Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1868-05-22
A Bit of His. ory.

Senator Simeon Cameron, of Pennsvlva.
ma made an interesting statement in the
Senate recently in relation to the circum
stances under which Generals Lee and
johnson entered tho Confederate service.
IL will be remembered that Mr.. Camero,
was Secretary of War at the breaking out
oi the rebellion. Ia the course of debate.
he was asked Why ho did not arrc,, these
two officers and prevent their desertion.
aud in his answer he makes the statement,
alluded to. OfGen. Johnson, Who n, III.
time OF his desertion was Quartcrmaster
General, he says:-
General Johnson was, as the Senator
hom Maryland says most valuable officer.
Officers OF the army were resigning or run.
ning away daily. almost hourly. The lar
gest portion of the men who were con,,d.
cred the most valuable had left the service
The Secretary OF War AZ that day was TOLL
that this gentleman was going 10 leave the
service because he believed that be was sus.
pec,ed By the administration of no. being
faufiul. He was sent for 10y tho Secretary
OF War. who saiI 10 him that he had entire
confidence in his ability and integrity. and
begged that be would no; leave the service
with any wrong impression. He immedi.
ately said 10 me that he regretted that he
had decided TO leave; that this rebellion
was wrong; that everybody engaged in it
was acting improperly aud upiaithfulIy to
the government, and that he never inten-
ded TO take part against the government
But be said he was controlled by influences
which be could not countcract that he was
compelled TO resign. | believed that the
influences referred to were those of his wife's
family but have been told since that il
was not so. At ali events / should have
arrested him. il / had not sent for him into
my room. and in some measure got him TO
commit himself TO me. have aIwar, r..
grc'ted that did send for him. and iha,
did not wait unit. ho had committed the
overt act, and then arrested him.
These facts arc very interesting But the
most important revelation vas that concern
ing Gen. Lee, who, rs our readers know,
was Gen. SCOTS Cbief-of-St Staff at the time
referred to:
Gen. Lee called on n gentleman who
had my entire confidence. and Iniimated
that he would like to have command of the
army He assured that gentleman, who
was a man in The confidence in the Admins.
iIa'ion, OF bis entire loyalty and his devo
tIon TO the interests OF the country. con.
suited with Gen. Scott, and Gen Scott ap.
proved OF placing him At tho head of the
army. The place was offered to him un- /
officially, with my spp,obation. and with
the appreciation of Gen. Scott. II was &C.
ccpied by him verbally. and with the prom.
iSe that he would 20 into Virginia and set
tie his business. aud then come back 10 take
command. He never gave us an opportun.
ity to arrest him; he deserted under false
pretences | should have arrested him in
a moment il hal had a chance at bin, and
have always regretted that never did
get hat chance
lhis statement shows more completely
than ever demonstrated before the prrfi,ly
OF Gen. Lee in deserving the Union army
IL seems that he was under verbal agree
mcnt TO accept The active command OF he
Union army, which had been verbally ten
dercd to bm. Under these circumstance,
his Abandonment OF the Federal army vas.
IL possible. double freaebery. To bo
sure. Mr.. Cameron bad 40 direct interview
with Gen Lee himself. but that the matter
was one OF importance. and received much
consideration from both parties Is shown by
the circumstances.