Sunday Washington globe., 1902-02-02

misled by the POST which 6rst published
the alleged quotation from Colonel William
Murrell.
WAsHINGroN, d, c., Jan. 70, t9o2
Editor .SHHdap Globe.
DEAR SIR-In one of your issues of some
weeks ago you spoke of my father as being
a colored man, and quoted William Murrell
as your authority. II was a grave injustice
to me, and think it only right that you
publish the enclos d letter so as my friends
may see it, and stop the criticisms that are
even yet coming to my ears. know that
you do not wish to do me an injustice, and
therefore I thank you in advance for this
favor. Respectfully,
w. S. CRuzAN.
To me Piale Printers ofhhe BnyeaH Of En-
grazing and Printing!
GENTLEMEN: have been quoted BY the
press Of the City of Washington as having
made the statement that the father of Will
liam S Cruzan, one of your fellow crafts
men, wa a colored man.
The fact that the father of William Cru
zan was an officer in a regiment of negro
troops during the reconstruction period as
was stated by me- should not IN any wise
lead to the conclusion by any one of ordi-
nary intelligence that he was a colored
man. In proof of which let me state, out of
$4,000 colored troops, every regiment was
officered by white men, the non-commis-
stoned officers being eolored. Cruzan
ranked as lieutenant and adjutant of the
regiment.
Twill also state that for the benefit of
the skeptical, there is the United States
army record of Cruzau Sr, who served in
the 5Sth Indiana (whitel regiment on file
in the Record Division, War Department,
open for the inspection Of the public This
in itself should put at rest all doubts as to
his race and nationality.
That my statement to the press was mis-
construed and shaped into various forms to
suit the enemies of this young man, there
is no denying, aud in justice to him have
prepared the following statement of facts,
to which facts, at any time and under any
circumstances, l am willing to place myself
upon oath.
William +. Cruzan was born in the state
of Kentucky ne was the son of General
w. A. Cruzan, who was killed during the
War Of the Rebellion at or near Antietam
He always bore the title of general during
slave days. The mother of William T.
Cruzan fell into the hands of the rebels in
heuLuCky anu lost neT fortune Oue moved
to Louisiana in or about 1868 or 1862 She
settled at Port Gibson and afterwards moved
to New Orleans, La, and opened sewing
machine store on Barone street, near the
corner of Common street think she was
city agent for the Singer q ann not sure) but
records will show. 1, being warm personal
friend of her son, William r. Cruzan, know
great deal of the family His mother
trusted me and confded in me. / had pro-
cured position for her son as enrolling
clerk in the Louisiana State Legislature,
and various othei positions, from time to
time, as he,was Of great benefit, he being
scholar and a gentleman.
If there should be any further doubts as
to the race and nationality of William s.
Cruzau, shall gladly give any information
desired.
I willingly submit these facts, in order
to set Alright any misconstructiou that may
have been placed on the statement made
by me to the Post
WILLIAM MURRELL,
1923 l. street. n. W.