New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-02-12
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1873.

military plan, Mr.. Welles held, to obtain pos
session of the navigation Of the Mississippi River
by combined army and naval movement. While
the Navy Department understood this. 1t
projected and executed plan for cap
turing New-Orleans Independent Of the
assistance Of the army. Captain Farragut, then UNI
distinguished, modest and brave, was put in COM
mand of the Western Gulf Squadron and the ex-
under orders to let nothing Interfere with the great
object in view-the certain capture OF Tue
city of New-0rleans On ARril 70, Ri! isG gs
cution of these orders. and the complete sue
cess of the plans in the capture OF the city.
On April % FaTaeut sent ashore force OF marines,
who hauled down every rebel flag displayed IN the
city. In this capture not single soldier partici-
pated, and there no army at hand into whose
control the captured city could be gwen; Inc Inc
movement when made and contaminated by the
capture of New-Orleans, Mr.. Welles declared, was
surprise to the army officers OF the Union, as wen us
to the Confederates; The blow inflicted was tie
first to shattcr the Confederacy and precipitated IT'S
downfall.
In addition to this, Mr.. Welles claimed that In
opening the navigation Of the Mississippi above
New. Orleans, after the capture of that city, the
Army Of the West wholly failed to assist and TO
cooperate with the Navy. General Halleck was re-
called TO Washington to supersede Mcclellan. Gen.
era] Buffers forces were barely sufficient TO hold the
places captured. The naval vessels which passed
above Vicksburg in anticipation OF. military a'd,
were obliged to 90 back again; the opportunity Of
taking Vicksburg was lost for the line, ana the
war was thus prolonged at least year.
Mr.. Welles also commented severely on cocu-
lnent issued by the War Department in 1885, pur-
porting 10 give O record of all battles and skirnshes
fought during the Rebellion and IN which no men
ton is made of the passage of the forts of the MIS-
s,ssipp or the capture Of New-Orleans, and in
which the name of Admiral Farragut does not APP
pear among the names of the officers MI Welcs
said that he felt it duty to the Navy to the truth
of history, and to the most distinguished hero OF
the war; to correct the persistent misstatements
which had been made in regard to him and his ex-
PLOTS.
OPPOSITION TO THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION.
Mr.. Weles was man who spoke with vigor upon
all subjects, and in letter to Montgomery Blair in
January, 1877, he held that Governor Tilden had
been elected President, and took strong grounds
against the Electoral Commission, and to
all plans for counting the Electoral vote which
would secure any other result than the election OF
Mr. 1ilden "This idea OF setting aside the ConsIi-
tuition by arbitration,r he said, creating new
tribunal to elect Chief Magistrate or to say who
shall be President after the people and the States
have already made an election, is hlgny r9Preien,
sible and betrays great want of statesmansn'p ana
"a want of proper regard tor the organic law Oh
which our Government is founded" .
As q writer Mr.. Welies was essentially combative
The discussion OF the conduct OF the CIVIL war
spurred him into writing series OF papers Two or
three wears ago. for The GGldry which were read ex
lions connected with the great conflict These pa
pers abOunded in pungent criticisms, when showed
that the ex-Secretary held decided opinions on the
conduct of many officials during the war.