The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-12-05

Voraageoun WIN mn Asacoin aud MI Stanton
about restricting the trace In cotton. They were
deeply interested IN my observations, and quee-
toned me closely about what 1 had seen. Ny
opinion that tho trade should DO stopped had
the moro weight because l was able TO say,
Gen. Grant and every general officer whom I
have seen hopes 10 will DO done"
Tho result Of our conferences yaa that on
March 81, 1888. Mr.. Lincoln issued a proolamn-
ton declaring all commercial intercourse with
tho States In insurrection unlawful, except
when carried on according TO the regulations
prescribed by tho Secretary Of tho Treasury.
These regulations Mr.. Chase prepared ut once.
At tho Same time that Mr.. Lincoln issued his
proclamation Mr.. Stanton issued an order for
bidding officers and all other members of the
army to have anything to do with the trade. In
spite Of all these regulations, however, and the
notifications Of them which experience brought,
there was throughout the war more or less diff
Guilty over cotton trading.
SPECIAL COMMISSIONER IN GRANTS ARMY.
From Washington I went back 10 Now York.
I had not been there long before Mr.. Stanton
sent for me to come 10 Washington. He wanted
some one to 70 to Grants army, he said, to TO-
port daily to him tho military proceedinga, and
to give such information as would enable Mr..
Lincoln and him to settle their minds as to
Grant, about whom. at that time, there wero
many doubts, and against whom there was
some complaint.
"win you got Mr.. Stanton asked. Yes"
I said. Very we'll" he replied. THE osten-
sible function I shall give you will be that of q
special commissioner Of the War Department to
investigate the pay department in Western
armies. but your real duty will be to report to
me every day what you soo."
On March IL Mr.. Stanton wrote me tho follow
ing letter:
wAn DRrAnruESr,
WASHINGTON CITY, March ~, 1893.
DEAR Sin; I inolose you . copy Of your order of ap.
p%ointment aud the order anxing your compensation.
with n letter to Gems. Summer Grant. and Rosecrans,
and q draft for one thousand dollars. Having ex.
planned the purposes OF your appointment to you
personally, no further Instructions viii be given un.
less specially required. Please acknowledge the 70.
duties. Yours truly. EDWIN n. STANTON.
c. A. DANA, ESQ, New York.
My commission read:
ORDERED. That G. A. Dana, Esq, be and he IL hereby
appointed Special Commissioner Of the War Depart.
ment TO Investigate and report upon tho condition of
the pay service in the Western armies. Al paymas.
tiers and assistant paymasters will furnish to the said
Commissioner for the Secretary OF War Information
upon any matters concerning which he makes inquiry
OF them as fully and completely and promptly as II
directly called for by the Secretary OF war. Railroad
agents. Quartermasters and Commissioners will give
him transportation and subsistence. All officers and
persons in the service will aid him in the performance
OF his duties and will AFFORD him assistance. courtesy
and protection. The said Commissioner will make
report to this department as occasion may require.
The letters Of Introduction and explanation to
the Generals were identical:
GENERAL: Charles A. Dana, Esq. has been appointed
Especial Commissioner OF this department to investi.
gate and report upon the condition of the pay service
In the Western armies. You will please aid him in
the performance OF his duties and communicate to
him fully your views and wishes in respect 10 that
branch OF the service in your command, and also give
to him such information rs you may deem beneficial
to the service. He Is specially commended to your
courtesy and protection. Yours truly.
EDWIN II. STANTON.
at once started for Memphis. going by way
Of Cairo and Columbus.
THE DANA CIPHER.
I sent my frat despatch to the War Depart
ment from Columbus. on March 20. It was sent
by q secret cipher furnished by the War Depart
ment. which I used myself, for throughout the
war 1 was my own cipher clerk. Tho ordinary
method at the various headquarters was for the
sender to write out the despatch in full, after
which it was translated from plain English into
tho agreed cipher by q telegraph operator
or clerk. retained for that exclusive pur-
pose, who understood 1t. and BY an
other retranslated back again at tho other
end of the line. So whatever military
secret was transmitted was at the mercy
always Of at least two outside persons. besides
running the gauntlet Of other prying eyes. De.
spatches written in complex cipher codes were
often difficult to unravel. unless transmitted by
the operator with the greatest precision. A
wrong word sometimes destroyed the sense Of
an entire despatch. and important movements
were delayed thereby. This explains the oft
repeated Il do not understand your telegram
found in the official correspondence of the war
period.
ne.ags or division oisf. MIOzzzS