Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-10-01
CORRUP lion, FRAUD AND viLlAIHy
TERRIBLE ATROCITIES OF THE LINCOLN GENERAL
PAINE IN KENTUCKY-A BEAUTIFUL RECORD
How KENTUCKY HAS BEEN GOVERNED.
From tie Louisville Journal, zTth.
INTERROGATION OF GENERAL PAISE's ADHINIsrRA-

From tie Louisville Journal zIih.
INVESTIGATION OF GENERAL rAISE's ADSINIsrRAs
TIoS AT PADUoAn.
Some time ago Colonel Craddock of the
Kentucky service, was called Dy business into
the District of Western Kentucky. then com
manded by Brig Gen. a. +. Paine The Col.
found the people completely cowed, not daring
utter word, when every day their most sa
cred rights, by military force, were hagrantly
violated By close observation, he became con-
vnced that General Pane and his subOrdnates
were exercising the iron rule OF despOls. we're
prosecuting and robbing the people under various
fimsv preteKts, and that the worst corruption
prevailed in his office, and characterized all his
Official acts. Being convinced of these facts,
he sought Major General Burbrdge at his head
quarters in Lexington, and fully stated the case
to him.
The General was 10th to believe that crimes so
enormous as represented by Col Criddoek could
be openly practiced by clothed with the
authority and honor Oi All officer OF the United
States Gov erDment: but the solemn assurance
OF the truth of the statement, he concluded To
appoint commission TO investigate the case On
the 9th OF September order was made detail
ing Gen ). r Fry and Col. Brown as commits
sion to proceed 20 Psducsh and fully investigate
the conduct of Gen Paine while in command OF
the Western District of Kentucky. Col Grad
dock war appointed to accompany the commits
sion and assist them in their labors. just before
the arrival of Gen. Fry at Paducah, General
Paine relieved of his command by General
Meredith Paine was ordered TO remain st his
headquarters and meet all charges that might DE
preferred against him before the commission.
This be refused to DO. When Gen. Fry and his
assistants arrived. they found that Gen. Paine
had fled 10 Illinois, where no is still absent with
out authority All of his subordinate officers
also took French leave" knowing that their
conduct would not bear investigation.
Gen. Fay found it very difficult to commence
operations. rs the main parties were absent, aud
the clerks aud Ordetes with whom they had sur
rounded themselves, and possessing knowledge
OF Their transactions. had been previously sent
out OF the District The citizens we're so com
petely cowed that they would not open their
lips with word OF complaint against the policy
plrsued by Gen Paine Acting on. the authority
OF Generals Meredith and FRY. Col. Craddock
publicly proclaimed the object OF the commis-
SION IN visiting Paducah, aud assured the people
that il they would Gene forward and testify TO
facts they should have full protection from all
parties who might oe implicated by their state
meuts. 1 bis lad the desired elect. Gen Try
VAS received With the greatest enthusiasm. The
people threw oil their restraint and extended the
rarm hand of welcome They greeted him
with cheers aud smiles upon the street, and
throBged his headquarters during lie day,
showing him every kind OF .tenlion IN their
power.
Gen Meredith IS also very popular With the
people We published all extract from the Cairo
papers some time ago of the cheering demon
straton that marked bis advent into Office With
the feelings of n true soldier, he afforded every
facility in his power TO aid the commission 10
their la5ors All OF the evidence tsken before
this BODY Is il the form OF affdavits and the re
cord Is quite vOlumiEous. Ii found that
Gen. Paine had exercised the most arbitrary will,
and that the worst corruption prevailed in his
Office Citizens had been arrested and tprOVn
into prison Without show OF trial and no record
of single charge preferred against them could
be found among any Of the official papers OF his
Office Prisoners were executed without hear.
ing, ana often withou, definite charge being
preferred against them FoFty-three graves. said
10 DE those OF executed prisoners, were counted
at Padueah Among this number two
men, named Noljn aud Taylor, OF well known
loyalty. ~ho by some act offended the General in
power and tragic death their doom
To show The manner in which the executions
we're made. We have a statement from the evi-
dence gwen D. Hiram K Eaoch Quariermaster
Of the 1924 regiment Illinois volunteer infantry
He saws THAI he heard of four citizens being ex
ecuted without 4 shadow of trial-kesterton
TAYLOR. Mathey and Hess Col McChesney
commanding at Mayfelt, by the appoin, ment
aud acting under the instructions Of Gen. Paine
told BIN about the lst Septeu ber 1864. that be
had shot seven men Mayfed and had one
more in the guard house that BE intended TO exc
cute the next dsy He ssd that be gave them
irisI. and boosted that one of the prisoners
shot AMI covered I'd 10 Es grave in sorIv
minutes from the time that he vas fret reported
by scout % hi- headquarters. The whole OF
General Paines Official career IN she District ol
Western Kentucky vas marked by the coarses,
brutality, calculated 70 exasPeTate the people aud
send recruits 10 the rebel army he would or
der citizens TO bis headquarters and. without pro
vocation, would abuse them, applying the most
offensive terms TO them. such as Id rebsls,
Id ssoundreis. Se I