The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1864-1911, 1864-05-18
The Cotton Contract with Kirby
Smith-"LOyaIist and Rebels
kGOrding Each Other Aid and
Comfort.

The st. Louis Democrat, an Adminlstra-
ton organ of the truly loyal radical
stripe, publishes, in its issue of the 3D. inst,
the following information, which it says
comes from highly responsible source, and
is of such nature that it does not feel sus-
tilted in withholding it from the public
The Casey spoken of is Samuel Casey, of
| Caseyville, Kentucky, who is brother-in-law
to Lieutenant General Grant, and the But
Ter mentioned is William Butler, of Spring
field. Illinois, late Treasurer of that State.
The Dcn0c,rd gives the statement in the
language furnished it as follows:
4 contract for the surrender of the trans
Mississippi country to the United States was
made between the Government OF the Uni
ted States and Kirby Smith, commanding
the rebel forces West of the Mississippi riv-
er. Casey and Butler being the agents of
both parties in making the terms of agree
ment Casey is from Chicago, and Butler
was formerly State Treasurer Of illinois
both are in the confidence OF the Admins
tration.
The information is derived direct from
Casey himself
The terms of the contract were as fol-
lows:
Kirby Smith agreed to retire from the
country with his army and then disband it;
he would destroy no property, but on the
contrary, surrender all Confederate Gotten to
the United States Government.
In order to increase the amount OF cotton
to be thus given up, he was largely engaged
in its purchase from private parties, paying
for the same double the amount offered by
the agents of the rebel Government and
then banding it &C $. A." that there
might be no difficulties in the way of con
hscation and seizure by the United States.
In return, the United States Government
agreed to guarantee Il safe exit from the
country to Kirby Smith and his officers. and
pay for all cotton surrendered twenty cents
per pound in foreign exchange; with which
money Smith x Go. were to retire to Europe.
The Government also agreed to respect prl-
vate property and to prevent devastation
and plundcr by the troops in their march III
to the interior.
Casey was asked whether private parties
might not engage in the business OF buying
Smith cotton and replied that the matter
had gone too far with the Government.
Brigadier General Elicit, commanding
Marine Brigade, knew the fact Of this ar
rangemcnt, but it is not ccrtain.whether Ma
iur General Banks was aware Of it or not.
When General Banks started on his eXpe-
dition up Red river, Casey expressed fear
that Banks would do some act that would
interfere with the fulhllment Of the con-
tlact.
II appears that General Banks and Admi-
raj Porter had colluded in gigantic cotton
speculation and rwindle. They have been
seizng all the cotton they could lay their
hands upon, and if it belonged to private
parties they would brand it &c. S. A, and
then contiscate it; they were also plrnder-
ing the country in both acts grossly viola
ting the terms ofthe agreement between the
United States Government and Kirby
Smith.
Kirby Smith seeing his hopes of retire
mcnt in case and wealth thus dashed, and
the cotton he had bought with his private
means, together with his prospective riches
thus snatchcd from his grasp, was driven to
madness and desperation instead, therefore,
Of retiring from the country, he was making
as much resistance as lay in his power, and
was burning the cotton he would otherwise
have gladly delivered to the United States
Government.
Major General Banks may have been ig-
norant of the contract aforesaid but it ap-
pears that he had abandoned his duties as
commander of an army and neglected the
real points of his campaign for the purpose
Of lining his pockets with cotton-thus sac
rificing the efficiency and safety of his army
and the success Of the cause to his own per-
sonal profit. Had he been successful, he
could have defed the anger of the Adniuis-
tration which his interference with their
plans will excite, and have thrown himself
upon the populace, who ever judge Of a
man actions by the degree Of success which
attends them, and not by the intentions with
which they were entered upon; whereas his
failure will cause, if no more disastrous re-
suit. his immediate removal from command,
and blast his hopes for the Presidency.