Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-11-24
Sheridan ana GOV. Palmer.

Letters from GOV. Palmer 70 Gen. Sheridan,
directing Col DIGGER, Aijl;ant ,ue-sl, so re-
port to Sheridan. with Militia Company and
1000 muske,s, IS for the 7. e,er,a;iou ol order ''
in Chicago; thsns.ng Sheridan for bic prompt
ness, Sc, have been published. which read
queerly u view Of the recent announcement that
Gov. Palmer had instituted legal proceedings
sgaius, Gen. Sheridan. oa ac-ouut Of bis Sc,ion
after the ere.
4 reporter q the Chicago Posi interviewed
the General. after the appearance Of the letters
IN print As reason Why sentence o. death
SHOULD not be pronounced upon him, ihe Gene
ral said
don't wish TO say much Shout ibis business.
You see, | am not = party TO the controversy.
IL is between Gov. Palmer sui the City Of Chi
cago | was but their servant for the lime sui
acted for their protection. / can't consent 10 he
dragged into the dispute.
RepoTter-Now, why didn't the Governor pub
ish these funny letters in bic manifesto inlic;-
ing you fol crime
Sheridan am sure iout know. Thought
fully) Forgot it. perhaps
Reporter-iie came here, ! understand. a day
or two sitter he sent Col Dilger With the noble
oue hundred Was he very iudigusu; AZ your
conduct
Sheriisn-Whst DO you mean Indignant ?
Not he. Not unless appearances are deceitful
He ne to ny headquarters, Sud besmei with
pleasure and approval At my course. He thought
my promp,ness very aimirab.e-st least he said
90 freely lie stayed around some time, and
offered to cooperate with me 30 any way in his
power
Reporter-IIow sboui " The lst Regiment Of
Chicago Volunteers 7'
SheFiian-Wei, that, in military sense, wss
not regiment st all. IL was simply posse Of
fpeciS police, subject 10 the Mayors orders
They we're organized for obvious reasons, tni
Frank Sherman called them the let Regiment Of
Volunteers because he wished TO call them some
thing; but they were technically police, enlisted
under law, and not soldiers. This is not geneT-
ally understood, think
Reporter-lt certainly is not Dii you know
Col Grosgenor
sheridan-Yes, poor fellow GrOsvenor Was
my friend. He was a man Of excellent I'M
pulses, clear perceptions. snd good judgment
the tragedy never could have happened if be had
been himself
Reporter-It Was reported that he condemned
/" this military business and predicted that
som body would be its victim yet.
sheridan-lt is impossible for Grosvenor
had called repeatedly at my office, and here at
nouhtt urging ~ lut tiie OiAJ Hht4e.
tial law, snd call troops enough to bold it, He
was only one of scores who urged the same
thing but be one Of the most ardent, AMI
when | refused to adopt that extreme measure,
Grosvenor taid "Well, General, if you refuse /
to do it voluntarily, the people Of Chicago will I
compel you to do it,.
Reporter-What became Of the thousand 4
mulkets - that Governor Palmer said he |
sentt
Sheridan-They stood here on the railroad I
track 10 a box-car all one afternoon. while the I
excited people were bowling around me and de- /
manding to be armed. | saw that they were in no |
condition to have additional firearms loss OF
life would have been oertsiu TO result. SO had I
that car run down on the track cut Of the city /
toward St. Louis. to get the muskets out Of im- /
mediate reach. The next week, had them sent .
back to Springfield without unloading
Reporter-I understand that you were the /
Mayors subordinate in the eity during the two I
weeks Of the fret
sheridsn-Then, as always. was merely. for /
the time being. special policeman who offered !
my services to Mayor Msson.