The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-03-26
A Bit of History.

Senator Simon Cameron, Of Pennsyl-
vania, made an interesting statement in
the Senate lately in relation to the cir
cumstances under which Gen. Lee and
Johnston entered the Confederate service.
1t will be remembered that Mr.. Cameron
was Secretary of War at the breaking out
of the rebellion. In the course of debate
he was asked why he did not arrest these
two officers and prevent their desertion,
and in his answer he makes the statement
alluded to. Of Gen. Johnston, who at
the time of his desertion was Quarter
master General, he says:
General Johnston was, as the Senator
from Maryland says, most valuable
officer Officers of the army were resign
ing or running away daily, almost hourly.
The largest portion @ the men who had
been considered the most valuable had left
the service. The Secretary of War at
that day was told that this gentleman was
going to leave the service because he be-
lieved that he was suspected by the ad-
ministration of not being faithful. He
was sent for by the Secretary of War,
who said to him that he had entire con-
fidence in his ability and integrity, and
begged that he would not leaye the ser
vice with any wrong impression. He
Immediately said to me that he regretted
that he had decided to leaye; that this
rebellion was wrong; that everybody
engaged IN it was acting improperly and
unfaithfully to the government, and that
he never intended to take part against
the government. But he said that he
was controlled by influences which he
could not counteract; that heswas COM
PEELED to resign. | believed at the time
that the influences referred to were those
of his wife family; but l have been
told since that that was not So At all
events [ should have arrested him, if |
had not sent for hinl into my room, and
himself to me. | have always regretted
that | did send for him, and that l did
not wait until he had committed the
overt act, and then arrested him."
These facts are very interesting. But
the most important revelation was that
concerning General Lee, who, as our
readers know, was General SCOTS Chief
ot-Staf at the time referred to.
General Lee called on gentleman
who had my entire confidence, and init
mated that he would like to have COM
mand of the army He assured that
StLllCllldu. nIO WIS d IIlSli Ill CuC COlu
dence Of the administration, of his entire
loyalty and his devotion to the interests
OF the administration and of the country.
| consulted with General Scott, and Gen
eral Scott approved of placing him at the
head of the army. The place was offered
to him unofhcially, with my appreciation,
and with the appreciation of General
Scott. 1t was accepted by him verbally.
With the promise that he would go into
Virginia and settle his business, and
then come back to take command. He
never gave us an opportunity to arrest
him he deserted under false pretenses
[ should have arrested him in moment
if l had chance at him, and have
always regretted that | never had that
chance.
This statement shows more completely
than was ever demonstrated before the
perfdy of General Lee in deserving the
Union army 1t seems that he was under
verbal agreement to accept the active
command of the Union army. which had
been verbally rendered to him. Under
these circumstances, his abandonment of
the Federal army was, if possible a double
treachery. To be sure, Mr.. Cameron