Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-08-27
THE CORRESPONDENCE
Between General Sherman and Msjor
General Hancock During the Presiden-
tiai Crisis of 1851.

Between General Sherman and Msjor
General Hancock During the Presiden-
tiai Crisis Of 1857
New York, August 26-The two let
tiers OF Gen. Sherman, so frequently
spoken OF as having brought forth the
recently published letter OF Gen. Han
cock, dated Carondolet Postoffice, ST.
Louis, December %, 1879, are as follows:
H'DQ'Rs ARMY OF THE L. s.,
WASHINGTON, ID. g., Dec. 1, 1876. {
GensW S. Hancock, Nsw York City:
DEAR GENERAL:-I have Just received
your letter OF the 81 and have telegraph
cd you my consent to your proposed
tIip. cannot foresee any objections
and hope soon that events will admit OF
the return to their posts OF the compan.
les detached at the South, but every
time make move in that direction |
am met by ipsurmountable objections.
Three companies OF the First Artillery
from Fort Sill reported at Columbus,
O., Yesterday, and will be here this
evening. Everything is ready for them.
The last company, | suppose, was de-
tanned at TT. Sill 10 await the relief,
which is on the way. Tell Gen. Fry,
Adutant General, that in case OF any
orders. will have them sent to you at
New York and he can execute them.
The political orders to Ruger, at Colum.
bia, preferred should be from the
President 10 him through the Secretary
of War. They were not military. |
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 prevented
a collision OF arms between the iniiamed
partisans. trust that you will find
Mrs. Hancock and your st. Louis friends
well.
Truly yours,
rSigned1 W. T. SHERMAN,
General.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY or TIE L. S,
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec. IL, 1876. J
To General ". S. Hancock, Jcgerson Bar
racks, No:
Ny DEAR GENgRAL:-Lest your peace
OF mind may be disturbed by the fool.
ish report banded in the newspapers
about your being ordered from New
York, | will tell you there is not a word
of truth in it. Neither the President
nor Secretary OF War has ever intima.
ted to me such purpose, and | know i
have never said word or written syl-
liable 10 the effect. | see in the RepubH-
cop (of st. Louis) that not only was an
order made, but DESTROYED it and tore
out the leaves OF the record book con-
tanning a copy. The whole thing was
and is an invention by somebody who
wanted to create sensation. The same
is true about John Sherman intrigu-
ing to be President Of the Sem
ate that he might be President
ad interim. He has told me that he has
never heard the subject broached; that
he would not accept the place, as he
prefers to be what he is now, Chairman
OF the Senate Committee on Finance.
| hope YOU will find the family in good
health and spirit, and hope you will
spend with me peaceful and happy
week OF holidays. This letter may be
superiluous, but the emphatic repet-
tions of wild rumor in the 1t. LOUIS
Republican suggested to me the propriety
OF my correcting an impression, il made
on me. No serious changes in command
are being contemplated. and when they
are you may be sure will give you the
earliest notice. There are men on mis-
chief intent. who would gladly sow the
seeds OF Gissenslon among us OF the
army. Truly your friend,
W. T. SHERMAN.
The Answer Of Gen. Hancock
10 these letters was published in the
Western Associated Press newspapers
on Sunday, August lst. General sher-
man replied:
H'DQ'Rs Army OF THE |. =,
WAsHISGroS, d. c., Jan. ., 1877. !
Gen. ". S. Hancock, N1c York:
DEAR GRxERAL:-I did not receive
your most interesting letter of Decem-
Der IS from Carondalet, Mo-, till yester-
day. am very glad to have your views
in ertSnsO upon subjects 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 to the Constitution,
giving 10 the freed slaves certain civil
and political rights, and empowering
Congress to make laws necessary to en-
force these rights. This power
is new and absolute, and Congress
has enacted laws with which
We are not vet familiar, and
accustomed. See pages 34S, 3i9 and
$50 OF the Revised Statutes; Section
1889; Edition 1884 As matter OF
TACT, l 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 and sincerity. As to the Pfesi-
Dental election, we are in no manner re