Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1847-07-15

10 The Eiiilors Of The State Sentinel.
In number of the last weeks Journal y copied
article from the Alatamoras Flag. giving an ac-
count Of brutal assault upon the person Of Mr.
Stepp, sisersnith Of that city, by Of the Indian
apOlls companies, with request that one - who
knows" would answer. | can scarcely believe tie
editor sincere in his requests for had he been So be
could have obtained 1t in daily conversation for
several days previous to the publication or notice of
this affair; but he never made an ntnation of the
affair, and am forced to the conclusion entertained
by number of officers of State in the service as
well as myself that his feelings towards The volun-
teers were rather Corwinish, and that he took this
sly way, he had previously done, in Publishing
many Of The false rumOFs which were put afoat by
the Regular officers, 10 give stab, without unniask-
ing his real feelings. Therefore, with this view of
the editors feelings towards company Of volunteers,
whose honorable conduct | proud 10 bear witness
| deem 1t a duty 10 them to give the facts of this
false accusation, that if the editor Of the Journal IS
sincere IN his desire to know the truth that he nav
obtain 1t. was laying quite indisPosed in New
Orleans when the publication Of this brutal act -
first came to my notice, and determining that if il
were true, that the individual alone should ufer
Immediately commenced an investigation, and found
the following the true facts Lieutenant Howard
OF my company took cane 10 a Mexican siversmith
(not a Frenchman as is stately TO have il capped
with silver, and before 1t could be finished our
20 the battle of Buena Vista. 1t. Howard told the
smith that be would, if alive, call for it on his return
home aud on our return, the steamer stopping a
few minutes, 1t. H. went up to the city and called
for his cane; the Mexican replied that it was not
his lit H.'s,) and upon 1t. II. insisting il was his
property, the Mexican commenced abusing him. and
ordering him ont Of his shop at the same time gath
ering large Spanish dirk and advancing towards
him. It. IL. not being armed, stepped out Of tire
shop, :he Mexican still advancing, when Lieut. II.
espied piece of brick, took il up and struck him on
the side of the head, not however, doing him any
material inury-when, after some paavering, the
Mexican gave MIN his cane. 1t. ii. being detained
too long, the boat put out and left HIM; aud if this
horrd affair, represented true, why was he
not arrested by the civil authorities of that city, as
he remained several days after the difficulty occurred
It. il. and the several officers and others who were
present perfectly astonished when they got to
New Orleans TO see the charges as made by the
Matamoras Flag aud all say it is entirely untrue
about the silversmih being in an insensible state
aud the arrangement Of his daughter on account Of
the fathers situation. and that they frequently after
wards saw the siversmith pursuing his work. Thi.
is true statement Of this great bug bear; and
desire, Messrs Editors its publication in your paper
JOHN MCDOUGALL.
INDIANAPOLIS, July u, 1917.