The National tribune., 1892-03-10


said the rebels were advancing upon the Union
army in force, gave the place where u was
then encamped, names of general ofhcers'
the strength Of the force and contemplated plan
OF attack, which facts subsequently were July
subslantiated. This information being COM
municRtod TO Gen. Pope, Gen. Sirel saw en-
ahled him TO take the necessary measures Tor
the protection OF his army. Gen. IRWIN Nc
Dowell says that he WAS with Con Reno al
Popc's headquarters, which were near Raecoon
Ford Of the Rapidan, on Aug. j.. when serG
Tai1cr reported 10 Pope, saying he was just
from the rebel lines, that he had been through
their army the larger part Of which was but
short distance from the river in PoPes 'front.'
and that the rebels were on the point OF march
mg, had their teams ready 10 hitch up ana
would so0a march 10 tum Popc's left wing
This information induced Gen. Pope To oiHer
his army to retreat Immediately behind Tue
RHppahaunoCk; that the information gwen
by Harter was OF the highest importance, ana
enabled Pope 10 defeat the cneny's plans
which were 20 get between him and the forces
coming up by the way Of Fredericksburg and
Manassas. la another setter Gen. Slgel says
that but for the opportune arrival Of Sergt
IIartcr on The 18th Of August 1862, at Popes
headquarters with a full account OF the plans
and designs Of the enemy, which enabled Gen.
Pope 20 take such measures rs the exigeneies
Of the case demanded, the Union forces would
have labOred under much disadvantage. Inc
General also says Harter acquitted himself IN
n manner 10 Justify the confidence he reposed
in him. Gen. Pope. ia letter 60 Harter, says
hc remembers the facts set forth in Gen. Nc
Doweli's letter and tells Serg't Harter that he
WAS the first personNto give him the intorma-
tion 10 the number Of the enemy's forces ana
designs aud that the report made by Harter
was fully corroboIated by events which follow
ed lie also acknowledges that the information
furnished WIS OF the highest value TO him.
Scrg't Harter's claim is before the House Com
mittee on War Claims, and the committee have
ordered the letters have quoted from, besides
other documentary evidence from the War de-
partment preparatory 10 making report upon
1 Scrg't Harter's claim, and the cOnrade thinks
] there will soon be favorable report made IN
/ the case. Gen. Sgel and Gen. Pope will also
be summoned 10 testify before the committee.
While On this expedition lIartcr was captured
by some Of Ashby's cavalry, searched and re-
lieyed OF over 500 in gold, taken TO Richmond
aud incarceraled ia Libby Prison. DE was eK-
umined by the authorities, claimed to be a rail-
road engineer seeking employment in the Con-
iede .acy, WAS given his freedom aud pass, the
only restriction being that he must report daily
TO Gen. WindUr lie was finally given a pass
over the railroad. The train on which he went
20 Gordonsyilo carried Gems. Lee, Longstreet,
Ewell, Early, Jackson aud HilL HRrter
escaped TO our lines after getting his informa-
tion OF the plan Of attack aud the number OF
the rebel force
-
The control Of coast defenses has long VeKed
European Governments, aud il is now evident
the question will sOtn come % the front in the
United States. The contest Tor control Of this
work is between tho Army and the Navy, and
thsTiEalry which exists between these branches
Of the service will never cease until Congress
defines the line Of demaTkation between the
jurisd ictiOn of the Army and Navy. The Army
at present claims complete control Of sea-cOas'
Notifications, submarine mines and all the tor
pcdo operations that arc conducted from th'
conflict wiih this mode OF control, and thosi
officers Of the Navy who have been particularly
instrumental in placing our Navy on a moderr
war footing Hs regards ships, armor, and gum
have long been animated by sincere desire Il
include the coast defenses Of the country il
their work. On the other hand. the officers o
the Engineer and Ordnance Corps Of the Army
who have been fully blive 10 the march Of sci
: eutifc warfare In Europe and who have sue
) ceeded IN bnilUing up gun factories which ar
B capable Of turning out heavy ordnance 70
coast delenses, aud IN establishing a system @
I submarine mines aud mortar defense for on
Z principal seaporis and also having already out
Z lined general plan Of coast defense which ha
D been approved by the highest expert authority
naturally desire 10 continue their operations {
I a successful conclusion. 1.-THE Navy officers ar
o 10 obtain control Of this work they are awEI
b that il must be done before the Army officer
Z succeed IN completing their system. Cons
a qucHtly rivalry has arisen between the tw
q branches Of the service, which has been (,
a some time visible al the Capitol. This was el
q hibited one day last week when the appropri
e ton OF 81 600 600 for the establishment Of gu
: factory on the Pacific Coast was under cons
= Grafton in the Senate. The bin provides IN
J. the plant is 10 be- used for assembling heavy or
u nance for the use Of the Army and Navy. Til
was objected to by both branches Of the servic
= the Navy officers wanting it a purely nav
= foundry, and the Army officers were not conte
d with having the factory under the joint Co
y troll Of the Army and Navy. Aud when &c
= Bcrdans proposition 70 furnish a vessel with
= submarine gun 10 destroy iroDcads there was
conflict Of opinion as 20 the merits Of the We
O. eel. the Chief Of Ordnance Of the Army appro
at ing the plan 50 far az the submarine gun W
- concerned, which was all he had 10 do with 4
1e matter, while the Naval Chief Of Ordnance W
er opposed 10 the whole plan. II is expected th
~ one OF the rival factions will shortly appeal
y, Congress 70 place beyond all quibble the jar
- diction over the sua-coasl deicnscs.
he -
ly Republican members Of Congress are quiet
., discussing the practicability Of the propositi
- Of taking advantage Of the division in {
,ot Democratic Inajorlty's ranks on the sis
OF question. IL has been suggested that the ]
az pubiicans, in conjunction with the anti-frt
coinage Democrats refuse 10 vote on the p
sage Of the frcc-coiuaPc bin, hoping that Spca
"a. a. Crisp will be- compelled 10 use the methC
Ias q! Speaker Reed IN the dilemma, and count
me- quorum whether the members vote or not n