ook
occasion to state, by way of pre-judgment, that the charges were
malicious and false, notwithstanding the scores of names appended as
witnesses;--and that no _Volunteer Captain_ had a right to prefer
charges against one of his Staff; and that it was the duty of the
Brigadier to discountenance any charges of the kind. They were again
forwarded, with the statement of the Brigadier, that the charges were
eminently proper, and that he himself would prefer them, should
objection be taken to the rank of the officer whose signature was
attached. But pigeon-holing was a favorite smothering process at
Division Head-Quarters, and the drunken and disgraceful conduct of the
Adjutant-General remains unpunished.

Charges supported by a large array of reputable witnesses, ranking from
Brigadier to Privates, were preferred against the General himself, for
"Drunkenness," "Un-officerlike conduct," "Conduct tending to mutiny,"
and the utterance of the following treasonable and disloyal
sentiments:--

"That he wished some one would ask the army to follow General
McClellan to Washington, and hurl the whole d----d pack into the
Potomac, and place General McClellan at the head of the
Government,--that the removal of the said General McClellan was a
political move to kill the said General; and that the army had
better be taken to Washington, and turned over to Lincoln."

The charges and specifications, of one of the latter of which the above
is an extract, alleged that the offence was committed at Camp near
Warrenton, about the time of McClellan's removal. Whether they too have
been pigeon-holed at Division Head-Quarters is not known. Attention to
their merit was promised by superior officers. The patriotic sacrifices
of our citizen soldiery are surely worthy of an unceasing and unsparing
effort to procure loyal, temperate, and capable commanders. A timely
trial, besides affording a salutary example, might have done much in
preventing the disgraceful Rebel escape at Williamsport, which alone
dims the glory of Gettysburg.

* * * * *

The last that was seen of the exhorting Colonel and his Adjutant, was
their sudden exit from the wood at Chancellorsville, in an early stage
of Sunday's fight,--the one with a slight wound, and the other with a
headache caused by the cannonading, as alleged. A performance which has
not, thus far, brought the coveted star.

* *