Abstract from tri-monthly return of the Middle Department (Eighth Army Corps), Maj. Gen. Robert C. Schenck, U. S. Army, commanding, for August Abstract from tri-monthly return of the Department of the Susquehanna, Maj. Gen. Darius N. Couch, U. S. Army, commanding, for August 10, 1863. Abstract from tri-monthly return of the Department of the Monongahela, Maj. Gen. William T. H. Brooks, U. Š. Army, commanding, for August 10, 1863. Abstract from tri-monthly return of the Department of West Virginia, Brig. Gen. Benjamin F. Kelley, U. S. Army, commanding, for August 10, 1863. Abstract from tri-monthly return of the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, Maj. Gen. John G. Foster, U. S. Army, commanding, for August 10, 1863. 5 5 5 1:6 4,410 5,239 6,394 14 170 3,741 4, 605 5,499 10 59 1,632 1,825 2,298 79 669 2,524 2,851 2,276 I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th instant, in relation to the sale of newspapers in this army. I regret, in view of the authority vested in your hands, and your attention being called to the subject, that you did not indicate your wishes, in order that the same might be carried into effect. As, however, you are pleased still to commit this subject to my judgment as commanding general, I feel bound to say, after carefully examining into all that has occurred, that the present arrangement is, so far as I can see, the most just to the soldier and the fairest for the proprietors of journals. There are two questions involved in the arrangement of the sub Aggregate present. Aggregate present Pieces of artillery. ject: (1) What journals shall be distributed in the army; and (2) by whom and upon what terms shall these journals be sold? The first question is in a manner political, and for the solution of which I am free to say I do not feel myself competent to decide from ignorance of the character of individual journals. It is one of great delicacy, and involving important questions touching the liberty of the press, and the rights of individuals, which it seems to me should be settled by higher and more competent authority than the commanding general of an army. If left to my decision, I shall feel myself bound to be governed by the action of the Government with reference to other classes of citizens, and to decide that if the Government permit the publication and distribution of a journal among the citizens of the locality where it is published, that I have no right to deny the soldiers the same privilege which is acceded to their fellow-citizens at home. This, of course, is a very broad ground, and allows the circulation of all published journals. To adopt a different course, however, would be to virtually establish in this army a censorship of the press, which, as I remarked before, is impracticable for want of proper knowledge of the subject. Having decided what journals should be circulated, the question next arises, By what mode shall their circulation be regulated and sanctioned? You are aware that several methods have been adopted, and in succession abandoned as open to objections; among them one now proposed by Mr. Clark, in the letter referred to me, which is, that each journalshould be represented by its own agent. The principal objection to this system is that it multiplies indefinitely the number of agents, and that it would be a constantly recurring question as to who should be the designated agent, unless, as Mr. Clark avers, he should be honored with the agency of the principal journals, which, so far as I can see, would then be establishing as much of a monopoly as now exists-only the monopoly would be in Mr. Clark's hands, and inure to the benefit of himself and friends, and not as now to the fund devoted to alleviating the sufferings of our sick and wounded. It was the difficulty of deciding what journals should have agents, and the trouble of regulating and supervising so many different persons, which induced my predecessor, after much deliberation, and as I sincerely believe with an earnest desire to do justice to all parties, to adopt the present system, which was to give the agency for the whole army to one individual, requiring him to furnish such papers as are called for at a stipulated price, and, in order that all interested might have an opportunity to secure the position, it was determined to give it to the highest bidder, the proceeds of the contract to be turned over to the medical director to be expended for the benefit of the hospitals. So far as I can judge from the examination I have made, this system has up to this time worked satisfactorily. I have heard no complaint of the character of Mr. Clark, except a letter received from the proprietor of the Daily Chronicle, in Washington, who averred that, owing to the cheapness of other journals, the agent did not procure as many of his papers as the officers and soldiers desired. In regard to Mr. Clark's complaint, as well as his allegations against the character of the present agent, I beg leave to say whenever he substantiates either, by proper evidence