The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1873-07-01
WASHINGTON.
A Trophy.

WASHINGTON, June 3O.-The War Depart
mept will send to West Point from the ordn-
ance bureau as trophy of the late war, the
first gun fired in the cause of the rebellion. 1t
was fired at the steamer Vicksburg bound for
New Orleans, and was supposed to have arms
and ammunition on board belonging to the
United States. The firing took place several
days b: fore any guns were fired at the United
States or troops either at Charleston or Pensa-
cola. 1t is small four pound cannon, former
Iy the property of the City of Vicksburg.
The Case of Gen. Howard.
The Attorney General has not yet prepared
his opinion on the question submitted to him
by Secretary Belknap as to the responsibility of
Gen. Howard, Commissioner of the Freedman's
Bureau. The question submitted by Secretary
Belkuap is whether the Freedman's Bureau is
liable for the acts OF his subordinates Secre-
tary Belknap has the utmost confidence in
Gen. Howard and believes him thoroughly hon
est, but expresses the opinion that he was sur
rounded by his men and deceived by them.
While he thus believes in the integrity of Gen.
Howard he cannot shield him by the fact that
he was deceived by dishonest suEordinates, and
as Gen. Howard was cautioned by them by
friends on several occasions, the Secretary is
inclined to hold him responsible, bat of course,
will be governed entirely in his future action
by the Attorney Generals opinion. Though he
has the warmest sympathy for Gen. Howard
and regards him as one of the truest and brav-
est OI OIHCeiS, he OelieVeS IL his duty as head
of the War Department to investigate the
whole matter, and if wrong has been commit
ted to punish all the offenders.
Gen. Howard to-day had an interview with
both Secretary Belknap and Attorney General
Williams to whom he fully explained all the
affairs of the bureau, and said that upon taking
charge thereof he offered to give bonds, but
Secretary Stanton decid d that it was unneoes-
sary as he was dstailed as commissioner as an
officer of the army without extra pay OF allow
ance and not appointed commissioner Later,
fowever, when Gen. Howard began the dis
Sursements he did give a bond which is now
on file in the Office of the I'd Comptroller of the
treasury The Attorney General this morning
gave orders to search for the bond, and it was
found in the Office of the above named. Gen.
Howard told Secretary Belknap that il suspic-
ion is entertained that he defrauded the gov
eminent he will gladly submit to court mar
tial.
1t is thought here that the opinion of Attor-
ney General Williams will recommend two
modes of procedure: LIST, by civil process on
bis bonds "a Commissioner of the Freedman
Bureau, and I'd, by court martial as an officer
OF the army for the deriliction of duty, leaving
it with the Secretary of War to select which
he will pursue.
The Missing Records.
The investIga ion by The Secretary of War as
to the missing records thus far has not develop.
ed the fact that any records have been removed
from the Department, although the most rigid
search has been made. He believes that the
Buell. record is the only one removed from the
department, and to test the question as t.
whether any others were removed, he has on
, several occasions called for important records
made years ago and in every instance they were
produced promptly.