Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-01-28
Hox. w. w. Wick, House of Reps.


volunteer to como home on" &c.
While Mr.. Dunning does not proper to notice
those things HIMSELF he has papers and letters from
individuals in the army, clearing him of all suspicion,
which be seen at any time. These will be re-
ceived when the army has rested the time of service
Of the soldiers has expired that time may be had for
writing them. We are informed that Mr.. Dunning,
the proper time. will show to the public those let
tiers, freeing him from all suspicion.
The public sentiment is now RICH: in the matter
but it is desired to show up to the people the true
attitude of those who make it business prey
upon the character Of Others
! From the Bedford
CAMP BELKNAP, Dec. 5th 1916.
SIR:-For the first time since my departure, sit
down TO address you few lines, and indeed do not
know that should have written you at all, did not
feel it my duty to correct some OF the rum0rS, or
rather incorrect publications., which have made their
appearance, in the form of letters from the army,
different papers in our State, in regard to Paris G..
Dunning-
1t is true that Mr.. D. was sometimes about our
Suffers concern and ii is equally true that it is gene
rally believed that he interested in
it. But that he is the some would make him.
is not true. In the first place, Mr. Dunnng designed
you know, to come here the capacity of soldier.
He did not do so, and the facts simply these. He
was at that time a candidate for Lieut. Governor, as
is also well KNOWN and had string of appointments
out, Of which was the very day that Captain
Suss's company was inspected and mustered into
service Now, you know he could not attend both
places at the same time-neither did he, any per-
son else, know on what day the company would be
mustered. Well, the company was mustered into
service, and afterwards Mr.. Dunning came and de-
manded to be enrolled private. But he was told
he could not be received and for these reasons-the
company was already mustered into service, and was
H.
Churchil) willing to receive, he wishing TO re-
ceive companies of only sixtyfour rank and fle, and
not larger; and he positively refused to muster MIR.
d. into the service This was not the only case of
the kind that occurred in the organization of the
Indiana Brigade.
Col. Churchill went still further, and refused to
receive any company containing sixty-four rank
and file, any member which had been enrolled the
road to New Albany, at that place. And after the
companies were brought forward for inspection, he
would inquire of the captain how many men he had,
and if there over that number, he would ask if
any of them had been enrolled the road to, at
that place. and if order their to be stricken
off the roll.
Mr.. Dunnlng being thus prevented from coming as
soldier, de termined i suppose, TO come in some
other capacity. He came, and far as | am capable
of judging, behaved like gentleman, as | think he
is. 1t is true that when first got here and began
to inquire the prices of Suffers goods, thought
them much too high-even to the point Of extortion,
but since that time I have had opportunity of
knowing the prices of goods among other dealers and
have visited the city of Matamoras and | find that
there is but little difference in the prices there and
among our Suffers. This especially the case
before Mr.. Dunning left here, for all the boys agreed
that when he about the establishment they got
the goods much lower than when it was tended by
others; though in truth Mr.. Dunning was seldom
about the concern, the management of it being left
almost entirely to Mr. p NJ Kent (of whom many
I hor nd tulo pnda
Dunnng's partner, and bought him out Now there
has been great deal said about Mr.. Dunning's SELL
ing whiskey half Rio Grande water, for five dollars
gallon, and all that sort of stuff Any man in his
right mind knows this is So for all acquainted
with the orders of Gen. Taylor prohibiting even the
entrance of spr.tuous liquor into the mouth of the
river-that is seized and made forfeit the one half
the proceeds to the informant the remaining half
the use of the sick. Is there man in Indiana who
is green to believe that Mr. Dunning or any
other man would be permitted to sell whskey if they
were so disposed! Surely not. No sir. Every bot
tie that be found with the smallest drop of spirits
in it, is taken and the owner, if known, subjected
to the penalties provided for the offence.
SOME PERSONS were permitted TO put up tents near
those of Suffer- for the purpose of selling bread
and pies to the soldiers, who accused of snug
Cling in whiskey and selling it to the men and the
tents were searched, and the ground and about
them perforated to ascertain the fact and some whis
key was found But all this was after Mr.. Dunning
had gone home. The way the culprits had to leave
- these diggns was rapid, assure you.
The public generally should be slow 10 form opin-
ions founded on crude and exaggerated letters from
the boys in the army. They know that any thing
from the army creates quite excitement at home,
and many of them in the habit of gratifying their
personal enmties in this way. / have seen many
letters published from here and all with more or less
exaggeration, aud some indeed utterly unfounded in
truth.
will say something now about our situation, and
prospect for active service The prospect is now
toleraby good. Two regiments Of our brigade will
leave in the course of few days for Monterey-the
ID and Sd. The first is sth stationed at the mouth
Of the Rio Grande and is likely to remain there. We
now begin to think we shall have some share of the
fighting, but we once thought it a bad chance. In
fact almost began to think that old Rough and
Ready did not know US at all, that there any
such beings in the world The boys looked very sour
in those times; you would have thought some of
them would have given forty-fve cents out of fifty,
aud risk living the remainder, to have been in the
ever and they much elated with the speedy pros
pect of moving into the interior of Mexico. [ cannot
tell you to what point going, but think it very
probable that we will join Gen. Taylor, and move
towards Vera Cruz-though am in the dark at this
time. This much is certain, to embark on
steam boat for Camargo and GO from thence to SAL
tillo via Monterey by land. Where next know not
Our regiment is yet in good order we have over
seven hundred men and have lost only 81 by death.
The boys in my company are generally well, except
some few cases of mumps. We will not be compelled
to leave over six for sickness, when we move, and
they will be left at Matamorrs. As have nothing
further of interest to communicate, will close
Yours, sc.
HENQV DAUTC