The Van Buren press., 1869-02-16
VAN buren,, ARKs., Feb. IL, SO.
EDITOR VAN BuRES PREss

inst, taken from the Little Rock Gnzeffe,
two articles in reference h. me. One
from Sever county, containing charges
in relation to alledged depredations said
to have been committed ON the property
of Mrs, Mckain by me- or permitted by
me Also, one signed by r. c. Wimber-
ly, ofAshlcy county. My first conclusion
was TO not notice these false charges
but being informed by my friends that
my silence on these matters might be
construed as an admission of their cor
rectncss.
desire through your paper to enter
my denial of these statements, and to give
a true statement of the facts without any
intention of being drawn into any news
paper controversy, with any one, on the
subject, as shall give this statement and
this one only. 4... ,....-
On my march to join General Cater
son Tin accordance with my orders
purchased and paid for supplies as long
as my money lasted then, gave receipt
for the balance. ...-s =
In the vicinity of" Ultimathule' / sent
Lieutenant Doak in the advance, with
five men, to secure the Ferry on Little
river, with orders to arrest all parties he
might find with arms; also, to look out
for provisions and forage, as we were
out of both.
overlook him at McKain' store; the
store was locked asked Mrs. McKain
if she had any -four and coffee; she in
formed me that she had then asked her
if it would distress her family to let me
have some of both for my command she
said it would not, and gave me the keys,
and told me to take what l wanted !
went into the store-placing guard at
the door to keep others out, and took
from said store, half barrel of -four,
about twenty pounds sugar and half
box of tea. (There being no coffee.
Also, some pot vessels, for all of which
| gave receipts. AS to robbing the store
there were no dry good it it. They
having been removed to the nation before
my arrival. AS to Lieutenant Doak re-
turning aftcrward-it is not true---for /
had sent him to the Ferry. If any parties
went back, it was not any of my com
mand, for was with them and they re-
NAMED in camp.
Now for the Wimberly charge: l left
Hamburg, Ashley county, on the 9th
day OF December, with attachments of
five companies, with orders to arrest all
members of the X. X * that / could
find; also all arms and ammunitions and
certain parties named in my orders, viz
Thomas Stillwell, II. c. Wimberly, three
of the Files, and host of others. On
arriving near Stillwelrs l was informed
by 3 white man, that Stillwell was at
Wimberly's store with ten or twelve men
making preparations to fire on my
command. sent Lieutenant Doak. for
ward to charge the placc--with ten men
lit was now getting dark He did SC
and returned with three prisoners. Win
berly and two others whose names | have
forgotten. Stillwell had left but few
minutes before Lieutenant Doak arrived
there l left camp that night and follow
ed Stillwell until / found myself within
the limits of the State of Louisiana, wher
/ stopped and returned to camp abou
daylight the ensuing morning. Wimber
" charges me with robbing him. | tool
Just what was ordered to take-hour
sugar, coffee, soap, candles, shot, lead
powder and arms l was not in his hous
no, not even in his yard. l placed
guard at his gate with orders to let n,
one in. / afterward found that two o
my men had been in the house and takci
some blankets. had those men arrest
cd and made them take the blankets tt
the ladies of the house, who said tina
that was all that was taken out of tn
house.
AS to my taking and boring goods o
taking trunks or clothing Of any descrip
ton it is base talsehood
was informed by parties living in tn
vicinity Of this man Wimberly, that h
harbored Stillwell and his meE, knowing
the character Of men they were, that the.
had been engaged in murder, and were a
that time armed and had been at Unioi
mems houses-both black and white
taking all their arms and whatever els
| suited them. ! can find men living il
that County-his neighbors-who kno,
all about Wimberly being such quie
man and unohending citizen. Had the.
fewer such men as him, they would far
better. All the property that took from
J any one was turned over to Headquarter
and receipts given me for the same b.
the Quartermaster. Which receipts
have. This, sir, is fair and truthful
statement Of the facts Of the case.
II. S. ANDERSON,
Major 9Th reg't. State Guards.