, 1862-05-08

Now that the circumstances attending the
military srrest Of Mr. Joseph Butterfeld, and
his confinement IN the gnard-house at Fort Ste
Scoom, have ceased TO afford food for excitement,
it may not be amiss to give them publicity, with
few remarks In explanation. 1t is needless to
State that those who know Mr.. Butter6eld re-
gard him as one Of the most quiet and inoffen-
sive citizens OF our county, and Il was this
knowledge Of bis character which gave rise to
the feeling Of indignation which was manifested
on hearing Of the outrage perpetrated upon him.
lie had given no occasion for the treatment to
which be was Subjected, save such as could sug-
gest itself only to a mind diseased, as that Of
Capt Crowninshield unquestionably is To
this fact the garrison surgeon, Dr. Olds, has Ger.
tilted in proper form, and his certificate, we be-
lieVe, has gone to headquarters for consideration
and action.
On the subject Of the existing unhappy rebel
lion the Captain is decided mOnomaniac, and
has always regarded our citizens, with perhaps
few exceptions, as tainted largely with treasona.
bIe sentiments He charges Butterfield, without
the slightest foundation, with aiding soldiers to
escape, and with being cognizant Of their theft
Of bis Butterheld's) property, and attributes all
to the secession proclivities which he fancies he
has discovered in Mr.. Butterfeld II he bad
remained much longer in command Of the Fort.
we doubt not that others of our citizens would
have been confined in the guard-house sooner or
later, on suspicion Of being secessionists. It Is
therefore fortunate that be has been so promptly
relieved Of command. When perfectly sane,
Capt CrOwninshield is regarded by citizens and
soldiers alike as . very good man, and is generally
liked BY ell who encounter him. We are there.
fore not disposed to censure him and hold him
to strict accountability for acts committed while
labOring under insanity ct the same time we
cannot lose sight Of the fact that he was in a
position and in state Of mind to work great
harm, and Il Is . source Of congratulation that
be no longer possesses the power to do 50
We give below . communication containing
the particulars Of the ButterReld affair, with
some rather harsh structures Of the writer. A
want Of space prevented It's insertion before y
76ths Editor Of ths Puget Sound Herald.
e's' SfElAcooM, W. T., April 81. 1852
On Saturday evening, 10th instant, our citi.
zens were very much annoyed BY q something
about half way between quarrel and a row.
which took place between Capt. Crowninshied
and Mr.. Joseph Butterield. The latter is res
ident Of Stsilacoom, and the worthy proprietor
Of brewery IN the suburbs Of the town. v
difficulty Il arose from Mr. Bulltrfleld losing q
q,
some soldiers under the command of Captain
Crowpinshield, and who deserted 1t tbe same
time that the boat was missed The Captain
appeared % take L as IN injury 70 bis pride that
Ar. Butte. .deld did not make personal application
70 him foF assistance % rUeaining the LOST pro-
perty. Consequently, the next time they met,
(which happened to Be- at The saloon. where the
Captain had INDUCED considerably, and ielt IN
pretty good spirits. ! presumed he accused Nj.
Buitorheld of being insifumenlal IN assistine he
deserlers 70 make their escape. NJ. Buttsfheld,
n very friendly and manly manner, assured
him that he was greatly mistaken in regard %
ers By him; but the Captain would not admit Of
the denial, and sin insisted that ko could ana
would prove bis charges, and hang poor Joe ike
any other Secesh.
As spaos viii not allow me 70 give Z full deiaIl
of the procoedinRA viii pass over the period Of
! fou houFs. and return % The iacts. About .
O'Clock on Saturday night We were aroused from
our peaceful rsvufieS 81 ne clash of arms. and.
cushing 70 our doors aud WindoWS bcheld I ale
Of armed soldiers parading the streets Nov
and then We could hear them make innuiries
about Mn Bdllsrieldl Finally they succeeded
n afresting him, and marched him through the
town Aa ar e The corner Of Main and baleh
slrool1 ghers Be lor . time refused 70 70 WITH
- "a.