The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-09-12
[From Evansville Sentinel, May 3).l
UNPUBLISHED HISTORY.
Who Is Responsible fer the Events
I'm Southern Kentucky During
the War?
extraordinary IS Orders,''


We have heard much from Ken
tuckians regarding the history Of mill
itary rule in Southern Kentucky
during the late war, but more espe-
cially concerning the reputed trans
actions of Colonel John w. Foster, In
regard to the treatment of those who
adhered to the cause of the Confeder-
ate Government, either as soldiers or
from sympathy as citizens, as well as
to the levying of two certain contri-
buttons, or, as the Mexicans would
say, presfan1os. for the purpose of in
Identifying Union men" so-called,
who claimed that their property had
been used by the Confederate regular
or partisan forces, during the raids
that were made in '62 and'6 And
we have continuously heard the name
of Colonel Foster, as the more imme-
date commander of the Federal
troops, used by the people who have
complained of the consequent OPP
pressions, in terms by no means COM
plimentary to him as a soldier or citi-
zen.
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
are not charged against him, while in
others, giving the fullest discretionary
authority to him to do as his iudg-
ment should direct, while the spirit
of all of them was far beyond any
| thing of which he has been charged
by any citizen of Kentucky, to our
knowledge, of having done. =
In regard to the assessments of
prestamos levied by Col. Foster in
Hopkins County, we have examined
official documents establishing the
fact that these prestdaa0s were APP
proved and Endorsed by the Govern
ment at Washington We have also
examined other official documents
proving beyond caval that the moneys
raised by these prsstdD9os 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, aud other parties in Hopkins
County, were the Commission having
charge of their disbursement or APP
plication. @ .et
We have given but an outline of
the voiumiDous- 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
neighbors are contained also. which
lead to better understanding of the
history OF the war for the suppression
of liberty. We are no apologists for
Col. Foster or any other man who
lorded it In behalf of the Radical
party over the people of Kentucky.
God forbid that we should ever lend
our pen or paper to the vindication
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
to publish in full, we are free to saw
that sponsibility for whatever has
occurred on the other side of the
river. is not upon Colonel Foster:
that the orders sent the latter gave
him power to quito death. at liberty,
all whom he chose: that he was
authorized to take no prisoners; that
he was empowered to levy contribu-
tions; that he was instructed to send
Congressman Trimble to lousy
prison, when he only confined him to
the limits of Henderson; that he was
highly complimented for his modera-
ton by such men as Judge Fowler;
that the money raised by his presto
mos was not applied by himself to his