The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-09-18
Er We published. last week. the


Troops Of the Constitutional Eagle a
newspaper published at Camden Ark,
We learn By the Vicksburg Times that
General Ord has ordered the arrest of
Major Pierce the officer in immediate
command Of the troops. The following
is an extract from aletter Of the Col.
commanding that Post, to General Ord,
in reference to the affair:
The censures ofthe press directed against
the servants of the people may be endured /;
but Gen. Ord and the military force detail
ed to enable him to perform bis duties, are
not the servants OF the people of Arkansas,
but rather their masters, and it is felt TO
a great piece Of impertinence for a bewspa-
per in this State to comment upon the
military under any circumstances whatever.
AS a specimen Of The style Of the paper, in
relation to the military, please see copy
of tile goth July. Shch paragraphs have
been OF frequent occurrence, and have been
entirely unprovoked BY anything in the con-
duct OF the troops in this State
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) .s' G. G. GILBERT.
70 which Gen. Ord returned the follow
ing reply, marking the clearness Of his
perceptions of the right Of citizens as de-
fined even by the military acts and his de-
termination to protect them. The people
Of Arkansas and Mississippi are favored in
having so unright, impartial and conscien-
tious an officer as General Ord to execute
the responsible duties Of the position he is
filing: e!
HEADq'Rs FOURTH MILITARY D1srR1cT, }
mississippi and Arkansas),
Vicksburg, Miss, Sept. 4th, 1861.
Col C. c. Gilbert, Commanding, Camden,
Ark: aa
Sir-Your letter Of the 18th dlt, in which
you attempt to justify the act ola party
Of soldiers, who, misled BY an officer, forci-
| bly, entered a citizens house and destroyed
his property, is received you will please
explain why this act was not prevented by
you as post commander, and If the require
ments Of the 32d Article Of War has been
complied with.
Your assertion that the military forces
are not the servants Of the people Of Arkan-
sas, but rather their masters, is unjust both
to the people and military, and unfounded
/ in fact. The military, forces are the SER
wants of the laws, and the laws are for the
benefit of the people. Sec. 3, Of the Act
of Congress for the more efficient govern
ment Of the rebel States, makes it the duty
Of the military "to protect all persons in
their rights Of persons and property, to
suppress instruction, disorder and violence,
and to publish, or cause to be published, oil
distufbers Of the public peace, &c.," So
that instead Of presuming to violate those
laws, to crafty private revenge, troops are
placed in Arkansas to insure their sexecu-
ton, equally upon, and for the benefit Of
all.
The assumption that party Of soldiers
could, at their own option, forcibly destroy
a citizens property and commit q gross
violation Of the public peace, would not be-
tolerated under a Napoleon.
In every case where citizens or soldiers
are wronged, the laws of Congress. now
provide a prompt mode Of obtaining redress;
especially is this within the reach Of the
military, who can be organized into courts
for the protection Of its own members, with
authority vested in District Commanders
to execute their judgments, and in no case
has the District Commander failed to pro-
tect the officers and soldiers under his COM
mand from outrage, when engaged in their
legitimate duties.
A prompt reply is requested to this.
lam very respectfully,
Your obedient servant.
fSiened. E. O. G. ORB,
|s'' Brevet Major General Commanding
Official:
HuGH G. BRowY,
1st It., 36th u. s. Infantry, Aid-de-
Camp. #
This letter was followed by an order for
the trial ofthe accused by Court Mar
tial, which was to- have commenced at
Camden, on saturday last.