The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-03-17
TWO SUPPRESSED TFLEGRAMs.
INTERESTING "REMINISCENCES OF THE REIGN
OF EDWIN NJ. STANTON

Theexcitement over the recently published
Garfield RosecraGs letters, which continue
to form a topic OF conversation lust now
brings to the surface a hitherto forgotten
fact which will tend to further illustrate the
friendship and affection which existed be-
tween Garfield and Rosecrans nearly a wear
after the date of the letter published in the
Sun was written. It will be remembered
that Gen. Garfield was elected a delegate
from Ohio to the Baltimore convention in
1864, which nominated President Lincoln.
After that had been effected Garfield, re-
membering his old general, telegraphed to
ROsecrans, who was then in St Louis as
follows; vice Presidency going begging,
will you accept?' General ROsecrans hand
ed the telegram to a we'll known major gen
eral who was in his Office a. the time and
said ''What would you advise % His
friend advised him to wire bis acceptance,
which was done. This answer was never
received by General Garfield. and it was af-
terward ascertained that it had been sup
pressed by Stanton, then Secretary of War
who vised every telegram at that time As
a consequence Andrew johnson received
the nomination which General Rosecrans
would undoubtedly have received had his
answer reached Garfield and the following
events Ct Lincoln's death would have placed
him in the Residents chair, which was sub
sequently filled by Johnson. The suppress
sion of the telegram lost General Rosscrans
the Presidency With reference to the sup
preston of kilograms the following authen-
tic statement is given by prominent par
ticipator in the occurrence inst prior To
the battle of Fredericksburg while General
Burnside was in command, General Rufus
A. ingalls,, who was quartermaster of the
army of the Potomac, and another distin-
guished General desired to telegraph to Sen.
ator Nesmith, Of Oregon, then in Washing
ton, private matter. They were well
aware of the espionage of the War DEPART
ment and how to convey the desired infor-
nation to their friend puzzled them for
vyb A
er, to send it in the ChenOok tongue. which
they, being old Pacific coast officers were
conversant with. They were also aware
that Senator Nesmith understood il. The
dispatch was accordingly sent in that tongue,
directed to the Senator and signed "Ingails'
1t fell into Stanton's hands. All the experts
and linguists in the country were handed
the mysterious telegram none could read It,
stanton became suspicious, and worried and
desperate, and finally sent to New York for
experts. Noue could translate it, After
four days had elapsed Stanton addressed a
note to the Senator to call at the War De-
partment, and on his arrival handed him the
telegram ana demanded to know its purport.
Nesmth, who, as well known, was a thor
ough War Democrat and friend of Lincoln,
looked at the date of the dispatch and after
reading its contents assumed his Senatorial
dignity, and went for Stanton i'm a severe
tongue-lashing, and refused to tell him the
contents. Nesmith Immediately went over
TO the White House and protested against
stanton. Old Abe asked what was the ma
ture of the dispatch from 'Rufe" Nesmith.
transiating it, read as follows owe are 90
ing to have battle in a few davs Are all
out of whisky. Come down and bring some.
and we wi have nice little game of poker
Lincoln laughed heartily and said ''Go
down, Will give you pass for yourself and
friends" Nesmith with party went down,
taking sufficient commissary along, and for
several days enjoyed himself While thev
were all sitting in the tent on night engaged
in the seductive American game of poker.
the orderly brought in telegram for Gen.
ingalls,, which read as follows 'tGen. In
gals, if you ever send a dispatch in such
language again, you will be cashiered from
the service.-E. NJ Station" ingalls, tossed
the message to Nesmith, who, on reading it.
repled, stanton amt President of the Uni
ted States yet by ID sight. - Wasoiyl0-
ton Post -