Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-08-13
Gen. Hancock a. "a Statesman

The warm admiration which northern
Democratic orators like Col. Dickey, Col
Waddell and c. N. Davenport now express
for Gen, Hancocks military record is only
equalled by their exalted appreciation of his
craftsmanship, are exhibited by his course
while in charge of the Department of the
Gulf during the administration of President
johnson, and particularly by his issue of the
famous General Order No. 40" Before
forming an intelligent idea as to the quail ty
of craftsmanship involved in the promulga-
ton of this order, it is necessary that we
should know, not only what was the sub
stance of it, but under what circumstances
it was issued, and what were the effects pro-
duced by it.
In order to fully appreciate the circum-
stances under which Gen. Hancock took
command of the Department of the Gulf, it
is necessary to read the following letter, writ
ten by General Sheridanto General Grant, just
at the time when johnson recalled him and
sent Hancock to take his place:
NEW ORLEANS, La, Jan. %, 1867.
GeneraI-The condition of freedmen and
Union men in remote parts of Texas is truly
horrible. The government is denounced, the
freedmen are shot, and Union men are per-
secuted if they have the temerity to express
their opinions.
This condition exists in the northeastern
counties in the State to an alarming extent
Applications come to Inc from the most re-
spectacle authorities for troops but troops
have SO little power that they are efficient on
ly in the moral effect which their presence
has.
am general, very respectfully, your ODE
dent servant p. II. SHERIDAN,
Major-General United States Army
This report, as well as other testimony of
an unimpeachable character, shows a state of
affairs in that department of the most deplo-
rable nature. Unrepentant rebels were up
permost in nearly every parish, and the local
tribunals md municipal offices were all in
their hands Laws passed under Confeder-
ate rule for the oppression of Union men
were executed and enforced by these tribu-
nails, while the malignant hate of the defeat
ed rebels toward the freedmen and southern
Unionists found its readiest means of exer-
else through the fundamentally of the courts
Gen. Sheridan had acted vigorously and
done much to awe and subdue the spirit of
Whenever it was found necessary TO relieve
civil officials for abuse of the power placed in
their hands, men of known loyalty were APP
pointed in their places and affairs were grad
ually assuming an improved aspect.
The moment Gen. Hancock assumed COM
mand all this was changed what had already
been accomplished in the direction of paef-
cation and reconstruction was undone. 1t
was, of course, his duty, as a military officer
put in command of portion of the territory
recently in rebellion, faithfully to carry out
the will of Congress, one of whose acts en-
Joined upon him to protect all persons in
their rights of person and property suppress
insurrection, disorder and violence, and pun.
ish all disturbers of the public peace, and
criminals" To these ends he was directed
to use the military forces under his com.
mand.
Instead of executing his duty as Sheridan
had fairly interpreted it, Hancock proceeded to
openly defy the reconstruction acts of Con
gress by issuing an order which can only be
regarded as bid for the Democratic nom.
ination in 1868. His General Order No. "a
was openly interpreted to signify an inten
ton on the part of the Administration tC
countenance the restoration of the old rebe
functionaries to their full power, and the de
liyerance of the freedmen and Unionists int
their hands and the series of terrible mas