White Cloud Kansas chief. [volume] (White Cloud, Kan.) 1857-1872, 1861-12-26
Home Military Matters.

Company F, Home Guard Regiment,
now stationed at Iowa Point, to pursue.
disband and destroy all marandins bands.
lie is authorized to command the servi-
ces of all persons claiming to act under
any military authority; and if the civil
authorities interfere, he is commanded to
arrest and send them to Fort Leaven-
worth, with written charges. His au-
tbority extends over Atchison, Doniphan.
and the Northern and Western Counties
This is what might he termed a slight
touch Of martial law. and places an uuu-
sual amount Of power in the hands Of one
individual. which. if not judiciously ex-
ercised. may create an unpleasant state Of
affairs.
Capt. Williams seems disposed to use
his authority in kicking things over gen.
orally. While the order issued to him
expressly defines his duty to be the break
ing up of bands of marauders. he has
commenced by breaking up Col. Leland s
command. stationed at Troy, waiting to
be mustered into the four months service.
lie also arrested Col. Leland, upon the
charge of having drawn commissary
stores for his men under false pretences
Now, as we understand it, no man can
draw comnissary stores without present
ing an order from the proper department.
If Col. Leland presented such an order,
de did not obtain the stores under false
pretences but if be did not present such
authority, the commissary officer, and not
the Colonel, is the man to blame. AS
might have been expected, Capt. Will
Jams slipped up on his charges, and Col.
Leland was discharged. We also hear
the Captain accused of arresting mem
bers of Leland's command, and after hol.
ding them prisoners for several days, set
ting them free, without bringing any
charge or accusation against them. This.
if true, is an outrage; for every man who
is arrested has q right to know why, and
to have o fair trial. It is q very easy
matter for a man, clothed with a little
brief authority. to run himself speedily
into the ground.
We also hear bitter complaints against
Capt. Williams, that his chosen compan.
ions, blossom friends, and confidential as
sociates, are all secessionists, or Union
men fenced in with "buts," stakc-and.
ridered with "ifs." It is said that he
boards with a secessionist; purchases ev-
cry article he needs from secessionists, II
possible; employs secessionists to do ev-
cry 25 cent job of hauling that he has to
do; and that the leading secessionists of
Iowa Point are constantly huddled about
his Office stove, advising and counseling
with him, and assisting him in his labors
for the Union!
We do not personally know these
things to be true, but we have them from
men who claim to know. Capt. Will
iams' business. under tho recent order, is
simply to suppress Jsyhawking and
thieving; and as long as he confines
himself to that duty, he deserves the as
sistancs and encouragement of every good
citizen. But we hope he will take hint
from one who has ever entertained toward
him the most friendly feelings. when we
tell him that when he goes to arresting,
and harassing Union men. sim
ply because he has the power to do 50.
and associates with. consults, and does
the bidding Of q pack Of traitors, he will
stir up stink which those who COM
mand him cannot Withstand. and which
will quickly deprive him Of his extra au.
thority. The Union citizens will protest
so decidedly against such business, that
his Prussian musksts and bayouets will
be called to some point where he will be
required to perform the duties for which
his company was organized, and for
which he is being paid from the loyal
peoples treasury-to protect Union citi.
zens in their rights, and to crush out trea.
son and traitors! Terbxm sapienti-
which, being interpreted. meaneth, eff
you believe there is hell, just keep your
eye peeled I"