Natchitoches union. [volume] ([Natchitoches, La.]) 1859-1864, 1862-02-06


fore the battle began, and no mo-
within hundreds Of miles. After a Co
terence with Gen. Price, it we
thought best to let well enough alon
AS to being asked for three regiment
have no recollection of any such r,
quest
80 much for his second accusation
Now for his third accusation. j
winch hc wishes to convey the ide
that | had not, nor would not, aid Mis-
sourl with a man, gun or percus
sion cap, and that would not eve
protect Missouri from the Kansas Jaw
hawkers.
At the time Gen. Pearce, Of Arkan
sas, and myself first entered Missouri
on the 4th Of July, we loaned Gen
Price some six hundred ard fifteer
muskets. When our forces formed {
junction at Cassville, Col. Hebert, 0
Louisiana, at my request, loaned 6
Missouri officer about one hnndreC
muskets. / have several times since
given the Mlssourians the last cap
could spare from my own command
Let those officers say how many Oh
their muskets were returned, Gen
Pearce, | learned, recovered ten, while
Col. Hebelt was only able to get a
portion of those he loaned.
Besides it is well known fact that
the arms of our dead and wounded
were taken from the battlefield nor
did we get any of the small arms left
by the enemy.
As to the Kansas Jary, hawkers and
our in glorious idleness Ny mounted
men gave protection to the Whole
country on the borders of Missouri, for
one hundred miles north of Arkansas
line, from Immediately after the bat
tie of Oak Hills until in October, when
Gen, Price retreated form Lexington
to that section of the State.
So much for these charges.
1t will be remembered that | was
assigned to the command Of the Indian
Territory with orders to defend it from
invasion from any quarter; Consequent
ly, my participation in the battle at
Oak Hills was upon my own RESPONSE
ollity, with reliance Of being sustain
ID by my own Government.
As to my men chafng, like a Gagged
on, to join the Missourians, | must
say this is new to me. 1t might be
the louisiana regiment was
,xceedingl y anxious to march, exposed
o the sun and rain, with men covered
With ninety five tents taken from
by order Of Missouri Cen
raj. These tents had the extra cloth
ng of the men rolled in them, and |
we're stored with q merchant in Gass
lille, at The time we marched upon
springfield, and were taken out of his
by order of Brig. Gen. Par
ons, conveyed on the same road with
hat regiment, and rot a word of them
+ their contents mentioned to me af-
by any Mssourian. If this
7as not enough to make the gallant +
louisiana regiment chafe like a Gagged
on to go with Gen. Price, they only
ad to refer t. bis official report of the
attic of Oak Hills to see how comple-
ely they have been deprived of the
lory Of taking Col Seigels battle,
'hich they did at the point Of the ba-
Onet.
As to the troops from Arkansas,
icy were lik ly TO "chafe like the Gag
lion" because they were not permit
ID to go with their country rid and
lot-guns; and see how they handled
le muskets they had borrowed and
yould not return.
Then there are the Texiansl "They
lafed like Gagged lions,' because
ey could not have an opportunity of
another flag and piece of
iIlery, to be appropriated by the
lssourlans, whilst they (the Tl lxans)
ere continuing to pursue the enemy.
Perhaps all these gallant men wtr3 }
1ely to "chafe like Gagged lion"
cause they could not march with
an VINO took possession Of every mill a
d every blacksmith shop, in the I
country. an. at The same
ne place = gaurd over every store
Springfield, taking what they con-
ned and applying it to their own l
9: thus depriving these men OF the ;,
ance Of getting change of linen, ;
pound of breadstuff or a horse II
ID, until after their wants were '
oplied. It greatly fear the effort fl
Mr. j. W. Tucker to disparage the fl
|.Ant soldiers of Louisiana Arkansas ;, -
| Texas, and to deprive them of u
If just share Of the glory of the a
tie at Oak Hills, will add little to S.
good feeling which every true in
riot should desire to see prevail =,
ong the soldiers Of the different
tes at this time. VI
have not thought proper heretofore -
notice any of the misrepresentation Vt
ng the rounds of the newspapers tr
st, because they had no responsible
orser, and secondly, because | hoped !.
the sake Of harmony in a common 'e
Sc, that there should BE- no war of er
'ds among ourselves, when the
my were to be met with the sword
his hope has failed, and | am com.
ed to notice this publication, lest FL
silence be construed as an admis- c.,
/ Of the truth Of Mr. fuckers state bo
ltS-it bpinr we'll known that 7