they had been my enemies, and did not agree with me in sentiment or opinion, during our imprisonment. In framing my questions I was obliged to confine myself, in most cases, to such matters as I had reason to think came within the immediate cognizance of the party addressed, and in every case I was forced to rely upon my remembrance of their associations and surroundings; for, whilst I feared nothing that any one would truthfully state, of his own knowledge, as to my personal conduct, I was obliged to be cautious in drawing out opinions which might be construed unfavorably, owing to the great difficulty of arriving at the true character of the circumstances on which these opinions were formed. Face to face with a witness, it is not a difficult task to compel him to qualify his statements, even though he be most anxious to injure you; but men do not always care to unbosom their secret reasons for hostility or bias, unless compelled under the sanctity of an oath, before two or more calm, unprejudiced, and scrutinizing judges. Even Neal Dow would have paused before enunciating many of the charges, so cheerfully narrated in his letter, and Corporal Taylor would have slunk like a whipped dog, before reciting his own shame. Could I have been permitted to put all or any of my bitterest foes, Dow, Streight, Atwood, or Tay 'or, on the stand, and subject them to the ordeal of a cross-examination, I would not have required the evidence of a single friend to exonerate me from any of the charges alleged, unless they had deliberately committed perjury. And no greater triumph could have been afforded me than the satisfaction of drawing from Dow a history of his operations in Louisiana; a minute account of that celebrated wound received (where?) and a list of the contents of those two large heavy trunks brought from Libby-to say nothing of the advantage to military science to be derived from the recital of Streight's raid into Georgia: how he fought Forrest first, and then forced him to buy his horses before surrendering; with his peculiar views on discipline, and his experience in mounting infantry. But lacking the means to obtain these ends, truth and strategy must suffer, unless this pure philanthropist, and doughty hero, moved to voluntary compliance, enlighten an ignorant people, and an enquiring world.

From the list annexed of the number of letters addressed, it will be seen that many officers have not responded. This is due to more than one cause. In many cases the letters from me to them miscarried, or worse yet, their replies when made, never reached me,-others again have procrastinated until forgetfulness or shame rendered them unwilling,—others, influenced no doubt by ill feeling towards me, and at the same time fearing to exhibit an active enmity, have sullenly refrained from all notice of my communication, knowing that I could not compel a reply, whilst another and a meaner class, thinking. their testimony of more value than it really possessed, refused to give any information unless compelled by an official order, or a summons to attend in person.

To the procrastinating I extend my pity; to the inimical, my defiance; whilst for the hide-bound I reserve my most unmitigated contempt.

To the opposite and nobler class, who have manfully and consistently stood by me through good and evil report, by words and actions, by public avowals and private intimations, I can only return my warmest and sincerest thanks.

one.

"All are not just, because they do no wrong;

But he who will not wrong me when he may,
He is the truly just."

The ordeal through which I have passed has been a severe Conscious of having committed no wrong, I was quite unprepared to find myself accused of crime. Condemned without a trial, and punished before being heard, I found myself placed in the anomalous position of being obliged to prove myself innocent of charges that had never been substantiated. Struck down by official zeal, in undue haste, I found, even in the highest, a disinclination to revise or redress. When forced by persistence and argument to grant a hearing, not the slightest executive aid was afforded, nor the least authority of the law permitted to support the right or confute the false. Deprived of all pay, private means were drained to reform a public wrong; but in spite of every obstacle, I succeeded in obtaining a mass of testimony on every point, save one, and

that of very minor importance, which in the month of February was placed before the Commission. This evidence, with my own statement and defence, form the subject matter of this book; and in putting it forth I have been guided simply and solely by what I deem to be an imperative duty, not only to myself and my friends, but especially to my posterity. Receiving from my ancestors a name untarnished, it is obligatory on me to transmit it unsullied.

Treason to one's country has, at least, the merit of grandeur in its villainy; but treachery to one's comrades has not even that poor excuse. It is craven, contemptible, and unmitigated meanness—commending itself only to the pettiest thief and most cowardly calumniator. To devise such vileness is worthy only of the most debased; to charge it, unsubstantiated, on an innocent comrade, demands a still lower depth of degra dation. The coward, who wronged his trusting country, by a dishonorable surrender; and the thief, who despoiled his suffering mates by a despicable larceny-may felicitate themselves on such an achievement; but, short of them, I know of no other living thing capable of it. That I could be guilty of such a crime, I am proud to say, never for one moment obtained credence in the mind of a single honorable man that knew me.

