Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1880-09-02

SHERM1N's LETTERS.
Written 10 General Hancock During |
the Political Excitement OF 1875 |
and ls77-DisIiKe to Having Troops |
Used, but the President Must be
Obeyed.
The Life of General Hancock" Just
issued by ID. Appleton Il 90, of New
York, contains his correspondence with
General Sherman of December, 1876, and
January, 1877, iu the course of when the
letter already given to the public, written
at Carondelet, Mo, December 2S. was
addressed to General Sherman. The let
ters of General Sherman, which called
forth the Carondelet letter, are as follow.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED
STATES, WAsHINdroN, ID. g., December 4,
1S76.-TO Gen. W. S. HdncOck, CoInnd,uiiug
Dirisiom Of The Atlantic, Mem l'ork city
You can take your leave now-the time is
appropriate.
(Signed) w. Il. SHERMAN, General
A true copy,
JNo. M. BACON Colonel and A. ID. q.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or THE UNITED
STATES, WAsHINdToN, ID. G., Dec. 4, 1s76-
GEN. W. $. Hancock, Neto York CHy-DEAR
GENERAL: | have just received your letter of
thead, and have telegraphed You my consent
TO your proposed trip. | cannot fOreseG any
objections and hope soon that events will
admit of the return to their posts of the COM
panies detached at the South but every time
| make move in that direction | am met by
nsurmountable 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 | sup
pose, was detained at Sill to await the relief
on tho way Tell Gen. Fry (Adjutant-
GeneraD that, in case of any orders, | will
have them sent to you at Ncw York. and lac
can execute them. The political orders of
Ruger at Columbia | preferred should 50
from the President to him through the Secrc-
tary OF War. They were not military. | dis
like much to have our soldiers used III
connection with legislative body but orders
coming from the President have to be obeyed.
They form II bad precedent, but thus far have
prevented collision of arms between inamed
partisans.
trust you will find Mrs. Hancock and your
st. Louis friends well. Truly yours,
(Sgned) W. Il. SHERMAN, General,
true copy.
JNo. M. BACON, Colonel and A. ID. q.
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION OF THE
ATLANTIC, NEW York, Dec. d, 1876. The
AdUtdnt- GGt1di, y. y. army, Washington.
u. C.-SIR | have the honor to inform you
that leave New York this evening for st.
Louis, for short absence, by permission of
the General Of the Army.
My Post Office address. while absent will
be Carondelet +. o., South st. Louis, Mo-,
aud my telegraphic address will be Care of
Commanding Officer, st. Louis Arsenal, JEFF
ferSOn Barracks, Mo-
Very respectfully, your obedicnt servant,
(Sgnud) WINFIELD $. HANCOCK,
Major-ienoral Commanding.
true copy.
John M BACON, Colonel and A. ID. q.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNITED
STATES, WAsHINGTuN, ID. c., Dec l7th 1876.
ten. W. 5. Hdicock, jefferson Bd,TdckS.
MSsOri.-My DEAR GENERAL: Lest your
peace OF mind may be disturbed by the foolish
report, banded i'll the newspapers, about your
being ordered from New York will tell you
that there is not n word of truth in it.
Neither the President nor Secretvry of War
has ever intimated to mo such u purpose, and
| know have never said Il word or written II
syllable to the effect.
| see i'll the Repubiicdn (of st. Louis) that
not only was the order made, but that |
destroyed it and tore ont the leaves of the
record book containing the copy. The whole
thing was, and il, an invention by somebody
who wanted to create Il sensation. The same
Is true about John Sherman intriguing to be
President of the Senate, that he might be
President ad interim. He has told me that lie
has never heard the subject broachGd /; that
lie would not accept the place, M he prefers
to be what he is now, Chairman of the Senate
Committee OH Finance. | hope You lind the
family in good health and spirits and | hope
you will spend with me n peaceful and happy
week of holidays. This letter may be super
iluous but the emphatic repetitions of wild
rumor in the 81. Louis Republican suggested
to me the propriety of my correcting an I'M
preston, If made on you.
