Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-11-19
Communication from Lieut.. Governor
Dunning.

have learned with regret, and no small degree Of
establishment, that have been made the subject Of
newspaper attack, since the election, account of
my connection with Mr. p nj. Kent, Suter for the ID
Regiment of Indiana Volunteers
feel myself called upon a citizen, to set the
public mind right upon this matter; and partic
ularly do feel myself called upon to make public
explanation OF my conduct, TO my political friends in
Indiana, who have manifested their confidence and
regard for me during my absence from the State.
L understand II has been reported that | really
sought and obtained The appointment Of Sutler to one
or more Of the Regiments of Indiana troops and that
after had obtained the appointment was engaged
in shamefuly imposing upon them.
will give brief history of this whole matter,
Tor the truth OF which, appeal to men Of the army
And now declare, that challenge the striclest scru-
tiny into my conduct whilst connected with the army
| BY the Judgment Of those who know me, and the
course pursued towards all men, with whom had
business or intercourse, shall most cheerfully abide.
In May last, after the requisition for troops was
made by the President, upon Indiana, actively
engaged with others, in addressing my fellow citizens
and urging them to volunteer their services, the
call of their country. | likewise volunteered my
services. At the time ! volunteered, was actively
engaged in prosecuting the political campaign for
Governor and Lieut.. Governor. A long string of
appointments had previously to that time been made
for me, which it agreed by the prominent men,
bers Of the volunteer company, including the officers
and others, without distinction of party that should
fill. Indeed it distinctly understood that should
be allowed to prosecute that canvass, until the troops
should be called upon TO leave the State proceeded
TO nil nearly all of them AMI afterwards met the troops
at New Albany. The circumstances beyond my
control, which in spite of my own desire, and of my
Company prevented my being mustered into service
member Of it, it is presumed are already known
TO the public, as they to men Of the army. They
can be satisfactorily established at any time should
repetition be necessary Indeed, 1t is sufficient
proof of my wish TO go, Notwithstanding the written
remonstrance Of number of my political friends
to the / had taken,) that | then received
from Colonel James Ii. Lane the appointment of
Quarter Master in his Regiment Other gentlemen
also had received staff appointments. After our
appointments were made known 10 COL Churchill, he
informed the gentlemen making them, that from
very recent enactment Of Congress upon the subject,
the power of appointment reserved III the Presi
dent Immediately Gov. Whhcomb drew up recon-
mendaton in my favor for that Office and signed It, q
think,) himself, and it signed by every Regi-
mental officer of the three Regiments (as believe)
aud by every Captain (save one) of Colonel Lanes
Regiment and with other recommendations for other
gentlemen it was forwarded to Washington
city. Some two three days before they possibly
could have reached Washington city, we received
through the papers the news of the appointments OF
other to fill all the Offices that were to be filled
in the army Fooled at this point still determined
to 60. Many gentlemen connected with the army
felt anxious that should 60 In the meantime Mr..
p M. Kent had been appointed Sutler to the I'd Reg
appointment of Sutler to the Sd Regiment CO.
partnership offered me. Some of my friends
advised me to accept of the offer. l did So This
would leave 1t in my power to engage at any time IN
active service if suitable occasion present ITSELF
according TO my original intentions We ac-
cordingly proceeded to New Orleans. There MIR.
P. nj. Kent and his brother and myself became
discouraged about the business, from the reports
had heard of the bad Of others engaged in
similar transactions. Wedeclined proceeding further
in it. We suggested want of capital. Gen. Lane
and number Of other officers, without distinction of
party (who felt great anxiety to have some one along
TO furnish the volunteers with such necessary articles
as they might need) entered into an agreement In
writing. that the Suffers to the I'd and Sd Regiments
would pay the amount of purchases to their creditors
when they should receive pay from the volunteers at
the Pay Masters table. Mr.. P. M. Kent made his
purchases under those circumstances and went (upon
small scale) into the business.
An attempt has been made to create the impression
that very solictous about this matter, for the
purpose Of speculation and that | had sought and
obtained before stated suershp. 1t positively
untrue. never sought or obtained such an appoint
ment had any connection with the business except
in the heretofore stated 1t is true, however,
that refused two appointments of the same kind TO
our troops, because found it uncertain business
and accompanied with great risk.
have noticed in the New Albany Weekly Bulle-
TIM of Wednesday, October 2lst, 1916, article
purportng to contain the prices current OF Kent and
Cunning, Suffers to the I'd Regiment of Indiana Vol
uneers. All that have TO say at present, In reply
to this article, shall be couchcd in mild language.
shall not be as harsh the tenor of the article
would justify. Mr.. Green, the editor of that pa
per, has been misinformed, and the officer Ut the
Spencer Greys" from whom he says he received
his letter. is utterly Mistaken never learned the
prices correctly. have counted in that list thirty
nine articles to which he axes prlces-of that num-
least thirty enormously stated and not more
think than about six are correctly Siated-twO or
three of the articles have no recollection of ever
seeing in the establishment and therefore | cannot
speak definitely in relation TO them II is suthclent
now to say that the prices stated with the above
ceptions from 100 to SEQ per cent greater than
the reality. may point out the errors more specih-
cay hereafter. Whisky has been stated at $4 to So
per gallon; the true price not exceeding 81 per
gallon; and here | wish to add remark in connec-
ton with another publication which has been brought
to my notice by a friend. aude to certain extracts
of letter written by Capt. Kinder TO the editor oil
the Paoli Democrat and by him published with COM
ments thereon. Capt Kinder has been most egregi
ousy imposed upon, and by that means has done
injustice to me as one of his political friends. deny
most positively that drop of liquor was sold
/ by Mr. Kent or myself or any by our authority
at A. or So per gallon, at any other price thar
> that stated by above. l demand the proof.
intend to produce the proof of the truth Of all my
u statements as soon as can receive answers to my
e letters, which / shall mail, or some Wing tC
mall in four or FIVE days from this date, TO gentlemen
of the army and others of good standing Only three
or four barrels Of whisky ever sold by Mr. kent
authority for which he paid 81 % per gallon, as cal
and will be proven. knew nothing OF their pur
chaseunt il was made. or should have objected t
it. The sale of these barrels lasted about or II
: days and thus ended the whisky trade, which hal
caused me SO much abuse and rilicaton as grocer
: keeper to the army. We violated the order o
. Gen Taylor upon that subject The whisky was no