The Arkansas advocate., 1837-02-17


 which nc nus right to wave, and in no case can ao plg to Coaft qi Aqafgy. I gteretore hace 10 de- aaaa e yoa saeh C0aq9 o t3testigate Qsg conduct Ais rt0Hsl foffhgg.f. Let ths members come from any Corps;-- oGntaers, |. s. Infantry Draooons. Artillery, Maines, the Navy Unnecessary; and if they are honorable men, and competent CT approach ing competency, iu rank, wl be content.
 ln addition to the discharge of my duty, SIT, came here to prosecute my rights and defend my honor; aAdtgoln the comgana which yoa exercise shall sx peet every facility which law and justice guaranty to the soiaer
 fts call iof Court Of Inquiry is not conceived to bs rellnqasbment or suspension of ny appca- ton ntobe immediately placed ii nY command which legally belongs to no other person, &c.''
 very Respectfully,
 eur most obt serpf.
 i. FOWLER, It. Col. &c
 GrN, ARgucKLE.
 In an interview with the General, sought bv hmsele for no purpose that ] could discover, unless to see @hat ktud of animal were stated to hin ditinct ly that wished the Court to the whole ground, end express their opinion upon the merits as far as 1 vas involved. He informed Howell that I had de- handed all investigations and presume the others who were charged with crime. Howell at first de clned asking for Coart, and stated to the General and others 1 was told by men of character, that he would Withdraw the charges against This was communicated to unoticiallY by It. Harris at taet tIae aid to the General. To him at once de- cafad tAAt could not consent to their withdrawal and must have an investigation. He in frank and manly manner said that he had told the General that would not agree to such q thing and that was right in requiring Court, whether they were with. drawn or hot. Bat Howell, by what skill of his keepers know not, at length asked for an inyestga. tioa-lt may have been from understanding of the Gaae that Has to be played aflerwards--the disso- lqton of the Court and the premature discharge of tLs oI4a1eeIs.
 "Order, Head QVarer .Grmy S. IT. Frontier, To. It. FoRT G1esog, Jan. 9th, 1887. It. Col Fowler, 1.-the olunteers is released from arrest. He Is however excused from duty with his Regt until after the Court of Inquiry he has required has finished the business before it.
 By order of Byt. Brig. Gen. ArbuckIe
 4. HARRTs, .45d-de-captp, < fl. fl. .4djt. Gsn'' Why this reeaee from arrest! if had done wrong at all, had done enough to cashier fifty officers The anaWer must be that the Brevct Brigadier himself was conscious of having transcended hs powers and anxious to "stoqeo6" as easily US possible. Why excuse me from duty when the other was kept on duty! He knew that would refuse to act under Als pei; that my open do6edieace to his oton order would compel him to convene u Court to try me; that he ordered Court to try his accuses for not or defing one to try HoweA would be gone; and that whenever the whole affair was fully and fairly nyesti- gated, would be triumphantly sustained, and him. sekfsubcced to at least reprimaad for his arbra- " conduct.
 On tho same date of the above order, another was issued converting Court of Inquiry, on application of myself and Howell, US 1t read to investigate the eharges against each, sto consist of Capt. B. L. F. Bonneville, f inf, President, Capt E. S Hawkins, Ith Inf, and Gait. r. St. G. Cook, 1st Drapoona Members' By this order the Court was restricted to tho charges, although had required and was en- titled to all investigation of the whole matter; did ne require Ii to give an opinion, although he knew that an expression of opinion was my principal object il asking for tho Court However on my subseuuent demand, an order emanated requiring the Court to give all opinion. As the Court assembled the General commenced display of his skill in special pleading and learned technicalities. Although he bnd yeceiued, and ordered Court on my charges against Howell, he efased t0 send ktem before ite Court. l naodlfed and remodifed them several times according 10 the Generals directions con- nuncated by his aid; and finally remodetled them entirely to suit his enlightened views of propriety but they would not do yet, although Mir. Harris was wiling to make oath that had followed the direc- tons precisely. then requested Mr. Harris to take them 10 the General and make the alteration n sord tad letter as he might direct. This Mr. H. did for roe or should probably have never been able to get them botore tie Court according to the generaszig- zag rule. 1.-the charges not in sufficient form at first, It was the Generals duty to have them put n form hmeeh--not impose it on But evasion seemed to be tho order of the day. No sooner were the charges before the Court than the General in the omnpotence of his power and wisdom arbitrarily dissoired fse Court. And the only given for the dissolution were that Howell and mysefhad cal led for evidence from r. iowson and Little Rock, nnd that under these ercumstance, to progress with tl invest ration 1t was beheued acoud be injurious fo Ac sey0fce and that was sseeterDaiaed 70 dis clsnyre' the corps immediately. Even the first of these puerile objections did apply to my case for had specially informed him, through the Recorder, that had evidence enough at the Post and wished the proceedings 10 20 on whether my witnesses were ordered from distance or not. And who before ever heard of m officer rights being denied him when his character and honor ut asesuss It T1iITTo TFaya bTirg ee.ee Court! Mho eges knew S'oart dfssofred under such eireumstancss? And who before ever heard such a. nonstrous idea advanced as that 1t oould 6e iyul,i- ous 10 fbe scgrice, when troops were in winter quar- ters and perfectly ide for four officers 10 he spared few days to investigate and report upon foul caum~ nies and charges of dishonor against Lieutenant co}onelg Vas 1t because his rank was 50 low. Was it hacausc hs belonged to tlso Volunteers, and not permanently attached to the Arrnyl 1t beeause