The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-11-27
Dailp Argus.
saturday Evening, November 81, 1859
surIRR DRFRSDTD AND PRAISED.

strang: As it may seem man has been
found who takes up cudgel 10 defense OF
Ban Butler. We cannot give his residence
,.,v;,v or color, but he writes from the
F;nb Avenue Hotel to the New York Hortd,
and SAYS that notwithstanding Butler has
lain under the imputation OF spoon stealing
for six years, it is really not true mat ne
ever purloned solitary piece oisliveF p'a'e'
He saws he was Buffers quarter master,
while o, New Orleans. This may account
for the defense. Az army officer accused Of
dishonesty, could not probably find an adVo'
cate who would have so few scruPle8 to oV-
ercome in making his defense as his quar-
terpas,er. liza qusrtermaster should test
sy Against his chief in such ca'e' " "Ouiu
erci,e surprise, and such testimony would
bo denominated states evidence or the testi
many ofa confederate. If it be true as
charged repeatedly against Butler, that he
appropriated private property captured ~
New Orleans to his own use, his ehie'
quarter master ought not to expect II 70 DC
generally believed that he himself is so free
from suspicion as to be perfectly satisiac'
tory witness in his defense. The number
Of moor quarter masters in the country would
not recruit corporal's guard, no matter how
poor they may have been at tho beginning
Of the war, for If anybody in any particular
army corps, appropriated anything not be
longing to him, the quarter.mas'er wa
not apt to be ignorant of it or the poor
er by reason of it,
But even Ben. Butler, who may after al
no AN honest man, is entitled TO the bench
Of any statement that may be made IN nj
behalf, and we accordingly give the sun
stance Of his quarter masters letter. ii
says it is true that Gen. Butler took posses
ion Of and occupied the residence OF the Ia
Gen.Twiggs in New Orlesns,and that he as
CAPTURED three swords, hut insists that con
plete inventory Of all the valaables beIongif
10 the"absconding traitor was made, and Il
property boxed up to await the order OF u
government, and that an inventory OF Il
furniture was made by the quartermastt
tthe writer who was made responsible
its safe.keeping. He says this was the vi
form rule in capturing rebel .propeert
When C,en. Is. was relieved, says his deter
err. he requested Gen. Banks to detail
oHcer 70 examine and make an inventory
all the plate which "tell into his hano
while in New Orleans. and that q memn
of BAnks' staff did inventory and recel
for this property, every article OF the orr
nal inventory being found and covered
the receipt. This receipt he says "'
Butler now has 10 his possession, and Il
always had it, and be mas no doubt but II
the officer who gave it rendered true
count to his chief and to the government
As to the swords, he says Gen. Butler,
gardinR them as trophies Of war, sent TN
to Washington; that Congress took char
of them, and attempted 10 vote one of the
to him, and the other to West Point, buttf
this failed BY reason Of the non'concurren
Of the Senate in the resolution, and I
swords have since remained IN the lreasn
1t will be remembered that Miss tloran
in her suit, claims three swords, and swe
to the number. The third one Butte
quarter master fails TO make any accou
Of She also swears that they are not
the Treasury Department. Here is
crepancy which possibly the General
his quarter master is responsible for.
It's proper to give the quarter master
his chief the benefit not merely OF his SIT
ments as to facts, but his opinions.
thinks B. I. b. has been essaiLed by 'si
derous tongues is strongly attached to
because Of his inhexible justice to the ~
rebel" aud his generous indulgence to
"poor loyalist." lie also thinks he
"walk with his head erect in clout
SANDER and he makes the statement for
benefit of the thousands Of his friends,
without his knowledge or consent.
this is all.
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