The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1885-03-28

was far more policy in the course than
kind feeling. To assert the contrary
is to detIact from Lincoln's force OF
character as we'll as intellect. As Secre-
tary Chase said at the time, "such
kindness to the criminal is cruelty to
the army, for it encourages the bad to
leave the brave and patriotic unsup-
ported" The fact is that our war
President was not lost in his high adj
miration of brigadiers and major gen
erals, and had a positive dislike for
their methods and the despotism on
which an army is based. He knew
that he was dependent on volunteers
for soldiers, and to force on such the
stern discipline of the regular army
was to render the service unpopular.
And it pleased him to be the source OF
mercy, as well as the fountain of honor,
in this direction.
was sitting with General Dan Tyler,
of Connecticut, in the te-chamber OF
the War Department, shortly after the
adjournment of the Buell. court of in
quiry, of which we had been members,
when President Lincoln came in from
the room of Secretary Stanton. Seeing
us, he said: "Well, gentlemen, you
did not survive the war, and now have
you any matter worth reporting, after
such protracted investigation" 81
think SO, Mr.. President" replied Gen
eral Tyler. ave had it proven that
Bragg, with less than 10000 men drove
your 81, 900 under Buell. back from be-
fore Chattanooga down to the Ohio at
Louisville, marched round us twice,
then doubled US up at Perryville, and
finally got out of Kentucky with all his
plumber
"Now, Tyler" said the President,
"what is the meaning of all this; what
is the lesson? Don't our men march
as well. and fight as well, as these reb-
els? If not, there is fault somewhere.
We are all of the same famlly-same
sort"
eyes, there is a lesson" replied
General Tyler. owe are of the same
sort, but subject to different hand
ling. Bragg's little force was superior
TO our larger number, because he had
it under control. If man left his
ranks, he was punished !; if he deserted,
he was shot. We had nothing of that
sort. If we attempt to shoot a deserter,
you pardon him, and our army is with
out discipline" The President looked
perplexed. "Why do you interfere ?''
General Tyler continued. Congress
has taken from you all responsibility"
TAKEN, YET NOT TAKEN.
YES" answered the President, i'm
patiently, Congress has taken the re-
sponsibility and left the women to how
about me, " and SO he strobe away.
Of President Lincoln's high sense OF
justice, or rather fair play, l have a
vivid recollection. Previous to Lees
invasion of Pennsylvania, rumors Of
which reached Washington in advance
of that suicidal movement on the part
of the Confederates, General Hallecl
issued one of his non-committal order:
to General Schenck, then in command
at Baltimore, advising the concentration
of our troops at Harper's Ferry. Thi:
referred especially to General Milroy'
10000 men at Winchester. l was sent
as chief of staff, to look into Milroy'
condition, and empowered to let HIN
remain or order him back, as | might
see fit. Winchester, as fortified place
was a military blunder. 1t covered
nothing, while a force there was il
constant peril. | had learned enough
in the service to know that a subordi
nate should take no chances, and or
dered Milroy back to Harper's Ferry
General Schenck, at Milroy's earnes
request, countermanded my order, anc
three days after Milroy found himsel
surrounded by Lees entire army. Thu
gallant old soldier cut his way out witt
his entire command. OF course there
was heavy loss of material. For thi
N1ilroy was put under arrest by Score
tary Stanton, and court-martialed b,
Halleck. Milroy shielded himself be
hind Schenck's order, so that the cour
convened was really trying my Genera
without the advantages given him, a
defendant, of being heard in his de
Tense. General Schenck was sum
moned to appear, and instead o
appearing drew up protest, tina
he directed me not only to TAKE
to the President, but read to him, fear
ing the protest would be pigeon-hole'
for consideration when consideration
would be too late. 1t was late in tn
afternoon, and, riding to the Whit
House, | was told the President coul'
be found at the War Department.
met him coming out and delivered m
message. "Let me see the protest,
said the President as he walked TOWARD
the Executive Mansion. "Geners
Schenck ordered me, Mr.. President, t
read it to you" "Well, can read,
he responded sharply, and as he wa
General Schenck's superior officer
handed him the paper. He read a
he strobe along. Arriving at the er
trance to the White House, we foun
the carriage awaiting to carry him t
the Soldiers Home, where he was the
spending the Summer, and the guar
detailed to escort him drawn I'D