Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-06-02
Stauntou Spectator.
ST AU TON. " A.
TUESDAY, JUNE q, 1863.
ANOTHER YOUTHFUL INDIsCRE-
TION.'s


In our "Card," in the last Spectator,
we quoted and copied all that had been
said in either the Vaqsdacator or the
Spectator in relation to the g beautiful
silver set which was captured and sent
as a present to Mrs. Col. A. w. Har-
man, and we also stated distinctly that
ssno further notice had been taken of the
subject in either the Vandacator or the
Spectator It would seem to be inn
possible, then, that we could have done
any injustice to the Editor Of the Vaaa-
dacator. lie complains, however, of the
following passage in Our card:
ss3. 1t remains to be seen whether Colonel
Hartman will succeed by the strong hand in
preventing all inquiry into transaction which,
as stated by his own friend and relative, places
him in an attitude of having first violated all the
usages of civilized warfare by the plumber of
private property, and then having, in violation
of his duty to his own Government appropri-
ated the plumber to his private use.'
1t will be observed that the only
knowledge the public has of the "beau-
tifnl silver set'' is derived from the
VSaaolicator, whose editor is friend
and relative of Colonel A. w. Hartman
1t was, therefore, proper, in speaking
of the matter, to refer to it ssas stated
by his own friend and relative" The
Vaaadscator had stated
1st. That a beautiful silver set had
been captured; and,
I'd. That it had been sent as present
to Mrs. Col. A. w. Hartman.
Now, it will hardly be denied that, as
a general rule, it is a violation of the
usages of civilized warfare to seize the
silver plate belonging to private per
sons /; nor, will it be pretended that it
is not the duty of officers and soldiers to
deliver to the Government all property
captured by them. The violation of these
established rules Of warfare by the Y an
kee invaders of our country has been
justly held up by us to the execration Of
mankind
The Vandacator did not inform the
public by whom this capture was made,
or who it was that sent the present. The
offence was described, but the name of
the Offender, was not given. When, how
ever, Colonel A. w. Hartman undertook
to resent our reference to the affair as an
o1lusioaa to HIM, as a ''party fling" at
h5na, and as criticism upon hana as a
military officer, the ofeaader, who had
engaged in transaction which, as re-
presented by his own friend and rela-
tive, placed him in the attitude describ-
ed by us, stood distinctly forth, self
betrayed and sezf-con0icted by has oaon
conduct IF this affair admit of any
explanation consistent with propriety,
none hasyet been given; and we pre-
dict that It will not answer to throw the
blame of it upon some poor devil OF a
ssprivate soldier" We have already
heard hint that the sSlUer so much adj
mired by the editor of the Vandacator
has turned out to be mere peaoter =
May we venture to inquire whether
such is the fact? AS the editor of the
R9aedscGt0r seems to be so exceedingly
anxious that his position in reference to
this affair of the "beautiful silver set,
which he first published to the world,
should not be misunderstood, or misin-
terpreted, or misrepresented, we sug-
gest that it would be well if he would
distinctly define his position in reference
thereto, and let the public know wheth-
er he approves or das0pproves the trans.
action which he had the distinguished
honor first to bring to the light.