Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-04-25
ALLEGED OUTRAGE AT LEXINGTON
DEFENSE OF GEN. LEE.

The following letter from an officer of the
United States army and Freedmen's Bu-
reau in Virginia, effectuslly disposes of
one Of the stories set ahoat by unprincipled
scriblers to pref udice the Northern people
against 'the uureconstructed Rebels of the
South" The story which this officer re-
flutes was widely circulated over the North,
and was as malicious as it was menda-
cious. The letter which follows was pub
lished in the New York Tribune of April
10th
Ny attention has just been called to an
article in the Independent against the
Washington College movement, based upon
a letter dated Lexington, Va, March IL.
This letter mentions some of the particu-
lars of an outrage committed last winter,
against young man by the name of John
ston, and reflects iDjuriously upon Gen.
| ee's conduct in connection Herewith.
1t is no more than right TO inform you
that the most important items of the trans
action are left out Of the letter, viz, that
Johnston was himself partly to blame for
the riot, aud that the rioters did not go I'M
punished. Johnston was skating on North
river among number of people, and, hsv-
ing an opprobrious epithet applied to him
by boy, he drew pistol and threatened
to shoot the boy, who was only about twelve
years old. This, Of course, produced a SEN
sation among the older boys, who then
drove Johnston from the ice, inhicting per-
sonal injuries by throwing clods, pieces Of
ice, ETC, at him after he left the river.
That night five persons, unknown, went
to Jonnston's house and further insulted
him with their yells from the street. No
violence was offered them. No complaint
was made to Gen. Lee, who knew nothing
bnt the college side Of the story. But,
upon Gen. Wilcox calling upon him for
redress, Gen. Lee promptly Investigated
the affair, and the result was that three
students mpiicated-being all that could
be identiGed-were summarily expelled.
Johnston was himself unable to identify
any one engaged 10 the matter. Gen. Lee
thus made not only a severe example Of
this case, but gave personal assurances that
he would punish summarily any person
connected with his college found guilty of
any riot, outrage, or abusive conduct. At
the time this affair occurred Mr.. Johnston
was expecting TO leave Lexington 10 en-
gage in business elsewhere, and / doubt
whether the threat Of calathump bur
lesque serensde) had anything to do with
his departure.
This correction viii, / trust, be sufficient
to exonerate Gen. Lee, but for whom and
the cause Of education, 80 essential to the
future welfare Of the South, / should not
notice the letter and article referred to.
As to the slur which was sought to be cast
upon Gen. Wilcox in the letter for con-
shifting with Gen. Lee and other noted
Rebels" instead Of making military ar
rests. his duty and orders FIRST required
him to confer with and demand redress at
the hands Of the town and college authori-
ties; and, as all was done that could be
properly demanded, no military interfer-
ence was called for A full report Of the
whole case Is on file in Richmond at Gen.
Scho6eld's headquarters.
l can assure you that Gen. Wilcox is not
the man to slight his duty, or TO refuse re-
dress and protection when required and,
in this case, where the offenders were
promptly punished BY Gen. Lee, sad
where the attack on the part Of the boys
was invited by JOhnston's threat OF shoot
ing a little boy, and presentation Of pistol,
he does not, eeriainly, deserve eensare Tor
not further prosecuting Il. no inrther