The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-01-22

you may easily imagine, there 'c0s
some swearing, and a more excited
set of men could not easily he got
together. Meantime an intimate Of
the Generals, who knew about what
sort of n man Capt. Richardson was,
and who could easily imagine how
such treatment at the hands of the
General would be received, intima-
ted TO him that in this affair he had
got the wrong animal by the ear,
and gave lin to understand that the
thing would lie apt to "cost more
than it would come to" before it was
all over. So the General became
alarmed, ard sent down in hot haste
for Col. Hardin. The Colonel obey
ed the summons, and on calling at
the Generals tent, found, as he sus-
pectcd, that the General was in fdg-
cts in reference to his proceedings
towards Capt. r., and that he wished
TO "haul in" little. Tie General
wanted Capt. r. called, but the Col.
knowing the state of the Captains
feelings, proposed postponing the in
terview until morning, but the Cen
eral was urgent and Capt. r. was
sent for. Then Capt. r. was coolly
informed on what ground his dis
charge was made out; and on his
expressing great surprise that he
should be thus dealt with for an Of
fence comparatively so triAing, was
told with still greater GOODNESS by
Gen. w. that he had no idea lie
{ Capt. R.) would take it so seri-
ously, or that he would care much
about it. In short, he seemed to
regard it as very small matter
Capt. r, could hardly contain him
self lie told Gen. w. that lie had
a reputation at home which was dear
10 him, and wanted to know wheth-
or he thought it was so small a mat
ter to send him home with that repu-
ta,ion blasted. He gave vent TO
his feelings pretty freely, so that the
General had no difficulty in discov-
criag that he had a pretty tough Gus
toner to deal with and lie soon be-
came willing to make any repara-
ton. He offered to revoke the or
der discharging Capt. r., and was
willing to draw up the revocation
in any words the Capt. might die
tate. But Capt. r. preferred the
General should word it himself. and
accordingly he directed the follow
ing TO be written:
"HTAD QuLnrFHs, CgNrRr Div.2
Camp near MoNcLovA, Nov. 81, 1876. s
"rhe commanding General. being snti sled
since the interview had with you on the subject
that the neglect Of duty on your part W hich
caused him TO issue the order dischoreing y1u
from The service, was unin'entionel. directs me
to inform you that the order is revoked. 700
will DC pleased, therefore, 10 return the copy fur
nished you. which, together with the original on
Gle in this ollire will be suppressed.
al am sir, very respectfully.
"YOur obcdieu' servant.
JAS. II. PRENTIss,
Ass, Adj. Cent.
Capt. w. A. RrcHAnpsoS.
"l,, Reg. III. Vol.
Camp near Monclovs, Mexico"
Capt. r. merely glancing at this.
crammed it into his pocket, and re-
turned to his tent. But on reading
it over carefully, he was dissatisfied
with the reading. 1t took for grant
ed, for instance, that there woS
" neglect ofduty" on his part, which
he was unwilling to admit and the
interview being mentioned, it might
lead to the supposition that he had
made apologies, &c. SO lie took the
paper back, and the following was
drawn up:
"HE.p QrARTrrs, CENTRE DIv.)
Camp near MoscLo,A, Mrvrco.
"Nov,22, 1916.
"Srr: The commanding General, heing salts
fed with the explanations given of the circum-
stances which induced the order discharping YOU
from the service ins,tucts me to inform you thai,
the order is revoked.
* am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obt servant.
"JAS. II. PRENTISS,
"Ass. AdJtGen'I,
"Csp,. w. a, RrcuARpsox,
"ls'. Reg. ~. Vol.
"Camp near Monclova, Mexico"
This matter being disposed Of, the
officers next determined to "do
something" in reference to the abu-
sivc language the General had used
towards them as body, and after
some consultation, they drew up the
following note, all signing it, and
determined to present it TO the Cen
eral:
"Comp near MoNCtcv,, NEx.1
"Nov, %, 1916. s
"The undersigned, officers Of the lst and %
Regiment, Illinois Volunteers, have heard with
surprise that on Yesterday. in conversation with
al officer from Illinois respecting sad regiments,
you used substantially the following language.
(Hrrc quoting the language addressed to Capt.
Montgomery
These Insulting expressions respecting tie
officers are unmeritcd, unhecnmine a command.
ing officer, and would be degrading il we PASSED
them Nv without notice. We have no, mad,
the military profession the business of our lives
hut have recently left the pursuits of private life
to serve our country in the field and we mr., con.