The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-05-20
The Dyer Cnse-spIcy COrrespon-
dcncc between Gen. Sherman
and Senator Howard.

Inquiry has been promulgated, and as
we anticipated it is favorable to Gen.
Dyer. The conclusion of the court is
that mo further proceedings are neces-
sary." The zeal and spirit of the mill
tary ring in protecting Dyer from ex-
posture Is well illustrated by CORES
Pondence that passed between General
Sherman and Senator Howard, chairs
man of the Joint Committee on Ordl-
nance, more than year ago, now
made public by Gen. Boynton, Wash
ington correspondent to the Cincinnati
Gazette:
SHERMAN TO HOWARD (THROUGH SENA-
TOR DRAKE.)
WAsHISGIoN, January "a, 1868.
Hon. G. D. Drake, q. s. Senate:
"DEAR SIR-My friend General Dyer
tells me that a mass of testimony has
been taken by joint committee, OF
which you are member, duplicating
him; that he was not present at the
taking OF the testimony; that he is not
even allowed copy; that he is not per-
mitt ed to rebut 1t by calling other Wit
nesses, but Is limited to bare state
, ment of facts. I fear that there are
some members who have not dealt fair
ly by General Dyer, and ask you as a
Just man, industrious and fearless, to
give the matter some OF your valuable
time. Be sure to be present when the
committee hear Gen. Dyer, and hear
him as u frank, honest soldier that
scorns falsehoods, and who has disburs-
ed millions of money, dealt with the
| EhreWdest contractors, pressed by
strong interests and patents, and res
mains to. day solntely poor in money.
But his fair fame is all in all to him,
and will be defended by his army COM
panions if he is not allowed fair, hon.
| orable hearing. None of US will con-
n1Ve at fraud, but secret inquisition
| is not the court OF 1868. All ask OF
you is TO give to Dyer fair hearing,
and If he demands to face his accusers
to give him the chance. Before any i'll
can Defall him, know hundreds OF
friends that will rise up and see justice
done. With great respect.
w. T. SIBERIAN, Lieut.. General"
This was submitted by Mr.. Drake to
Mr.. Howard, the Chairman, who not
taking kindly 10 being called an Gin
QUESTION:" and being told that his
court was behind the age he lived in,
aud not having the fear OF "rlsing"
before his eyes, wrote as follows:
HOWARD To SHERMAN.
SENATE CHAMBER, Jan. 81, 1867.
DEAR SIR :-Senator Drake, men,
Der of the Joint Committee on Ordnance,
has shown me your note to him of the.
Gath, with request that I shall drop
you line in reply. 1 fear Gen. Dyer
has failed 10 possess you of all the
material facts about which he complains
In the conduct of the committee toward
him. He has b9en permitted to peruse
all testimony taken by them in any
way rejecting upon him has had free
access at all times to the committee room
and the right, If he chose to exercise it,
Of cross examining the witnesses, and
OF introducing witnesses in his own
behalf. But the committee, appointed
merely to make inquiries and inVesti-
cations, and report the facts to Con-
gress, have not deemed 1t worth while
10 recall witnesses once examined and
dismissed merely to afford Gen. Dyer
an opportunity to re-examine them
nor to allow copies of such testimony to
be given out, to be used, perhaps, for
purposes not contemplated by their ap-
pointmcnt. It is entirely unusual TO
furnish such copies to private parties.
The Committee, some time since, dis
ttnctlY informed Gen. Dyer that he
would be permitted to come before
them, read the testimony, and to make
on oath any statement by way OF ex-
PLANTATION and standardization he saw
tit. But we did refuse to allow him to
appear by counsel and convert the
committee into "A court for the purpose
OF trying him. lie was repeatedly be-
fore them, and was treated, of course,
like other witnesses, with full liberty
to say what lie pleased. He still has
that privilege; and, in note to me,
dated the - inst, announces his pur-
pose to avail himselfo of it. I must take
the liberty, therefore, OF saying, that
when, in your note to Mr.. Drake, you
spoke OF the joint committee as a
"secret inquisitiOn," you spoke without
proper information, and In a style not
warranted by anything the committee
has done or contemplated doing. Would
it not have been more becoming to as
certain the real truth before passing 30
unfounded reflection upon them?
Very respectfully, &C.,
j. NJ. HOWARD,
Chairman Committee.
AS to Dyec's "soldier'-ship to which
Gen. Sherman refers with 30 much
warmth, we believe it consisted in hold
ing profitable place during the war,
remote from all danger and in draw
ing his pay. Before he was made Chief
of Ordinance, Gen. Chen Major Dyer,
was commandment of one Of the North
ern Arsenals; and IL he ever smelt burnt
powder, it was in experimental fires.
Gen. Dyer claims 10 be a poor man,
bat well informed people in Washing.