Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-07-26
The Charges Against GEN. mltche

The Charges Against Gen. Mitchell
Testimony OF Colonel Norton.
The following Is an abstract Of the testimony
Of Colonel Norton, Of the Twenty fret Ohio
regiment before the Committee on the Con-
duet Of the War, in reference to General
Mitchell
Colonel ]. 8. Norton, Twenty-Arst Ohio Vol.
unteers, submitted the following brief statement
in regard 10 the conduct of the officers and
soldiers under the command of General Mitchell,
of the third division Of the Army Of the Ohio, In
North Alabsma:--
/ claim, in the first place, that General Mitch
el took possession Of cotton in @ rebel tortihcA-
ton, and sold that cotton for three cents per
pound to man by the name OF Clark, when be
WAs offered seven cents per pound BY man
named Fuller. Mr. Clark lives In Ohio, and
Me-. Fuller In Athens, Ala. claim, also, that
he gave this man Clark and his associates the
exclusive privilege Of Transporting cotton BY
government wagons from Huntsville and Athens
70 point on the railroad or roads leading to
Nashville; that he would permit no one else tc
uee the teams or transport cotton by them;
have a statement here, as sworn to by mar
named D, A. Saxon, who Is in the employ oil
fhe eoyernment--a mail agent between Hunts.
Vile and Resnold's station on the railroad-of 9
oon versation in which Clark said that be goi
bis cotton through by sleight of hand; that Il
coat him nothing 10 get il through, as General
Mitchell cent il through In government wagons
M. Hall, Of Cincinnati, told me that General
Mitchell said to him that be had made large
amount of cotton through his son-in-law In
North Alabama. His son-in-law was there
and was introduced 10 him by the General
That sou-in- law was understood to be connected
with Mr.. Clark in these cotton transactions; Il
Would 90 appear from Gen. Mitchel's statement
to Mr.. Hall, that be had made large amount
in cottcn through his son in.laW.
1 charge Col. Turchin, and the officers and
aoldiers under his command, with having com,
mitted outrages and depredations upon the
people of Limestone county, and the county
vest 10 Tuscumbis, contrary to the printed or.
ders Of Gen. Buell for the government Of the
army under his oommand--in that they have
stolen horses, mules, bacon, corn and fodder
from the inhabitants, without receipting there
for or giving apy account Of the same.
charge that they have plnndered houses, TAX 0
from them ladies' wearing apparel, gentleme.' u
clothing. and have broken furniture and win.
doWa. broken locks Of drawers, and destroyed
evervthipg In and about various premises.
charge them With committing rape upon servant
0iyia In the presence Of their mistfesees, with
st,ipuiuu rings from ladies' fingers, cutting
B Ooa upon psrloT carpets, plu meat uJOD p
amos, and being quartsred In houses Wnen theJ
should have been quartered In their tents; rob
binR citizens upon che highway, breaking oper
safes and stores, In two or three instances
They have also taken away horses, mules, bug
Oiea and harness. rHHt
fuYther state that General Mitchell knew ol
these things; that / took written statements tC
him on two occasions; that introduced com
mit,ees of citizens to him for the pur0se o.
eettioR some redress for these grievances or .
Cessation Of them, shat he paid no attention Il
them, or rather failed 10 stop the depreciation
up 70 the time the brigade was ordered to marcl
| 10 another section Of the country. 10 proof o.
| these charges ] will submit the sworn state
menta OF she cIsIzens who suffered under thi
sreatmers, as we'll as the statements Of on
Gers Of the army who we're cognlsant of th'
| facts. These sworn statements will be submit
ted TO the committee whenever they ask TO
them. NY regiment Is located at Athens, Ala.
and propose 70 Fejoin i as soon % conclud'
the business that brought me TO THE city. M!
residence ID PerrysbuTg, Wood county, Ohio
and 1 letter addressed 70 me there In care o
my wife, Mrs. J. 8. Norton, would reach me-.
? General Mitchell required OF those who hp
piled for permission 70 buy cotton, that the
should give him one cent PEI. pound % al the!
bought for the privilege ci BUYING, s-s