Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-07-17
GEN. SMITH RETIRED
Continued from page ~

wholly within the limitations of general
order No l90 of 1852. and were suStalneu
Thus i'll 1I79, Washington ordered Cen
Sullivan in the campaign against the SIX
Nations to seek the total destruction az
devastation Of their settlements. lie
wrote:
but you will not By any means lis
ten to overtures Of peace before the total
ruin Of then. settlements is erected Gu"
future security viii be in their inability
to tniure u.s. the distance TO "Eich tnaE
are driven and in the terror with which
the severity OF the Clastisement they re
ceive viii inspire them.
The Fort Phil kCarnev massacre in
and the conditions Of serious danF-r
which followed it, did not approach tn
massacre Or BaIansiga in Samar in Sep
t.Ynb Der. 1871. There the natives mad been
tTs ated with kindness and confidence. lib
erty and selt-gOverument had been given
to them Capt. cornell, the American
commander, Wasof the same faith and
had been WOrShipplnG IN the same church
with them. With all the assurance mi
friendship our men were seated ~ thrl'
meal uuarmed among an apparently
peaceful and friendly community, when
tney were set luOn from d. mind ana
butchered and their bodies when found
by their comrades the next Cay had been
mltilatel and treated with ludeScHtDlhl f
indignities. Yet there was no sueh ser
verify BY American soldiers in Samdr as
Gen. Sherman proposed towards the
Sioux after Fort Phil kearney.
''lt is due. however. 10 the good sense
and self-resjraint Of Cen. Smiths su8cr-
d;nates and their regard for tee laws Of
war, rather than to his own self-coutrol
ana judgment, that his Incorporate ana
unjustifiable verbal instructions were not
followed and that he is relieved from the
indclible stain which would have result
cd from a literal compliance with them.
II IS the duty on general officer
whose q @e and experience have brought
Linn TO high command. not TO lncile iiI'
SuDJrdiDatvS to acts Of laWiess violence.
bur to so explain 70 them the applications
Of the laws of war ana the limitations
upon their conduct rs to prevent trans
gressi0ns upon their part and supplcm. n
their com para tive lnG&Eeritnce by nla
wise control. In thia Gen. Smith has ST.
rally failed ana for this he has been
justly convicted. Although the sentenr
+. imposed is exceedingly light, 1t carries
with it q condemnation which for am ct
1iccr Of his rank ana age is really q Sc
we're punishment. For this reason and
for the further reason that Gen: SMITH
Has served his country long ana faith
fully, has exhibited high courage ami
good conduct in many battles has been
seriously wounded IN the Civil War ana
IN the war with Spain, and is about c-n-
faithful and loyal servant Of his country,
| recommend that the mild sentence I'M
posed be confirmed.
should lou approve the findings ard
sentence of the court in accordance Wi
the recommendation. | feel bound to SAN
further thar in view Of the findings and
sentence and Of the evident infi1Initles
which made il possible that he fdc-5
found Should exist, il liz not longer for
the interest Of the service that O. n.
( Smith should continue to exercise tine
command of his rank His usefulness ds
an cE8mple. guide ana controlling inIu-
cnce for the junior officers Of the army
Is at an end. and as he is already up
wards of 81 years ef age, | recommend