Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1847-11-12
TERMS 80 SO i'm advance.
WHOLE NO. I65.
From the Petersburg Intellisencer.
LIEUT.. PENDERS STATEMENT

at Buena Vista, wherein my conduct on that
occasion is frequently referred to, | have been
induced to send you copy of the order for
my discharge, together with the letters and
certificates, showing to what extent partici-
pated in this unfortunate and shameful affair,
which | shall be under many obligations TO
you to have them published in your columns:
"HEAD QUARTERS BuENA VISTA,
august 10th, 1S47.
ORDERS No. 404: 1t is with deep regret that
the General Commanding has learned within
the last few days, certain individuals of the
Virginia and Mississippi Volunteers have gone
10 the camp of the North Carolina Regiment,
and there combined with the disaffected of
| that body to resist the measures which have
been deemed necessary by the Colonel of the
Regiment to enforce discipline in his Corps :;
and that they have proceeded from one act 10
another, till, on the night OF the 18th, setting
all law and order at naught, they have pre-
sened the singular spectacle OF mutny in
an American Regiment, some of whom, il is
reported, are watching the opportunity 10 as
sassinate the Colonel of the North Carolina
Regment-an act so base that were it not
known where they belonged, it would be
pleasant delusion to believe they were our en-
emies in disguise What, however, is most
Illuminating to every one, who feels at all for
the honor and reputation of his country's arms
is, that the Officers, to whom this honor and
reputation should be most dear. should, in the
North Carolina Reg iment, be found combining
against their Colonel, and by their indifference
and negligence, giving to the dsaffected and
insubordnatc that aid and assistance which
should have been found employed in sustain
ing those placed over Them according 10 the
rules and articles of war.
There is a legal and proper manner prescr-
bed for the redress of all injuries, and for ma
king all complaints for wrongs inflicted and
when Officers fail TO require 4 conformity to
this rule from those committed TO their orders,
and for whose good conduct they are respon-
sible, and allow them, under cover of night
and the responsibility OF a mob, to take re-
dress in their own hands, they are unworthy
the commissions they bear.
9 Had the Company Officers Of the North
Carolina Regiment. as body, uniformly and
actively discharged their duties to their men
and to the Government, the disgracetu' and
unfortunate affair OF last night had not hap
pened. Upon them, therefore, must rest the
: stigma And most happy would it be fol
them, their Regiment, for the State which they
represent, and for the country at large, could
ces never transpire beyond the limits of theil
; own Regiment, to be spread over the United
States, there to be subject of wonder and &C.
, proach to all concerned.
First Lieut. Josiah S. Pender, and LIST Lieut.
George Z. B. Singeltary, and Private Jason
Hunter, Company A, North Carolina Regi.
ment, and Private Thomas King, Company &
Virginia Regiment, are, for being concerned
in the matter referred 10 in this Order, hereby
-. d'stonorady discharged the service OF the Uni
! ted States, to take effect this day.
By command of Brig Cen Wool.
(Signed) IRWIN MCDOWELL, A. a. G.
OFFICIAL
w. w. H. DAVIS, A. A. A.C."
"HEAD QUARTERS N. G. VOLUNTEERS,
= "August 10th. l847.
!; SIR In accordance to Division Orders
No. 4O4, of the date of August 10th, lS47.
: am directed by the General commanding this
Brigade TO notify YOU that you are dlshonora
e bly, discharged from the service of the United
States, and will, upon the receipt OF said Or
e der, leave forthwith, and be subject to ares
and Imprisonment, if again found in camp.
am, very respectfully, your obt serv't,
ROBERT T. PAINE,
Col. Cong ~ c. Regt Volunteers.
JOSIAH S. PENDER, Esq"
The above are accurate copies of the orders
! received by me from Col Paine, through TIT
+, Adiutant, it being the first notification tina
any charges had ever been preferred agalns
mc-the falsity Of which charges, the follow
o ing letters and certificates can but satisfy tn
most skepicaI
;, From the above order it appears that tn
officers of the North Carolina Regiment ar
: accused of indifference and neglect Of duty
o thus giving 10 the disafeced and insubordinat
n AID and assistance, which the Commanding
General construes into mutiny. He then, a
> the instance of Colonel Pane, selects two of
O ticers from among the number, and offers then
y up as a sacrifice for the sins of the Who'll
Brigade
Before offering to you the Surgeons certii
- cate and others, | would ask how it was pos
r sble to be guilty OF neglect OF duty when nc
). on duty' Real Surgeons certificate:
"SALT1LLo, (MexcoO Aug %, 1917.
IS {" This is to certify that Josiah S. PendeI
re Lieut. OF Company A, was not on duty at tn
o time OF the disturbance in camp, on the even
ID ing of the 18th instant, nor was he on dut
II the dav previous or the succeeding day, bu
re was indisposed.
l. CASTOR D. COBB, Surg \. c. v.
: JAS. A McRAE, Asst Surgeon"
e This is to certify that Josiah S. Pende
:, was indisposed the day OF, as also the prev
Y Gus and succeeding, the disturbance OF tn
& 18th inst, and at the time of said disturbanc
d was IN the QuarterfnasteT's tent--that he W.
in no manner connected with or aware OF an
disturbance previous to the discharge Of tn
d pistol, Immediately after which he made h
y appearance in his company quarters, whic
}. was perfectly quiet, and in obedience 70 III
81 call of the Colonel to "turn out" not heIn
in command, directed ne 10 call the men mt
- ranks.
q Lieut. Pender did. on this occasion, an
&c has ever showed great pronptness IN the Pc
l. Torrance of his duty, and even taking. m
y precaution, after the men were dismissed, hay
re ing ordered them TO their tents, TO go round
y each and every one, speaking in fIiendl
OF manner and giving them good advice to r.
ct main in their tents and not be guilty of an
u disor,erly or unsoIdier-Iike conduct, by ev
s. engaging in any row or disturbance whatev,
s. and ever to be quiet ard obedient on sue
20 occasions-that he had no reason to compaI
d of them, and hoped they would do nothlni
:" either openly CT secretly, whereby tnelr PR
vious good conduct might sufier-that one
his men, by imprudently being aDsehI llol
e bis quarters, had been shot-tha' ne "lshe
" this TO be a lesson TO the others 10 remai
n. quietly in their tents on sucn occaslohs-tn;
he remained in his street quite late, and dl