With my enemies of whom I have my fair share; with the envious-who are greedy of slander; or with the world at large-to whom I am quite unknown-so gross a calumny has doubtless been received with avidity; and, borne as it was to all quarters of the country by means of the telegraph and public journals, it must inevitably be treasured up against my name for all time, and appear to my discomfort, or that of my descendants, at most inopportune moments. Many, who have heard and remembered the charge, will probably never hear the exculpation: I, who never seek for popular favor, nor ask, unoffered, any man's friendship, may personally derive no injury and suffer no discredit; but those who come after me may live in times when, to hold office, may be deemed honorable-and to them is due some record, whereby they may refute the slanderer or silence a foe.

"The honors of a name 'tis just to guard--
They are a trust but leut us, which we take;
And should, in reverence to the donor's fame,
With care transmit them down to other hands."

Mingled with the most heartfelt thanks to that High and Mighty Power, who directs and shapes the minds of men, is the just pride that the triumphant result I have achieved is due to my sole and unaided efforts. Fortunate in the friendship of hosts of worthy and influential gentlemen; upheld, during my year of terrible probation, by the strong moral support afforded me by their confidence and respect-not a single man among them, save the Hon. H. B. Anthony, (and he only for the purpose of procuring me a hearing,) has asked or sought to obtain the slightest favor or privilege from the Government or the Commission; but, whilst I can truthfully say

"Alone, I did it!"

I gratefully confess that, to my dear friend and former companion in arms, GEORGE F. NOYES, Esq., I am deeply indebted for advice, assistance, and good counsel. To him is due whatever of order and proper classification may be found in my defence; whilst to his good taste and judgment may be asscribed the elimination of much bitterness and resentful feeling towards my opponents.

To the Honorable Secretary of War I cannot refrain from expressing my acknowledgments for the very complimentary terms he has been pleased to employ in the wording of his decision-almost compensating (if anything could) for the year of suffering and humiliation I have endured.

To the gentlemen composing the Military Commission, I am under the deepest obligations for the unvarying kindness and courtesy extended to me, and the patience with which they heard and investigated the lengthy documents placed before them. And, finally, to the officers of the Adjutant General's office, from the highest to the lowest, with whom I came in contact, I tender my thanks for the interest exhibited and the attention bestowed, at a moment and in a manner so opportune and grateful.

BROOKLYN, Nov., 1865.

CHARGES AND SPECIFICATIONS

Against JAMES M. SANDERSON, an officer in the service of the United States, conveyed through the medium of a familiar letter from a Brigadier General in the Volunteer Service to a Major General iu the Regular Service.

PORTLAND, April 4, 1864.

GENERAL,—I am this moment in receipt of your note of the 1st., inquiring if I have any information touching the conduct of Lieut. Col. SANDERSON, late a prisoner of war at Richmond.

I am informed of a great deal of his conduct at Richmond, and took much interest in it, because I thought he ought to be dismissed from the service. The conviction among the officers generally was, that he was disloyal, had little or no sympathy with our cause, but much for the rebels. On that point I think Col. Streight is particularly informed.

Soon after I came to Richmond from Mobile in October, I learned much of his sayings and doings, and had therefore no intercourse with him, though my quarters were very near his.

After my protest to Gen. Winder against the cruel treatment of our soldiers at Belle Island, I was not permitted to visit them any more, and the business of distributing the clothing to the soldiers—all of which was sent to me,—was put into his hands. Thus for weeks he came into daily contact with the soldiers there, and his conduct to them was always harsh and cruel. Once a poor fellow applied for some clothes, -he was very miserable with cold and hunger,-SANDERSON said: "Damn you, didn't I tell you if you came again I'd kick you?" He then turned him round, kicked him, and followed him with repeated kicks.

Capt. Atwood, 16th Maine, Lieut. Col. Archer, and others saw this!