The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-08-27


Appleton a Co., contains his correspond
enee with General sherman OF December,
1876, ana January, 1877. in The course OF
which the letter, already given to the pub
Tic, written at Carondelet, NO., December
18th, was addressed to General Sherman.
The latter wrote December Alb granting
General Hancock's application for leave Of
absence TO 20 to Carondelet. and in his let.
ter made the following illusions (the only
opes) 10 political affairs:
Referring to the orders sent by tho Presi-
dent TO General Ruger, commanding the
Department OF the South, General sherman
said "Poitical orders to General Ruger
nj Columbia / prefer should 60 from the
President TO him through the Secretary OF
War. They were not military. l dislike
much 90 have our soldiers used In concert
with the legislative body, bus orders COM
ING from the President have to be obeyed.
They form a bad precedent, but thus far
have prevented q collision OF arms between
infamed partisans."
A letter from General Hancock mot in
cluded in the published correspondence
expresses some uneasneSs on account OF a
newspaper report which he bad seen. stating
that he was TO be ordered from New York,
and appears 10 have furnished the occasion
for the following letter from General Sher-
man:
"HEADQ'Rs ARMY OF Tue UNITED STATES,
" WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec II, 1880. \
amy Dear Genera, Lest your peace OF
mind may be disturbed by foolish reports
published 10 newspapers about your being
ordered from New York, | will tell you
that there is rot word OF truth In IT.
Neither the President nor Secretary OF War
has ever intimated to me such purpose,
and / know I have never said word or
written syllable 10 that effect. see in the
Republican, OF St. Louis, that not only was
the order made, but that DESTROYED II aud
tore ont leaves Of the record-book contain
ing the copy. The whole thing was, and is,
an invention Of somebody who wanted to
create a sensation. The same is true about
John Sherman's Intriguing to be President
of the Senate that be might be President
dd interim. He has told that he has never
heard the subject preached that he would
not accept the place, as he preferred to DE
what he IS now-cbairman OF the Senate
Committee on Finance" The letter con-
cIudes: "No serious changes in the COM
mand are 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
seeds OF dissension among us OF the army.
."Truly your friend,
ISignedl "W. r. SHERMAN"
This letter is followed by the CarOndelet
letter, 10 which General Sherman. replied as
follows:
"HEADQ'Rs ARMY OF THE UNITED STATES,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. 2, 1877. !
" General w. s. Hancock:
"Dear General,-I did not receive your
Of rnho
from Caroudeet, Mo-, till yesterday. / am
very glad to lave your views in eItenSo
upon a subject of such vital importance.
Our standard opinions are mostly formed
on the practice Of our predecessors, but
great change was made after the close OF the
civil war by the amendments 10 the COnSti-
tuition giving to the freed slaves certain
civil and political rights, and empowering
Congress to make laws necessary to
enforce these tights. This power is
new and absolute, and Congress has en-
acted laws with which we are not vet IA
miliar and accustomed. See pages 34S. 349.
and $50 Revised Statutes, section 1899,
edition 1S73'74. As a matter OF fact, ]
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 as he believes
lawfully and rightfully, and our duty
has been and Is to sustain him with zeal aud
sincerity. AS to the presidential election,
we are in no manner required TO take the
least action, but to recognize him as Presi-
dent whom lawfully-appointed officers de-
clare to be such person. i hope and pray
that Congress will agree on some method
before the day and hour arrives; but
in case OF failure 10 elect by or be-
fore the 4th OF March, there will be
vacancy in both offices OF President
and Nice-President, in which event the
President Of the Senate becomes President
pro tenn, and new election will have to be
held under the law OF 1892. See title 3,
chapter |, pages q, %, and %, OF Revised
Statutes. it is well we should compare
notes and agree before the crisis is on US;
but | sincerely hope we may pass this ordeal
safely and peacefully. l will be pleased TO
hear from you at any time.
TSignedl "W. r. SHERMAN"
The next letter published is from Gene
raj Hancock TO General Sherman, dated New
York, January I'd. 1t is as follows:
/" General W. I. Sherman, United States
Army, Washington, u. o.;
General,-An anonymous communica-
ton to the Secretary Of War, dated Louisville,
".
quarters on the 9th of that month from The
office Of the A6jutant. General OF the army.
II represents that in "a contemplated uprising
of the people TO enforce the Inauguration
OF Tilden and Hendricks the depot OF JEFF
fersonyille is to be seized, and is expected
TO arm and clothe the Indiana army OF DEM
ocrats.' The endorsement on this commu-
nication, made at the United States head
quarters, dated December rs, 1876, Is as
follows 'Oficial copy. Referred to Ma
Tor. General w. s. Hancock, commanding
Division OF the Atlantic. You may draw
company from General Ruger, command
ing the Department Of the South, aud post
it at Jacksonville depot, with orders TO
protect II against any danger The
terms OF the endorsement imply the eXer-
else OF discretion on my part, which leads
me to write you before taking action. In
nv Judgment there is no danger Of the kind
tue ANONYMOUS communication sets forth,
or of other kinds, al Jetiersonyllle depot. TO
iustlfy the movement OF troops TO that
place. Such a movement, IL seems to me,
would involve unnecessary expense ana
would create or increase an apprehension
for which there is no real foundation.
There are no arms or ammunition at
Jacksonville depot, and II such force as
| Is referred TO can be raised for rebellious
purposes, tits not likely that it would begin
| by selling a depot OF army uniforms, and
therefore, IL there are grounds Tor the ac'
| ton OF the Government, see no danger IN
the delay which will result from this pre-
sertation of tue subject to you. III, how
ever, in your better judgment, COM
pary should be sent there, 1t shall De
promptly done as soon as you notify