The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1877-02-22

ri. There had already come q demand up
on me from Washington to send all possi-
bic reinforcements To Gen. Grant who was
besieging Nicksburg. To this all mino,
considerations had to yield. The preserva-
ton OF few farms with their crops in
Western Missouri or anywhere else, could
not be considered for moment in compa.-
ison with the success of Grants army in
opening the Mississippi. to the Gulf. OF
course / had sent to Gen. Grant all the
troops l had in reserve and had at that
time none left to reinforce you on the Dor
der Of Kansas.
Suon after, the guerilla operations cul-
minated in the fiendish massacre Of de-
ienseless people at Lawrence. There was no
longer any question what mnst be done,
and you promptly issued the order which
had before been contemplated and dis
cursed. A few days thereafter, l visited
you at Kansas City and went to Jndepen-
dence. spent several days in investiga;-
ing the subject and in converting with the
people Sho had left their homes in ODE
dience to your order There was left no
room for doubt of the necessity of the mea-
sure that had been adopted. Hence, after
comparatively unimportant modification,
| approved your order and thus assumed
the whole, or ST least NV full share, Of the
responsibility for it.
Upon returning TO st. Louis, l made a
full report OF the matter to President Lin
coin, explaining the necessity of what had
been done, and assuming the responsibility
therefor. Neither that hum ane President
nor any other officer of the government ever
uttered one word OF dissent as to the wis
dom, Justice or humanity of that policy.
And / now repeat that the responsibility
for that policy was fairly shared with you
by the President and by me, in proportion
to our respective rank and authority.
You understand that have no desire in
this to throw responsibility on Presiden,
Lincoln nor to defend myself. l have
never regarded that act as one requiring
exculpation. On the contrary, it was an
act of wisdom, courage and humanity, by
which the lives of hundreds of innocent
people were saved, and disgraceful conflict
brought TO a summary close. Not life
was sacrificed, nor any great discomfort in.
fiicted in carving out the order. The ne.
cessities of all the poor people were pro-
vided for, and none were permitted to
suffer.
A few unthinking people have no doubt
supposed that order was an act OF retalia'
ton for the massacre at Lawrence. Moth
ing could he more absurd. The farmers Of
western Missouri were not regarded in any
wise responsible for Quantreli's acts
Whether they were willing or not, made nc
difference. Ii they raised crops his mer
would live upon them, as did alro oul
troops when they had occasion. A large
proportion Of those citizens who were In
good circumstances had voluntarily ceased
this Improbable purveying and had gone
elsewhere. 1t was simply an act of dis.
passionate wisdom and humanity to stop il
altogether To call your order an act OF
inhumanity or retaliation upon the people
of Missouri, is like accusing the Russian
Commander of similar crimes against the
people OF Moscow, when he ordered the de-
struction of that city to prevent its occupa
ton as winter quarter by the army OF Ma
poleon.
For nv own part, have been and an
still entirely content to leave to impartial
history, the approval or condemnation Of
each of my official acts during the late
war. But it is simply justice that You, who
have been cen.ured by some, for your cele
brsted order. have this statement OF the
facts in regard to it, Tor such use as you
just vindicstion may require.
am, General, very truly your friend
and obedient servant,
J. II. sCHOFIELD,
Major General.