaRt
General. Department Of ne Cumberland
of The Republican Banner this date and respectfully
invite your attention to the proclamation OF HIS Excel
lency Gov. Brownlow, and OF the Hon. W. Matt Brown,
Mayor of Nashville, in reference to the construction of
the franchise law Of the State in its application TO the
careful perusal OF said act 1t is my opinion that the
position taken by Mayor Brown is the correct one that
the Franchise law does not apply to the appointment OF
leaving their appointment it was before the FRANCHISE
YER NAV be mistaken, and besides the case was en-
trey free from doubt not province to decide points
election to sustain the appointments made Dy the Com
missioner OF Registration and OF the City Ponce on he
Council respectfully request instructions what course
shall pursue TO preserve the peace OF the city Also, IN
is elected and demands the city records OF his predeces
which he refuses TO deliver up and an effort made
to take them from him by forcea state OF affairs by no
means mposs6es 1t not my duty protect the present
incumbent and let the party elected seek his remedy IN
ions preferences in the matter desire that conduct
In the premises called upon to act shall be such as snail
sustain the law and be satisfactory to the MaorG
commanding the Department. nave the hOhor 10 De,
General very respectfully your 06edeHt E servant
HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT pF NASHVILLE,
NASHVILLE, Tenn, Sept. %, 1861
To MajOrGen WIND WHIPPLE. assistant Adiutd''tGen-
eral Department Of The Cumberland
SIR Since my communication OF the 2st inst In regard
to the aspect Of political affairs in the forthcoming ml-
nicipa election OF this city, Saturday next, from my
own observation aud from conversation with citizens
fully convinced that both parties fully determined
to hold their election under the respective procamatons
OF His Excellency the Governor, and the Hon Mayor
OF the city In view therefore OF preventing breach OF
the peace, respectfully suggest such instructions may
be given will protect both parties in quiet
election on the part OF those who hold their election
illegally 1t VIII only be an innocent amusement and
the votes east will be ruled and the party legally
entitled will be established in possession by the courts
III II were even perfectly clear which party mad the law
its side 1t would perhaps be better to protect each in
its election this course would be the sures to prevent
riot and bOOdshed and would not affect the final result,
when settled by the proper tribunal to which 1t must
eventually be brought but there to be grave
doubts OF this point IN the minds OF loyal gentlemen OF
both parties ii would that the plan proposed is the
only course that the military commandant can adopt and
that Is the course propose To pursue unless instructed
otherwise by the MajOr-General commanding the De
partment have the honor to be- General very respect
fully, your obedient servant, THOMAS DUNCAN,
Leutenant Colonel Fifth Cavalry, Breyet BrigadierGen
eral L. s. A.. Commanding District.
Here follow the proclamation Of Gov. BrownlOw and
the publication Of the Mayor OF Nashville heretofore
published.l on which Gen. Thomas made the following
Endorsement OF trausmssal:
HDQRs. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND
LOUISVILLE, KY, Sept. a. 1861
RffDfCfftiIV
for ne Information ~ The Genodlin CHER
Az vet requstOn has been made for military force
for service IN the but have reason 10 believe there
Will be- Under existing instructions from the Hon
Secretary OF War TO assist The civil authorities in preserv
ng the peace and the Governor Of the state being Chief
Magistrate Of the state, and he having announced by
proclamation his construction OF the law, and his deter
sbeud be- Sompead to aid nm in Enforcing his
DEGREES with the forces at my command Such Will be
sructons by telegraph are requested If this is not
approved ,o o,,
And sent to Gen Duncan the following Instructions:
HDoRs DEPARTMENT THE CUMBERLAND
LOUISVILLE, Ky, sept. "a, 1867.
Breret Brio Gen. THOMAS DUNCAN.
srR: The Major General commanding directs 10
acknowledge the receipt OF your letters of the 2st and
Gov Browniow and His Honor Mayor Brown OF Nash
VILE IL does not appear from these documents that you
have called upon yet 10 interfere in any way
with the approaching election but you are 40 called
upon you wi OF course obey former Instructions and
render all assistance necessary TO HIS Exceleney Gov
Br0wnlow in enforcing the laws and preserving the |
peace. Gov Brownow IS chief magistrate OF the state
and announced by proclamation his construction Of
law. II he needs military force To assist him In en-
power The General commanding has referred your
letters and accompanying documents to the war Depart
with advice Of the action taken by him, and re-
questng Instructions by telegraph il it not approved
IL such instructions received you VIII be advised
immediately In the absence OF any acquisitions upon
YOU for troops prior the day Of election you will
that day hold your command in readiness for immediate
action you may be called on AZ any moment 10 assist
In qucllng riots. am, General, very respectfully your
obedient Servant ALFRED l.. HoUGH,
Brevet Col. u. 5. A., Act. A. A. Gen.
On the 22d OF September Gov Brownow wrote to Gen.
Cooper commanding State Guards, as follows:
SIR: You will bring to Nashville Immediately all the
troops infantry and cavalry you can command, to en-
the Commissioner OF Registration, and 10 enforce the
Franchise law. II need be- call on Maj Gen George H.
Thomas for additional troops 10 enable you 10 Keep the
peace aud enforce the law.
This was teegraped TO the Headquarters OF the army
by GEN Thomas On the morning of the 2jth inst, he
received the following cipher telegram from the General
nChief: .. .- .
To Major GEN. GEORGE IL. THOMAS:
The Mayor, City Attorney and President Of the Com
mon Council Of Nashville express great fear OF collision
at OF the charter election on the 2oth Go 10
Nashville tomorrow to remain until after election TO pre-
serve peace II you think troops necessary for that
purpose order them there from the most convenient
points in your command The military cannot set up 10
be the Judge which set of election judges have the
right to CONTROL but must connne their action TO putting
down hostile mobs. IL is hoped however by seeing the
Governor and city officials here referred TO- your pres
enee and advice may prevent disturbance. Please Keep
'No ~ '''N U. s. GRANT, General.
To which Gen Thomas replied in the following cipher
telegram: -..-.... -. o.. - ,o.-
GEN U. g. GRANT, Washington, d. &.
Your cipher telegram of 81 p yesterday received
forwarded yesterday proclamation OF the Governor
election than that held under the Franchise law Illegal
and directing Gen Cooper to take measures at once to
peace and protect the Judges or Election IN
the discharge OF their duties Also proclamation 10y
the Mayor OF tho City OF Nashville, taking adverse
grounds 10 tho Governor, ana Oruerng an extra pohce
force organized 10 preserve the peace ana TO pro-
the Judges OF Election appointed by the CITY Cou
eli 10 election for city officers under the charter
for your information and instruction In The Endorsement
expressed the belief that, under Instructions from the
War Department, should be compelled TO take sides
with the he being the chief civil officer OF the
State, and having proclaimed the law governing ene eec
tons i'm the state should he call upon me for aid as ex
pressed in that Endorsement should nave used the
troops 10 aid the civil authorities 10 enforce the FRANCHISE
law and preserve the peace at the election had not re-
ceiyed Your telegram OF 8. r. yesterday start for
Sasbve this afternoon and will do what can to pre-
serve the peace Please instruct me whether am TO sus
tain the Governor or the Mayor.