The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1886-01-21
Serious Charges Made by Gen. Lew
Wallace.
HaiIeck Accused of a Deep Feeling OF
Hostility Toward Gen. Grant.

CINCINNATI, Jan. 20.-Gen. Lew Wallace,
as reported lately in the Commercial-G Gazette
of this city, says that Gen. Halleck was en-
vious of Gen Grant and would have been will
ing to allow Washington fall into Lees
hands in order to crushbim. Gen. Boynton
replied in his Washington correspondence.
He quoted from the records passages tending
to disproye General Wallace's assertion.
The report of another interview with Gen.
Wallace appears to-day, in which he cites
HaIeeks treatment of Gen. Grant after the
battle of Fort Donelson, and again after the
battle of Shiloh, to show that Halleck had a
deep feeling of hostility toward Gen. Grant,
and that when the tables were turned and
Grant was commander of all the armies and
Halleck only chief of staff. with close rela-
tions with President Lincoln and Secretary
Stanton, Gen. Halleck was in a position to
use his power to Grants injury. He then
goes on to show how this was done, saying
that Halleck did not notify Grant of the
coming of Early in 1864, that he (Wallace)
personally ordered the reconnaissance which
discovered Early's intentions; that Gen.
Ricketts,, who as Boynton said, was sent by
Grant through Halleck's suggestion to meet
Early, was ordered to Harper's Ferry to re-
lieve Sigel, and upon hearing from Wallace
of the approach of Early, put himself under
Wallace's orders and with him fought the
battle of Monocacy. He continues;
This Will serve to show several mportant facts
First, that Gen. Ricketts, was not sent to report to
me- or in the way of reinforcement; second, that
had no knowledge of his coming until his advance
was stopped by my guards at the bridge; third,
that in fact he was not sent to me, but to Harpers
Ferry. If Halleck believed that Sgel and were to
be attacked, why send but one division of not
more than 5000 men to meet an army reported at
10000 veterans, unless it was to make show of
resistance to the army sent to capture Washing
ton? Ricketts, force, with mine was sufficient to
meet a raiding party and that was all.
The battle OF Monocacy took place on the 9th of
July. As was following my troops off the field
in the retreat, about half past 5 o'clock in the
evening" 1 stopped and dictated q telegram
directed to Gen. Halleck, informing him of the
events of the day, that was in retreat, that in
my Judgment there were about $4,000 men who
had been fighting us; and that there was large
Frederick City, and that the enemy had been con
tending for Washington pike. l concluded with
the remark that it would require all his energies
to save Washington. I also sent despatch by
the same messenger to either Gen. Grant or
Secretary Stanton My recollection is, that ii
While Gen. Ricketts, and myself were lying in a
fence corner trying to get some seep, about md
night after the battle, we were wakened by 9
messenger with telegram from Halleck directed
to me. | read it, my recollection is, by the light
of burning matches. 1t informed me, as now
remember. among other things, that was re-
moved from command of the department and thai
Gen. Ord had been sent down to relieve me- This
action was not from Gen. Grant, but from Gen
II.
lieved, | received an order from Gen. Grant al
City Point restoring me to command, and inform
ing me that Gen. Ord had been instructed to re
port at Washington, and wait for orders. "
course those orders were obeyed Gen. ORD Wen'
to Washington and resumed command.
By mail received a private note from Genera
Grant, inviting me when my department was cleal
of rebels, to visit him at City Point for couple o.
weeks bringing my horse, which did. spent Z
couple of weeks very pleasantly as ms guest
riding with him and observing the operaIlOnSJl
| front of Petersburg. o,..
| Boynt0n says that it was Grant and Halleck Wht
| removed me. Ii the records should substantial
| Boynton's statement, it will remain mystery Il
| me forever why Gen. Graut should have restored
| me SO soon to the same command, and nave iol
| lowed it by an invitation which was ms mrs
| friendly, unofficial communication, verbally or II
writing to me after the battle OF Shiloh. Inc re
moval was u mark of the disapprobatlOn OF I'M
Seyerest form; the restoration was an unmlsIak
| able commendation strengthened still further D.
| private note of invitation. What was tnere =
| disapprove except that by the battle the enemy
| operations and movements had been interrupted
Gen. Wallace goes on to say that, IN tn
| midst of the engagement of McCook1S com
mand in the defencos of Washington VIII
| the enemy, Halleck permitted Preslden
| Lincoln to ride out in his carriage TO Sc!
| what was going on, showing that the FreSl
| dent had no knowledge of the great DANCE
| overhanging the capital. He makesithe polnt
| too, that Gen. Grant, when really notified
| the danger to which Washington was ex
| posed, did not stop with sending singh
| division, but hurried forward the greater
| portion of two army corps.
Gen. Wallace closes by saying: In m.
judgment there are but two alternatlVe
which present themselves under all tne ciI
| cumstances of the case rs they appear 10 me
the one, that Gen. Halleck was imbecile IN
other that he was allowing his .Jealousy !
lead him down to a serious injury OF III
! country.