Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-30
Fo- the State SeRtinel.
vindicatiOn of a Brave Officer.
D.. o. Nj. IN 1cco

Ed. SENTINEL: LET Justice be done though the
heavens fall" is a maxim that should not be dis
regarded by honest people" | therefore write
this communication in vindication of a brave
officer, who has been most unjustly and cruelty
assailed by certain newspaper correspondents who
do not know the man they malign as his neigh
b0rs know him. / allude 10 Col. O. s.. Hamilton,
of this county, late commander Of the Seth rsgi-
ment Indiana volunteers. Col. Hamilton is n
Republican of the ~strictest school, lawyer. and
has represented his party of this county in the
State Legislature. All who know him concede
to him (whether Republicans or Democrats
ability and talents of no mean order. Ii was by
his exertiOns and indomitable energy that the
seth was organized, and without his efforts the
regiment could not have been made mp by volun-
tary enlistments. After il was mustered into the
service he was appointed Colonel, and immedi-
ately left for the field of action. and never fer
one hour did heleave his command after crossing
the Ohio river till the bloody battle of Stone
river was fought and won. Every moment was
given to drilling his men and preparing his regi-
ment for the work that was before L.; and so well
did he succeed in this behalf that ON more than
one occasion officers in high command compli-
meDted him on his efficiency in bringing his regi-
meDt. in SO short a time, to so high a standard OF
discipline. As regards his discharge from tie
service. it is not nay purpose to speak. Col
Onel Hamilton will, at the proper time. speak
for himself. and is able to make his vindication
ample and complete. Suffice i to saw, that the
causes which led him to tender his resignation
are highly honorable to him. while the motives
which prompted certain parties to lend themselves
TO the ienoble purpose of procuring his discharge
from the service to crafty their malice. are equally
dishonorable and disgraceful. Colonel Hamilton
did command his regiment in person on the battle
field of Stone River, and the seth was one of the
last regiments to leave the field. His own horse
was shot from under him. and besides two or
three balls which passed through his clothing, he
received two wounds, both of which | have seen.
One OF these wounds would have been magni6ed
by IA more ambitious man than Colonel H., so that
it would have been reported as every severe" If
not dangerous yet there are bat few that know
that he was wounded at all.
The seth regiment went into action with 1855
effective men, and came out with 267, losing, in
killed and wounded, 1le, almost onethird of the
entire force. 1t was in the hottest Of the fight,
and both officers and men behaved with the ut
most GOODNESS and bravery
Whatever else may be said of Col. Hamilton,
no man who knows him dare attribute 70 him
cowardice. Fear of personal injury is no part of
his nature; all stories, therefore, about his wear
ing ''court of mail' are malicious talsehoods-
mere bosh i venture 10 say that he never saw
such a contrivance. and would not put one on IL
he knew a million Of muskets were to be
especially pointed at his own breast.
The above is written without any solicitation
from Col. H., hoping that its publication may put
a stop to the ISLANDERS Of those who do their fight
ing at home. far removed from danger, till the
time shall come when he may feel justified i'm
vindicating himself from the foul calumnies of
his enemies. am truly yours,
JusricE.