Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-07-30
4 LIBEL DIV GEN. p1ArsrED.

The following paragraph is going the
rounds of the Republican press, and yester-
day appeared in the columns of the Pioneer
Press:
Gen. r. 8. Foster has made an unpleasant
revelation to a reporter of the Louisville (Ky,)
Commercial concerning the fuslonists candi-
date for governor of Maine. 'Plaisted,'' he
said, "is the candidate of the Democrats and
Greenbackers for governor of Maine. and their
party organs are putting him as that gallant
old soldier etc. He was commanding Maine
regiment in my brigade, and during the fight
ing at Deep Run saw the regiment without its
commander. He had gone to the rear, and did
not show himself till the next morning.
saw Gen. Terry once draw his revolver on him
and tell him if he did not advance at the head
of his regiment he would shoot him. He was
about the worst coward to be an officer | ever
saw"
The revelation of Gen. Foster may be a
very unfortunate one for him, as it very
seriously compromises his veraoity. No
man who served in the army has better
record for personal bravery than Gen. Plais-
ted. AS to the charge that Gen. Terry
threatened to shoot him for cowardice at
the battle of Deep Run, the following letter
from Gen. Terry, now in command of the
department of Dakota, written in 1864,
some time after the battle referred to, ought
to be conclusive:
Col. Plaisted is brace, patriotic and loyal
man, and has faithfully served the country
since early in the war. His regiment is not
only one of the best in the Tenth army corps,
but one of the best which have ever seen.
He is more than ordinarily attentive and
Jealous in the performance of his duty, and
equally careful for the comfosf and welfare of
mis- men. In the battle of the 7th inst. New
Market Road he handled his brigade with
marked skill and ability, and it was much
due to his efforts as to the efforts of anyone
else that our flank was not turned and the bat
tie not lost. In consideration of his valuable
services desire to present his name to the
favorable notice of the commanding general,
and to recommend that his services be recog-
nized and rewarded. 1 am, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
ALFRED 81. TERRY,
Major General CommandingTenth Corps.
The above is pretty fair evidence as to
Gen. Terry's opinion, and sufficiently
answers the alleged statement of Gen. Eos
ter. It simply proves that the statement
quoted above as from Gen. Foster is lie.
But if Gen. Terry's evidence is not con-
elusive of Gen. Plaisted's efficiency, perhaps
Gen. Fosters own words, written about the
same time, may add confirmation to the
statement that his present assertion is a bare
faced falsehood, utterly unworthy Of Gre
dence. In his official report to the war de-
partment Gen. Foster said:
The discipline of his brigade (the third of
the first division) is of the highest order, and
its fighting qualities unsurpassed by any in the
army. Col. Plaisted having commanded 1t
since its organization at Hilton Head, is, in my
judgment, entitled to the greater share of the
credit for the remarkable efficiency to which
it has attained. Col. Plaisted is an officer of
unbounded zeal and energy and his loyalty
and patriotism know no bounds. That his
long and faithful services are entitled to favor
able consideration, in my mind, there is no
doubt, and trust they may receive suitable
recognition. / am. very respectfully, your
obedient servant, &. s. FOSTER,
Brig. Gen. Com Dig IS Div. 10 til Corps.