The Smoky Hill and Republican union. [volume] (Junction City, Kan.) 1861-1864, 1864-08-13
SAM WOODS "FoRrFn -

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moderate prices to the Government.
SAM WOODS "FORTE"
Sam Wood has forte. We have "diskivered''
the same. Sam is "Bungaleer"-we beg par
don, Brigadier General of Militia-and very
malicious one he is in general. But to Sans
forte. 1t is not the one now being erected upon
the bluff at the delectable burg where Sam makes
his headquarters. It is not in organizing and
making efficient the militia of his District. It s
not either in trading in rebel cotton or Indian
cattle. It's not eyen that superlative system Of
mendacity and bullying in which Sam is so
great a proficient. Nor is it in that general dis
regard of all decency for which he is so notorious
Sam excels in all of these things we grant. but
none of them are the special forte to which we
desire to call attention. It is true that as the
greater includes the lesser, all other of Sans
special qualifications are embraced in the one to
which we call attention.
Sam Woods special forte, developed lately in
a most alarming degree, as will be evident when
the State pays its advertising bills, consists in
the preparation and publication of the most stu
pendous system of Circulars, General and Special
Order ever known to State militia. Some Of
his exploits in this line deserve leading place
in the literature of Lilliput or fling among the
memories of Baron Munchausen.
Woods last exploit in this line is Circular
addressed to the "Ofioers and Privates of the
5th Brigade District" The logic If this docu-
ment is on a par with its bombaatic arrogance.
This Brigadier Bombastus Furioso first states
that I" have just issued an order relieving from
active service now in the service in this District"
Sam goes on and gives very good reasons for
this order. But after this, and long series OF
directions as to the necessity, etc. of keeping up
q vigilant citizen organization, and having arms
in good order, which all would do we'll to obey,
Sam goes on and issues his orders as to how the
Indians shall be dealt with, as to the trade with
them, and other matters regulating intercourse
with a public enemy, utterly ignoring at the
same time the fact that General officers Of the
United States army are now in command, one Of
whom has lately been detailed to the command
Of new District for the special purpose Of meet
ing and suppressing this Indian warfare. The
latter part of Sam Woods Circular is certainly
peculiar. 1t is marked example of that indi-
viduals forte. Read it, and remember that in
the very first paragraph of this Circular he states
that he has relieved the militia from active SER
vice:
"Officers will stop all Indians and other per-
sons going on to the plains. and will allow no
arms, ammunition or liquor conveyed to the hostile
Indians White men found with the Indians
instigating them to deeds of violence should be
caught and hung; we need none such for pris.
oners. All white men found in the Indian coun-
try will be treated as enemies. Sid Clarke's Pro-
vost Marshals will suspend their cattle specula-
tons until the Indian war is over, and all white
men on the frontier, not citizens, must leave be
treated as rebels and Indian allies. Citizens are
enrolled in some militia company. Let these
suggestions be acted on and carried out, and we
shall have no further Indian troubles.
as. N. WooD, Brig. Gen. Cong Dis"
We do not understand that the Indians are at war
with the State of Kansas especially, but rather
with the people of the United States, if at all.
The Commanding General of this Department
seems to take this view Of the matter. We are
not aware that the General Government, Con-
press. the Indian Bureau. or the o. s. military
authorities, have delegated to Sam Wood the
right to requisite trade with the Indians, order
the execution of men found among them, or
9th hsrwise to determine who are or are not public
enemies, more especially when he, as Brigadier
General of militia, at tame ct great apparent
exigency. retires ali the force Of his District IRON
active seryiee.
Sam il poor timber-Bsssrood at the best.
Unreliable insincere, untruthfal and treaeherous,
he il the last of all men in the State to be charged
with public trust. He knows nothing but
Sam Wood. sad as he knows nothing good of
him, it is not to be expected that the stream will
flow higher than the source.