The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1848-07-14
To the Editors of the LouiSuiu Journal:

=
GESrLEMEN: In the Democrat OF the 9th inst.
there is a communication signed '.Senex," re-
viewing communication published in the
Journal, dated New Albany, July 3, in which
Senex charges the author with "ialsehood,
knavery, and unblushing impudence." Per
haps fair statement of facts by volunteer
who was an eye and ear-witness of all the
facts in relation TO the organization of the lndi-
ana brigade in June, 1916, will put to rest the
question of veracity between the parties. II
is fact we'll known, that al meeting of the
officers of the Indiana volunteers, in the parlor
of the New Albany Hotel, June 1916, Gov.
Whitcomb stated that the laws of Indiana
made no provision for The organization of vol
unteer companies into regiments except by
voluntary association, and recommended to
the officers to retire and associate themselves
into regiments. The officers upon this recon-
mendation soon formed one regiment and re-
ported the fact TO the Governor, and their pro-
ceedings were sanctioned by him, but, before
a writ of election could be issued, some of his
parasites mot volunteers) set themselves TO
work TO produce dissatisfaction among the
men and succeeded i'm prevailing OH one com
pany (the GAINESVILLE Legion) TO withdraw
from the association. and, although there were
other companies ready 10 Join, Gov. Whit
comb refused to permit them, and made known
his intention TO organize them himself, which
was done in such a way as 10 secure the cleo
ton Of his partizans. In fact the election Of
officers was wholesale barter and trade affair;
many Of the men not voting at ali-four COM
panies oi the first regi ment not even opening
poll.
Senex asks the question, show could Gov.
Whitcomb have any agency In the election OF
officers" Twill answer this question by ask
ing another. Does Senex know that the Gov
ernor was several days in organizing the three
regiments, and that he was beset the whole OF
that time, day and night, by his partizans, each
Que insisting they should be organized TO suit
himself! What was this delay for? Ianswer,
TO enable the successful candidates TO ascertain
their strength among the men, and as soon as
that was known, Gov. Whitcomb decided the
question and organised them by geographical
lines, dividing the State into three parts, each.
part to contain a regiment. Where can Gov
Whitcomb or any OF his partiZans find law for
this! There Is none, as every citizen oflndi
ana of ordinary intelligence knows. Then why
take the law into his own hands i'm defiance OF
express statutes on the subject, If he had no
partisan ends to gain?
The regiment that was organised by volunta-
~ association had Wings selected for their Of
ficers, such men as the gallant, generous, and
noble Upton; and none will dare say the re-
suit at Buena Vista would have been the same
If he had been at their head, as ii is
well known he was peculiarly qualified by
nature and education 10 ikae command in the
field.
Nobody asked Gov. Whitcomb to withhold
the commissions of officers, but we did ask the
privilege of electing men that would suit us,
aud can see no reason why the choice of one
third OF the companies should not be respected
by the Governor, only that he and his parti-
slns were heard tOsay that the regiments should
be so organised that no WING should get into
office.
Even after the election of Joseph Lane as
colonel OF the I'd regiment, and his appoint
ment as brigadier general, We succeeded in ell
Getting Capt. VIM. l.. Saundersoa as colonel;
but he, althoug Democrat, did not suit the
party, because II was well known he would
not carry out their views in his appointments;
so part oil the returns were suppressed and the
election was declared null aud void; and in
TINS situation we marched 10 The seat of wal,
under the command of a man who had been
elected In sport, and in whom the men placed
no confidence.
After our arrival on Brazos Island, Col. |
Bowles was finally elected on the ground that
he was clever fellow, and ii is only Justice to
say that he was uniformly kind. indulgent,
and attentive to the comfort of his men, but he
lacked the all important requisite of qualifica
tion.
The volunteers, fortunately, have sense
enough TO know that the report Of Gen. Tay-
Tor was made up from the reports ofhis subor-
ties, and they, not he, are responsible fox
any odium that may rest on the ID regiment: |
and consequently, regardless of the conclu-
sions OF Senex, we will go up boldly and vote