Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-11
BO8 INGERsOIL
Pays that Old War Debt Con,
traeted while a Prisoner.

In the month Of August last the
LEDGER published two or three arti
Giles taken from the Louisville Com
melcial and Nashville papers, con
corning a transaction which, as rep
resented, did not reflect much credit
on the distinguished Colonel Bob In
gersOll. We made it special point
to send marked copies of the LEDGER
containing the articles to Colonel
IngersOll, believing that he would not
rest under such a charge. lie has
acted as a gentleman would under the
circumstances. He has sent the
money he borrowed with interest to
DR.. Cowan, of TIllahoma, and it was
no doubt a pleasant surprise. The
Banner Of yesterday recites the main
facts Of the case as follows:
On August Is, 1888, the Banner
printed the statement Of one OF Gen.
John Morgan's veterans to the effect
that when Bob lngersoll was captured
by Forests cavalry he borrowed sun
dry sums from his captors, but had
never offered to pay the sum back,
notwithstanding he had been repeat
eddy requested to do so since the war.
Among others he borrowed $50 from
DR.. james B, Cowan, medical director
Of Forests division.
The following letter from d.. Oowan,
now resident of Tullahoma, adj
dressed to Captain John w. Morton,
ex-ohiet Of Forests cavalry, was
printed in the Banner Simultaneously
with the statement alluded to:
Captain ]. w. Morton
DEAR LITTLE CHIEFp-Your letter to
hand with newspaper article and letter
from Rambant enclosed. No part Of Nor
gans command was with us on that trip.
do not think Willie Forrest was with us
on that trip. l do not recollect about
Rawls. Sam. Donelson was not with us,
as he did not join our staff until we went
TO Okolona, Miss. The author of the
hNMeHNHiA a. NlllN uuo ulAAt1 lhAuEN Nnll-
siderably. lngersoll was captured 10 the
fight at Lexington. His regiment fought
well, especially the battery that IngeIsoll
had with him. Colonel Ingersoll was cap
tured beyond the town while retreating.
All that about the pig pen, and beardless
boy, and General Forrest asking about the
Colonel, and the shout of the men is bosh.
His regiment was if l recollect rightly,
the Thirteenth Illinois cavalry. We did
not surprise them in camp, but met them
in line of battle, and they stood their
ground well. Narrator is wrong in the
amount of money loaned; il was Just 800.
The Colonel divided with his major, the
man the boys found under the roots that
were hanging over the bank of the creek
Ingersoll said repeatedly that he would
never strike another blow in the war;
that he had gone into the army to pre-
serve the Union, but that now he was
satisfied that the war was TO free the ne
gro and that he was opposed TO that, that
he believed the negro was in his normal
position and ought TO remain there, and
he would never raise his finger TO free
him. This on the ride from Lexington to
Trenton. Robert has never paid the
money loaned him. suppose it is too
small matter to attract his attention, al
though he mas been politely reminded of
his neglect. have no idea who the
author of the article is. This is brief
statement of the facts as l now recollect
them
Respectfully your obodient servant,
j. b. CowAN.
The Banner containing the above
was marked aud sent to Colonel Inger-
soil by a gentleman Of this city.
The other day DR.. Cowan was sur,
prised to receive a letter from Colonel
Bob inclosing check for 5000, being
the principal and interest of the
amount borrowed.
Colonel Ingersoll and his command
were captured near Lexington, Tenn,
by Forests command.