American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-09-04

New YORK, August 20.
The two letters of General Sherman
so frequently spoken OF as havin g
brought forth the recently-published
letter of General Hancock, dated Caron
delet POst-office, St. Louis, Mo-, De-
cember %, 1876, are as follows:
| HEADQ'Rs ARMY OFTHE UNITED STATES, !
| WAsHINGToN, ID. c., December 4, 1876
General w. 5. Hancock, New York City:
| DEAR GENERAL have just received you
letter of the 3D., and have telegraphed yo,
my consent to your proposed trip. cannot
| foresee any objections, and hope soon that
| events will admit of a return to their pos Is o.
| the companies detached at the South. Bu
every time make a move in that direction
l am met by insurmountabe objections.
Three of the companies Of the First Artillery
| from FIT. Sill, reported at Columbus, o., yester
| day, and will be here this evening. Everything
is ready for them. The last company, l sup
| pose, was detained at Fort Sill to await relief
GeneraD that in case of any orders 1 will
have them sent you at New York, and he can
execute them. The political orders to Kruger
at Columbia preferred should go from the
President to him, through the Secretary OF
War. They were not military. l dislike
much to have our soldiers used in connection
with Legislative body, but orders coming
from the President have to be obeyed. They
form bad precedent, but thus far have pre-
vented a collision OF arms between inf1amed
partsans.
trust you will find Mrs Hancock and your
St. Louis friends well. Truly yours,
w. T. SHERMAN, General.
HEADoUARs ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. II, 1876.
To General w. s. Hancock, Jefferson Barracks,
Missouri:
My DEAR GENERAL-Lest your peace of
mind may be disturbed by the foolish report
banded in the newspapers about your bein g
ordered from New York, l will tell you there
is not word of truth in it. Neither the
President nor Secretary Of War has ever init
mated to me such a purpose, and know l
have never said word nor written syllable
to that effect.
see in the Republican, (of st. Louis) that
not only was the order made, but that de-
stroyed 1t, and tore out the leaves of the
record-book containing a copy. The whole
thing was and is an invention by some body
who wanted to create a sensation. The same
10 true about John Sherman intriguing to be
President of the Senate, that he might be
President ad interim. He has told me that
he has never heard the subject preached;
that he would not accept the place. as he pre-
fers to be what he is now-Chairman of the
Senate Committee on Finance
hope you will find the family in good
health and spirits, and hope you will spend
with me peaceful and happy week Of the
holidays.
This letter may be superfuous, but the en-
phatic repetitiOns Of wild rumor in the st.
Louis Republican suggested to me the pro-
priety of my correcting an impression, if made
on you.
No serious changes in command are being
contemplated, and when they are you may be
There are men, on mischiefintent, who would
gladly SOW the seeds of dissension among us
Of the army. Truly your friend,
The answer to these letters was given
to the public on the 31st of July, and
has been commented upon largely by
papers of all shades of political belief.
MIR. Hancock gave it as his opinion
that, with the machinery provided by
the Constitution, Mr.. Tilden would
probably be elected President and Mr..
Wheeler Vicc-President, and advised
that the intent and true meaning of that
instrument he religiously respected.
General Sherman replied:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE U. ST.
wAsHINGToN, d. c., Jan. 2, 1877.
To General w. S. Hancock. New York:
DEAR GENERAL: l did not receive your
most interesting letter of December Is from
Carondelet, Mo-, till yesterday. / am very
glad to have your views in extenso upon sub
jects of such vital importance. Our stand
ard opinions are mostly formed on the prac-
was made alter the close of the civil war by
the amendments of the Constitution giving
to the freed slaves certain civil and political
rights, and empowering Congress to make
the laws necessary to enforce these rights.
This power is new and absolute and Con-
gress has enacted laws with which We are not
34s, $40 and $50, Revised Statutes, Sec. 1859,
edition 1874. AS matter of fact | dis
like to have our army used in these civil con-
ficts, but the President has tn lawful right to
the right, as he believes, lawfully and right
fully, and our duty has been, and is, to sus-
tain him with zeal and sincerity. As to the
Presidential election, we are in no manner
sr<.1 Nul-< Aha Inae hrNt 90.
ognize him as President whom the lawfully
appointed officers declare to he such person.
l hope and pray that Congress will agree on
some method before the day and hour ar
before the 4th of March there will be a va
cancy in both the offices OF President and
in which event the President
Of the Senate becomes President pro tempore,
and new election will have to be held under
the law of 1872. See Title I'LL, Chap. l.,
pages 81, % and %, Revised Statutes. 1t is
we'll we should compare notes and agree be-
fore this crisis is on US; but l surely hope
we may pass this ordeal safely and peacefully.
l will be pleased to hear from you at any
time w. T. SHERMAN.
GENERAL HANcoCK's REPLY.
HEADQ'r'Rs MIL. Div. OF THE ATLANTIC,
NEW YORK, January 2. 1877.
General w. I. sherman United States Army,
GENERAL: An anonymous communication |
70 the Secretary of War, dated Louisville, |
KY, December 10, 1876, reached my head |
quarters on the 9th OF that month from the |
office Of the Adjutant-General of the army.
It represents that, in the contemplated up
Using OF the people to enforce the inaugura-
ion Of Tilden and Hendricks, the depot at
is to be seized and is expected |
20 arm and clothe the Indiana army of Demo-
rats. The Endorsement on this communica-
ion made at your headquarters, dated De-
,ember %, 1876, is as follows:
(Official Copy.)
Respectfully referred to Major General
W. 8. Hancock, commanding Division of the
Atlantic, who may draw a company from
General Ruger, commanding the Department
If the South, and post 1t at Jeffersonville De-
,ot, with orders to protect it against any
LANCER"
The terms of the Endorsement imply the ex-
rcise of dscre no,i on my part which leads
ne to write you before taking action. In my
there is no danger of the kind the
anonymous communication sets forth. or 9th
II kind, at thk Jacksonville Depot, to justify
he movement of troops to that place. Such
movement, 1t seems to me, would involve I'M
necessary expense, and would create or in
rease apprehension for which there is no
cal foundation. There are no arms or am
nunition at the Jacksonville Depot, and if
UGH force as is referred to could be raised
or rebellious purposes it is not likely that it
5ould begin by seizing a depot of army uni
Orms; and, therefore, II there are grounds
or the action of the Government, l see no
anger in delay which will rpauIt from, this