The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1862-03-01
Matters in Prices Camp.

We have been favored with copy of
Deacon fuckers 1rny Argus, printed at
Springfield, under the date of the 9th inst.
IL contains Ger. Ben. McCulloch card,
copied from the Richmond Whig, accom-
panied by long sky scraping preface in
the Deacon's most hi shfalAin style. This
card, ii seems, is in reply TO a statement OF
Father Tucker, in reference 10 the bad
treatment Gen. Price had received from
McCulloch snd the Confederate Govern
ment generally. y portion OF 1t Is devoted
10 an explanation why the battle Of Oak
Hills, or Wilson's Creek, we call it, was
not followed up by the pursuit of the re-
treating Federal army. The simple reason
was, says Gen. Mccullough, that there was
no ammunition within hundreds OF miles.
He couldn't very well see how 1900 men
and million dollars worth of baggage
were to be captured without any cartridges.
But McCulloch can thrust as well as
parry. He says that more than seven
hundred muskets were loaned from his
command to Prices men, and calls upon
the latter to say how many they returned-a
charge of larceny III polite terms. We
infer that McCuloch didn't get a great
many lack. He also says it is a well
known fact that the arms of the dead and
wounded of his command were taken from
the battle field SO the Missourians not
only swindled the living, but robbed the
dead and wounded
According to our Texan cardwriter, the
Missourians not only appropriate the mus
kets of command, but transferred to their
own use ninety five tents and all the extra
clothing of the Louisiana regiment They
also robbed the Texas troops Of an artillery
piece and flag Then, adds the valiant
Ben:
Perhaps all these gallant men were
likely to 'chafe like Gagged lion, because
they could not march with men who took
possession of every mill and every black
smith shop in the country, and at the same
time placed a guard over the stores In
Sprns iield, taking what they contained
and applying it to their own use, thus de-
priyIng these men of a chance of getting
a change of linen, pound of breadstutfs,
or a horse shod, until all their wants were
supplied
Thus, the Missourians Not only robbed
their allies of guns, tents, clothing, artille-
ry and ammunition-not only appropriated
all of the little glory of the battle-but
monopolzed all the miscellaneous stealing,
plunderng and ravaging OF the country.
Genial McCulloch does we'll to make this
climax OF his charges against the Missouri
State Guard for if there is anything that
Texas, Louisiana and Arkan as soldiers
like more than others, it is fair play in the
division Of spols Can any one wonder
that they were disguised?
The Army Argus contains several state
ments of officers in relation to McCulloch's
charges of robbery. Of course they deny
the "slan6erous accusation"
The Argus has also some mention Of
Major General Van Dorm, who has lately
assumed command of Missouri and Ar
kansas Confederate military matters. 1t
seems that Gen. Price had not yet heard
Of the appointment of Van Dorm to the
above district, though we presume he has
been enlightened since The Deacon says,
there is not the remotest possibility that
Gen. Price will ever be placed second in
command" and warns his readers not to
be excited and disturbed by stray state
ments the other way. lie says he will let
the army know of any change at the
earliest possible moment. but We shrewdly
suspect that the Ar,gus has suspended for
the present, owing to a sudden removal of
the office 1t is the Missouri Army Argus
no longer, as the last that was heard of
Tucker and his friends they were making
fast time in Arkansas.