Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-16


QUITE a controversy has arisen Of
late as to the particulars Of Colonel
Bob Ingersolps capture by Forrest
during the late war. The Louisville
Commercial not long ago published en-
account given by one Of Morgan's men,
who claimed to have been present at
the capture, and denounced Ingefsollin
unmeasured terms as a coward and an
migrate, who was found hid in pig
pen, and afterwards borrowed large
sum Of money, that's, several hundred
dollars, from one Of Forests staff, aud
never returned it. The narrator
speaks of and refers to Captain Sam
Donelson, Of Nashville, Captain Will
Forrest, Of Memphis, and others as
being present, who, it seems from the
doubts expressed by Major R%mbaut
and others, were not with the com
mand then. The veteran knew enough
about facts and names to weave to
gether a very plausible and graphic
story, but it is evident that he was not a
witness to the scene he describes. DR.,
j. B. Cowan, of Forests staff, was
the man who loaned the money to In
gersoll after the latter's capture, and
here is his statement lately addressed
to Captain ]. W. Morton, who was
Forests chief of artillery, and re
members Ingersoll's capture;
DEAR "LITTLE CHIEF"-Your letter
to hand, with newspaper article and letter
from Rambaut enclosed. No part of
Morgan's command was with us on that
trip. / do not think Willie Forrest was
with us on that trip. | do not reeollect
about Rawls. Sam Donelson was not
with US, as he did not join our staff until
we went to 0kalona, Miss. The author
of the newspaper article has mixed things
considerably. Ingersoll was captured in
the fight at Lexington. His regiment
fought we'll, especially the battery that
Ingersoll had with him. Colonel Inger-
soil was captured beyond the town while
retreating. All that about the pig pen
and beardless boy and General Forrest
asking about the Colonel and the shout
oil the men, is bosh
His regiment was, if / 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; it was just 800
The Colonel divided with his Major, the
man the boys found under the roots that
were hanging over the banks of the creek
Ingersoll said repeatedly that he would
never strike another blow in the war; that
he had gone into the army to preserve the
Union, but that now he was satisfied that
the war was to free the negro, 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.s Robert
has never paid the money that / loaned
him. L suppose it is too small matter
to attract his attention, although he has
been politely reminded Of his neglect. l
have no idea who the author of the article
is. This is a brief statement of facts as |
now recollect them.
Respectfully and your obt servant
]. B. CowAY.
This seems to settle it without fur
ther discussion that Ingersoll borrow
ed 800 from::G poor johnny Reb, and
like the butler who left Joseph in
prison, when he bresthed again the
air of freedom and prosperity, forgot
all about the favor. The butler, how
ever, repaired his wrong after a time,
when be happened to be reminded Of
Joseph, and had him brought into
court where he was soon promoted to
great honor and power. IngersOlFs
new religion has not taught him
that he ought to repay with interest
money borrowed while he was a pris-
oner of war. This is debt of honor
which any decent heather would pay
without being dunned for it. In look
ing for notes 10 the eye Of his brother
Moses he has forgotten the beam in
his own eye. Shame on the great
apostles of morality to cat the bread
and accept the money Of a poor Cons
federate and not make restitution !
And yet there are people who argue
tAst He'll should be called Hades, and
that even they 10 gentleman has to go
there.