Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-10-25

this title, lately went the rounds oil the news
papers, and was copied by US among the cur
rent news of the day. OF course, we bad no
means of knowing anything more ABOUT the
matter. than what was stated in the paragraph
and did not, indeed, notice, at all, the names
of the parties concerned. 1t is represented to
Us, however, by those vino have been male
acquainted with the facts OF the case, mai the
article in question contains statements not
supported by the truth, and we cheertuiiy pub
lish the following ample retaliation, prepared
BY one who has not consulted the worthy oihcer
referred to, on the subject, but who Is fully
cogaizant of oil the circumstances connected
with the transaction which gave rise to the
Texas paragraph, and who is responsible for
his statement. We think those papers which
have, as we did. copied the paragraph, should
publish the correction and contradiction here
given:
"Wheu the occurrence referred to took
Mace, Lieut.. Barton was the Adjutant Of tire
lst Infantry, and the baud OF music was
directly under his command. About two
months previous thereto, one He'd, mot
Head,) a private of that band, was reported
nv o CORPORAL, for disCbedience of ordcr:;
was tried by a court-mar,ial, convicted, aud
punished. Held had just been discharged
from the service, and on the day engaged bis
seat in the mail ambulance, going 10 San
Aotopio: and, Just before it started, armed
with a six shooter and bowie-kniie, stole into
the quarters of the band. The Corporal vas
writinc at the time. Held reminded him OF
bis trial, and without further provocation,
seized him by the hair, pulled ban back on
the bed, thence to the floor, beat him with
his fist, and stamped him with his ieet-;he
CORPORAL a weak, feeble old man; Held a
Young athletic one. Held dragged aim ahou;
and across the room, beating and stamping
him. until the poor victim of this brutal and
cowardly outrage, ran to bis officer for pre-
lection. His APPEARANCE, disorder of his
dress. and the marks Of the beating, al!
nla,ply indicated the brutal treatment. He'd
fled. was taken, tied, and WHIPPED. Instead
of the brutal and cruel punishment stated,
he received thirty lasheS only. Not ooe drop
of blood was drawn; and instead CT being
confined three weeks, and having a physician
To attend him, Held, the same day, overlook
the pai! ambulance, at a distance Of Is miles.
Held arrived ut San Antonio whilst the grand
Jury Of the Circuit Court WIS in session.
Held is q German, aud it is wei! known, and
unfortunately, in this case, for the OH 'er, the
bulk of that population is German. lie was
indicted, tried, convicted, and fined $500.
Gov. Ruunells, on being Informed OF the !acis
of the case from respectable gentlemen OF San
Antonio, in q well considered document, jus
tilted Lieut.. Barton fully, and RENTED the
fine: for which, on a subsequent visit to San
Antonio, be was insuited by the rabtle.-
Now, what was the officer to have done when
bis soldier was beaten almost in his presence,
on the frontiers Of Texas; not a justice of the
peace within Us miles; a large portion OF the
population unemployed, reckless meu; and II
was notorious that soldiers bad teen beaten
and treated in the most shameful manner;
nay, have been killed, aud yet there ls DOT
one case Of a citizen being convicted? The
discipline Of the command required the act.
What O n.commissioucd officer would per
form bis duty. it discharged soldiers, IN this
lawless frontier country, should be permitted
to assault and heat them with IMMUNITY. Il
is not surprising that a jury of such a peru
lstion, as is described. (aud those OF San An
tonic, of o different stamp, are generally too
much employed to serve on juries,) should
have given a verdict OF 81 500 in a civil suit,
aud especially if defended upon such grounds
as the article states. Whether such a verdict.
however, was obtained, or If so, whether 1t
was not set aside by the Court, or appealed
from, is not known. 1t is certain, however,
that Lieut.. Barson's conduct, in protecting
the soldier under bis charge against such an
outrage, and having the man fossed 20: 1t,
received the commentator Of every officer OF
the army, and every respectable man 10
Texas. who was acquainted with the facts ct
the case"