Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-03-16
Selling Pistols by military Authority.
RICHMOxD IND March l3, 1863

EDITOR SENTINEL: There has been considera-
bic excitement in our little city, for a couple of
days, growing out Of the seizure, by military
authority, of lot of pistols (twentv four in
number, l believe.) belonging to Mr.. Thomas
Benton, hardware merchant of this place
On Tuesday afternoon a Captain and squad
of soldiers arrived here from indianapolis The
business OF these soldiers turned out to be, or
professeily was, 70 take out of the hands of per
SONS keeping for sale, pistols or other fire arms,
where there were suspicious that they might be
sold to 'dislOyal persons" The meaning of this
as the conduct of the Captain and the soldiers
disclosed, was 10 seize and carry away anv arms
kept for sale by Democrats. and leave undis-
turbed such articles in the hands of Republi
cans.
Mr. Benton, dealer in hardware, and Mr. Dick
inSOn, ieweer, were in Cincinnati on Tuesday
purchasing articles in their line of business, and
among other articles each of them had purchased
pistols. During their absence. it appears, some
person or persons, probably acting as the agents
or spies of the secret Abolition organization here
telegraphed to Gov. Morton or Col. Darlington
that those gentlemen we're in Cincinnati buying
large quantities of pistols to be sold to ''diso sal
persons" In response to this dispatch the said
Captain and squad of soldiers were sent here by
Col. Darlington, with his authority to seize pis-
tolls and fire arms in possession of any one
pected of selling such articles to "disloyal per-
sons" Messrs. Benton and Dickinson arrived
home between 10 and IL o'clock on Tuesday
night The Captain waited on each of them and
informed them of his mission. He left them
satisfied that no harm would come of leaving the
matter rest till the next morning. During the
forenoon of the next day the Captain with two
soldiers. called at the store of MI Benton and
inquired if the pistols he had purchased the
day before had arrived. Mr. B replied aflirma
lively, and showed them to him. there being two
dozen of them. The Captain produced his au-
thOrity from Col. Darlington, and requested pos
session of the pistols under said order. Mr. B.
protested that there was no reason for taking his
pistols, as there could not be the slightest evil
dence produced that they were designed for Or
would be sold to, ''disloya persons" as they had
been purchased for no particular persons. and
only intended to be sold in the legitimate
course of his trade. The Captain. insisting on
taking the pistols, Mr. Benton delivered them up
to him, the Captain telling MIR. b. that he in
tended taking the pistols in Mr. Dickinson 5
store also. The Captain, however, after getting
Mr. Benton's pistols, eft without taking or dis
turbing Mr.. Dicknson's.
The authorities at indianapolis have been most
egTeci0usly imposed upon by some designing
scoundrei. scoundrels here, or they have de-
termined upon prosecuting, hunting down Demo-
truthfully urge Il disloyal word or action against
Mr.. Benton. He Is one of our oldest and most
highly respected citiZenS-an old member Ot the
Baptist churC h, IN which society he has occupied
leading and prominent position for many ears.
He has never been an Office seeking politician,
but always firm and steadtast Democrat-never
however, making any noise about politics, or Mt
tempting TO intrude his views upon others, but
has quietly, unobtrusively and successfully pur-
sued his business avocatons. He has been a
close business man, but has been liberal in his
contributions for every purpose connected with
the WARRIOR the relief OF soldiers families the
sick and wounded soldiers, sanitary supplies.
&c, and has contributed on almost every ucca-
sion, when solicited to do One of his sons
sacrificed his life in fighting the battles of his
country IN this war He volunteered in the 18th
Indiana regiment, and was fatally wounded in
the last battles near Bull Run. last fall
The idea that Mr.. B. is disloyal or would co
anything disloyal. as the taking of his property
by military authority would imply, is too absurd
to talk about A great wrong has been done Mr.
Benton in this matter and justice requires that
the authorities should speedily investigate the
matter. The authorities may have been imposed
upon. or il may be that this is the inauguration
OF programme to disarm Democrats to prevent
them from being able TO defend themselves from
any ASA ults that may be made upon them. II
the authorities have been mised they should rec
/ THY the wrong they have done, without delay. Il
il is designed To take all arms away from Demo
crats on the pretense that they are disloyal, the
sooner they know il the better Ii looks sngu
lar in this affair here that two dozen pistols should
be taken from Mr. Benton, Democrat, anC
nearly twice many left in the hands of Mr.
Dickinson, Republican. TO be sold to whoever
he may decide rs loyal
Many false, foolish and devilish stories, de
signed and calculated To produce evaporation il
the public mind and the worst of feeling. have
been put in circulation in regard to the seizure o
Mr. Benton's pistols. Ii has been told aud M
doubt finds many believers, that the pistols came
marked axes" and were addressed TO a Demo
crat in Abingdon township. and more of the SUM
sort of stories, not word of which is true or ha
any foundation IN truth. Mr. Benton has, 10
several years. kept pistols for sale-has kept then
open To public view. in his store-never attempted
TO make any c0ncealment. regarding them a
legiLimately part OF his business as knives, show
els. spades, &c The box containing the tw,
dozen pistols, which he bought in the regula
course OF trade, came by express, directed TO him
with no other marks on il except mis- address ant
the card of the house he bought them Of
CITIZEN.