Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1862-01-08
a DefAnse-'Ene ASsailants of
Character Challenged.

Mr.. EDIToR:-Immedia.ely upon my
return home conjecture and surmise became
lile as to the cause and mann of my re-
torn. Mere comectures, except where
questions where directed at me, interested
me but little; bat when insnuation and
nuendo took their place, | thought it my
duty 10 state the facts, not for the purpose,
OF changing the opinions Of those who
have taken the initiative in this matter, but
to undeceiyc those who may wish to be
guided by truth. The rumors would in
lereSt me but little did they not include
others
After my brother had lain sick six weeks
the physician in attendance gave rs his
opinion that he could never recover ID
Washington. in which opinion the Assist
ant Surgeon Of the Regiment concurred,
AMI rendered him a discharge, saying he
would never again be fit for service. He
ut the same time said il would lie inpossi-
lie for him to travel home alone. and kind
" rendered me Il recommendation for a
Through 10 travel with him, tie 1t Co.
approved the recommendation. present
e ii to the proper officer to get the mat
ter lurthered. He told me il WAS his opin-
ion ! could not Get It allowed, and if did
it might dstain me for weeks. For The
truth Of both his statements | refer the
soldier to bis experience. Meanwhile my
brother was getting weaker daily and was
almost helpless. The officer rendered me
a discharge under q general order permit
ting the discliarge Of musicians. Thought
it my duty to -cept it; consulting with
my friends, til J thought so. Through
the great kindness and exertions Of Col. j.
Mansfield got the papers finished IN one
day, and sarted home. My duty /
thought was plain--I endeasored to per-
form it. This, however, gave mi opportu-
nily to some Of my undejawed friends to
revive the fame which was but snolder-
ing, and their active and comprehensive
minds lit upon plan. The public, they
thought, did not know, the FACTS, you'd it
not be well to practice upon their creduli-
ty! An underground telegraph was tie
course adopted, and kindred minds here,
ever responsive to such call, actively
aided the plan. Are the facts known to
my anricus friends? Why not use them
They are stubborn and CONVINCING argu-
ments, why use subterfuge fnd dishonest
mcansl Because their minds ire SO con-
stituted that if truth and faIsehood would
answer equally rs we'll the end, truth
would be discarded. The basest false
hoods are the instruments, the lowest
treacherv the means to accomplish what
truth cannot do-isy Illumination. a per-
son who in his position is as unapproacha
bic as the minister iii his pulpit, permits
an effusion to enenate from beneath bis
roof, and when charged with duplcity de-
nies knowledge Of the authorship, and
says it is Anonymous. After the attic Of
Bull Run, wrote to my brother detailing
some adventures; here the active minds
aeain iaiersered The letter was opened
and CARRIED extracts given to the world
Tins puIs ant anonymous talks Of vauat-
ing ones ow D praise Il was d private
letter, yet am wiling It shall lie publish.
81, and let any who can rofute any If the
statements | viii assert most elnphatic-
ally that every word therein i true.
wrote to friend q letter for publication at
the time. asking ID lie publish it or the
orig'nd. i was suppressed for prudential
REASONS, yet the saunders were above! %
run rampant through The l-...,. ;; Tie ruth
eau be arrived -, there are yet enough
living = prove or dispeosa any Of my
sta.sneats rs 10 the affair at Bull Run. or
my discharge. IF those who are cilcula-
ting these base lies anonymously wish to
stigsnaiize rue as coward, liar, or charge