Col. Turchin addressed the court, detailing and equipped, to guard the country over which his operations while in command-all of which we have passed, and keep open communicaresulted successfully for the cause of the tion with our rear. Union, and none of which were outside the strict line of military duty. He had brought to bear his military knowledge acquired in European campaigns, and, owing to the ignorance of our soldiers, had taken upon himself the duties of subordinates, that his plans might not fail. our lines. "I was charged," said he, "with taking and keeping at my quarters a mulatto boy named Joe, belonging to Mr. Vasser, a resident of Athens. I proved by the witness, that, having used him in scouting expeditions, and for obtaining valuable information about the enemy, I gave him, in accordance with the orders of Gen. Mitchell, protection inside of Gen. Mitchell's policy with regard to negroes (sanctioned, probably, by higher authority), consisted in using them for military purposes, and giving them protection for valuable services. I consider this eminently proper. If we had war with England, and sent an expedition to attack that country, we would land our forces in Ireland, because we know that the people of Ireland hate their oppressors the English-and would readily join us. For a similar reason Garibaldi, before he moved on Naples, invaded Sicily. We invade the southern States, where, with few exceptions, the white population is against us, and from them we can get no information concerning the enemy. In our hearts we know that our only friends here are negroes; but, imbued with prejudice, we are ashamed manfully to acknowledge it. As a matter of necessity, we use negroes for our purposesthey communicating with us readily about their masters, and about the movements of the enemy; and, after thus putting them in a position hostile to the mass of the white population of the South, we basely and meanly surrender them to their enemies. "Our policy vacillates. One General gives them a temporary protection, promising them freedom; another, superseding the first, drives them out of the lines, leaving them to the mercy of their owners, who, looking upon them as their mortal enemies, hang them the first convenient opportunity. When I retreated from Tuscumbia, I heard, and I have conclusive reasons to believe it true, that there were four or five negroes hung on the following day, because they had given us some valuable information. Humanity, for permitting this great wrong, cries out against it." The Colonel then enumerated the numerous advantages derived by the rebels from their slaves, and the many important uses which our army might make of them-among others, forming them into regiments, drilled, armed He complained that the testimony of disloyal men should be placed on record to blast the fair fame of himself and his troops, and continued his address as follows: "I have everywhere in Missouri, in Kentucky, in Tennessee, and in Alabama, been hated by secessionists, and I consider it my best recommendation as a loyal officer; but I defy any one to find a single Union man, who has been in connection with me, that will make a complaint against me. "The more lenient we are with secessionists, the more insolent they become; and if we do not prosecute this war with vigor, using all the means that we can bring to bear against the enemy, including the emancipation of slaves, the ruin of this country is inevitable. "The problem before us is grand. Universal freedom is at stake; and I feel humiliated when I think that this hitherto considered great and generous people may show the world their incapacity to master the present difficulties, and enjoy the blessings of selfgovernment." Then, turning to the members of the court, and speaking as if he were a teacher addressing his pupils, instead of an accused man pleading before his judges, he thus concluded: "I have pointed out some defects in our army organization, and proposed some improvements therein, and if the members of this court will notice those points, and will present them to the higher authorities for consideration, I will feel happy in thinking that this court-martial may not have been held altogether in vain.” This conclusion, in its severe simplicity, I cannot but regard as beautiful. The last thought of the gallant soldier, instead of taking the form of a passionate peroration to move the judges in his favor, is directed to the good of the service, and the benefit of his adopted country. He was found guilty by the court, but its decision was annulled by his appointment as a Brigadier General after the court had been organized. On his arrival in Chicago, on the evening of August 19th, he was received with a splendid ovation, at Bryan Hall, on which occasion he made the following brief and manly address: Fellow Citizens of Chicago:-When I left this city with my regiment, I never expected to receive such a reception as this. I have simp ly done my duty; that's all I have done. (Enthusiastic applause). I did my duty as a soldier, and I trust as an American citizen also. (Applause). Although I am not versed in politics, I made my mind up that the cause of this rebellion was slavery, and I acted upon the principle that the cause should be removed. (Long continued applause). At the same time, I know also that the same men who were relying upon the power of slavery must not be handled with soft gloves, but a little roughly, and so I handled them a little roughly. (Applause). I don't know whether to call it a happy or an unhappy result that my superior officer did not approve of it, and thought differently. He thought that I must be courtmartialed and dismissed from the service. (Groans and hisses for Don Carlos Buell, and cries "You shall go back, General.") My wife informs me that she has a commission, making me a Brigadier General, in her pocket, but I haven't got it, and haven't seen it. (Applause, and three cheers for Madame Turchin). As much as I rejoice to see this kind, and I may say great reception, it would be more pleasant to have my poor boys of the 19th with me-now strung along that railroad. (Crles, "Shame, shame.") They are punished for me, and as you sympathize with me, I want you to sympathize with them. There are five regiments at Huntsville: the 1st Wisconsin at Morris, another at Athens, another at Pulaski, and several at Columbia, all upon or contiguous to this line of railroad. It would seem as if there might be sent from each of these one or two companies to guard this road. They would not feel it. But, no! Our