National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1880-08-27
SHERMAN AND HANCOCK.
The Remainder of the Correspondence
of 1871 Brought Out.
hitherto Unpublished Letters Between the
Two Commanders on the Politi-
cal situation.
A Series of Poiitico.NIliitary Letters.

NEW 1OkNt aug. -O--luo INV VI N'NhSi"'
Hancock" published to-day by D. Appleton
& Co., contains his correspondence with Cen
eral Sherman of December, 1876, and January,
1877 In the course Of which the letter already
given to the public, written at Carondelct,
No. December 20, was addressed to General
Sherman. Tho lattor wrote December 4,
granting General Hancock's application for
leave of absence to 20 to Caroudeet, and in
his letter made the following alusion Qhe
only one) to political affairs. Referring to the
orders seut by the president to General Ruger,
commanding the department Of the south,
General Sherman said "The political orders
to Ruger at Columbia prefer should 30 from
the president to him through the secretary of
war. They were not military. dislike much
10 have our soldiers used in concert with o legs.
lative body, but orders coming from tho presi-
dent have 10 be obeyed. They form bad
precedent, but thus far have prevented coll
lision of arms between intlamcd partisans."
A letter from General Hancock mot in
cluded In tho published correspondence ex.
presses some uneasincss on account of news.
paper report which he had soon, stating that
he was to be ordered from New York, and
appears to have furnished the occasion for the
following letter from General Sherman
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES.
WASHINGTON, December H. 1915
MY DEAR GENERAL: Lest your peace of mind
may be disturbed by the foolish report banded i'm
the newspapers about your being ordered from
New York, will tell you that there h not a word
of truth in it. Neither the president nor secretary
Of war has ever intimuted TO me such purpose
and know have never said a word or written
syllable TO the effect.
l see in the Republican Of st. Louis that not only
was the order made but that destroyed II and
tore ont the leaves of the record book containing
the copy. The whole thing was and Is an inven-
tion by somebody who wanted to create a sensa-
ton.
The same is truc about john Sherman intriguing
to be president OF the senate that he might be
president dd Interim. lie has told me that he has
never heard the subject broochcd; that he would
not accept the place. ns he preferred to be what ho
Is now Chairman of the senate committee on
No serious changes in command are being con.
templated, and when they are YOU may be sure
that Will give you the earliest notice. There are
men on mischief intent who would gladly sow
Truly your friend w. 4. SHERMAN.
This letter is followed by the Carondelet
letter, to which General Sherman replied us
follows:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or THE USITED STATES,
WAsHINGToS, D. C., January ?, 1877.
General W. S. Hancock, NeiU York
DEAR GEkERAL: did not receive your most IN
terestng letter of December 2S from Caroudoet till
yesterday. am very glad to have your views
Our standard opinions are mostly formed on the
practice of our predecessors; but great change
amendments TO the constitution giving TO the freed
slaves certain civil and political rights and en-
powering congress 10 make the laws necessary to
enforce these rights. This power is new and alb.
soute, and congress has enacted laws with which
We are not yet familiar and accustomed. See pages
sis Sig g aud 800 Revised Statutes (secon 1850 edi
As o matter Of fact I dislike to have our army
used in these civil conflicts but the president has
the lawful right TO use the army and navy and has
exercised the right, he believes, lawfully and
Ilghtiuliy and our duty has been and Is to sustain
him with zeal and sincerity. As to the presiden-
tal election, we are In no manner required to take
the least action, but TO recognize him president
whom tho lawful llyappontod officers declare to be
will agree on some method before the day and hour
arrive; hut in case of failure to elect by or be-
fore the 4th OF March there will be a vacancy In
both offices of president and president, In
which event the president of the senate becomes
president pro ten, and new election will have to
be held under the law of 1902 See title 3, chap. |,
pages 81 % and % Revised Statues.
II Is well we should compare notes and agree be-
fore the crisis Is on us; but | surely hope we may
pass this ordeal safely and peacefully.
w. T. SHERMAN.
The next letter published is from General
Hancock to General Sherman, dated New
York, JsnuHrY2. 1t is as follows:
Genera, w. 7, Sherman, United States ArmN IFasl-
ingiOH d. g.!
GENERAL: An anonymous communication to the
secretary of war dated Louisville, Ky, December
IL, 1876, reached my headuuarers on the 27th of
that month, from the adjutant-genera of the army
1t represents that In The contemplated uprising Of
the people TO enforce the Inauguration of Tidcn
ana Hendricks, the depot atJcllersonville Is to be
seized, ana Is expected TO arm ana clothe the In
diana army of democrats
The Endorsement on this communication
made at United States headquarters, dated
December 26, 1876, was as follows:
Official copy referred to NInjor.General w. S.
Hancock, commanding division Of the Atlantic:
May dlaw,a company from General Rugcr com.
nandng department of the south, and post Mt Tie
orders u
The terms of the Endorsement imply an exercise
OF discretion on my part which leads me to write
You before taking action.
In my judgment there is no danger of the kind
the anonymous communication sets forth, or other
kinds at Jefferson depot to justify movement of
troops to that place. such movement. IL seems to
me would Involve unnecessary expense aud would
create or increase apprehension for which there Is
no real foundation.
There are no arms or ammunition at the Jefar-
sonylllc depot, and II such force as is referred to
can he raised for rchelliOus purposes, not likely
that 1t would begin by selling depot Of army uni
forms and therefore Il fthero are grounds for action
OF the government, see no danger in the delay
which will result from the presentation Of the sub,
jeCt to YOU
IT, However, in your better Judgment a company
should be sent there 1t shall he promptly done as
soon US you notify me to that effect As | have
already said, do not act at once because In your
instructions you say may send a company there
which conslrue MS leaving it somewhat discretion.
ireturned on the Slst of December, 1876 from st.
Louis.
/ am, very truly, yours,
WlNrIEID s, HANCOCK,
MajOr-GeneTnl commanding
On the 10th of January General Hancock
wrote to General Sherman that he had been
SO busy that he had mot yet written us he in-
tended" in reply to the acknowledgment Of his
letter from Carondolet. He snys
/ wished to notice simply your reference to the
revised statutes aud one or two other points In n
bret way. will do SO yet but not to day, Us am
luusc'huntng,
The proposition for the Joint commission insnrcs
peaceful solution Of the presidential question If
IL becomes Il law, and IN my opinion gives To Gem
eral Hayes chances he did not have before
have considered that Mr lildCn's chances were
mprCguublc-uOt So Mr. Hendricks. Now tsceIns
10 me that Governor Hayes has something more
than an equal chance, but the definite results can
not be iOlsha lowed. Fortunately trouble HeCi
not be provided against by the use of the army
should the bill become q law lithG bill passes and
General Grant yotoes il Mr., Iilden's chances will
be stronger than before, certainly If he and his
friends supported the measure, Public opinion
will strengthen his position.
The danger IN The compromise question, or Joint
commission plan, Is that the defeated candidate
might appeal 10 the supreme court on grounds of
ILLEGAL (uncousyutiOnuO decisions.
am, yeIy truly yours
WISFIELD s. HANcocK,
General Sherman writes the closing letter
of the correspondence (0s publishodl. 1t Is
dated Washington, January 20. lie says;
GENERAL The passage Of the bill for counting
the electoral vote approved by the president, cnds,
in my Judgment, all possible danger Of CONFUSION
fhA Pa IIHtHHIN NNn