The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-08-27
WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENTS

WASHINGTON CORRESPONDENCE.
| AFFAIRS OF THE WAR oFFICE-EXoDUs OF voLUN
TEER oFFICERs-THE REGULARS REJo1cED THERE
| AT-GENERAL GRANT ENERGETIC AND BUsY-THI
PRESIDENTIAL RAcE-sPEcULATIoN SLOW ON THI
ToPIc-oRANT THE ONLY SURE MAN IF NOMINATED
| FREEDMEN's BUREAU-wHo IS TO BE SECRETARY OF
WAR? ETC., ETC
| WASHINGTON, August 22.-The administration o.
the affairs of the War Department, by the General
n-Chief, in his newly created Office of Secretary
| of War; al interim, has been characterized by Q
very remarkable activity in one thing, at len. t.
even if no other could be noted, and that is the
| summary disposal OF volunteer officers, many ot
whom had become settled very comfortably in
their various positions; some under the Freedmen
| Bureau; some in the Surgeon and Adjutant-
Generals Office, and others in other spheres
| OF military existence. AS general thing, the
Regulars" those of the old army, are rather glad
to sec this, as for some reason or other the esprit
du corps, among the West Pointers, keeps them
aloof in their feelings and social dealings with the
"hardy volunteers" General GRANT, however, is
working on the score Of economy, and intends to
keep on reducing the expenses of the War Depart
ment and with it, of course, the expenses OF the
Government, in q style which elicits praises from
many, and solid denunciatons coupled with dole
full misgivings as to his political complexion from
almost as many more. His deeds are not hid
under bushel, for every morning brings out new
orders of special importance, which indicate
the manner of work-that of clearing out the vol
unteer army-in which he is engaged, and the en-
n l.. u ha
seen frequently during the day en- route to his
headquarters, the War Department, or to the
White House, busily intent upon the performance
Of his duties whether it consists either in franz
ing orders or in obeying them, and then at three
o'clock he goes home and takes, first his dinner,
and then his drive, and no one who, not knowing
the General, who would see him on the Fourteenth
street road behind fast horse, and sometimes
behind two, always holding tho reins himself,
would imagine that he was the man so very much
talked about and who does 30 little talking.
hear of very little talk now on the Presidential
topic The numerous martyrs in the field, COM
bned with the multitude who have claims in that
direction, and who press them, has, for tho nonce,
put an end to that kind Of speculation, and conse-
quently an atmosphere Of silence prevails. There
is also well-defned anxiety among the leading
politicians of the extreme radical school to know
more of the spirit which shall rule the fall elec-
tions before proceeding to compromise themselves
in favor of any particular candidate 1t is every.
where conceded that there must be military man
ON tho ticket, but whether the shoulder straps are
to 60 into the White House or preside over the
United States Senate is another question not yet
agreed upon. Not fow of the Republican poll
ticans particularly the New England members,
OF the partyJ want General HOWARD, of the Freed
mems Bureau, ON the ticket as the candidate for
Yice-President and would not object to it in COM
pany with Chief Justice CHASE, who is from Ohio.
SHER1DANs hackers are still strong, but STANTON,
since his removal has materially lessened tho
prospects of that officer, although the late War
Minister is known to have emphaticaily asserted
that he would, upon no condition, be a candidate.
However, there is ample time to discuss this as
the wire-pulers themselves are now entirely at
sea and at the mercy of the waves. or the whole
affair there seems but ono thing that is absolutely
certain-Gen GRANT can be President If no wants
to, and the only singular thing in connection with
this is, that some OF his friends, who only short
time ago wcre proud to hoist his name upon their
standards with loud expressions Of applause, in
discussing the matter now cannot see how SOL
der with life long career Of greatness before him
could be prevailed upon to renquish it for the
precarious four years position Of President. Well,
nobody knows to certainty; but possibly that is
what GRANT thinks himself and possibly not.
1t has been question of no little interest to
know who would succeed Major General HOWARD
as Commissioner OF the Bureau OF Freedmens
Affairs. Several officers of prominence in the
service have been mentioned, among them Gen.
SrcKLEs who it was said yesterday would be trans
ferred to duty in charge of the Freedmon's
Bureau now in charge of General HOWARD,
while the latter would be assigned to duty in the
place thus mado vacant. To-day, however, new
rumors in that connection are on the tdpis, and
two or three others have been brought forward.
General HowABp's friends think that although
he NAV be divested of his volunteer rank OF
Maior-General, which leaves him Brlgadier-
General in the regular army, nevertheless no will
remain in charge of the Bureau. Certainly for the
purposes for which that department was institute
ed, General HOWARD is very proper man.
There have been some speculations as to the
length Of tmo General GRANT will remain In charge
of the War Department, and successors to the ad-
mnstration of its afairs are almost daily brought
before the public. I know, from very positive
authority, that 30 far no thought has entered the
mind of the President as to when he (Gen. GRANT,
will be relieved of it's cares, and new incumbent
appointed The matter is one of the grestest un-
certainty-it might be in the course OF q week,
and possibly not until the meeting OF Congress-.
In the meantime the General-in-Chief, by syste-
matte devotion Of time to the requisite duties OF
the position at the head Of that Department, is
earning for himself praiaos for executive and adj
mntrative abilities, and the President is very vol
satisfied to have him there. HAL.
Making Glass Eyes.