New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-10-28
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hold election in defiance of the State authority
collision is inevitable. II command that place my
and against the franchise law cannot preserve tic
peace without interfering in case OF collision
GEO. ii. THOMAS, Major-Gen. u. g. A.
Gen. Grant replied as follows:
WASHINGTON, d. c. Sept 90, 1s67~iPx
To Major GEN GEORGE H. THOMAS
You are 20 prevent conflict IL the Executive Of the
State issues his proclamation declaring instruction
invasion 10 exist too formidable TO be put down by force
at his own command and calls upon the United States 10
aid him. then aid will have TO be given Your mission is
to preserve the peace and not TO take sides In political
differences until called out in accordance with the law
You to prevent mobs from aiding either party. II
called upon legally to interfere your duty - plain.
About 10 D. m Cen Thomas received the following from
the General-inChief
WASHINGTON, d. c., Sept. 2e-sP.M
Major Gen. GEO. W. THOMAS:
will send you further instructions tomorrow Nothing
is clearer however than that the military cannot be made
of to defeat the Executive Of State in enforcing the
laws OF the State You not to prevent the legal State
u. $. GRANT, General.
On the 27th of September Gen. Grant addressed Cen
Thomas as follows:
Until afternoon can give you no further Instructions
than you have already had Report by telegraph imme
diaely receipt Of this the nature of the difficulty in
Nashville, and your view Of the best way to meet IT,
L. S. GRANT, General.
Gen. Thomas says
"As my telegram OF II had given the information
instructions, as ntimated IN that, ever reached me-"
The additional documents numerous. including the
correspondence between Gen. Thomas and the Mayor OF
Nashville. The following is among them;
HEADERS. DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,
NASHVILLE, Sept. 2s, 1867. )
The Hon W. MATT BROWN, Mayor, etc.
SIR In reply to your communication or this date re-
ceyed at O'Clock p m have to state that did not in
form you officially in writing stated by you In your
communication to the public, published in the papers
this morning that would use the military power OF the
United States in sustaining the Governor of the State IN
forclbly preventing pedcedbte election, etc, but
L did state in that communication that the proper
interpretations OF Gen. Grants telegraphlc or
der is TO sustain the State authorities In the
execution Of their orders How these words can be
strued meaning that intended TO the troops 10
prevent peaceable election, confess cannot under
stand The proclamation OF the Governor AMI his order
TO Gen. Cooper requesting him TO prevent you from hold
ing election and the instructions sent to me to sustain
him the GOVERNOR in the execution Of his orders, could
not be Obeyed II both elections permitted, as you
remember that the Governor required Gen. Cooper TO
prohibit the election under the city charter and you IN
In defiance OF all power except that Of the United States
Your Obedient servant GEO. H. THOMAS,
MajOrGen Commanding Department
On the 2sth Of September MajorGen. Thomas tele-
graphed Gen. Grant as follows:
1.-THE polls were opened this morning o'clock by the
State authorities The election has proceeded quietly
TO this hour. and have no idea there will be any
disturbance"
And at p II. the following:
THE election overall quiet.
GEO H. THOMAS, MajorGeneral L. &. A"
The election having closed without any disturbance,
and there being other of excitement, at
the troops ordered 10 their various stations and
returned to Louisville on the morning OF the 10Th.
am. Sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant
GEO. III. THOMAS, Major-Gen. u. :. A, Commanding.
Gen. L. 5. Grant, General, &c,