The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1863-02-07
HrNDMAN's LETTER.

one of the ambulances captured by my
troops in tie engagement of 7th inst.
the other ambulance was broken down
and left by the road side. Col. G.
Kare, also takes ambulances and sup
plies for my wounded at Prairie Grove.
On yesterday during our en'eryiew one
of my officers notified me that men OF
your command were removing arms
from The battle field. called your at
tention to the fact and you at once
gave to Brig. Gen. Heron. Of your
command, an order to prevent such
conduct. This attention of yours was
perfectly salts factory and proper. the
field OF battle being in my possession,
and your officers and men being upon it
only by the virtue Of the truce. l
hoped there would be no similar grounds
of complaint. but information has been
given me that Brig. Gen. Heron, the
officer to whom you gave the order
did, in person, at a part OF the field
where there were but few Of my men,
and many OF yours. require my men
who were there collecting arms, to lay
them down. under threat of nrresting
them. The arms taken from my men
numbered between 50 aud 60. re.
quest their return by the bearer of this.
| have The honor to be, General. your
OBJ. Servant, I. C. HINpMAN.
Major Gen. comd. Confed. troops.
To Cen. BLUNT, comd. u S. forces.
GEy. BLUNT's REPLY.
HEADQUARTERS Army of the Frontier.
Dec 10. 1869.
To MAJ. GEN. I. C. HINDMAN, Com.
Confederate Forces:
GENERAL: Your communication OF
Dec. 9th inst, under flag Of truce by
Col. Kane, is received. had already
sent 10 the Surgeon in charge Of the
Confederate hospital. 5000 rsiions
complete for the use of y6Rr wounded.
and had rendered the use of nv ambu-
lauces TO send them 10 such place as
they light select as General Hospital.
In response TO your complaint Of
Gen. Hcrion's men gathering up The
arms upon the battlefield, ! have the
honor to inform you that you have an
entire Misrepresentation of the nature OF
the Gag of truce referred to. It is true
sent Surgeon with ambulances to
gather up any wounded l might have
on the ground occupied by you. This
is pr,iledge | would not deny an
enemy even during an engagement
without being accompanied by flag
cf truce.
1t is true, however. that you seized
upon this preiex, as the occasion for
sending me. under flag of truce. three
communications last one asking a
personal interview. This, as l then
suspected. and as has since satisiac-
torily proven 10 be the case, was to en-
able you TO make good your retreat,
which was commenced early in the
night. the pfecaution having been taken
by you to tear up your blankets and
muiile the wheels Of your Artillery that
you nigh, move steal.hily away.
had no other intention than that my
ambulanccs should retui n before morn
in, and expected to renew the battle
at day break. Had l not ascerlaiued
the fact. about day light. and previous
to your requesting the interview for the
purpose OF making arrangements to
care for the dead and wounded
your forces had stolen away during the
night, l should not have granted it.
but would have attacked you at early
dawn, Notwithstanding that your forces.
occupying strong position Of your
own choosing. oui-numbered mine as
three 10 one. That you should claim
the right 10 ca.Gy of the arms i.om the
field with The ntn you had detailed,
under flag OF truce, to bury your dead !,
is not only siuply.. prsposteroas, but
very ridiculous. | ouly directed Gen.
Heron TO keep his men in the rear
while our personal interview lasted; aud
i; was in compliance with your earnest,
repeated request. that | gave ycu six
hours, TO secure you own personal safety.
and that of your staff and body guard.
which time, have learned, you made
good use OF. Instead Of the 36 hours,
that you petiiioned for. land which l
refused } to enable your whole army to
stampede to Van Buren. A flag Of
truce. which should always be respected
by belliserents. is thing too sacred to
be abused as has been the case of late