The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-13
THE LATE AFFAIR AT PADUCAH.
More Chivalry" Of a Federal Gen.
eral.


More Chivalry" Of a Federal Gem
eral.
From all accounts, and these come to US
from various sources, General Charles F.
Smith in command of the Federal forces at
Paducah, has been making an ass of him
self, which is stating his case mildly, and in
view of all the circumstances afording him
no just cause of complaint. 1t seems that
under his mild rule secesh has been putting
on airs under the very eyes of our troops,
who have openly subjected to gross insults
from disloyal residents, with no opportuni-
ty afforded for redress. This has justly
caused dissatisfaction among the Federal
troops, both officers and men, with the ex>
ception of General Smith, who, it would
seem, was content that his own personal
dignity was not invaded. The Paducah
correspondent of the Missouri Democrat
gives the following account of what has
grown out of this encouragement and inn
munity offered to rebel sympathizers:
On Tuesday last secesslonist in Padu-
cab by the name of Voolfolk, hung a Sc
cession flag out of his window as some OF
our troops were passing by, and hurrahed
for JEFF. Davis. This man had done the
same thing before, on several occasions, and
the matter was reported to General Smith,
but he refused to interfere. This refusal of
General Smith caused great indignation
among the troops, and doubts of his loyalty
were freely expressed in Paducah.
The matter having been reported to Gen.
| Wallace he sent his aid.de- camp with a
squad of men to order the traitorous flag to
be taken in, and if Voolfolk refused, then
to take it in and erect the Stars and Stripes
over his house. Voolfolk knowing that
General Smith was senior officer, refused to
obey Gen. Walace's order, whereupon
Wallaces aid forcbly took down the rebel
| flag and hoisted the Stars and Stripes in
! its stead.
In the meanwhile Voolfolk having ap.
pealed to General Smith, the latter sent his
| aid, Lieut.. Price, to order General Wal
lace to have the Stars and Stripes taken
down from Woolfolk's house. Wallace re-
fused to obey the order, and sent word to
Smith that the flag should not be taken
| down while there was live man in his
| brigade. Wallace's aid said that Voolfolk
should sleep under loyal flag one night
anyhow. Smiths aid replied that he did
not consider that any great honor. Where
upou Walace's aid. Gen. Paine sent Wal
lace assurances of his cooperation.
AS Gen. Smith had nobody but his dis
| committed Lieutenant to enforce bis order,
"tbe old flag still waves"
A correspondent of the Evansville Qnd.)
Journal gives more detailed description of
a portion of the affair:
After dress parade Gen. Wallace went
with his gallant 18th to carry into execu-
ton the designs of the soldiers. The pro
cession was headed by the bearer of the
flag, followed by the band, and directly
after came the whole regiment, making one
grand display. The march was short and
speedy, amid the many cheers of the regi-
ment.
When their intentions were made known
to the inmates of the dwelling, the proprietor
of the house came out upon the portico of
his much insulted mansion, and said it was
rather disgraceful and insulting to plant the
banner over his mansion in preference to
others, making an example of him. Adiu-
tant Macauley replied that it was no dis.
grace, but rather an honor. The owner of
the house then gave forced consent, and
the banner was placed on the mansion, while
the Eleventh gave three cheers and tiger.
Immediately afterward, down the street in
double quick came Capt. Wizards Chicago
Light Artillery, armed with picks, shovels
spades, crowbars, axes, and many other
implements, also another flag, but it was
retained for some future occasion. The
boys were in frenzy of excitement. AT.
the ceremony was performed, General Wal
lace elevated himself upon the fence and
said {: "Boys, the flag is floating now; 90
to your quarters, boys you have done
your duty, now go back" The masses of
soldiers then started for camp, where Its
tie difficulty sprung up between some of
the officers of our regiment and General
Smith'sj aids, in relation to the planting
of the flag on the house, which caused
much Indignation among our officers. 1t
ended not here. The gallant Missouri
Eighth, bearing of the circumstances, start
ed up town with fire engine, and but for
Gen. Wallace's influence, they would have
washed out Ger. Smiths quarters. The
Eighth Missouri was headed by its officers.
One of the cavalry regiments that was
quartered near by remarked that if that
flag came down the house would come with
it.