Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-05-23

| lNTfRksTfNG CORRESPONDENCE
On the 18th OF April last Mai. Gen. W. 5.
Hancock, addressed the following telegraphic
oispstch 10 Gen. w. I. Sherman, dated ST.
Louis:
"lf my rank will not entitle me 20 division.
and the changes in the departments are such a.
to make 1t practicable, 1 would prefer this (st
Louisl station. leave at once for st. Paul
IN reply, Gen. sherman informed him that i'm
| the contemplated changes his Gen. Hancacki -
posi- would not be altered, and forwarded the
following by mail:
HEADo' RS ARMIES OF THE UNITKD SrATFs
wa hingten, April l4.-GeH. W. s. Hdaoock CON-
mdndtHq Department of Ddl'otd. ST. Paul Nina
Seneral-I have laid your dispatch OF the 18TH.
from 81 Louis, before the President who
authorizes me TO say that your wishes aud claims
tor the succession 20 the command of the milifa-
~ division Of the Pacific, made vacant by GEN
eral Ihomass death, were fairly Considered
and also your preference for the department OF
the MISSOURI in case Of a change OF eOmmander
were also known TO him, but he has ordered
otherwlse- The President authorizes me 70 saw
10 you that IL belongs 90 his office % select the
commanding generals OF divisions and DEPART
ments, and that the relations you chose 20
assume towards him, officially and privately
absolve him from regarding your personal
preferences. The order announcing these
changes win be mede public in a very few days.
Dakota or the military division Of the Missouri
am with respect yours truly,
TO this Gen. Hancock replied as follows.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF DAKorA
ST. PAUL, MINI, April H.-GeaeraI w n
S4s,Ean, co@SandiEg army q tts CHi,ed Steses,
hdShiR9t0n, D. C.-General: Your letter has
been received detailing the reasons the Presi-
dent gives why my claims to a more important
command should not be regarded.
-, intended by my dispatch TO ask for A division
II the existing divisions were ali contin1ed
otherwise for the department OF the Nissoari n.
cnsnges made II practicable, not as \ favor, but
rsnI ez,i,,o, 20 command to which thought my
As the President leads me to believe that
because nave not hls personal sympathy my
preference for command will not be regarded
notwithstanding my rank, I shall not again
open the subject, but will add, in conclusion.
that mink II is an unfortunate precedent 20
estaollsh that military rank in time OF peace
especially in the assignments of general Officers
10 commands OF divisions and departments shall
not nave the consideration hitherto conceded 20
lt' a am, very respectfully, your ob't serv't
MISFIELD 5. HANoocK, MAJ. Gen T.s
ne reference in General Sherman,s letter 70
"a .ae Ielauons" which General Hancock sschOse
and privately" and absolving the Pr,sside1t
from regarding General Hancock,s Hpersonal
preferences" Is thus explained: At the time
General Hancock was transferred from the AZ,
partment Of the Missouri TO the district of
louisiana. General Grant, as general-in-chief,
orders, % which the latter took strong personal
exception. Shortly after, by order OF the Presi-
dent, Gen. Hancock was assigned TO the COM
mand OF the division Of the Atlantic, and came
to W ashington. He went 20 Gen. Grants head
quarters, and instead OF calling on him person
ally, simply registered his name, which was
unpsual and considered discourteous. Gen
Grant having no knowledge or Apprehension
that Gen. Hancock was offended with him
meeting him on the street shortly Afterwards
accosted bin in a afriendly way, sCiood morning
Hancock" To this Gen. Hancock male no
passed on.
Some time subsequent the two met at a we'd
ding party, when General Hancock turned his
BACK on him: General Grant was also infOrked
hat GENERAL Hancock had boasted of his dis
courtesy 70 him on the street. When General
HANCOCK issued an order for the removal OF GER
tain persons In New Orleans a correspoptence
took place between the two Generals on the
subject, when General Hancock used language
which was considered disrespectful and insub-
ordinate 70 hts superior officer.
General Hancock IL now a major general in
command Of a department. When Gen. Thomas
died there were left four major generals. Hal
leck, who had been on the Pacific coast and
had served out tour Of duty; Meade, who was
offered the command as successor 20 Thomas
but without change of rank, preferred remsin-
ing In Philadelphia Thus the choice lay
between Hancock and Sehoneld. The matter
was submitted 10 the President. who simply
directed that Scbofleld should be sent 90 the
Pacific, leaving Hancock just where he was,
namely, In command Of one ofthe most impor-
tan; departments in the country.