The New York herald., 1868-06-23
GENERAL GRANT AND THE JEWS.
General Grants Mississippi Ordcr-Expiasa-
tory Letter from General Rawiius. ot
~ HEADQUARTERS ARMY UNITED STATES 4 y.
Mau A leao

tory Letter from General Ravviins. ot
g HEADQUARTERs ARMY UNITED STATES A. d
WASHINGTON, May o, 1868. J
SrR-Your letter relating to the order OF General
Grant, dated Oxford. Miss, December IT. 1861, ex-
pelling Jews as class from his department is be-
fore me. You are doubtless aware that General
Grant has never either by himself or through the ai
OF friends, attempted to defend any military order
which the emergencies OF the seemed at the
time to require. However, as my name Ia attached
TO It as Assistant Adjutant General it may not DO
improper to state that at and previous to lis date
our military affairs were in most critical CON-
dition, and important movements were transpir-
Ing. General Sherman was collecting forces ct
Memphis and Helena. General Grant was moving
appearances OF immediate attack to divert s atten-
ton from Sherman, and In cooperation with Grant
Dodge was moving south from Corinth. The success
OF GRANTS plans depended In keeping the enemy In
Ignorance Of his real purpose the surprise
and capture Of vicksburg by Sherman-and 1t was
nue. Of Information to the enemy should be closed.
The most stringent orders had previously been
puDilsned i19!rbidding persons going or coming
ries and prohibiting the passage Of corn South or
the payment OF 1t for Southern products. Perssteat
the Jewish race the SUBJECTS constant reports
Dy many OF General Grants SubOrdinates, some OF
M whom mad even issued orders expelng them from
voked Reports OF the same character were also re-
ceved from other than military sources As
lthe date of the Order), the mail brought from
Washington large number OF complaints, officially
referred to him by the General in Chief OF the army
against this class OF persons for violations OF TIA
above mentioned orders. The general felt on read
ing them. that some immediate action was demanded
OF him. He realized to its full extent the critical
condition OF military affairs, and Judged whether
wisely or unwisely that to meet the exlgency action
must he immediate, thorough and in a form not to DO
evaded The order you refer to was the re-
suit it was written and telegraphed to his sub
Ordlnates without revision leaving all persons not
Justly amenable to its terms 10 be relieved on their
individual application.
The idea that it was issued on account OF the re-
lgion OF the Jews cannot be seriously entertained By
any one who knows the Generals steadfast adhe-
renee to the principles of American liberty and re-
ligiOus tOleration.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN A. RAwLINS.
Questions for General Grants Considerasssu.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:- frr.a.
General Rawlins' letter in explanation OF General
Grants order No. IL is dated Washington MAY g.
lS6s and why 1t should be given to the public only
six weeks after 1t was written is not proper for me
to inquire; but considering that said order has been
creating quite controversy among newspapers 1t
might have appeared sooner. Without questioning
the stability Of the ground upon which General
able result OF such defence, take the liberty OF
asking the General a few questions which II proper
minds "a w ths 40 gcoa deal towards satisfying
the Jews In especial In regard to this order.
Frst-Did General Grant feel satisfied at the timo
when the order issued that all the Jews crossing
his lines or trading near or within their boundaries
Intended TO violate his orders to give the enemy
Information In regard to his movements or plansf
Second-Dd General Grant know that Jews only
were apt to commit such orencesP
Thfrd-Was General Grant satisfied in his mind
that among those OF other religious denominations
crossing his lines there were none who would or
might violate any Of his orders or reveal any Of HIS
plans TO the enemyS Was he positive that no Mcth0
dists, Catholics, Baptists, Quakers Mormons or any-
body else belonging to one OF the thirty and odd DIFF
ferent religious sects Jews excepted which live
peacefully In this free country would act contrary 70
his orders'
II General Rawlins should be able to answer these
questions satisfactorily, then the Jews may perhaps
be willing TO admit that General Grants order No III
was Justilable. TRUE REPUBLICAN,
NEW YORK, June "a, 1885,