The daily Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1862-1863, 1862-05-27
Major Key.

We mentioned some of the peculiarities
of this gentleman the other day. We find,
from the following paragraphs from the reg.
ular correspondence of the Cincinnati Com
mercial, that he has already commenced
playing such fantastic tricks as those
best acquainted with him had every reason
to expect. 1t is disgrace to the service that
popinjays of his species are placed in such
responsible Positions:
1t may be contraband to doubt the verac-
ity of Provost Marshal General, but it
cannot be Legitimate to say that the fol-
lowing circumstances explains itself" Mr..
Oolourn, of the New York World, went to
headquarters day or two ago, to have his
pass cOuntersigued. Major Key told him
that no newspaper correspondents would be
ordered him to Pittsburg Landing. Key
said to Mr. Colburn, among other things,
that he knew OF newspaper correspondents
who had received money for "pufing"
army officers. At the meeting of the
journalists, on the 18th, this matter was
spoken of, and d resolution was passed
unanimously that the names of men who
had thus levied &C black mail y be published
in all the journals represented. A commit
tee was appointed to request the Major to
give the names and circumstances of the
brides, for publication. After good deal
of verbal skirmishing, Major Key acknowl-
edged that he knew of no case IN point,
and even denied having made the original
statement. Thus did the Provost Marshal
General tell what, from a man without
shoulder straps, would be considered q
mammoth lie.
Second in contempt comes the assistant
Provost Marshal General-one Capt. w.
Willard Smith, of Dubuque, lowe, whose
cousin Gen. Halleck has the honor to be-
When l saw this distinguished juvenile
parsonage he was immersed in epaulettes
and buttons, aud surmounted by huge hat
fanked by an oriental birds tail. The cor
respondents having been ordered TO the rear,
found it necessary to ask him for a pass
through the lines. They had scarcely ap-
preached him, when be curled his fierce
moustaehe into an Gbdtis for the protection
of his mouth, and demanded, swell, what
do you men want 2" After variety of
explanations, the Captain vouchsafed pass
with considerable of a grumbIe, which re-
minded rs of the mutterings of a terrier
Hpurp" when his bone is In danger of be-
ing carried off. Capt. Smiths opposition
to newspapers is, perhaps, based upon the
safe principle that man should shun what
he knows nothing about.
Mr.. WiIkie, of the New York Times, was
placed under arrest by Major Key because
the tone in which ha asked for his pass was
not considered sufficiently meek He ap-
preached the Majors tent and said q sm
Que OF those unauthorized hangers-on, and
want pass TO go 20 the river.2 He was
kept in the guard house for three hours. In
conversation with some friends, Mr.. Chap
man. OF the New York Herald, said he
knew that Gen. Grant was so drunk that
he had to be helped on his horse just before
the battle of Fort Donelson. THIS came 10
the ears of headquarters, and Mr.. Chap
man was placed under arrest, but was releas-
ed after q few hours by order of Gen. Hal
leck.
Now that have spoken of a couple of
individuals who have made themselves
most obnoxious to the representatives of
the press, might take the other side of the
picture, and recount the numerous courte-
sizes and fayors received at the hands OF
those who happen to combine the desirable
qualities of gentleman and soldier. They
are so numerous, that | would not mention
any names, had not the " specials unani-
mously resolved to make public acknowl-
edgment of their thanks to Col William
Truesdale, expatriated Unionist from
Warren county, Missouri, at present Postal
Director in Gen. Popes staff The Coloners
repeated acts of kindness will not soon be
forgotten 81 e-ss a-& a --1-