The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1862-08-07
The Reported Arrest Of Coy 1 Paine and
Col Curtenius-SOme Damaging Facts
about Gen. Williams.


40 the Editor of the Advertiser and Tribune
In your paper of the 18th inst. I
notice rumor that Col. Paine. of tho
4th Wisconsin Regiment, had been
placed under arrest for refusing to de-
liver up slaves. A similar statement
has been published in relation to Col.
Curtenius of the 9th Michigan. s.f,
cannot vouch for these rumored ar
rests. But | do know, that the country
has none more faithful in its service
than these two officers. They are the
idols of the regiments which they COM
mand. The former know to be the
choice of two thirds Of the Brigade for
Brigadier General and the latter has
been favorably mentioned in connection
with similar appointment. f
The arrests, if made, must have been
made at the instigation of Gen.. Will
liams, who has been in command ofthe
2d Brigade in Gen. Buffers division
the same who was left in command
at Hatteras during the fight at Roanoke
Island, and who. permitted the escape
of WISE and the other rebels from
Naggs Head, and recollect much of
this General Williams that would 90
far towards convincing me that these
rumors may be true. es-srt
During the month of March last, his
Brigade was permitted to get out of ra-
tons, and for twety four hours the 9th
Michigan regiment with others) had
notI ing to eat Col. Cnrtenius went
to Gen. Williams and represented to
him the facts, and that the men were
faint and hungry, and asked on the
ground of humanity that the men be ex-
cuscd from drill until they had some.
thing to eat. To this request the Gen.
eral replied that" Soldiers must learn
to staYUe. There is no such thing as
humanity knoson IN the army go back
and drill your men, Sir" And these
three Western regiments, the 4th Wis
consin, the 9th Michigan and 2lst
Indiana, were packed like swine (near
5000 men ofthem) onthe Great Repub.
lie, and kept there OH half rations near
three weeks, until two thirds Of them
were unfit for duty, by this slaye-catch-
ing General and OH the arrival of this
Brigade at New Orleans, petition
signed by every officer of the three re-
giments was presented to Gen. Butler,
that these regiments be placed under
some other Brigadier General. Thispe.
lition was accompanied by complaint
setting forth facts which in the estima-
ton Of its signers were sfiicient to drive
a man forever from the army.
/ know many other things that DID
occur. l will mention but one: At
Kenneryille, on the Mississippi, slave
informed Gen. Williams where there
were six rebel officers in disguise. Col.
Curtenius, with his regiment, or part
thereof, started up the river and suc-
ceeded i'm capturing the whole of them.
Gen. Williams detained the prison.
ers just long enough to assure them that
their slaves should be sacred to them,
and to feast them on such a supper as
he alone, of the whole brigade, could
furnish, and then he sent them home on
their parole. .-.-..t. ,,ss
l would not willingly injure any
officer in the army but when such Off
GERS are repoted arrested, while they
are thousands of miles from home, and
struggling with privations such as few
men ever had to endure, l deem it but
just thar some Of the facts should be
known, and the responsibility should
rest where it belongs.
The rebellion can be put down when
the Government will lay its hand upon
that which alone gives it life-SlaUery
and | fear never before. This fact
is recognized by the brave commanders
of those noble regiments, and hence
their unwilingncss to return slaves, to
be used against their troops.
A SOLDIER.