The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-22

THE COMMAND OF THE EGYPTIAN ARMY OF.
FERED AND WITHDRAWN.

neoure8orO ana tnc hne0fve.
THE COMMAND OF THE EGYPTIAN ARMY OF
FERED AND WITHDRAWN.
The following special TO the New York
Times, dated New Orleans. July 20th, ap-
peared In that paper OF yesterday:
A paragraph appeared IN the newspapers
recently to the effect that General Beallre-
gard was In 1870 offered the command of
the Egyptian army, but that the tender was
subsequently withdrawn through the influ-
ence Of George II. Butler, then United
States consul at Alexandria. This was
called to the attention Of General Beaurc.
gard, who met your reporter this morning.
He said that he had been rendered the COM
mand OF the Egyptian army, and he had
heard that Consul Butler had interfered to
oppose him, but he had no other informa-
ton regarding that part OF the matter than
hearsay. "In 1867 said General Beaure-
gard, /" was In Londop<wbere had gone
to arrange some BUSINESS for the Jackson
railroad, OF which was president ut that
time. l received letter from the repre-
sentative Of the Roumanian Government
residing at Paris, asking me IL ] were
coming to the French capital; otherwise
he would visit me in London, as he desired
to see Inc on important business. As | was
going to Paris wrote him to that effect.
Shortly afterward visited Paris, and was
rendered by the gentleman the command
OF the armies OF Roumania. At that time
that country was principally, owing
a nominal allegiance to the Sultan. Prince
Charles, Of Hohenzollerns, was hereditary
Prince or Hospodar, as they called him. In
1877 Roumania was made independent, and
the Prince was crowned King IN 1881. In
1866, however, Roumania was pretty nearly
independent under the protection OF Rus
sia, and had population Of some 100000.
This was the condition OF the country
whose army was invited to command. |
refused the proposition, because / did not
wish to desert the people OF my own cOun-
try with whom and for whom | had taken
part in great war. | hoped to be able to
do them some service in assisting TO re-
build the broken fortunes OF the country,
and therefore declined the offer. More
over, felt distaste for offering my sword
to any foreign country.
ain 1866 | was also offered by an agent
Of the Egyptian Government in New York
the command OF its army. l still held the
same views heretofore expressed. but |
thought proper to consult with some re-
liable friends, and l was confirmed in my
determination to decline the otter, which |
did. In 1870, the Khedive having resolved
to place the organization OF his army in
the hands OF American officers for the pur-
pose, as il was alleged, Of weakening as
much as possible the force OF European
influence that had long been fell in Egypt
ian affairs, another offer was made to me to
take command OF the Egyptian army. This
time did not Immediately decline the pro-
posal, which stipulated that | shonld carry
with me military staff to be composed Of
such officers as might choose. Ii occurred
to me that might by accepting the offer be
i'm Dosition TO assist number OF able SOUTH
ern officers who had been forced by the re-
suit OF the war TO suffer much adversely,
and further thought that some advantages
might accrue to our common country by
nv acceptance OF the position. Therefore
held the offer under consideration, but be-
fore had announced any decision the pro-
posal was Withdrawn. as / understood by
report only, through the influence OF Con-
sui Butler. had never given the matter
much concern, and l then dismissed 1t
without regret"
The General said in reply to questions
that he had been so much engaged in work.
ing on his boOk-a history OF military ope-
rations in the late war-that he had not bad
time to study the situation and probable
outcome in Egypt, and he declined to give
an opinion on the subject. He has known
a number of the officers who had taken
service in Egypt. but excused himself on
account Of his engagements from speaking
OF them at length.