and facts before the provostmarshal-general, the evils complained of will be immediately cor rected, and the contract with the present agent annulled. With regard to the complaint, or rather objection, of the proprietor of the Daily Chronicle, I have advised him that the fact that the agent is compelled by the terms of his contract to supply such papers as are called for will be made public in orders, and a plan arranged by which each officer and man desiring his paper can register his name, and the agent will be compelled to procure and deliver a number equal to the demand thus indicated. By adopting this plan, I do not see how any monopoly can be injuriously established, and that each journal will be fairly and justly represented, its circulation being thus dependent on the will of the army. So far, therefore, as my judgment is concerned, I should not be disposed to alter the present system, believing that the complaints made against it are based more on individual interests than on the general interests of the army. As to who shall be the agent, I have no individual preference, and will most promptly discharge the present incumbent so soon as any reliable evidence is presented either that he is unworthy of employment from notoriously bad character, or that he fails to execute his contract in the most impartial manner and with the single object of giving satisfaction to the soldier. At the same time, I shall be greatly relieved if you shall think proper to assume control of this subject, and you may rest assured whenever your wishes are distinctly indicated, they will be most promptly and cheerfully complied with. And if you should deem it of importance to designate another agent, the contract with the present incumbent will be at once revoked, and your nominee installed. I inclose herewith a report * from the provost-marshal-general, showing the conditions upon which the present agent distributes papers, and the amount paid by him to the hospital fund. Very respectfully, &c., GEO. G. MEADE, Major-General, Commanding. HEADQUARTERS CAVALRY CORPS, Major-General HUMPHREYS, Chief of Staff: GENERAL: General Merritt reports that a party sent out by Colonel Devin had gone as far as the Rapidan. The enemy, about 100 strong, retreated before the advance of the party, but came back to his old position on the return of the party. The enemy's force extends as far east as Stevensburg, and his scouts and pickets move well down on the neck between the Rapidan and the Rappahannock. In front of Rappahannock Bridge everything remains the same. Very respectfully, A. PLEASONTON, Major-General, Commanding. * See p. 26. HEADQUARTERS FIRST CAVALRY DIVISION, Col. C. RoSS SMITH, Chief of Staff, Headquarters Cavalry Corps: Nothing new from the front. The lines are quiet and as previously reported. No horses have as yet been turned over by the Reserve Brigade since last report. General Kilpatrick's quartermaster looked through the lot to-day, but took none. Gregg has not been heard from. Cannot some order, requiring these horses to be taken, be sent to headquarters of Second and Third Divisions, or the horses be turned in to Catlett's Station, so that this brigade can get off ? Very respectfully, W. MERRITT, Brigadier-General of Volunteers, Comdg. Division. HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, Major-General SCHURZ, Commanding Eleventh Corps: August 11, 1863. The major-general commanding directs me to say that in the course of conversation yesterday it was incidentally mentioned by General Wright that it was reported by his patrols toward Greenwich that they had seen nothing recently of the force at Greenwich. This was one of the points to be occupied by a regiment from the Eleventh Corps, which was to patrol toward New Baltimore and Bristoe Station. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, A. A. HUMPHREYS, Major-General, and Chief Staff. HDQRS. SECOND DIVISION, CAVALRY CORPS, Capt. A. J. COHEN, CAPTAIN: The communication from Major-General Humphreys, chief of staff, Army of the Potomac, addressed to Major-General Pleasonton, commanding Cavalry Corps, having been referred to me, I have the honor to submit the following reply: When at Amissville, and on the 4th and 6th of this month, by direction of the major-general commanding the Cavalry Corps, reconnoitering parties were sent across the Aestham River, in the direction of Culpeper, to ascertain the position and movements of the enemy. Both these reconnaissances discovered the fact that the enemy's cavalry to the amount of a brigade occupied the country between Rixeyville and Culpeper. Other reconnaissances discovered that the enemy's cavalry to the amount of a brigade was in the vicinity of Sperryville. After these reconnaissances across the Aestham River, the fords at Oak Shade and Starke's were picketed by the enemy. When, on the 9th, I received an order from Major-General Pleasonton to extend my line of pickets south of the Aestham River, crossing at Rixeyville, I did report that the enemy picketed the 3 R R-VOL XXIX, PT II |