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[49] the person of the negro papers which, upon returning to the camp, they delivered to Colonel Battle. It was between ten and eleven o'clock when. the papers were delivered to Col. Battle, who had his command moving, under the order to march against the enemy. He was unable, consequently, to examine the papers until after the whole battle had occurred. The papers were examined early Monday morning, and were exposed before the officers in their consultation at Mrs. Roberts's, within four miles of Monticello, where they had been ordered by Crittenden to halt.

When the consultation of the officers was being held, Crittenden rode off hastily to Monticello. Col. Battle told the brigade that they had been “sold.” The regiment then proceeded to Monticello, and upon their arrival Gen. Crittenden was found at the Houston Hotel, in his bed, deeply intoxicated. He was immediately arrested, and is now a prisoner of war, held by Cols. Stanton, Battle, Stratham, and Newman. The papers discovered are said to reveal the character of our fortifications at Mill Spring, the number of our troops, and the amount of provisions on hand, etc.

--Tuscumbia Alabamian, Jan. 31.

Letter from an officer in Crittenden's command.

on March, Jan. 27, 1862.
editors patriot: You have heard long since of the recent fight on Fishing Creek, between our forces and the Federals; consequently, I shall not at this time attempt to give you any of the details, but will do so at my earliest convenience. My object in writing at this time is to defend an innocent and brave man against an unjust, unfounded, and inhuman prejudice, which many of our soldiers and some officers have created. They are, perhaps, honest in their reports, but they certainly have talked without knowing what they were saying. I allude to Major-General George B. Crittenden. He does not know or dream that I am going to write. In fact, I never spoke to him but a few times in my life. The idea of his being a traitor is certainly as unfounded as that error is truth. He was often in the thickest of the fight, and no man who saw him can doubt for one moment his being one of the bravest of the brave. Taking every thing into consideration, he managed our retreat with marked ability. On the night after the battle, many officers of our brigade, as well as some of the engineer corps and artillery service, were in council with him. The question of a retreat was discussed. All favored it. General Crittenden remarked: “Gentlemen, I am here to serve a cause, and wish to do the best I can for the Confederacy. Do you, then, think it would be honorable in me to cross the river?” All responded promptly: “Yes, indeed.” What else could we have expected? There were no supplies on that side, and none to be had. A battery had been planted so as to prevent our crossing the next day. The enemy were sufficiently strong to completely surround us and make a regular siege, so as to force us to an unconditional surrender. To retreat, then, was our only salvation. Away, therefore, with the foolish charge made against the General. Most of the men and officers who remained with him on the march, and witnessed his care and attention to his command, are now beginning to feel assured that they are as safe under him as any other man. They are so expressing themselves. I, for one am perfectly willing to go where he says go, or stay where he says stay. Men of sense and men of nerve with us, now all agree in one sentiment, that we have come off remarkably well, under the circumstances; and, although we have suffered immensely from cold, hunger, and fatigue, are nothing daunted, and, as soon as possible, are determined to make up our losses, and that under Major-General George B. Crittenden.

Respectfully,

A man of justice.

--Nashville Banner.

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