Democratic Sentinel, Volume 4, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 September 1880 — HANCOCK---SHERMAN. [ARTICLE]

HANCOCK ---SHERMAN.

Their Com-Kpondcnre nt the Time of the Electoral Controversy. Ntn York, Aug. 26. The two letters of Gen. Hhemian bo frequently Bpoken of as having brought forth the re-cently-published letter of Gen. Hancock, dated Carondelet P. 0., St Louis, Mo., Dec. 28, 1876, are as follows: Hkadquabteiih Army or Tni United Stater,) • Washington, D. C., Dec. 4,1876. i Gen. W. 8. Hancock, New York City : Drab Oankral—l have just received your letter of the 3d, and have telegraphed you my consent to your proposed trip. I cannot foresee any objections, and hope soon that events will admit of a return to their poets of the companies detached at the South. But e\cry time I make a move in that direction t am met by insurmountable objections. Three of the companies of the First Artillery from Fort Sill rejMirted at Columbus, Ohio, yesterday, and will be here this evening. Everything is ready for them. Tlio last company, I suppose, was detained at Fort Sill to await relief on the way. Tell Gen. Fry (Adjutant General) that in case of auy orders I will have them vent you at New York, aud he can execute them. The political a orders to Huger at Columbia I preferred should go from tho President to him, through the Secretary of War. They were not military. I dislike much to have our soldiers used in connection with a legislative body, but orders coming from the President have to be obeyed. They form a bad precedent, but thus far have prevented a collision of arms between inflamed partisans. I trust you will lind Mrs. Hancock and your St. .Louis friends well. Truly yours,

W. T. SHERMAN,

General.

HEAiniUAitTEns Army of the United States,! Washington, D. C., Dpc. 17, 1876. f To Gen. W. S. Hancock, .Jefferson Barracks, Mo.: Mv Dear General: - Lest your peace of mind may be disturbed by the foolish report bandied in the newspapers about your being ordered from New York, I will tell you there is not a word of truth in it. Neither the President nor Secretary of War has ever intimated to me such a purpose, ai d I know I have never said a word nor written a syllable to that effect. 1 see in tho Republican (of St. Louis) that not only was the order made, but that I destroyed it, and t >re out the loaves of the record-book containing a copy. The whole thing was and is «n invention by somebody who wanted to create a sensation. The same is true about -John Sherman intriguing to la- President of the Senate, that lie might lie President ad interim. He has told me that he has never heard the subject broached ; that he would not accept the place, as he prefers to be what he is now—Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance. I hope you will find the family in good health and spirits, and I hope you will spend with me a peaceful aud happy week of the, holidays. This letter may bo superfluous, but the emphatic repetitions of a wild rumor in the St. Louis ltejmblican suggested to me the propriety of my correcting an impression, if made on you. No serious changes in command are being eoutemp’ated, and when they are you may be sure that I will give you theenrliest not ce. There are men,- on mischief intent, who would gladly sow the seeds of dissension among us in the army. Truly your friend, W. T. Sherman. The answer of Gen. Hancock to these letters was published in the Western Associated Press newspapers of Sunday, Aug. 1. Gen. Sherman replied : Headquarters Army of the United States,) Washington, D. C., .Tan. 2, 1877. f To Gen. W. S. Hancock, New York: Dear Generai. : I did not receive your most-in-teresting letter of Dec. 28, from Carondelet, Mo., till yesterday. I am very glad to have your views in extenw upon subjects of such vital importance. < ur standard opinions are mostly formed on tho practice of our predecessors; but a great change was made after the close of the civil war by the amendments of the constitution giving to the freed slaves certain civil and political rights, and empowering Congress to make the laws necessary to enforce these rights. This power is new and absolute, and Congress has enacted laws with which we are not yet familiar and accustomed. [See pages 348, 349, and 350, Revised Statutes, See. 1,980, edition 1873-4 ] As a, matter of fact, I dislike to have our army used in these civil conflicts, but the President has the lawful right to use the army and navy, aud lias exercised the right, as he believe.i, lawfully and rightfully, and our duty has been, and is, to sustain him with zeal and sincerity. As to the Presidential election, wo are in no manner required to take the least action, hut to recognize him as President whom the lawfully-appointed officers declare to be such person. I hope and pray that Congress will agree, oil some method before-lhe day and hour arrives; but, in case of failure to elect by or before the 4th of March, there will be a vacancy in both the offices of President and Vice President, in which event the President of the Senate becomes President pro tempore, and a new election will have to be held under ihe law of 1792. [4ce Title 111., Chap. 1., pages 21, 22 and 23, Revised Statutes.] It is well vve should compare notes aud agree beforethis crisis is on us ; but I surely hope vve shall pass this ordeal safely and peacefully. I will be pleased lo hear from you at any time. W. T. Sherman.

