The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1867-05-31
From Evansville Sentinel. May 80. J.
UNPUBLISHED HIST Ry.
Who is Responsible for the Events
in Southern, Ken lucky During
ah the War?

6 the War?
Extraordinary Orders! -
We have heard much from Ken
tuckians regarding the history Of
military rule In Southern Kentuck,
during the late war, but more espe-
orally concerning the reputed trans.
| actions of Col. John. w. Foster, in
regard to the treatment of those who
adhered to the cause of the Confeder-
ate Government, either as soldiers OF
from sympathy as citizens, as well as
to the levying of two certain contri-
buttons. or, as the Mexicans would
ssy p5sstaes tor the purpose Of ia
who claimed that their property had
been used by the Confederate regu-
lar or partisan forces, during the
raids that were made ini62 and '63.
And we have continuously heard the
name of Colonel Foster, as the more
immediate. commander of the Federal
troops used by the people who have
complained nof tse consequent OPP
pFessions, in terms by no means COM
plimentary to him as soldier or citi-
zen. ----.s------
But what will our oppressed and
wronged .countrymen Of the adjoining
State of Kentucky say, when we assert
that we have seen the series of official
orders and kilograms under which
that officer acted. wherein iinstruc-
tons from one higher in authority
than Colonel Foster, (no less per-
sonage than General j. L. Boyle, is
distinctly given to do each and every
act attributed to him, and more-euen
to the putting to death of all captured
prisoners in arms against the Govern
ment; the demand to "pm to the
sacord z whomever that officer should
deem proper; the instructions to take
noprisoners, with similar unexampled
barbarisms, unknown to civilized war
fare, aud without parallel in modern
times, other than in Austrian history,
when the incarnatel butcher fend.
Haynau, reveled in the misery of the
weak and defenceless; or In other
times, when Paine, the merciless mon
ster, assassinated I'D fibitum at Padu-
caht % asN ios9ip Hs3t@ y
We assert that we have examined a
series of orders to Colonel John w.
Foster, requiring of him. in some in
stances, to commit barbarisms which 4
are not charged against him, while. in !
others, giving the fullest discreisonaru
to him to do as his judgment
should direct, while the spirit of all
of them was far beyond anything of \
which he has been charged by any
citizen of Kentucky, to our know
ledge, of having done.
The orders from General Boyle to
Colonel Foster are important parts of
the true history of the late war, so
far as transactions in the Green River
country are concerned. They were
instructions from a Department Com
in his luxurious quarters in
a distant city, to subordinate officer,
in command of a sub-department, to
put to the sword a large body of
Kentuckians now living, but who live
not by the grace of General Boyle,
but really as the result of the more |
moderate course pursued By Colonel |
Foster.
In regard to the assessments or
prestanaos levied by Col Foster in
Hopkins County, we have examined |
official documents establishing the |
fact that these prest0nsos were ap-
proved and Endorsed by the Govern |
ment at Washington! We have also
examined other official documents
proving beyond caval that the moneys I
raised by these prestonaos were applied |
for the purposes for which they were
made, and that the accused did not,
at any time, have charge of their dis /
posal; but that Mr.. Priest, of Hen
derson, and other parties in Hopkins
County, were the Commission having
charge of their disbursement or ap- |
plication.
We have given but an outline of |
the voluminous official documents
which have been placed before us. /
Many important facts bearing upon
the history of events of deep interest |
TO many hundreds of our Kentucky /
are contained also, which |
lead to a better understanding of the |
history of the war for the suppression
Of liberty. We are no apologist for
Col. Foster or any other man who I
Iorded it in behalf of the Radical
party over the people Of Kentucky
God forbid that we should ever lend
our pen orspaper to the vindieation
Of any crusader against the people of.
Kentucky or elsewhere; but we do not
hesitate to say what we deem due and
right. With the documents before us,
and which we have not yet the liberty
70 publish in full, we are free to say
that the response bility for whatever has
occurred on the other side of the riv-
er. is upon General BOYLE. and not