The sun., 1883-12-16

cOm mmAnders had been specially Instructed 10
surrender to their owners any slaves found
by their masters in our camps. and
claimed by them. provided they belonged to
States not in rebellion. Now. 1t happened that
when stones forces retreated across the
river from Leesburg. some few colored men
came over with them. Two OF these we're per-
sonally interrogated by Col. Townsend. and
they told him that Gen. Stone sent for them
and informed them they were perfectly free to
60 where they pleased. and that II they desired.
he would employ them in the camp. They re-
piled that they did not como over intentionally;
that their owner. Mr. Smart. was good mas
ter, and that. as their parents wives. and chill
dren were all in Leesburg. they wnnted to go
back to them. Gen. Stone accordingly prom
ised to send them over with u flag
OF truce he was about to despatch. and
they returned OF their own free will"
Gen. Townsend goes on to recount that
some Of the Massachusetts volunteers. hear
ing that these men had been sent back. wrote
to Gov. Andrew complaining that this United
States officer was surrendorng fugitive slaves
TO their masters. Gov. Andrew sent orders to
his Colonies not to permit any slaves who took
rofuge within their camps to bo surrendered:
he also sent to the Massachusetts Senator.
Sumner. strong remonstrance against the
adoption OF such policy by the Government.
Gen. Stone having been shown Gov. Andrews
instructions to tho Massachusetts, Colonels.
wrote to the Adjutant- General Of the army pro-
testing that those regiments. having been
mustered into the service Of the general Gov
ernment. and placed under his command
by lawful authority. could not be per-
mitted to receive instructions from the
Governor Of the State. from whose.control they
had entirely passed. This letter was rather
injudiciously forwarded to Gov. Andrew by the
Adjutant General. though never intended by
the writer for the Governors eye. Meanwhile
Senator Sumner. on receipt OF the Governors
remonstrance. denounced Gen. Stone on the
floor Of the Senate Thereupon Stone wrote
Sumner strong letter. justifying himself and
demonstrating against being thus arragnod in
place where hs could not defend himself.
This brought u storm about Stones ears" The
writer thinks that Stones Incarceration may
have been due to these circumstances. 1t is
certain that he was long held in prison with.
out trial. although he repeatedly and earnestly
asked for the charges against him and do.
manded judicial investigation.
Gen. Townsend's connection with the Adju.
tant-General's Office continued long after the
suppression OF the rebellion. but his reminis-
cences relating to the subsequent period are
naturally less interesting than those ass ocated
with the civil war. One OF them. however. is
worth quoting. We refer to the account Of the
interview between Gen. L. Thomas and MIR.
Stanton. On Feb. 22 1863 whom tho former
undertook 10 obtain possession Of the War De-
partment. to which ho had been appointed ad
interim by President johnson. tho author was
an ear witness Of the coloouy that ensued. Il
am." said Gen. Thomas. Secretary Of War ad
itierin. and am ordered BY the President OF tho
United States to take charge of this Office" Il
order you." rejoined Mr.. Stanton. to repair to
your room and exercise your Office as
AdIutant-Genera am" repeated Gen.
Thomas. Secretary Of War ad interim.
and 1 shall not obey your orders: but
l shall obey the order Of the President
to take charge OF this Office" AS Secretary
OF War" said Mr.. Stanton a second time II
order you to repair to your office as Adjutant-
General" to which Gen. Thomas returned,
I shall not do So" Then" pursued Mr..
Stanton. you may stand there IL you please.
but YOU will attempt to act as Secretary OF
War at your peril" To which Gen. Thomas
replied. :" shall act as Secretary Of War;" and
there the official interview ended. Presently.
however Gen. Thomas crossed the hall to Gen.
Sehrivers room. and Mr.. Stanton. followed only
by the stenographer. came in after him. Re-
suming the colloauy. Mr.. Stanton said in
laughing tone to Gen. Thomas. 80 you claim
to be here as Secretary Of War; and refuse to
obey my orders. do you p Gen. Thomas replied
seriously: " / do SO claim. / shall require the
mails Of the War Department to be delivered to
me. and shall transact all the business OF the
department" Seeing that the General looked
as II ho had had no rest the night before. Mr.
Stanton. playfully running his fingers up
through the Generals hair as he YEARLY
leaned back in his chair. said: WELL old fell
low have you had any breakfast this morn
ine?" No" said Thomas. good nuturedy
Nor anything to drink p No" Then you
are as badly of Us am for have had mel ither"
Mr.. Stanton then sent out for some refresh
ments. and while the TWO were sharing the re-
lection they engaged In very pleasant con-
yersation. In tho course Of which. however.
Mr. Stanton. suddenly and with seeming
carslessness. inquired when Gen. Thomas WAS
going to give him the report OF an inspection
OF the national cemeteries which he had lately
made. Mr.. Stanton said II it was not soon
rendered 1t would be too late for the printers
and he was anxious to have 1t go forth as
creditable work Of the department. The Ques-
tion had apparently no especial point and
Gen. Thomas evidently saw none. for he
answered pleasantly that he would work at the
report that night and give it to the Secretary
e This struck me-" said Gen. Townsend. as q
lawyers ruse to make Thomas acknowledge
that Thomas was caught by 1t. l some time
after asked Mr.. Stanton II that was
his design. He made no reply. but
looked at mo with mock expression
OF surprise at my concoiving such thing"
We arc further told that before Gen. Thomas
left the department that morning. Mr. Stanton
handed him a letter forblddng him TO give any
orders as Secretary of War. The General
read and endorsed II as received on that date
signing the endorsement rs Secretary ad b,-
terW. which. Mr.. Stanton seeing. ho remarked.
laughing: Here you have committed another
offence" To this the General assented and
soon utter won't away for tho day. The incl
dents here related unQuestionably indicate. rs
Con. Townsend surmised. that all the steps
taken by Mr.. Stanton wore intended TO place
the whole matter in a form suitable for testing
before the highest tribunal the constitution.
ality Of the tenure OF Office act.
Political NsooilectIons.
Among the prominent Republican poll
ticians who took part in the Greeley movement
one OF the most conspicuous wns Mr. CEORGE