New-York tribune., 1876-11-21
TROOPS AT WASHINGTON.
MYSTERY AND DENIALS.
ARRIVALS OF SEVERAL OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES TO
CONCEAL A MATTER THAT DOES NOT NEED

CONCEAL A MATTER THAT DOES NOT NEED
SECRECY.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20-The members OF the Ad-
minisration display mysterious reticenco IN regard
tn the concentration of troops in Washington which
Is doing far more to arouse apprehensions in the
public mind than the frank statement OF all the
facts could possibly do. The news OF an intention
ON the part of the Government to bring military
force here was first published in The TRIBUNE OF
Saturday. Two or three members of the Cabinet
and the General of the Army took pains that day to
deny explicitly the correctness of the statement, if
the dispatches in the Sunday papers are to De be-
Neyed. Gen. Sherman is reported as saying that he
knew of no orders having been issued to bring
troops to Washington and the President as assert
ing that he had issued no orders for COLI
centration of troops here. These denials
were no doubt strengthened and made positive by
the Interpretation of the correspondents who failed
TO yet the news the night before but that they were
denias more OF less direct seems pretty certain Be
fore the papers containing them reached Washing
ton the first detachment of soldiers had arrived and
the regular news dispatches from the West had an
nounced that Others were on their way.
To-day although it is perfectly evident that
troops have been hurried here from distant points in
the South and West without having been given the
time always allowed except in emergencies for of
fcers and men to prepare for a change of station,
and without notice to the Quartermasters Depart
ment to get quarters ready for their reception, the
members of the Cabinet cannot be eOaxed INTO an
explanation. Secretary Cameron said this morning
that few companies had arrived, and there
would be a few more here in a day
or two but that it was not an
affair of much consequence; the troops were not
o. {,a;r nd ha therefore
been brought here, that was all 4; the Government
apprehended no difficulty. Secretary Chandler said
that there were few hundred soldiers in the city,
only a few hundred and he changed the subject
when questioned further
This morning two companies of heavy artillery
arrived from Fort Leayenworth and one company
from Fort Riley, Kansas. They have been stationed
in the West for some time on account of the Indian
war; although their proper stations owing to their
organization, are the seaboard FORTS When they
started East their orders were to proceed to New
York. but at Harrisburg they received dispatches
directing them to come to Washington. The force
now here is made up and differed as follows: Com
pany |. 4th Artillery, Col. Loder Company G, 1st
Artillery, Col. Elder Company c. 9TH Artillery
Major Randolph; Company A, Sd Artillery
Col Lorraine, these four companies hav-
ing arrived from South Carolina on Sunday
evening. Company E, Sd Artillery, Col. Wildricks; ;
Company d. Sd Artillery, Major Turnbull, and Com
pany c. I'd Artillery, Capt. Graves from the West ;
all these companies are armed and drilled as In
fantry 1t reported that battery of light artil-
lery with tl& horses and guns will arrive in day
or two from Fort McHenry, Maryland, and that
considerable body of infantry will soon be assem-
bled. The artillery is under command of Gen. Barry
When the facts about these warlike preparations
are wormed it will probably transpre that there
has been no occasion for all the mystery that has
been Observed and that the officials might just as
well have spared themselves the annoyance OF max
ngdenials that had to be followed speedily by re-
uctant admissions. The whole truth seems to be
that a small armed force is being assembled here,
consisting of light artillery, heavy artillery armed
with Springfield muskets, and infantry. Its eflec-
tive strength will not much exceed 1000 men.
Naval preparations and orders make it proba-
bic that two or three ships of war will
soon be at the Washington Navy-Yard to re-
enforce this little army. There is nothing
alarming OF even astonishing in this small gather
ing of the national police at the capital. On the
contrary an assurance is afforded by their presence
that the laws will take their course and that the
excitement occasioned by the doubtful result OF the
Presidential election will not occasion a disturbance
OF the public peace Apart from the security against
turbulent acts growing out of heated partisan feel
ing which it may be supposed prudent to obtain by
the presence of troops there are ordinary reasons
sufficient to account for the coming of few compa-
nies. The Arsenal has scarcely had protection
enough of late to guard it against the raids OF the
Predatory agents of the junk dealers, and the three
iortsHear Washington have been denudcd of therga
sons to meet the regnorcements for soldiers for the
Indian campaign and in the Southern States. Three
rfOur companies could very properly be stationed
permanently in and near Washington. AS for the
rest the War Department might as well frankly an
nounee that their coming is a result of the political
situation. No one who is not looking for solution
oI the Residential problem by some revolutionary
method would object to their presence They can
20 no possible harm and they may do great deal OF
good.