, 1865-03-16
FROM WESTERN ARKANSAS.
Shocking Frauds Perpotratcd on the
6 Government and Citizens 50:

Correspondence OF the Chicago Trioune.l
Fonr SMITH, Ark, March sth, 1865
i: The citizens Of this pa1t Of Arkansas are
Suing to pnt forth every energy to make
crop, aad after eighteen months oppression
md devastation feel: that their darkest
hour, has passed. Since this post Was first
occupied by the Federal army, more than
eighteen months ago, q system Of plllage and
plunder has been practiced on the people IN"
discriminatory, loyal and dislyal suffering
alike, until thousands ofAnr people have
bet T. driven from the State, and ere now re-
furees from once comfortable and happy
homes; and during an this time there has been
no effort made by men in authority to stop
the lawlessuess Of the soldtery, but the whole
attention Of those occupying prominent posi-"
tions have been given to the numerous specu-
latjons and fraudsperpetrated on the Govern
ment ut this place.. When officers engage 10
coffupiions and frauds, enlisted men cannot
be expected to observe military discipline,
and the example Of those In high places In
the nrmy Of the frontier, has been calculated
to demoralize any troops Under the eyes,
and with the sanction Of the highest authori-
ty here, this whole country has b:en stripped
Of all the horses, mules, cattle, carriages, and
fine furniture, which has been hauled and run
Off to Kansas, and sold for the benefit Of
combination Of men who have been controll-
Ing military at1aios in this District
While. many officers have been making their
tens Of thousands, the influence extended to
the ranks, where pillage and plqnder vas cur.
six weeks men Of this command, led By Off.
GERS, hare gone to the houses Of women in
this country and demanded money, and offer
ed every indfguity and, in several instances,
hare caught the women and tortured them
over the ire, burning their feet until, In one
$~]r EzMn& y, ktnl ~xnlf fz-~ fh1-
putation OF the leg WIS necessary, and several
others we're burned 50 badly that they Will be
cripples for lie. Fifteen Of J the guilty par
ties, with Capt. Chas. Harris, all Of the 18th
Kansas cavalry; have been arrested and sent
to Little Rock IN irons, for. trial. Among
these parties who have been arrest
eson,-. formerly chaplain, WHO has been
acting as the agent Of the. Treasury Depart
ment TO collect abandoned property. Under
this authority; all. abandoned cotton,
amounting to NEAR one thousand bales, and
an immense amount of other property, has
teen collected and run off on private account,
not one dollars worth of which will ever be
turned over to the Government. .Isp&ak what
fs notorious to every person here. when I
etate that the Treasury Department, together
with the military authorities, baye been fur
nishing citizen speculators with every facility
to swindle the Government. Soldiers have
operations. =, Hay has been made, and
beef driven In from: the rebel Choctaw
country, and wood snt by soldiers in our
army and private c1tizeE spectators have
been paid double price for the eome on con:
tracts which have been given them by the
military authorities. There haa been awhola.
and people untfl VIC all begnn:to despair; but
| day haB daWned upon US once again. Gen.
Stecle's removal, and the appointment Of Gen.
Reynolds TO- command the department, was
ha:led here with delight. We knew any
shane woua y for Fertile the better. sadGstS W hs {
Gen. Reynolds, but find he is the mar
| of all others for the place. While he was en-
gagged with his important duties at Littl'
Rock, we were left to sut1tr on under tn
reign Of terror and spoliatfon which hclt
eway here for so long, and were about read!
to abandon the country and give up all a
| lost, when our 'pleadings were heard and tn
order came that Gen. Thayer was relieved AM
Brig: Gen. Cyrus Buesey assigned to th
command. be: assumed the commune
| on the 18th day Of February, aud al
ready The atmosphere has been purified. H
comes to us with character above reproach
and is not afraid to speak ont against frau
and corruption, come from Whatever sourc
1t may. When officers themselves have beef
guilty, they dare not exercise their oft1oe t.
prevent others, fearing exposure. It L. poss
bic that Was the reason the past Adminlstra
lion did not do In twelve months what Gen
Bussey has done In that number Of days. "
are assured by Gov Murphy md other
who know Gen. Bussey intimately, that b
has no superior ID the Department. An oil
Ger Of great energy and istrative ability
with sincere desire to do his whole duty
the country, he has undertaken work whic
will require more firmness than has ever II
been displayed IN this command; but We fet
q degree oi confidence We hare never beto1
experienced, and it has been brought abor
IT by the firm hand which has been placed 0
this combination which has been destroyin
us
have been displaced, and more competen
faithful men assigned to duty tn their place
| Officers have been arrested aud sent III iron
to Little Rock to answer for their crimes, an
orders are being enforced which will effect,
ally restore discipline, and the day Is not f
distant when, the army Of the Frontier vi
be purified, and the people who have =
maIned here feel once more secure In the
property. Respectfully, &c,