The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-22
MEMOIRS OF GENERAL HUNTER.
The Conspiracy Against Lincoln - Aiming
the Freedmen.

Washington Special.
Gen. David Hunter. who died here recently.
has left among his papers some valuable mem
oirs OF the late war; He was stationed at Fort
pssn ~heh resa dsns in ehs ses.on
Mr. Lincoln. and he there became aware
of q conspiracy to prevent the inaugu-
ration Of the President elect He
communicated the facts to Mr.. Lincoln and was
invited to accompany him to Washington. For
six weeks he spent every night in the East
Room Of the White House, whore he received
reports from volunteer guard Of one hundred
gentlemen from all parts OF the Union, who
were stationed about the grounds and the city.
Later he was in command of the right division
of the army at Bull Run, where was wounded
While ia command Of the Department OF Kansas
he furnished, on bis own responsibility. aid to
General Halleck, which was acknowledged later
by that General. as follows: ITO you more than
any other man in this department. are we in.
debted for our success at Fort Donelson. In my
strait for troops to reinforce General Grant.
appealed to you You nobly and generously
placed your forces at my disposition This en-
abled Us to win the victory Receive my most
heartfelt thanks" While in Washington on
leave Of absence, in 1862, General Hunter was de-
tailed as president Of the Ftz John Porter court
martial, aud the friends of that officer never for.
gave him for performing his duty at that time.
Some interesting papers bearing on that trial
are in possession of the dead Generals friends
an important bearing on the question Of en-
ploying colored troops. Indeed, 60 his action
was due the arming of the negroes. While in
command of South Carolina. Georgia and Flor
ida. he issued an order freeing the slaves. and
enlisted regiment Of freedmen. A great howl
was raised by the Copperheads over that act and
in the newspapers Mr.. Lincoln was made
to repudiate it; but. privately. he wrote
to General Hunter. sayings 81 am
glad to see the accounts of your
noin Sav nat nvxf1Ia ID In
enemy are driving at them iercely, as is to be
expected. 1t is important to the enemy that
such force shall net take shape and grow and
thrive in the South; and in precisely the same
The regiment of colored troops which General
Hunter organized on his own responsibility
proved great success; but the General could
not get the government to recognize or pay these
troops Fortunately, at this juncture, M. Wick
life, member of the House from Kentucky. who
thought with other Democrats that heinous
crime had been committed by General Hunter,
introduced denunciatory resolutions in the House
Of Representatives, calling for information as to
whether General Hunter had organized regi-
ment o. fugitive slaves To this the General re-
piled: mo regiment Of fugitive slaves has been
or Is being organized in this department
There Is, however, fine regiment of loyal per-
sons whose late masters are fugitive rebels-men
who everywhere fly before the appearance OF
the national flag, leaving their loyal and
unhappy servants behind them. They are en-
deavoring with commendable zeal, to acquire
the drill aud discipline requisite to 60 in full and
effective pursuit OF their fugacious and traitor
GUS proprietors." General Hunter, in his reply.
said much more that was unpalatable 20 the
Democrats. and concluded by expressing his
hope to have 30. 600. colored troops organized
within a few months. This brought the whole
subject before Congress- which then authorized
the employment of that many colored troops
But the regiment first organized by General
Hunter was discharged without pay.
The Confederate government issued procla-
nation Aug. 81. 1852. declaring that General
Hunter. il captured. be treated as an outlaw.
and that any Of his officers concerned in arming
negroes, if also captured. be likewise executed as
felons General Hunter remained under this
ban to the close OF the war; but he took effectual
steps TO protect bis officers. One of them who was
captured was about to be executed, when General
Hunter Immediately sent notice to the rebel
authorities that he would lat once seize and
place in close confinement all citizens OF any in
fiuence within his Zines and would Immediately
execute three Of their number for every one OF
his officers injured" That was the last General
Hunter heard OF any effort Of the rebels to treat
his officers as outlaws