National Republican., 1877-10-02
A CARD FROM MAJOR E. GRIswoLD
WA,uINnrON, n O.. Octnlrr 4. ISL

WAsUISGrOS, ID. c., October !, 1877.
My attention has been called to the following
paragraph in the New York Times Of the nth oil
September. ulto: A Washington telegram says
that MsoF 9" sam05U wno was "a ,ba on
Rebel prison pens during the war, has been ap.
pointed to position In the Treasury Department,
ment, IN his testimony before the Congressional
Committee on the conduct of the war, said Of
Griswold;, He is the most Infamous wretch
This whole statement In every part and parcel Is
UNANIMOUSLY false. similar charges and statements
have been made before. and three times been fully
examined upon evidence; once by General Grant
himself once by former Postmaster General. and
once by all the Cabinet and have been as often
In the first place. never was on Gen. winders
staf secondly, never was appointed by Secre-
tary sherman or any one else 10 position In the
Treasury Department. and thirdly Capt. Porter
and other prisoners tcstifylng before a committee
Of Congress at the close Of the war at time Of
great sscerbity Of feeling, entirely cr pdr,s aud
without notice to those spoken OF stated no fact
against me, but simply general impressions. with
out knowing me personally formed without any
orders complained OF
In regard u my position In Washington the fact.
t, to positoh IN te Pos Gticc nrpar,nrnt: ihcm 70
position IN the Department of Justice, and AFTER
wards nominated by him judge Of the United States
District Court for Florida. and then as Territorial
judge in New Mexico. None Of these places were
solicited but voluntarily tendcrel with a ftII
Snnwlc,lge Of ny history and bccnpsc n The year
Maryland the most successful canvass fnr Com
| ever made since the war In that State against a
Democrat receiving lO.SS votes Ia ten wards Of
Baltimore city. very large number OF Df DfnOcru,s
voting for me, and much the laTgct part Il tho Re-
publican party In my district. Again, while was
at time In command VI Richmond. reporting TO
Gen. Wlnder, who commanded then the Depart
lnent of Henrico, including RchmOnd. I never
had any authority whatever over Libby prison.
When relieved from duty at RiChmOnd | was
ordered tO report to Gen. Winaer. then command
ing the Department Of Prisoners.
Iapplled to be sent 10 tho field, and being refused
| resigned my commission in the army and at the
request Of Humphrey Marshall, OF Kentucky.
formed with him II partnership to practice law.
My resignation refused, and aiter three months
sick leave was obliged to go or to be cUurtmsr-
tailed.
was transferred ~ the command of Gen Har.
dec, and ordered To Columbia :. g.. in command of
Means In mn open field and In very bad quarters
| and condition / declined to take command until
! could get them removed to the city OF Columbia.
Col. Means, however, insisted upon leaving, aud
noDinRlly was IN command. but never dictated
an order until they were removed to the city. and
only on one occasion gave advice the officer in
immediate charge going on under prison rules,
which neither nor he could modify When re.
moved To Columbia the COmmssary general Of
prisoners made his headquarters there, aud every
thing was done subordinate 10 his orders. never
knew or heard OF amy cause Of complaint there,
but do know that myself aud family constantly
lid acts Of kindness tJ prisOneTs so that whenever
ANY Of my Immediate family appeared In their
| view they were received with cheers and every
/ token of respect L. GRIswoLD.