boys are posted in squads of fifteen or twenty for eighty miles. It is low minded; it is contemptible. I cannot but feel the greatest contempt for a man, who, at the head of a powerful army, will behave thus towards soldiers. I do not care for myself, but it is a shame to punish my men. I have studied secession and secessionists in Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Alabama, and I tell you it is of no use to fight against them unless we use every means in our power. They are too powerful to be fought otherwise. Who are these guerrillas? They are citizens who pretend to be peaceful, but who are plotting treason all the time. They are all the time looking out for a straggling Yankee. As soon as he finds one, he gets two neighbors; they take their shot guns, go out and catch him. They look out for pickets, and shoot them. You know how they murdered Gen. McCook. That is what I call a war of extermination. We must do the same; and until we use all men, slaves included, we cannot put them down. (Applause). What I have done is not much; but what I could do, were I allowed, might amount to something. My friends, I must close. We have been talking about the Union a great while. Let us now talk and hurrah for conquest. (Applause). The General closed amidst long continued cheering, which was twice and thrice renewed as the commission was exhibited to the audience, appointing Col. Turchin a Brigadier General, and setting aside the verdict of the court-martial. The General was married in 1852, and his wife, also a native of Russia, accompanied him throughout all his campaigns in Missouri, Kentucky and Alabama, as she did during the war of the Crimea, with the utmost fortitude, enduring all the hardships incident to a soldier's life. To ride on horseback forty or fifty miles per day was to her a mere matter of amusement; and in the march of the 19th Illinois from Winchester to Bellefonte, she took command of the vanguard, and gave most vigorous and valuable directions for driving off and punishing the infamous bushwhackers who infested the road. These and similar things had so much excited the admiration of Gen. Turchin's men, that they would have followed his gallant wife into the field of battle with all the enthusiasm that fired the hearts of the French when gathered around the standard of the Maid of Orleans. COL. CUSHMAN. continued the business of merchandizing. He has now resided in Ottawa about twenty-eight years, and has become one of the "Old Settlers" of the wealthy and populous county of La Salle. During the whole time he has been extensively and profitably engaged in trade and as manufacturer and banker, and is now among the most wealthy men in Northern Illinois. WILLIAM H. W. CUSHMAN was born at Free- ty, Ill., in October of the same year, and town, Mass., May 18, 1813. He is a lineal descendant, of the eighth generation, of Robert Cushman, one of the Pilgrim Colonists who left England to escape the exactions of the Established Church, and to secure entire "freedom to worship God." His father, Hon. Hercules Cushman, was a lawyer, and a man of respectability, who graduated at Dartmouth College, from which he received the degree of A.M. He represented the town of Middleton in the Legislature of Massachusetts in the years 1811 and 1812, and Freetown in the years 1817 and 1819. In 1827 and 1828 he was a member of the Governor's Council of Massachusetts, for British county, and was a Colonel in the militia for six years, from 1822 to 1827 inclusive. His mother was the daughter of Gen. Abdiel Washburn, of Plymouth county, Mass. At the age of eleven he was sent to the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy, at Norwich, Vt., then under the charge of Capt. Alden Partridge, the founder of that institution. He remained there some two years, made good progress in his studies, and received an honorable discharge. In speaking of his early education, in a letter written a few years since to a friend, he remarks: "My father had a notion to make a man of me, and kept me at school all the time from ten to sixteen years of age, when my health failed, and from necessity I was obliged to disappoint him. If I had been kept at home till my mind was more mature, and had not been overburdened till disgusted with books, perhaps his plans would have been successful, though I have my doubts." His father undoubtedly designed to give him a collegiate education, and have him follow the legal profession. Being of an active temperament, he commenced the mercantile business at Middleton, in the year 1881, at the age of eighteen, and did a very good and extensive business. In 1832, he was commissioned by Gov. Lincoln, of Massachusetts, Adjutant in the 4th Regiment, 5th Division, of the Massachusetts Militia, and received his discharge 21st February, 1834. He removed to Ottawa, La Salle coun In 1842, the completion of the Illinois and Michigan Canal was considered of much importance in his section of the State, and as he had a peculiar faculty of arranging and successfully carrying out financial operations, he was elected to the House of Representatives of the State, for the term of two years, and in 1844 was again elected by his constituents to the same office. The result of his labors in the Legislature shows that the people were wise in their choice. He was a candidate of the Democratic party in 1856 for the State Senate, but the district being largely Republican, he was defeated, though his vote exceeded the vote of his party, owing to his personal popularity. In the Presidential contest of 1860, he was one of the electors at large on the Democratic ticket, and was earnest and efficient in his advocacy of the claims of Mr. Douglas. has filled several important county offices, particularly those of a financial character, and has always been faithful to his trusts. He It seems that his early military education has not been forgotten, but has been turned to good account. On the 24th day of June, 1847, he was commissioned by Gov. French, 66 Captain of the Ottawa Cavalry, 14th Odd Battalion," which office he held until September, 1861, when he was appointed by Gov. Yates to the command, as Colonel, of the 53d Regiment Illinois Volunteers. The chief qualities of his mind, which have led to his remarkable success in life, are activity, integrity and good judgment. "Omnia vincit labor" is his maxim, and most faithfully has he adhered to it. The result in his case is very obvious, and may be easily stated. He has much wealth, many and ardent friends, and a most excellent reputation. The perfect |