We regret to find that we have done intentional wrong to a worthy and honorable gentleman,
Major Arnold Harris, in identifying him with
Captain Arnold Harris, who is accused, on
ex parte evidence, of being the author of the capture of
Major Reid Sounders's dispatches.
Major Arnold Harris is not a "
Pennsylvania politician," being a native of
Tennessee and the husband of a Tennessee lady, (daughter of the late
General Armstrong, the companion-in-arms of
Andrew Jackson, and former proprietor of the
Washington Union) He graduated at
West Point, and after serving for some years with credit in the old army, he resigned his commission and became one of the most successful merchants of New Orleans, where he has always stood high in the community as a gentleman and a liberal and public-spirited citizens.
A few years ago,
Major Harris, having accumulated a handsome fortune in business, left New Orleans and settled with his family in
Washington city, where he had removed in order to superintend the education of his children.
His arrest at
Manassas — where he came several days after the battle was owing to a total misapprehension of his motives, and the examination which subsequently took place before
Judge Lyons led to his immediate and honorable discharge, and a passport for
Washington was offered to him by
Mr. Benjamin, of which he declined to avail himself, preferring to remain with his friends and relatives, who are all Southern By remaining here
Major Harris has sacrificed a large amount of property; he has never left the
Confederacy since that period, and has been unremitting in his efforts to contribute to the success of our cause.
Whilst in
Washington all his associations and sympathize were with Southern men, and his consistent adherence to the cause of the
South in the midst of the violent excitement which prevailed there after the secession of
Virginia is vouched for by such men as
John C. Breckinridge, with whom he was in constant association, and who has warmly recommended to
President Davis for a high military position.
The great esteem in which
Major Harris is held by gentlemen of the highest character and respectability throughout the
South, is the best evidence of his patriotism and personal worth.
