The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-09-03
HANCOCK...SHERMAN.
Their correspondence at the Time
Of the Electoral Controversy.


Carondelet p. o., st. Louis, Mo-, Dec. o. 1876,
are as follows
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATKs,l
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec 4, 1876.
Gen. w. s. Hancock, New York City:
DEAR GESERAIs-I have just received your letter
of the Sd, and have telegraphed you my consent tn
your proposed trip. cannot foresee any objections
aud hope soon that events will admit OF return to
their posts of the companies detached ut the South
But every time make move in that direction |
am met 10y insurmountable objections. Three of
the companies of the First Artillery from Fort Sill
reported at Columbus, Ohio YESTERDAY and will be
here this evening. Everything is ready for them
The last company, suppose was detained at Fort
| Sill to await relief on the way Tel Gen. Fry
| (Adjutant GeneraD that in of any orders
1 VIII have them seut you at New York, and he
can execute them. The political orders to
Kruger at Columbia 1 preferred should go
the Secretary of War. They not military. /
dislike much to have soldiers used in connection
with Legislative body, but orders coming from the
President have TO be obeyed. They form bad pre-
cedent, but thus far have prevented n collision of
arms between nnamed partisans
trust you will find Mrs. Hancock and your St
VT. SHERMAN, General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THB UNITED STArEs,(
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. IL, 1876. (
To Gen. w. s. Hancock, jefferson Barracks, Mo-:
My DEAR GENERAL: = Lest your peace of mind may
be disturbed by the foolish report banded in the
newspapers about your being ordered from New
York. will tell you there IL not word of truth in
it, Neither the President nor Secretary Of War has
ever ntmated to me such purpose, ar know I
have never said word nor written syllable to that
effect.
see in the Republican (of St LOUIS that not only
the order made, but that destroyed It, and tore
out the leaves of the record-book containing copy
The whole thing and il an invention by some
body who wanted to create sensation. The same il
true about John Sherman intriguing TO be President
of the Senate that he might he President adj interim
He has told me that he has heard the subject
broached that he would not accept the place. az he
prefers to be what he is now-Chairman of the SEN
ate Committee on Finance
hope you will find the family in good health and
spirits and hope you will spend with peaceful
and happy week Of the holidays.
This letter may be superfuous, but the emphatic
repettions of wild rumor in the st. Louis Repub-
cdn suggested to me the propriety of my correcting
All impression, if made you.
No serious changes in command being con-
templated, and when they you may be sure that
will give you the earliest notice. There are men, on
mischief intent, who would gladly Cow the seeds of
dissension among us in the army. Truly your
friend, W. T. SHERMAN.
The answer of Gen. Hancock to these letters
was published in the Western Associated Press
newspapers of Sunday, Aug. 1. Gen: Sherman
replied
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATEs,(
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. 2, 1877.
To Gen. w. S. Hancock, New York:
DEAR GENERAL: / did not receive your most-in-
eresng letter Of Dec. %, from Carondeet, Mo-, till
yesterday. very glad 10 nave your views
ere',so upon subjects Of such vital importance. our
standard opinions mostly formed the prac-
tice of predecessors; but great change was
made after the close of the civil by the amend
ments Of the constitution giving to the freed slaves
certain civil and political rights and empowering
Congress to make the laws necessary to enforce these
gress has enacted Jaws with which We are not
yet familiar and accustomed. See pages 34S,
$40, and $50, Revised Statutes, Sec 1889,
edition 1874. AS u matter of fact, / dis
Hkp IN have uspd i'm Ines cXil CTS
but the President has the lawful right to the
army and navy, and has exercised the right, as he
believes, lawfully ard rghtfully. and duty has
been, and is to sustain him with zeal and sincerity
As to the Presidential election in no manner
required to take the least action bat to recognize
him as President whom the lawfully-appointed Of
hcers declare to be such person. 1 hope and pray
that Congress will agree on some method before the
day and hour arrives but. in of failure to elect
by before the 4th of March, there will be vacancy
in both the offices of President and Vice President,
in which event the President of the Senate becomes
President pro tempore, and a new election viii have
to be held under the law of 1892 See Title ILL.,,
Chap l., pages 81, % and 23 Revised Statutes 1t
is well we should compare notes and agree before
this crisis Is us; but surely hope shall pass
this ordeal safely and peacefully.
will be pleased TO hear from you at any time
w. L. SHERMAN
HEApoRs MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ArIANrIc)
NEW YORK, Jan. 2, 1877 (
Gen. W. L. Sherman, United States Army Washing
ton, ID. G.
Secretary of War, dated Louisville, KY. Dec. 16,
1876, reached my headquarters on the 27th of that
month from the Office of the Adjutant General of the
army IL represents that, in the contemplated up
rising of the people t. enforce the inauguration of
Tilden and Hendricks, the depot at Jacksonville is
to be seized and is expected to arm and clotbe the
Indiana army of Democrats The Enforcement on
this communication made at your headquarters
dated Dec. 26, 1876, il az follows:
(Ofhcial copy.)
Respectfully referred TO Mai. Gen. w. s. Han
cock. commanding Division q "
may draw company from Gen. Ruger. command
ing the Department of the South. and post II at the
Jacksonville depot with orders to protect it against
any danger"
The terms of the Endorsement imply the exercise
of discretion on my part which leads me to write
you before taking action. In my judgment there il
no danger of the kind the anonymous communica-
ton sets forth, other kind at the jefferson Vile de-
pot, to justify the movement of troops to that place
such movement, IT seems to me, would involve
necessary expense, and would create increase APP
prehension for which there il no real foundation.
There are no arms or ammunition at the Jefferson
vile depot, and If such force is referred to could
he raised for rebeious purposes IL il not likely
that il would begin 10y Selling a depot of army
uniforms and, therefore, If there are grounds
for the action of the Government, danger in
delay which will result from this presentation of the
subject TO you. If, however, in your better judg-
ment company should be sent there, il shall be
promptly done as soon IA You notify me To that ef-
iect. Az have already said, do not act at once
because in your instructions you say "may send
a company there, which / construc as leaving 1t
somewhat discretionary with me- / returned the
3lst of December, 1876. from st. Louis. am very
truly yours, WINFIELD s. HANCOCK,
Major General Commanding.
New YORK, Jan. 9, 1877.
Gen. w. T. Sherman, commanding United States
army, Washington, ID. c.:
MY DEAR GENERAL: i have been intending 10
write you in acknowledgment of your two recent
notes, but have been 40 much engaged in hunting
place for winter and gathering" up my affairs of
business, M well az personal matters, owing to my
recent absence, that have deferred doing so. Now
write to incose you copy of a letter / addressed
yesterday 10 the editor of the World in reference to
an article Especial dspatch) which appeared in that
paper Sunday. the 9TH. The World corrects the
matter in its issue of this morning. would have
preferred the publication of my letter. but, as gave
the editor latitude to the manner of correction
cannot complain. suppose. / have written to no
one on the subject of my order to go 10 the Pacific
reported by the newspapers, yoursed. l have
said nothing to any one differing in letter or spirit
from what wrote to you, aud / have not seen Blu
ford for years or heard of him, nor do know of
any person who hiss in that time met or communi-
Gated with him. inclcse you IA copy OF the Worlds
publication. am very truly yours
WINFIELD s. HANCOCK,
Major General
Qnclosure.)
NEW York, Jan. 3, 1877.
My DEAR SIR: / inclose slip cut from the World
of yesterday Especial dispatch from Washington),
headed T" A Rescinded Order. Did Gen. Hancock
Refuse To to t,e pac f,c Coast A.