Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-03-01
Tag RAFTsmAm's JOURNAL,

on the Government But the citizens of
Clearfield county, without regard 10 party,
charged upon me, while at Brookyille, that
the officer employed by me had not been
effectiye-strenuous efforts had not been
made to arrest and bring to justice the de-
linquent drafted men and deserters-that
every pacific measure had not been, and should
be exhausted before troops were called
into the county On this representation, on
Goth October, 1864, [ sent Col. Cyrus But
Ter and Lieut. George Van Vliet, special a
gents OF the Government, to arrest noto-
rious deserter named Joseph Lansberry,
residing within a short distance of Clearheld
borough. In the effort to make the arrest
Col. Butler was murdered and, | am sorry
TO be compelled to add, the assassin was
sheltered, seereted, and assisted; his wounds
dressed, and his wants relieved, and in con-
sequence thereof, he is still at large.
When this orert act was committed, in ad-
dition to the state of the county as above
detailed, 1t would have been imbecility, to
say the least, if | had not made the requisi-
ton upon the Government for troops to ar
rest the murderer-break up and disperse
the organization against the Government
known to exist, and secure and deliver over
TO the proper authorities for punishment
the lawless bands of deserters, non-report-
ing drafted men, and disloyal citizens, who
had by their acts provoked this measure.
L, with full knowledge of the facts and
responsibility, state that | made the requisi-
tions on the Government for the troops to
enter Clearfield county and am alone res
ponsible to the people and the Government
for the act and can freely and candidiy as
sert that | was prompted by no political or
partisan purpose but with the determine
ton to compel obedience to the law, and to
consult and promote the best interests of the
people, and the Government. Had [ not
adopted this course, the Supplementary
draft would have been exceedingly onerous
and unjust TO those who were willing to re
spond to the call of the Government and
discharge their duty.
The result has fully demonstrated the wis
dom of the measure. No less than IO5
drafted men, who had refused to report,
have been brought to Headquarters by the
troops while they have arrested over 40
other deserterS and bcunty-jumpers, and
have. to a great extent, if not entirely, bro
ken up the secret organization TO resist the
draft The supplementary draft has been
made, and the quota filed, without interfe-
renee on the part Of the troops.
A mass Of evidence has been collected,
which, when the proper time arrives for its
pubiicaIion VIII remove ali 0OuDtS as To the
expediency and propriety of sending troops
to your county.
In the discharge Of our unpleasant duties,
the Board of Enrolment has studiously
aimed to eschew the knowledge of any man
politics: but it may be right that ] should
here state, that the charge that members of
the Republican party influenced me in send
ing troops into Clearield county, is wholly
without foundation, and that | was wholly
uninhueneed by the feelings, passions, or
animosities of a single citizen in your coun-
ty The information upon which | acted
came through the direct official channel, and
the responsibility for whatever has ensued
rests properly on those whose bad conduct
made the measure necessary.
| am, sir, very respectfully yours truly,
Fl. s. CAMPBELL,
Capt and Pro. Mar. 9th Dist Pa