The New York herald., 1868-04-11

L
think am able to state the day, but il wss towards
the close OF the year.
g You say you had then completed this last ce.a
cemeteries were made. There are only one or two
small ones have not visited.
e You were then ready to make your reporti A.
YES, sir, ! arp ready now; and had 1t not been for
Interruptions OF this sort should have made it.
e You have not since been detailed upon any
other special service except about the War Depart
mentf A. No, sir; was returned to the ONCE.
z: AT what time were you returned to your Adju-
=, tans Generais omcei The President gave me note
10 General Grant, dated February l3 and received
note from General Grant, think 1t was the 11th.
Y. Who has occupied your Ofiice during your alb
tant-General, with the rank of colonel
e Tnen you never lost your rank as Adjutant
menh sir to the
tnls business l would like to have charge Of my
Mr. BurLER-I wish to object to anv conversation
between this person and the President.
A., Mr. STANBERY-This Is simply his application to
Nhe fresident 70 restore him to his duties.
Yes, sir.
@ on the 18th Of February you received the order
WI, Mmcn you reduessedf A. 1t was not note to me,
g TO restore you to your position' A. Yes sir.
2; wnen after that did you see the President, and
that time and the time you received your order on
the 2lsti A. Yes, sir on one occasion; went over
q. After you had been restored to your ofiices A.
Yes, sir the resignation Mr. Stanton gave me.
u. W6S Lndt Tile urBL Time ne SpOke TO YOU about
taking possession Of the War Ofices
Mr.. BUTLER-I object to that as leading, grossly
leading. Was that the first time he spoke, assuming
Mr.. SrANBERY-we will come to 1t in another way.
~, 10 witness.Do you recollect what occurred on
the 2lss o. Febr1sryf A. Yes SIR thought your
Mr.. STANBERY-It was. What happened at the
War ONCE on the 21st of February in regard to
A. About twelve O'Clock went up myself and asked
Mr.. Stanton then Secretary Of War, II should close
the office the next day, the 22d OF February. He di
rected me to do It, and sent o circular round to
the different departments
Q. Was not that order made by you as Adjutant
General A. Yes, sir, by my order:
q. Was that before you had the President that
dayP A. Yes, sir.
Q. What took place after you had issued that or.
derf A. Very soon after had issued 1t received
note from Colonel Moore. private secretary Of the
President. that the President wished to me I'M
President; he came out OF his library; he had two
communications in his hand.
Yes, sir; he handed them to Colonel Moore to read;
they were read to me; one was addressed to Mr..
Stanton, dsmissing him from office and directing
MIN to turn over to me the books papers, &C., per-
tanning to the War Department; the other was ad-
dressed to myself appointing me Secretary of War
directed to transfer his office to me.
e. Was that the first time you saw those papers or
either OF them2 A. The first time.
Q. You had no hand in writing those papers or die
tating themY A. Nothing whatever.
Mr.. BUTLER-That is rather leading again.
0TANBERY (CO WlCucSS)-WnaJ was SAID Oy the
President at that time to you or by you to the Pres
dent2
Mr.. BUrLER-A single word, sir DO you propose
to put in conversation with the Presidenta
Mr.. STANBERY-l do.
Mr.. BUrLER-Between this party and the Presi-
dentf
Mr. STANBERY-I do. It was at the time The letters
were handed him by the President.
Mr. BUTLER-I have no objections.
A. He said he was determined to support the con-
stituion and the laws, and he wanted me to do the
same (great laughter); told him l would. Laugh
O. What further took placer A. He then directed
me to deliver this paper addressed to Mr. Stanton to
him.
O. Was that allS Did you then leavea A. Then
told him that was going to take somebody out OF
my departmenAiwith,me to see that had delivered it;
and stated that would take General Williams, AS
sistant Adjutant General In my department
Q. You told the President that you would take him
q. What did you do thena A. then went over to
the War Department and went into one OF my rooms
and told General raj Williams M wished him TO go with
him what for; but told him to note what occurred.
then went to the Secretary's room and handed him
the nrst paper, winch was that paper addressed 70
9. What took place then, Did ne read it, A. He
that paper and he put IT down the corner of his
table and sat down, and presently he took 1t up and
ONCE at en or give mo to ses s
private property together" said, "Act your plea
o. Did he say what time he would require A.
No, sir; did not ask him. then handed him
the paper addressed to me, which he read. He asked
O. What did you says A. In the meantime Gener.
al Grant came In and handed 1t to him he asked II
on them Went cwn ror ms
O. Is 1t below that OF the Secretary'ss A. Below
General Schriver's room.
made which certified as Secretary Of War ad
interim. Uaughter.) took that up and handed 1t
to him; he then said, 81 don't know whether win
OH inQfrnCfiOnQ.n
more passed and left.
O. Was General Grant there at the second inter-
Q. Did General Williams 60 up with you the second
timer A. No. sir.
Q. What time Of the day was this A. I think it
retary and after that came down to the Presidents
about one O'Clock, suppose.
q. Immediately after you had written the order to
close the offices A. Yes, sir.
z. Was that all that occurred between you and the
Secretary on the 2lst; A. ! think 1t was. Oh, no
Q. what followedS A. went into the other room
and said that should issue orders as Secretary OF
countermand them; and he turned round to Schriver
and Townsend, who were In the room and directed
them not to obey my orders as Secretary OF War.
q. Was that on the 21st or 22df A. The 2lst. He
wrote note and handed IL TO me.
q. Have you got that noteS A. gave II to you,
think. witness searches his pocketsD The note was
dated the 2lS.
Mr.. stanbery produces the paper.
Q. See If that is the paperf A. That is It, sir; the
took 1t out to General Townsend;a copy was made
out and Mr.. Stanton signed IL and handed 1t to me.
O. win you read II, II you pleaseS
Mr.. BUTLER said, "Wait moment, II you pease;n
but 80 rapid was the witness that he had read the
date, &C., and had got as far as "Sir" before the
honorable Manager could stop him, amid general
laughter.
After examination Mr.. Butler made no objection,
and the witness read the letter. dated February 2l,
commanding him to abstain from issuing any order
other than in his capacity as Adutant General Of the
Army and signed by Edwin NJ. Stanton, Secretary OF
War.
a. did.
Q. What took placer
Mr.. BUrLER-Stop moment. i object now. Mr..
President and Senator'S to the conversation between
the President and General Thomas after this time.
would not object as YOU will observe, to any orders
or directions which the President gave or any
versation had between the President and General
Thomas at the time OF issuing the commission; but
now the commission has been issued, the demand
has been made-it has been refused; the
peremptory order given to General Thomas
to mind his own business, to keep out or the