The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1863-08-05
'Coumunicat.
Capt. L. ID. spaulding.

Certain reports being current in this vicini-
ty concerning Capt Spaulding, and the mat
te- of his resignation, and going unnoticed,
seems by consent to admit their truthfulness,
the time has come when these libels must be
silenced. That while in the service he was a
faithful and favorite officer is beyond dispute.
That he violated any general or specific mill
tary law, regulation or order, is untrue. His
resignation was caused by i'll health, brought
upon him by arduous duties Performed
Those who choose to give currency to state
ments untrue i'll fact, unsubstantiated by any
Tlis sort of malice reacts, leaving them in
disgrace, and the party sought to be injured,
entirely harmless. The facts in the case are
simply and plainly set forth in the letters
subjoined, from Col. Emerson Opdycke, of
the 125th Ohio. Capt. Spaulding left the
regiment in April last in good standing, and
amid the regrets of those who best knew how
to value him as an officer and a faithful pub
lie servant. Col. opdycke's first letter is
dated:
HEAD 1ZOIH w. f,b
CAMP NEAR FRANKLIN, Tenn,
April IA, 1868.
Capt. SPAULDING, 125TH O. v:
My DEAR SIR II desire to express to you
/ my high appreciation of you officer and
a gentleman. Your energy and promptness,
coupled with behavior, unexceptional, gave
me the highest promise of your efficiency
and usefulness, to your company, your regi-
ment and to the National cause we all love so
| well
May mot hope that your health will soon
be restored, and you again resume the pleas
ant relations we have held to each other for
! the past few months With kindest wishes
for your welfare and prosperity,
E. OPDYCKE,
g. Col. I25th o. V.
The second letter from Col. Opdycke is a
reply to one written him asking him for a
statementin detail, refuting some charges cir
culated prejudicial to Capt. Spaulding. Among
these stories was one that in January last he
came home a1ithout leaUe. The reader will
tnotice that statement is refuted by the Colo
mel, by reference to the original order to Capt
81 Spaulding, upon which he came to the vicini-
ty in which the regiment was raised to arrest
deserters-did arrest fourteen and return them
:, to the regiment. The other statements are in
like degree without tfoundation-smpl fabri-
cations. Col. OPdycke's second letter says
HEAD QUARTERS, 18TH o. V.,l
HILLsBoRo, Tenn,
!. July 10, 1868.
FRIEND SPAULDING In reply to yours O
) the 18th this month, will say that you have
the order upon which you were sent north il
January last Also you have my official ties
j timony to your worth which l voluntarily
!. wrote you upon your leaving the regiment
!, These two papers l think cover the whole
ground, and cannot see of what avail an.
additional statement from me would be. Still
after reading this, if you deem it important
and will specify, or ask me questions, vii
take pleasure in answering. As to Sergt. j. G.
Giddings blaming you for his being ordered
back it is ridiculous. made officialrequest fori
> to Gen. Rosecraps myself, and Giddings ough
to be ashamed of himself for his unnecessar,
absence from the regiment. If you shoult
publish my testimonial of your worth,
think it will answer your purpose, still thos
little mean lies are usually unworthy tn
,4 least attention. There are few good officer
but that have some little souled, Jealous en-
. enies Still if you deem best, will write a
you wish. Hoping that these little canard
will soon die away, l sign -
, Yours truly,
EMERSON -0PDYCKE,
Col. 125th o. V.