, 1862-02-21
The Case Of Lieut.. Cudneys

Editors Chicago Tribune:
I saw an article IN your paper, dated
Camp California, Va, Feb. 6, 1862, and signed
"Trqthini sneker" n which sa IN T. Tsitsr
er we're implicated in criminal sale Of Gov
crnmept horses. The authority being equiyo-
cal, it was passed in silence. On the 10th
inst, another article made its appearance in
your issue, dated Summers division, Camp
California, " Feb; Il, r1rfetting to % be writ
n. (. artillery, commanding Co. &c"
This LAST cannot pass nnnoticel in
justice to Lieutenants Cudney and
Parker. The horse or horses claimed to
be appropriated were private property: The
horse in question, the sale Of which having
ton for which the parties were e1onerated,
Has one brought to this city by Myron Baker,
a proprietor of a livery stable in Decatur,
where be enlisted on the promise Of being
made n sergeant and to receive extra pay,
amounting to s1C0 per month. He sold out
was taken By Richard Kenna, aims Richard
Busted, Jf., commanding Chicago Light Ar
tjNery, Co. D, to Washington. When the conf
pany arrived at their destination, by some accl-
dent, or perhaps design Of the Government
brander, This horse [pryatc property became
branded with the rest. As soon as Baker learned
thisbe recovered his horse after being identified
by Llcutenants Cudney and Parker. subse~
quently the same horse Was sold to resident
atlas Richard Busted, !r-, eoncetElng pretty
spite against Lientcnants Cudney and Parker
because they wonld furnish him with
no more money, being already in-
dcbted, be Immediately reported TO the
General that o branded horse had been sold
the Lieutcnants. Lieutenants Cgdney and
Parker acre 7aeeer arrested. For three weeks
after the company Wits divided they remained
in Washington, had personally dananded m
investigation by court martial-they waited
patiently. a telegraph from Mrs. Cudney,
tenant Cudney home. he neither sneak.
| cd nor run away-neithcr removed bis
uniform is still at Chicago, where he Las
been recruiting ever since he LETT Washington,
| II he was criminal he could be arrested by
the authorities Of the department. Surely il
Lieut.. Cudneys AL the horses OF the battery
| when the company Was broken up wert
turned over to Capt. Smith Of the New York
Artillery, numbering LII, which is the compile
ment and for which a receipt was taken Thif
ssn' he was ss The Of 5ss9 Rcd Of ea5, Rs5 mass Z
Richard Busteed, Jr., who was mentally
and physically incapac;t,ted. to command
and finally by written order from Gen Bar
n was desired to absent himself from camp,
which he did contracted bills IN Washington
took "French leaye'' from Washington with
woman Of doubtful reputation. The pages O.
this mans life are dark, and his ABSENCE ever
from this city is bis best safeguard.
He is not the son of Hon. Richad Bus
a hotel at Hannibal Mo, NOR the owner 0
1arge interests at Joliet, where he was forces
to leave Is swindler and 8 Villain. Hov
Capt- Frank, formerly a sergeant for hfteel
years in the regular army, eau be SO blind t
fncts and truth as to allow such an article II
be written by Mr.. Woodma1sey, not aithstan
Ing the Captain's signature theruto attached,
cannot imagine, An EyE-WlTNKS5.