Headq’rs Military Division of the Atlantic,) New York, Jan. 2, 1877. )’ Gen. W. T. Sherman, United States Army, Washington, D. O. General: An anonymous communication to the Secretary of War, dated Louisville, Ivy., Dee. 10, 1870, reached my headquarters on the. 27th of that month from the office of the Adjutant General of ihe army. It represents that, in the contemplated uprising of the people to enforce the inauguration of Tilden and Hendricks, tho depot at Jeffersonville is to be seized and is expected to arm aud clothe the Indiana army of Democrats. The indorsement on this communication made at your headquarters, dated Dee. 20, 1870, is as follows: (Official copy.) ‘ Respectfully referred to Maj. Gen. W. S. Hancock, commanding Division of the Atlantic, who may draw a company from Gen. Huger, commanding the Department of the South, and post it at the Jeffersonville depot, with orders to protect it against any danger.” The terms of the indorsement imply tho exercise of discretion on my part which leads me to write you before taking action. In my judgment there is no danger of tho kind the anonymous communication sets forth, or other kind, at the Jeffersonville depot. to justify the movement of troops to that place. Such movement, it seems to me, would involve unnecessary expense, and would create or increase apprehension for which there is no real foundation. There are uo arms or ammunition at the Jeffersonville depot, and if such force as is referred to could lie raised for rebellious purposes it is not likely that it would begin by seizing a depot of army uniforms ; and, therefore, if there are grounds for the action of the Government, I see no danger in delay which will result from this presentation of the subject to you. If, however, in your better .judgment a company shouid tie sent there, it shall be promptly done as soon as you notify me to that effect, As I have already said, Ido not act at once because in your instructions you say I “ may ” send a company there, which 1 construe as leaving it somewhat discretionary with me, 1 returned the 31st of December, 1870, from St. Louis. lam very truly yours, Winfield 8. Hancock, Major General Commanding.

New York, Jan. 9, 1877. Gen. W. T. Sherman, commanding United States army, Washington, D. O : My Dear General: I have been intending to write you in acknowledgment of your two recent notes, lull I have been so much engaged in hunting a place for winter and “gathering” up my affairs of business, a* well as personal matters, owing to my recent absence, that I have deferred doing so. Now I write to inclose you & copy of a letter I addressed yesterday to the editor of tho World In reference to an artie’e (special dispatch) which appeared in that paper Sunday, the 7th. The World corrects the matter in its issue of this morning. 1 wou’d have preferred the publication of my letter, but, as I gave the editor latitude as to the manner of-correcticm. 1 eanuot complain, I suppose. 1 have written to no one on the subject of my order to go to the Pacific, reported by the newspapers, save yourself. I have said nothing to any one differing in letter or spirit, from what t wrote to you, and I have not seen Buford for years or heard of him, nor do I know of any person who has in that time mot or communicated with him. I inclese you a copy of the World's publication. lam very truly yours, Winfield S. Hancock, Major General. (Inclosnre.) New Vork, Jan. 8, 1877. My Dear Sir: I inclose slip rut from the World of yesterday (special dispatch from Washington), headed “ A Rescinded Order. Did Gen. Hancock Refuse to Be Transferred to the Pacific Coast?” As an authority given for the communication it seems that l shouid publicly notice the same, and it would gratify me if you would, in the manner you may deem best, make such correction as would lie most likely to remove any misapprehension on the subject. I havo not received any orders transferring me from this station, nor any intimation of the existence or contemp’ation of such orders. Hence I did not refuse to be transferred to the Pacific coast. I have not tendered my resignation. All my infonnation in the matter has lieen derived from newspapers of the day. I had no comaiuidcation whatever relating to the snbject with the authorities until after the minor of my removal was published from Washington as groundless. Then Gen. Sherman wrote rue a note to the same effect. I am in no wise responsib’e for any statement Contained in the dispatch in question, or for any misconception which has arisen concerning this subject from first to.last I am very truly yours, Winfield S. Hancock. o William 11. Hurlbut, editor New York World.

New York, Jan. 19,1877. Gen. W. T. Sherman, United States Army, Washington, 11. C.: My Dear General: T have been quite busy since my arrival, and have not felt like writing much, so that I have not written to you as I intended, in reply to your favor acknowledging the receipt of my letter from Oarondelet, r wished to notice simply your reference to the Revised Statutes and one or two other points in a brief way. I will do so yet, but not to-day, as I ant house-hunting, or apartment or hotel-hunting, rather. It is too !ate in the season to accomplish much here in ttiat way, save to pay out money and get but little satisfaction in return. The proposition for a joint committee insures a peaceful solution of the Presidential question, if it becomes a law, and, in my opinion, gives to Gen. Hayes chances he did not have before. I have considered ihat Mr. Tilden’s chances were impregnable. Not so Mr. Hendricks. Now' it seems to me that Gov. Hayes has something more than an equal chance, hut definite results cannot he foreshadowed. Fortunately, trouble need not be provid'd against by the use of the army, should the bill become a law. if the bill passes, and Gen. Grant vetoes it, Mr. Tilden’s chances will be stronger than liefore; certainly if he and his friends supported the measure, public opinion will strengthen his position. The danger in the compromise question, or jointcommittee p an, is that the defeated candidate might appeal to the Supreme Court on grounds of illegal (unconstitutiona ) decisions. lam very truly yours, Winfield S. Hancock. The correspondence closed hy Gen. Sherman writing Gen. Hancock that “ The passage of the bill for counting the electoral vote, approved by the President, ends, in my judgment, all possible danger of confusion or disorder in connection with the Presidential imbroglio.”

Secretary Sherman reads until late at night, but & always the first man in his office in the morning. He owns a large number of inexpensive horses and

drives a great deal. He has always saved his letters and has one of the largest collections in the world. He and his brother, the General, have always been as loving as sweethearts, and his letters from the General are in three large volumes. Some of these letters cover forty pages each.