No serious changes i'll command arc being
contemplated 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 the seeds of dissension among lii
of the army. Truly your friend,
(SiBned) w. L. SHERMAN.
A true copy.
JNo NJ. BACON, Colonel and A. ID. G.
Next in the correspondence comes Gen.
Hannock's letter to General Sherman Of
December 2Sth, 1876, which was printed in
the Sun some time ago. TO this Gen
Sherman replied;
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE UNIrEr
STATES, WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 2, 1877
zen. w. $. HdncOck, Nelr fOrh-DEAI
| GENERAL: | did not receive your most in
teresting letter of Dec. rs, from CarOndelet
| Mo-, till yesterday. | am very glad to have
your views m erieiS0 upon subjects of such
vital importance. OuI standard opinions are
mostly formed on the practice of our prcde
cessors but u great change was made aftel
the close of the civil war, by tho amendments
of the Constitution giving to the freed slavcl
certain civil and political rights, and empower
ing Congress to make the laws necessary t.
enforce these rights. This power il new lnt
absolute and Congress has enacted laws witt
| which we are not yet familiar and accustomed
Sce pages 3ls, 349 and $50, Revised Statute,
(soction $3.50, Edition 1873 4.
As II matter of fact, dislike to, have ON
army used in these civil conflicts, but the
President has the lawful right to Use thu
army and navy, and has exercised the right
IN lie believes, lawfully and rightfully, ant
our duty has been, and is, to sustain him witt
zeal and sincerity.
AS to the Presidential election. We are in III
manner required TO take the least action, bu
to recognize him III President whom the law
fully appointed officers declare to be sucl
person. hope and pray that the Congress
will agree on some method before the day ant
hour arrive. But, in case of failure to pec
by or before the ith of March, there will hc
vacancy in both offices of President and We
President, in which event the President of Tia
Senate becomes President pro tpmpDrr, aud
new election will have to be held under tn
law of 1872. See Title ILL.,, chap. L., page
a, - and %, Revised Statutes.
1t il well we should compare notes am
agree before the crisis is on lis but ] snrcl
hope we may pass this ordeal safely an
peacefully.
will lie pleased to hear from You at an
time. (Signed) w. II. SHERMAN.
A true copy.
JNo. Nj. BACON, Colonel and A. d. Q.
, HEADQUARTERS MILITARY DIVISION or TIL
ATLANTIC, NEW York, Jan. 2 1871. Gr'
W. 4. Sherman, Unittd States Army Was
iHytOH, u. C.-GENERAL: An anonymot
, communication to the Secretary of War, date
, Louisville, Kentucky, Dec. III, 1876, reache
3 my headquarters on the 9th of that montl
from the office of the Adiutant- I
/ the army.
: 1t represents that. ''in the contemplate
uprising of the people to enforce the inauguri
tion of 1ilden and Hendricks, the depot ,
= JGilersonvillc is TO be seized, and is eNpcctu
I to arm and clothe the Indiana army
3 | Democrats"
The endorsement on this communication
t made at your headquarters, dated Dec. q
:, 1876 is as follows
'O1icial copy respectfully referred to Nj
ior-Gen. W. $. Hancock Commanding Divisiu
of the Atlantic, who may draw compar
g from Gen. Ruger, commanding Departmel
r of the South, and post it at the Jeifersonvil
@ depot, with orders to protect it against an
a danger
= The terms of the endorsement imply n
= = exercise of discretion on my part, which Leaf
Il me to write you before taking action.
!, In my Judgment there il no danger of IL
Q kind tie anonymous communication Sc
n forth, or other kind at Jeifersonville dep
II to Justify movement OF troops to that plac
n Such movement, it seems to me, Won
4 involve unnecessary expense, and would CT
!, ate or increase apprehension for which the
= is no real foundation.