The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-05-31

CdIH pdiSu W do OfOi, ~pA diSo al ~
count of my connection with military
and civil matters in Southwestern
Kentucky, which every. fair minded
man would be constrained to acknowl-
edge relieved me from all censure,
and fully exonerated me from any
charges which had been made. / was
induced by Kentucky gentlemen, high
in authority and possessing. the con-
idence of the dominant party of that
State, to forego its publication, upon
the assurance that should be vindi-
Gated by the testimony of my enemies
themselves. 93.lgW
For the present, especially, in view
of great public enterprises, in which
I had common interest with all
other citizens, / had concluded to
bear quietly the unjust odium of a
large class ofpeople in the adjoining
State of Kentucky. But on the 18th
of May the Evansville Courier made
a publication, which, by innuendo,
reflected upon my character for hon
esty, and which was grossly libel
GUS. L was the first time that the
vague rumors alluded to had assumed
anything like a Responsible author
ship. [ resolved that it should be
met at oncs.a ] Through a mutual
friend I made a demand upon the
Proprietor of that paper for public
retractiep,s and vindicationI of my
character, with a proposition [on my
part to submit to him official and au-
thentic evidence to fully satisfy him.
He very promptly and courteously
disavowed any intention to do me in
justice, and denied all knowledge of
the intended publication of the often
sive article, throwing the responsible
ty upon subordinate employee. At
ter as full an examination as he de-
sired to make, the article which is
copied elsewhere, was published in
the Courier Isi0 IAesla 4LEJ
Knowing that comments would be
made upon it by the other City Daily,
the Sentinel on the Border, I invited
the editor to make such examination as
he desired into the official papers in
my possession, in order that he might
have correct understanding. of my
Instructions and acts as an officer of
the Government. / made no request
Of him for any vindication ofamy char
acter or conduct. My only object was
TO prevent any misrepresentation. ri
stated that / preferred that
no other person should be referred to
IN an invidious manner, and that /
lid not desire a publication at this
lime of the contents of official papers. |
What he has done was upon his own
and in his own judg- |
nent of'the propriety of the publica-
ion of facts which L had been
induced to withhold. cannot,
IF course, endorse his opinions, and
must dissent from his abuse of Gen
sral BOYLE, my superior officer,
With whom my intercourse has ever
been. pleasant. General BOYLE, as
IN officer of the Government, was
for the. peace of Ken
lucky, and peace could not be pre-
served in dislo,Yal District, filed |
With guerrillas and marauders, sex-
,ept by the most severe measures. 1t /
vas a time of bitter civil war :and |
great excitement, and the conduct
ind orders of military officers must
,e judged in the light Of surrounding i
circumstances, and the enormity of
he crime to be punished.
As soldier of the grand army of the
Union, have no apology to make for
ny service of more than three years
against the enemies of my country. I 7
glory in the fact that had an oppor-
unity in common with the hundreds
IF thousands of my fellow citizens to
10 what I could to put down wicked
rebellion. / have no dispositions to
enter into an extended defense of my
lets in Western Kentucky unless it
shall be made necessary. My con-
luct and administration of affairs
we're fully approved and heartily COM
nended by my superior officers, and,
It the time, by every loyal man in
Kentucky. z I have the satisfaction Of