The National tribune., 1888-07-12
"(sIGNED) E. D. TOWNSEND, ADJUTANT-GEN-
ERAIn

ERhlss
Very frequently l see on the streets in the
western part of the city-notin the swell north
western section-an elderly man with whose
name every Union soldier of the rebellion is
familiar for it was attached to every general
and special order and all court-martial orders
that were issued from the War Department
after New Years of 1862, and on down to the
middle of June. 1880. This is Gen. Edward
d. Townsend, U. S. A., formerly Adjutant-
General.
l also meet him occasionally in the Library
of the War Department. but l am told that
since his being placed so summarily on the re-
tired list, he has never set foot within the Adj
jutant-General's Office
He is a queer case in many ways, and was
bitterly disliked throughout almost the whole
army while he was at the head of the admin
istrative staff; but, though he is a man of in
tense prejudices, doubt if he ever allowed his
personal dislike to a man to influence him TO
do that man an injustice, for he was thoroughly
impartial, officially. In fact know of num-
bers of cases where men who know themselves
to be in Gen. Townsend's black books" to be
the unexpected recipients of official favors they
had scarcely dared to hope for.
Still, he was very narrow in his official groove,
and the details of his office were administered
in a prim, red-tape way that irritated most of
the service above as we'll as below him in rank.
1t was his way; he could not help it any more
than the lark can help getting up early and
taking flyer. When he was a Cadet at West
Point over so years ago, his classmates, with
that readiness of boys to confer nicknames,
called him Nancy" it was distinctly ex-
pressive.
Yet, with all the chatting and growing
against him in the army during his 20 years
administration of the Acknowledgements Office,
he had not been out for a year before the Office
felt that they were in the condition of the man
who tied the young heifer's tail to his leg while
teaching her to be milked. The heifer used
her tail for flies, and finding it hitched, got
mad and hauled that agriculturist all over
the barnyard and owe two fences before he was
rescued. While the doctors were putting him to-
getheT and piecing him up again, he explained
that THAT ERE derned heifer hadn't made
three jumps before / saw jes' where I'd made
my mistake" That's the condition the Army
was in. All hands joined in bringing the press
ure to bear on President Hayes and Secretary
Ramsay that brought about the change from
Townsend TO his successor, but the new man
hadn't made three jumps before they saw their
mistake.
Gen. Townsend is an extremely religious
man, and was so even in his cadet days; think
he was born that way his devotion to his be-
loved church is so devout. And that reminds
me of quaint story the older officers tell Of
him many years ago. while serving in Oregon.
then as now large post. He speedily became
interested in the Sunday schoo at the post and
was very soon elected its Superintendent
For some reason best known to himself he be-
camo dissatisfied with the Catechism used IN
the school, and devoted his spare hours of re-
Taxation from official duty to preparing new
one Of which he had g number printed for use
in his school. a copy fell into the hands Of a
'scoffer," who while idly looking it over dis
covered something that hurried him off to show
his follow officers.
1t seems that to the question of " Who were
the most devoted followers" etc. the answer
read, The beloved John and the other II
Apostles" thus giving us 13 Apostles, whereas
all Christendom has been Taught for centuries
that our Savior had but u Townsend went
wild over the laugh that ran through he gar
rison and thence from post to post through the
whole army, and went TO work to gather up
aud destroy every copy. A few escaped, how
ever, and believe that a certain Bureau Chief
in the War Department has one of those saved.
Gen. Townsend's retirement June 10, 1880,
was an episode-an episode being a thing that
takes place so suddenly. About IL a. m. that
day he was called upstairs to the Office Of the
Secretary of War, when Gov. Ramsay said :
. General the President directs me to say to
you that if you desire to apply to be placed on
the retired list, he will approve it," The Gen
eral was taken ahack and was breathie5s for a
moment Then nc SAID, Indignantly, most
positively decline 20 make such an application.
1t would be lack of self-respect for 1 would
thereby implicitly confess myself to be unfit
for further duty, whereas / am as competent
now TO perform my duties as l was 20 years
ago" . Very WELL" remarked the Secretary ;
that is all"
Gen. Townsend retired to his Office full of
disgust and wrath, but within an hour the
printed order placing him on the retired list
as being over 81 years Of age, was placed on his
desk. He quietly packed up his private papers
and LETT in few minutes, without saying a
single word to any one, and as | said above,
has never been in the Office since.
AS man he is as upright as his slender and
soidierly figure; an officer, though given to
the narrow groove of petty details, he is as just
and impartial as he is devout as q Christian.
Many officer in the army and clerk in the
War Department would be glad indeed to have
him back as Adjutant- General. There would
never have been any rebel flag scandal had he
retained his place.
ENJOYING LIFE.
One of the jolliest, most good-humored men
that ever lived is Chief Engineer Montgomery
Fletcher u. S. Navy, who left here last Friday,
after a three weeks visit, to sail very soon for
a trip around the world.
This is not trip on duty, for years ago he