Virginia Free Press

The Military Despots.

The following is a specimen of the arrogance of a military chieftain in, who fancies that all power over States and people was intended to be concentrated in his hands. It is an attempt to second the vile purposes of the Confiscation Radicals in overthrowing free government in the South. Some of Dan's friends have been inflating him with the idea of being run for Vice President, and this at once puts him "on his high horse." He says the declaration of the Attorney General "disarms me (S) of means to protect life, property, or the rights of citizens, and menaces all interests in these States with ruin." What fudge! The quintessence of fudge! An unarmed, submissive people menacing life and property! Sickles seems to forget that questioning the authority of his commander in chief is a military offence, and deserves, not simply a court of inquiry, but a court martial. Mark the imperious air with which this military satrap "demands" relief and vindication!

General Sickles' Letter Asking to be Relieved.

Headquarters Second Military District,
CHARLESTON, S. C., June 19, 1867.

To the Adjutant General of the Army, War Department, Washington, D. C.:

I have the honor to request that I may be relieved from command in this military district, and I respectfully demand a court of inquiry upon my official actions, that I may vindicate myself from the accusation of the Attorney General, published, it is presumed, with the approval of the President. Congress having declared these so-called State governments illegal, the declaration of the Attorney General that military authority has not superseded them prevents the execution of the reconstruction acts, disarms me of means to protect life, property, or the rights of citizens, and menaces all interests in these States with ruin.

D. E. SICKLES,
Major General Commanding.

Official: J. W. CLOUS, Capt. and A. A. A. G.