Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-03-22
VETERANS DEPARTMENT.
Bnying Citton i'm 1853.

but IN lne summer OF 100 , ne euleIeu
n vOlunteerregment as surge II. Being
under the command of 4 stripping OF
colonel, who showed too much DISPOSE
ton to interfere with what the doctor
considered his own prero9atlves, he
rendered his resignation and retired
from the army.
But he could not be contented at
home when he knew his services were
required in the field.
In the autumn of 1862, the post OF
Corinth, Nj SIS, then in possession of
federal troops, was attacked by large
confederate force, Under Van Dorm and
Price A desperate struggle ensued,
which resulted in the defeat of the con-
federates. MANY wounded confederate
ms well as federal soldiers crowded the
hospitals, and Watson FASTENED TO
Corinth and offered his services. They
were olaHlv accepted.
put after the wounded were made
comfortable-all the important opera
lions had been completed and the
hospitals werein smooth running order,
the doctor was ready TO return to the
north.
At this time, there had accumulated
upon the hands of General Rosecrans,
several thousand refugee Negroes-then
termed c1NfrdbdndS; and Surgeon Wat
son was requested to take charge of
them for few weeks.
During the time he was in charge of
these contra bands, he gathered much
information with regard to the great
staple of the south, and this information
led him Co become n cotton buyer.
This was regarded as a very danger
Gus business, especially within the con-
federate lines. But the profits were so
great and the chances to make fortunes
in a few successful operations were so
much in favor of the fearless buyer,
that men were found willing to run all
risks of capture, Imprisonment, and
even death. in the prosecution of this
exciting business.
The confederate authorities were es-
pecially severe on all persons captured
while engaged in this traffic. Orders
had been issued by eli. Davis and his
subordmates to shoot and hang north
ern men suspected of entering the lines
in the capacity OF cotton buyers; while
southern citizens were forbidden to sell
the staple, save to southern agents
The object of these orders was not
only to prevent cotton from finding its
way TO the northern markets, but to Sc
cure it all for the friends, the British
blockade runners.
But human nature is the same,
whether in the bosom of southern
chivalrv, or the breast OF money
making Yankees. And as green
backs were regarded as more reliable
than southern bonds or confederate
grav-hacks. the planters were only too
glad to deal with the Yankee cotton
BUYERS for the former
Special revenue permits were sold by
government a.cnts to the adventurous
buyers: and military officers having
local iur sdiction. eXtorted heavily-a
sort of blackmail for licenscs-as the
orders usually read, ''for secret service
money, subject to order Of the general
commanding;' which secret service
was strongly suspected to be in the
trowsers' pockets of the commanding
officers.
Notwithstanding these drawbacks,
and extra extortionate freights over
government railroads, sops to under
lings etc. the profits were so great
that, as / have already said there were
brave and money-loving men, who
were willing TO run all risks to gain
this much coveted staple.
1t always appeared to Watson, as q
singular policy on the part of the gov.
eminent and its officials, that instead
of encouraging the obtaining and for
warding of cotton to the north, where
il was lust then so much needed,
they should throw so many obstacles in
the way of these adventures who ran
so many risks t. hunt up and purchase
it.
The doctor made Corinth his base
of operations, and proved very sue
cesstul buyer.
Armed with revenue permits, local
license provost marshal permits, and
all the necessary paraphernalia of red
tape. he was continually on horseback,
visiting the outposts and outer circle OF
picket stations. where planters having
cotton t. sell would meet him and con.
tract their crops; or having come with
wagons loaded with the staple, would
deliver it into his own wagon on the
spot. They were not permitted to enter
our lines. II supplies, such as oul
settlers could furnish, were required by
the people bringing in cotton, a special
permit was necessary, and the articles
and quantities in each case were speci-
fed.
A pound or one yard over the stipu
lated amount mentioned in the Provost
Marshal's permit would, subject the
cotton buyer 30 severe penalties and
expulsion from the lines.
4 large pile OF cotton bales accumu
lated in the public square of Corinth
besides much that had been shipped &c
Memphis, the result of the doctor:
purchases.
Many of these bales had been obtained
by solitary trips into the lines of the
enemy. where guerrillas and othel
troops were continually on the scout
for cotton buyers.
Generally the ,lanters DESTROYS Of
selling their cotton to the best advan
tage would give information, which
would save him from capture, they
would sometimes protect the buyer
when parsued by guerrillas, or hide
them safely till the danger was passed
Sometimes Watson owed his safety tC
4 e l.