Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-05-26
A CAR ID.

8, 1863, appeared an editorial notice OF
the recent expedition to North West
Virginia. The tone of the article was
friendly and complimentary to Colonel
Asher W. Hartman, of the 18th Virginia
Cavalry, as was very natural and proper
coming from relative and friend. In
the Stanton Spectator of May -, | pub
lished All extract from this article with
a brief editorial comment as follows:
"BeamtifM SS1ver Set.'- We saac a
beautiful siJvor set, a0hich aoos c0pt~red
and sent az q present to Mrs. Col. A. ".
Haqman- Tiadicator
We acks,oaoZeoge that the above an
aaoseaacenae15 contained IN the Vip0aca-
tor Of last a0eek surprised as. We had
supposed that everything captured By
soldiers en- the Coaa1ederate se'vace be
came the property of the Confederate
States. H0ve ece been mistaken IN this
suppositio5a s-Spectator.
To this inquiry thus suggested no re-
ply has been made and no further notice
has been taken of the subject in either
the indicator or Spectator.
On the 21st of May, soon after break
fast, [ was upon the street, near the Vir-
ginia Hotel, when | was approached by
Col. Asher W. Hartman, who stated that
he wished to have some conversation
with me, and we stepped aside for the
purpose.
He stated to me that had made an
allusion to him in my paper which he
thought l had no RICH to make. | ask
ed to what he referred, and he mention
ed the article about the silver SERVICE
| told him was not aware that | had
said anything to which just exception
could be taken that did not know by
whom the present had been made OF
upon what authority, and that my in
qliry gave fair opportunity for explana-
ton, if the transaction was in fact prop
err one. also stated that if he had cause
of complaint against amy one it vas a
gainst the Editor Of the indicator by
whom the matter was first brought tC
public notice. To this he replied that
the notice was an act Of youthful indis
cretion on the part of Mr.. Lynn, of which
l had no right to take advantage, in or
der to make ga party fling" at him.
He then went on to say that the con
duct of military officers was not subject
to criticism and comment in the news
papers, anl that he would not consent to
have his conduct discussed by them.
stated that I thought he took pretty high
ground, and he replied that he meant to
maintain If, and that he wished me to
understand that if | took any notice
whatever Of him in my paper l would
shave to abide the consequences"
told him that such had always been my
understanding of my position as an Ed
itor; and that | always regarded myself
as responsible for the conduct of my pa
per. / then went On to say that it was
always my rule and purpose to avoid
giving Just ground of offence to any one,
but that could not consent to be infu
enced in my course as an Editor by
threats or intimidation that | desired
no controversy with any one, but while
endeavoring t, do right | would always
hold myself responsible for my conduct.
To this he replied that he wanted no
personal difficulty and that he did not
desire to intimidate or to threaten me,
but that he wished to ac0r7a me that if
ever made the least allusion to him in
nv paper he was determined to kill me.
I told him 1 understood him perfectly
and that wished him to understand me.
that nv course in the conduct of my
paper would not be in the slightest de.
gree influenced by nything he had said
or might doe
| do not pretend to give the CONVEX
sation in detail, but this is the substance
of it.
Surprising the interview to be at an
end turned and walked away. | had
gone perhaps eight or ten steps when he
again confronted me and stated that he
wished to impress it upon me distinctly
that if | ever again alluded to him in my
paper, / must abide the consequences
told him he had already told me that
several times and that | thought we had
fully understood each other on the sub
ject; and [ was again in the act Of turn
ing to leave him, wien he suddenly
seized me by the beard with one hand
and struck me with the other. The
joint effect Of the jerk and the blow
brought me to the ground-he falling
with me. He was greatly my superior
in strength and | could only endeavor
by holding him close to me to avoid his
doing me serious damage In this at
tempt Iseized him around the neck with
my left arm, when by sudden and vi
client effort he broke the arm above the
elbow and strained the shoulder Joint
l was at once helpless and in his power,
and he con tinued to beat me until ia
ken off of nae by persons passing by.
The injuries / have received are such
as to disable me from all business for
some time and to confne me to my room.
lido not know that any commentary
upon such IL transaction is necessary in
a community like this, but ! wish to have
some points connected with it distinctly
understood.
L. I claim the right as the Editor of
a newspaper and as free citizen to
make fair criticism and commentary up
on the conduct of all public officers, civ
il or military and | will never consent
to give up this right or to hold it in any
respect at the will or by the forbearance
of any man.