The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-06-19
Another Lie Nailed.

ST. Louis. No, June H. Editor Reptb-
Ncan: Some months ago, during an exciting
newspaper controversy between Generals
Early and Malone, OF Virginia, the st.
Louis Globe Democrat published an editO-
rial which displayed an effort to belittle
both OF the distinguished eX-COnfederates
mentioned. ard the writer Of said editorial
alluded 10 Genera Early rs the man whom
General Sheridan had publicly denounced
a a coward" | read the article, and
Inelo there was some mistake or malice
in il. so | wrote polite note TO the
editor OF the GlObe-DemOcrdt requesting
him 10 state when. where. and unGer
what circumstances General Sheridan had
made such a charge. | stated that ''what-
ever might be the old Generals faults, no
person could accuse him OF being cow
ard" and | was sure that no soldier so
brave rs General Sheridan had ever so ac-
cused him. To this note | received no re-
DIV whatever. / wrote a second time TO
know why could not receive an answer
TO my note. and was treated with the same
silence. / had concluded to think no more
OF the matter until / saw recently the same
assertion copied in another paper, citing
the Globe Democrat as authority for it. |
then addressed General Sheridan the fol-
lowing letter:
ST. LOUIS, June 8, 1888.
General p. II. Sheridan, Chicago, H.;
Nv Dear (ieneral,-SOme time ago an
editorial i'm daily paper Of this city made
the assertion that you had publicly de-
nOunced General Jubal 4. Early, OF Vir-
ginia. a. a coward. /, as a Nirginian and an
ex-Confederate soldier, living in st. Lous.
who fought with General Early, believing
that YOU had never used such language
against veteran soldier whose courage on
half 4 hundred fields had won for him the
admiration and respect OF ms countrymen,
both friends and foes, addressed polite
note 10 the editor Of the paper inQuiring
s'when and under what circumstances Z"
you had made such charge. ] received no
answer. and dropped the matter from my
mind until subsequently saw the same as
sertiOn copied into another paper, ana ieel-
ing that great injustice was thereby beng
done both 10 YOU and General Early, now
write to inquire, respectfully, il you ever
authorized such a publication by any such
assertion.
Believe me, General, my only motive IN
making this request is 10 shield, As Tar as
can, my old commander from the SANDER
Gus attacks Of his enemies. who had not the
but who are now endeavOring TO cripple
his fair name and fame in the every eve
ming OF his life.'' Remembering the thou
sands of brave soldiers who followed you
to victory. and who would to-day defend
your good name against the unscrGpulous
attacks OF backhanded assassins, / trust
you will promptly accord me an answer TO
this communication and duly appreciate
my object in sending 1t. l am, most re-
specially, your most obedient servant,
III. w. BUTTON.
To which received the following reply :
HEADQUARTERS MILITARY Dr1sION)
Of THE MISSOURI,
CHICAGO, ILL.,, June 10, 1883. )
Mr. H. ". Burton, ST. Louis, No:
Dear sir.-General Sheridan Ia received
your letter OF June sth, requesting to know
in be lad ever denounced General Jubal ~.
Early az a coward, some newspaper having
made such a statement. In reply General
Sheridan desires me 10 inform you he has
no recollection OF ever having spoken dis
respectfully Of General Early. lie wishes
me TO say, furthermore, that he does not
hold himself accountable for what may APP
near in the newspapers, and he only an
swers your inquiry because you seem TO be
sincerely offended by the publication re-
ferred TO. Yours truly,
[Signedl NJ. v. ShEiuDAN'
Military Secretary.
1t is plain to all common-sense people
that the Globe Democrat misrepreSented
General Sheridan i'm its malicious effort TO
abuse General Early. think paper that
attaches so much importance TO itself
should have higher and nobler aims than 10
seek, through false publications, the injury
OF an honorable old man simply because he
was Confederate and is an influential
southern Democrat.
Respectfully, III. w. BURTON,
"a Harry Scrateb.")