The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-08-19
A WAR RELIC.
Az IriianapOlitan Meets an Ex-Confsdsrats
Colonel and Secures a Favor.
Text of the Correspondence Between Col
Onel Giltner and Major Benjamin Con
corning the Surrender of the Last
Confederate Cavalry.

a commercial traveller of this city found
himself at Nicholasville, KY, last week, and
going to a hotel met Colonel Giltner, with
whom he had a slight acquaintance. The
subject of politics came up, and naturally
a reference to the Southern Brigadiers"
who hold Office. During the discussion, the
Indianapolitan remarked IN answer to a
question. that he would have hung every
one of them if he had had his way. Later
in the day he asked Giltner:
Are you pretty well acquainted here, Col
onel?'
'Oh. yes. 1 know everybody, was the re-
well. / am out of money, and would like
for you to vOuch for me at the bank, as L
want to make a draft on my hoase for
funds"
But still you would hang every one of
us?' said the Colonel.
Eyes. every one of you, was the answer.
''Ail right, I'll go down and see that you
get the money" and he went and vOuched
for the salesman.
After securing the money the two entered
into conversation, and Colonel Giltner
showed the salesman the correspondence
passing between himself and Major Benja-
min concerning the surrender of the last of
the Confederate forces in Kentucky. The In
dianapOlitan took a copy, which is here
given:
PEEsToNBUHG. KY, April p, %.
To the Officer Commanding L. 5. Forces, Depart
meut OF Kentucky:
SRA combination OF unfortunate events hav-
ing separated us from the Confederate army, we
are perhaps driven to the necessity OF surrender
ing ourselves prisoners OF war The object of this
communication is to ascertain the terms OF such
surrender. We have waged an honorable warfare,
and will have honorable terms or none. The Oili-
Ger bearing this letter is instructed to await your
reply three (sl days Very respectfully yours
Colonel Commanding, &. :. A.
Headquarters L. :. FORCES, !
Mt. STERLING, KY, April p, 1870.
H. L. Giltner, Colonel Commanding Division C.
You will be allowed the following terms to sur
render your command: Surrender of all men TO
be parolled; all public property 10 be given up,
arms when they are parolled; they must wear citi-
2euS dress while in Kentucky: they will be
treated kindly. These terms viii be given and
BY order OF Brigadier General HobsOn.
(Signed) III. y. BENJAMIN,
Major lS5th Regiment o. v. l., Commanding.
p. S.-MCCoRNAcK, April %, 1866.
All the officers are included in the terms OF
eapitulatiOn promising an immediate paroll to
ali the men.
Commanding Escort OF Flag OF Truce:
(Signed) H. L. RAwLs
First Lieutenant, Second in Command OF Escort
OF Flag of Truce.
HEADQUARTERS CAyEIEY DIVISION, c. s. A.,
MCCORMACK, BATH Co., NY. Apl. %, 1866.
To Major H y. Benjamin. Commanding United
States Forces. Mount Sterling, Ky:
With the assurance OF Captain BENJAMIN ]. 7.
Nix and Lieutenant H. 7. Rawls. of United States
Army. accompanying escort OF flag of truce of the
immediate parOll OF officers / am compelled to
accept the terms OF capitulation rendered by
Brigadier General HobsOn- shall reach Mount
Sterling tomorrow, the 3Oth instant, by D. m.
Very Respectfully,
III. l.. GILTNER
Colonel Commanding c. 5. \.