The weekly clarion., 1869-06-10

HERNANDo, Mss May 18th, 1869.
Editor Clarion: In compliance with a
paragraph in your paper of the 9th, inst,
will make the following statement of facts
On the 24th of November, 1867, was ap-
pointed to the office of sheriff of this, DeSoto
ounty, (vice w. J. Bynum resigned) by Gen.
Ord, the then military commander of the
4th district. discharged the duties of that
Office during the command of Gen. Ord, and
afterwards during the commands of Generals
Mcdowell and Gillem, to the entire satisfac-
ton, expressed many times by the the adju-
tant and inspectors of these generals, and
also the people oAehe county.
On the 9Th April lastsoon after General
Ames assumed command, received an or
der removing me. At the breaking out of
late war l was living with nay family in
Iroquois County, Illinois, doing business as
a merchant. left wife children and bust
ness and recruited a company-Company F.
18th Ills. Inf. Vols, 1st Brigade 18th army
corps-at the head of which Iserved as COM
manding officer and in several other capaci-
ties on staff duty until the close Of the war
being under Gen. Grant from the time he vas
Brigadier General until and after he was
made commander of the whole federal army
was in twenty different very severe battles
and through the seige of Vicksburg.
After the surrender, L came to this county
and purchased plantation and have contin-
ued with my wife and children, to own and
occupy the same to this time.
During the Registration in this county un-
der the reconstruction acts, l was appointed
registrar by Gen. Ord and servedas such until
the registration was complete and also during
the election for delegates to the Conventions
and afterwards at the election held on the
ratification of the Constitution framed by
said delegates. During the discharge of
these duties respectively received the un-
qualified appreciation of the Generals
through their adjutants and inspectors of the
satisfactory manner in which had discharg-
ed these several duties. l was in favor of
reconstruction under the Congressional plan
and still continue to advocate the same as
being the only way into the Union,the early
admission to which | advocated as exceed
ingIy desirable. l was in favor of my old
military leader, Gen. Grant, for President,
believing he would establish out of our
present confusion in political affairs, perIha-
nent peace and harmony.
L was assured at Gen. Ames' headquarters
only a few days before my removal. at per-
sonal interview, that my official record was
unexceptional and that eohoeuer might be re-
,sored that ,oouId certainly remain in Office as
sheriff which, / was removed
by this same commander, for no other rea-
sou as learn, but that he was informed by
a man in my county, who is strong parti-
zan, that would not work to the interest of
the extreme Radical faction.
| do not write this statement in a spirit of
complaint as one who has lost office. | ac-
cepted it and the office of registrar, at the
urgent solicitation of the citizens here, and
Gen. Ord and his A. A. General. Having an
income amply sufficient outside ofany Office,
only accepted them with desire to do all
in my power to restore peace and prosperity
to my adopted country; and 1 regard with
pride and high satisfaction the assurances
receivad by me of having discharged my
duty faithfully and satisfactorily to all con-
cerned, both as a soldier Of the Union and
county officer.
l am succeeded by a renegade who was l
am reliably informed, strong secessionist; ;
who was industrious in recruiting for the
Confederacy and afterwards Joined in per
son. and then deserted the army; and block
AIDED the remainder of the struggle.
My own caseis not a solitary one. Indeed
known ofseveral very similar instances.
Your most obedient ser'vt,
JOSEPH ROGERS,
Ex-Sherif DeSoto County.