Washington telegraph., 1862-08-13
CENTRE Poryr. ARK. Aug. I.,. 1862

Am, aug Isl, ICb-
Mr.. EDIToR-I regret very much the neces-
sity which dictates the writing of this article.
but justice 70 a distinguished absent citizen Of
your town. demands that some facts should be
set properly before the minds of the people Of
south western Arkansas, where ! find an unfair
and erroneous impression has been made, det-
rimental to the character of one who had for
merly occupied high social and Political
standing among the people Of Arkansas: One
who has ever been found battling. both with
pen and ton ne, for the rights OF our own ma
tive South-rights which near and dear
to all lberty-loving people. And ia saying
this much, am fully prepared to say that he
has honestly and periodically proven his faith
by his works.
/ allule, Mr.. Editor to Col r. W. CAN'T.
who i now incarcerated in a Northern prisgl.
Having but recently returned from the army
Of the Mississippi, am much panied to hear
so much abuse and SANDER, beapeG apon the
head of this northumberland, However. as
il is, ia erterso, upon false impressions, gotten
up.doubtlcss, by political huckSters and personal
enemies tu iniurc thc character oi Col. CAN'T
AZ X time when they are fully aware that liz l.
left without hearing.
The allegations circulated against Col. G.
are cowardiee, the responsibility OF the evacu-
ton of New Madrid the responsibility Of the
surrender Of Island No. 10 and that he sold
the Confederate forces at the latter place.
10 report No. ], will Say that although
have never seen Col G.. in q regular engage
ment, shat close observation 81 his conduct
during his military campaign fully warrants
me in saying that there is no grounds what ever
for allegation No. l.
In regard to New Madrid, | will here state
that Col. CAN'T was not in any shape ~ form
responsible for its evacuation. Hur Oh the
| rrur HAD lia1 tvI-ia. hpart 4. al IN
by the then commanding General that place
would have been defended to the last extrcnIi-
". Gems McCown and Stewart were both his
superior Ufcers-Srig. Gen. Stewart Gciug in
command Of the Post, the whole under Major
Gen. McCown. On the 18th day Of March
the battle between the lower fort, WI which
Vol. y. had command, and the artillery of the
enemy, was fought, ending with dcci'lcl aIyaH-
tage to the Confedera.es. Night closed the
combat, and all slept upon their arms IN open
toFt, with a Northumberland alike by
the commander and communicate hold the
Tort A. long a. there was man lett to defend
~ But M IN o'clock on the night XII the 18TH
council ~ war was held, at the instance Of
ueh- McCvwn, consisting Of Gems Mellow q.
Stewart and Com. Hollins, ani an iinln riiate
evacuation was agreed upon by these officers.
Co.. CAN'T was rot even notified % this con-
sultatiun, and knew nothing III ii, being held
uhtil about two hours afterwards when He ~
ceived orders from Gen. Stewart tD cvacuate
the lower tort-an Urtier which hc wa bound
by military Law % obey. 50 much thcE, tor
report No. ?.
As to report No. 3-all who are posted in
regard To- the defense of Island No 10 know that
Col. CAN'T was not in command nf that place.
bnt simply commanding = brigade Here
Hrain tie was not consulted when M surrgn Ier
was agreed upon bv Mai. Gen. Mccall. fGen'ls
McCowu and Stewart having been suspended
on account IF their conduct ut New Madrid
and wa. not appri>ed o. Gen. Mci'all's con-
clusion to surrender until stipulation wa
actually agreed upon between That General
and Gen Hamilton. Commanding the federal
forces that bali crossed the river.
a. 10 the selling the Confederate forces at
IslanI 10. that is simply too ridiculous an
idea to be for n moment entertained: for. with
out being in command, all rat onli mind, viii
naturally arrive AT the conclusion thu; this wa.
A matter Of impns-ibilitv
In making these statements, Mn Eiftar.
state ,-lrt kaoir N ~ f1r,r. having served
under Col. o.. up tD the time lie was captured
And we who were with Col. CAN'T during this
time claim TO have n better right TO know and
to Judge OF his actions than those who were
acting upon itu them an old, popular max iir.
that distance lends enchnntmrnt ID the view ''
nni showing their lurDti an tn t.tri ,.r.fI.
trys can-e by staying Tx homa. when III WITT
such had cmunted the n)hig example VI OH.
Gantt-<huuldcred their musA I al. marched
to the .'trntel fell az the our-.t-pcrhaus
our armies might have occupied to-day, differ
ent lines from what they do.
In conclusion, ! will state that while Col.
CAN'T, like All other human beings. hrs hi<
faults hr discharged lis duties faithfully.
promptly, and with an energy aud zeal unsur-
passed by any officer in the Confederate service
Aud in making this defense OF Col. CAN'T,
have no personal whims to CRAFTY nor objects
to attain, but simply do upon the plea Of
justice-believing 10, that when the facts
are properly set before the public, they will
be willing 70 render unto Caesar the things
chat are Caesars"
Respectfully, W.