Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-08-05
MIR. DURB ORROWS, AGENCY IN EXEMPT
ING BEDFORD BOROUGH FROM THE
DRAFT.

MIR. .DURBORROWS,A AGENCY IN EXEMPT
ING BEDFORD BOROUGH FROM THE
DRAFT.
10 the Editor oj.sAse Bedford Inquirer.
An effort has been made by large plumber Of
pelfaa4 to misreprssent my agency in. endeavor-
ing to secure for Bedford county all the credits to
which it was entilled for re-enlsted men, up to
the date of the May draft had thought when
the charges were first preferred against me Of
having men accredited to the borough of Bed
ford, who legtmatey belonged to the townships
that the charge was so inconsistent and absurd
that few private explanations would suffice to
remove all doubts upon the subject, but in this /
have been, entirely mistaken There are evident
y some persons ii existence who ought 70 know
better, who think that apriyate indiyidual can go
to Harrisburg and alter the records Of the War
Department.
I shall relate my connection with the matter in
as few a words as possible and after 1 have done
50, if any sane man can say that had a4y agen-
cy in exempting Bedford borough, he can with
equal plausbiity say that | was responsible for
the burning Of Chambershurg by the rebels
1t was notorious fact that almost every eoun-
ty and township in Pennsylvania had sent com
mitties to Harrisburg, TO look 4fter and secure
the proper credih for re-ensted men, except Bed
ford county Hor acorroboration of this fact,
appeal to. Maj Washabough. knowing this to
be the case, | suggested to a number of the citi-
zens of this place that if they would pay my ex-
penses to Harrisburg and Chambersburg would
without compensation for time or labor visit these
places and see that the County mot the Borough,
nor any particular township, but the whole
County, rseerved its legitimate credits, Part Of
my expenses were raised, and on the morning of
Friday. the 9th of May, Court having detain-
ed me until Thursday afternoon | left in the
six o clock, A. M, coach | reached Harrisburg
late in the night, having missed the afternoon
connection 1T Huntingdon On Satu, day morn
ing Mai Washabaugh, attached to the Adiutant
Generals Department. gave me every assistance,
and during the day set of certifcial copies of
rolls of Bedford County veterans in the field were
made out. No effort was made to discriminate in
favor of any township.
White eonversing with friend in the evening
of the same day, in regard to the object of my
visit, he casually inquired whether had seen
the Bedford Inquirer of the morning previous
stating in substance that it contained statement
a,adey the Official Signature Of Capt Geo, Eystcr
IN achich Bedford Borough lcas accredited 10th a
smphss OF toHr oeer Gad ADORE her quota. This
statement it viii be remembered was published by
Capt Eyster, on the morning left Bedford, as
any one can see who will take the trouble to ex-
anime the Inquirer Of that date. When / reach
cd Chambersburg with the eertifcial copies of
rolls I was informed by the Board that an order
had been issued by the Provost Marshal General
commanding Provost Marshals not to grant any
credits for pe-ensted men on the 700, 600 call af
ter the 18th of April This again headed me off
and the credits still stand for retans, precisely
they lcere left By Capt Eyster's statement prdsl-
cd on the 9th of Hay. For the truth of this
statement, appeal to the Board Of Enrolment
And yet in the presence Of these formidable
facts, am arraigned daily by some conniving
scoundrels and simple asses, for having defrauded
the various townships Of their legitimate credits
have borne this kind of misrepresentation and
abuse about long enough. have no more to do
with the matter Of securing the exemption Of
Bedford Borough than any of the silly fools who
charge me with it, but it appears 10 be the Gus
tom to misrepresent my honest motives.
Very Respectfully Yours,
j. r. DURBORROW.
BEDFORD, August 3, 1864.