The New York herald., 1869-11-15
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.

The Eellxnap Sherman Difference - " That
Herald Gets Everything''-Dycr and His
Court of Inquiry-The Fees of His Counsel
Not Allowed.
WASHINGTON, Nov. IA, 1869.
Last week sent You despatch about Secretary
BeIknap and General Sherman, in which alluded
to certain acts OF the former which showed him to
be man Of decided character and 1rmness. For
some reason or other my despatch has been re.
garded as an evidence OF an open breach between
the War Minister and the General or the Armies. 1t
would be unfair to allow such impression to gain
ground The truth Is that no personal dificultY has
occurred. Il Is merely one Of official authority.
General Beknap and General Sherman are socially
friends, and good ones at that, 30 far as am In
formed. But officially General Belknap is one Of
those earnest men who believe in having their posi-
tons understood, and who know how to assert au-
thority without giving offence. This is the planest
manner in which to explain the situation. Belknap
found orders issued by Sherman which he could not
sanction and which he therefore, countermanded
without regard to persons or places. This he was
conscientiousy bound to do, or else lay himself open
to the imputation Of being B0rie-ized.
II is curious how my despatch on the subject has
been twisted and tortured into different meanings.
Even people employed in the War Department have
been mised Into the belief that there exists an open
war between Belknap and Sherman; while others
declare that there has been no CONFLICT. either per-
sonal or official.
A few days after the publication Of my despatch
two high officers were dining at wormley's restau-
rant, and among other things got to talking about
the reported difference between Belknap and Sher-
man.
II say, General, did you see that article in the
HERALD about Sherman getting snubbed by the Sec
retarys' said one.
"Yes, Major, l did," said the other.
"well" said the Major "what do you think OF it
now9 Is there any truth IN iiY"
ITO be frank with you, Major, and talking conf
dentialy OF course, there Is something In it, In the
main that article is correct. The Secretary hos
countermanded the payment OF claim passed by
Sherman while he was acting as Secretary OF War;
And what is more, tile claim was one which Sher-
man, when performing hts celebrated march to the
sea, promised to see made oil right. The counter
manding order Is a sort OF reflection upon Sherman
as general and also as Secretary OF War"
'Is 1t posslblef" said the Major. Now is not it
curious how these correspondents hear OF such
thlngsp'
"Yes, indeed, 1t s,n said the General; "but have
noticed that that HERALD gets pretty much every
thing. rather think the correspondent must have
got that at the War Department. don't see how it
could leak out otherwise"
General Dyer Chief Of the Ordnance Bureau, tunl-
bles from one snarl into another. Recently some
Washington publishers printed and circulated a
pamphlet consisting of letter OF Norman Ward
and an appendix containing varied bellous matter
against General Dyer, which Is intended to show up
the ordnance chief and his contracts in anything but
favorable light. General Dy er, more as joke than
In earnest, has resolved to bring libel suit againss
the publishers TO compel them to establish the truth
OF their charges. In his defence General Dyer EN-
poyed able counsel including David Dudley Field of
New York. MI. Fields bill ior these services amounts
to S. co., General Dyer considering that government
mad right to pay ths bill, went to General sherman,
about the matter. General Sherman In his abrupt
way declared the bill entirely proper and offered to
recommend its payment on the spot. Dyer how
ever told the General that he would prefer to have
the question referred to the President as some I'M
portant points were involved. General sherman
Qcquesced the bill was referred 10 the President,
aud In due time laid before the Cabinet for their
consideration. Attorney General Hoar opposed pay
nent OF the bill, ana on his advice It was resolved
that the government had no right TO deiray the ex
penses OF Dyer's counsel. SO the worthy Chief OF
Ordnance finds himself not only with a libel suit ON
hand, but with responsibility for The payment OF
SIS, 900 Tor defending himself from charges against
his cOnduct "a an officer OF tho government.