The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-08-19
YANKEE OUTRAGES.

The Charges Against the Feaeral Gen. Mitchell
The following is an abstract of the testimony of
Col. Norton, of the 2lst Ohio Regiment, before
the Committee on the Conducf of the War; in re-
ference to Gen. Mitchell, who is charged with out
rageous conduct towards southern people,
Col. j. S. Norton, 2lst Ohio Volunteers, sub
mltted the following brief statement in regard to
the conduct Of the officers and soldiers under the
command of Gen. Mitchell, of the Third Division
of the Army of the Ohio, in North Alabama:
l claim, in the first place, that Gen. Mitchell
took possession Of cotton in a rebel fortifcation,
and sold that cotton for three cents per pound to
man by the name Of Clark, when he was offered
seven cents per pound by a man named Fuller
Mr. Clark lives in Ohio, and Mr.. Fuller in Ath-
ems, Ala. | claim, also, that he gave this man
Clark and his associates the exclusive privilege of
transporting cotton by Government wagons from
Huntsville to Athens, to point on the railroad or
roads leading to Nashville that he would permit
no one else to use the teams Or transport cotton by
them | have statement here sworn to by man
named D. A. Saxon, who is in the employ of the
Governments mail agent between Huntsville
and Reynolds Station on the railroad-of a con-
versation, in which Clark said that he got his cot
ton through by slight of hand that it cost him
nothing to get it through as Gen. Mitchell sent
it through in Government Wagons. Mr.. Ball, of
Cincinnati, told me that Gen. Mitchell said to him
that he had made large amount of cottoA through
his son-n-law in North Alabama His son-n-la law
was there and / was introduced to him by the
General. That son-inaw was understood to be
connected with Dir. Clark in the cotton transac-
tions it would appear from Gen. Mitchels
statement to Mr. Ball, that he had made large
amount in cotton through his son-in-law.
| charge Col. Tarchin, and the officers and SOL
diers under his command with having committed
1o, so IL, ~ oF
Limestone county, and the country West to Tus-
cumbia, contrary to the printed orders of Gen.
Buell. for the government Of the army under his
command-in that they have stolen horses mules
bacon, corn and fodder from the inhabitants,
without receipting therefor or giving any account
Of the same. | charge that they have pluAdered
houses, taken from them ladies' wearing apparel,
gentlemens s clothing, and have broken furniture
and windows, broken locks of drawers, and de-
stroyed everything in and about various premises.
| charge them with committing rape upon servant
girls in the presence Of their mistresses with strip
ping rings from ladies' fingers, cutting bacon up
on parlor carpets, piling meat upon pianos, and
being quartered in houses when they should have
been quartered in their tents robbing citizens up
on the highway, breaking open safes and stores,
breaking jars and everything generally in drug
stores, in two or three instances They have also
taken away horses, mules, buggies and harness
| further state that Gen. Mitchell knew Of these
things that took written statements to him
two occasions; that [ introduced committees
of citizens to him for the purpose of getting
some redress for the grievances or cessation Of
them that he paid attention TO them, OR rather
failed to stop the depredatons up to the time the
brigade was ordered to march to another section of
the country. In proof of these charges, | will
submit the sworn statements Of the citizens who
suffered under this treatment, we'll the state
ments of officers of the army who were cognizant
of the facts. These sworn statements will be sub
mitted to the committee whenever they ask for
them. My regiment is located at Athens, Ala
barna, and propose to rcjoin it as soon as con-
clude the business that brought me to this city.
My residence is Perrysburg, Wood County, Ohio
and letter addressed to me there, in care of my
wife Mrs j. S. Norton, would reach me.
Gen. Mitchell required of those who applied for
cotton that they should give him one cent per
pound on all they bought, for the privilege Of
buVlng.