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D.W. Siler to Capt. Bell, January 23, 1862

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  • In a letter dated January 23, 1862, D.W. Siler writes to a Captain Bell about a recent incident where soldiers fired at and arrested a man in front of his sisters. Local feeling has escalated but Siler wants Bell to understand that the situation may have been exaggerated in the retelling.
  • D.W. Siler to Capt. Bell, January 23, 1862 Franklin Jan 23d 1862 Capt Bell Dr Sir Allow me as a friend to address you a few lines in regard to a matter that has caused some excitement in Macon. And first I will say that those who know me best know that from the first I have been a friend to your company. I knew that you experience in Mexico would enable you to command a company better than I could. And I thought that you were entitled to the honor. I still think so. And I am will- ing to do any thing for your company that its honor requires. Some of your men went to Mr McDowells the other day fired at Thomas [?] with pistols cursing him for a Lincolnite in the presence of his sisters and brought him to town a prisoner with the intention of putting him in jail. You know how easy a matter it is to make even quiet men fight when women are imposed upon. No sensible man will object to the law being carried out in a soldier like manner. And if Tom McDowell is bound by law to go into the service although he is probably not able to stand camp service he must go if you require it that is certain There is no disposition here to rebel against law. The report was going yesterday that a certain man had a company ready to rescue the prisoners I know that man well and heard him say all the time that he would fight for the law whenever that could be found out. And he advised every body to not interfere with volunteers when doing a lawful act but would die before women should be insulted by volunteers or any body else. But the talk about armed resistance is all stuff. No one has thought of such thing Taking Tom McDowells health into consideration I believe it would be honor- able to let him off if it can be done according to law. If not he will go into the regular service. He thinks that your company could not treat him as a fellow soldier after drag- ging him there by force. Bill McConnel and Jasper Dills allege that they never authorized their names to be enrolled. If such is the fact it would endanger the parties who would arrest them. For the civil law is still in force But you know the facts and will no doubt do what is right Yours Truly D.W. Siler You can show this to any one of your company if you choose
Object
  • In a letter dated January 23, 1862, D.W. Siler writes to a Captain Bell about a recent incident where soldiers fired at and arrested a man in front of his sisters. Local feeling has escalated but Siler wants Bell to understand that the situation may have been exaggerated in the retelling.
  • D.W. Siler to Capt. Bell, January 23, 1862 Franklin Jan 23d 1862 Capt Bell Dr Sir Allow me as a friend to address you a few lines in regard to a matter that has caused some excitement in Macon. And first I will say that those who know me best know that from the first I have been a friend to your company. I knew that you experience in Mexico would enable you to command a company better than I could. And I thought that you were entitled to the honor. I still think so. And I am will- ing to do any thing for your company that its honor requires. Some of your men went to Mr McDowells the other day fired at Thomas [?] with pistols cursing him for a Lincolnite in the presence of his sisters and brought him to town a prisoner with the intention of putting him in jail. You know how easy a matter it is to make even quiet men fight when women are imposed upon. No sensible man will object to the law being carried out in a soldier like manner. And if Tom McDowell is bound by law to go into the service although he is probably not able to stand camp service he must go if you require it that is certain There is no disposition here to rebel against law. The report was going yesterday that a certain man had a company ready to rescue the prisoners I know that man well and heard him say all the time that he would fight for the law whenever that could be found out. And he advised every body to not interfere with volunteers when doing a lawful act but would die before women should be insulted by volunteers or any body else. But the talk about armed resistance is all stuff. No one has thought of such thing Taking Tom McDowells health into consideration I believe it would be honor- able to let him off if it can be done according to law. If not he will go into the regular service. He thinks that your company could not treat him as a fellow soldier after drag- ging him there by force. Bill McConnel and Jasper Dills allege that they never authorized their names to be enrolled. If such is the fact it would endanger the parties who would arrest them. For the civil law is still in force But you know the facts and will no doubt do what is right Yours Truly D.W. Siler You can show this to any one of your company if you choose