Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1861-08-15

ALL FUGITIVE SLAVES TO Pc RECEIVED AND
EMPLOYED by THE FEDERAL COMMANDERS.
The following letter, in regard to the disposal
of negro slaves who have nockcd to our camps.
has been despatched to Gen. Butler by the SEE
rotary Of war:---
WAsHINGToN, August -, 1861.
GEHERAL Tho important question of the
proper disposition to be made OF fugtives from
service in the states in Instruction against the
federal government, to which you have again
directed my attention in your letter of July 10Th,
has received my most attentive consideration.
1t is the desire of the president that all existing
rights in all the states he fully respected and
maintained. The war is, on the part OF the
federal government, a war for the Union, for
the preservation of all the constitutional rights
of the states and the citizens of the states in
the Union. Hence no question can arise as to
fugitives from service within the states and ter
ritories in which the authority of the Union is
fully acknowledged. The ordinary forms of
judicial proceedings must be respected by mil
itary and civil authorities alike, for the enforce
ment of legal claims. But in the state wholly
or in part under insurrectionary CONTROL wher
ever the laws of the United States are so far
opposed and resisted that they cannot be eff
fectually enforced, it is obvious that the rights
dependent upon the execution of those laws
must temporarily fail And it is equally obvi-
o.s that the rights dependent on the laws of
the state within which military operations are
conducted, must be necessarily subordinate to
the military exigences created by the insurrec-
ton if not wholly forfeited By the reasonable
conduct of parties claiming them. TO this the
general rule or right to service forms an ex-
ccption.
The act of Congress approved August 6, 1861,
declares that if persons held to service shall be
employed in hostility to the United States, the
right to their services shall be terminated there
by 1t follows Of necessity that no claim can
he recognized by the military authority of the
Union to the service of such persons when fu-
gitives.
A more difficult question is presented in re-
spect to persons escaping from the service o!
loyal masters 1t is quite apparent that the
laws Of state under which only the service of
such fugitives can be claimed, must needs be
wholly or almost wholly suspended, as to these
remedies, by the instruction and the military
measures necessiated by it and it is equally
appa ent that the substitution of military for
judicial measures, for the enforcement OF such
claims, must he attended by great inconvenience,
embarrassments and injuries.
Under these circumstances it seems quite
clear that the substantial rights of loyal masters
are still best protected by receiving such fusi-
tives as well as fugitives from disloyal masters,
into the service of the United States, and en-
ploying them under such organizations ard in
such occupations as circumstances may suggest
or require. OF course, a record should be kept,
showing the name and description of the fugi-
tives, the name and character-as loyal or dis
loyal-of the master, and such facts as may be
necessary to a correct understanding of the cir
cumstances of each case.
After tranquility shall have been restored up
on the return of peace, Congress will doubtless
properly provide for all the persons thus re-
ceived into the service Of the Union, and for a
Just compensation to loyal masters. In this
way only, it would seem can the duty and safety
of the government and the just rights Of all be
fully reconcilcd and harmonized
You will therefore consider yourself iEstruc-
ted to govern your future action in respect to
fugitives from service by the principles herein
stated, and will report from time to time, and
at least twice in each month, your action in the
premises to this department You will, how
ever, neither authorize nor permit any inter-
ference by the troops under your command with
the servants Of peaceful citizens, in house or
field, nor will you in any way encourage such
servants to leave the lawful service of their
masters, nor will you, except in cases where the
voluntary return of any fugitive to the service
from which he may have escaped.
SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War.
Hampton Burned by Rebcls.-5oo Houses
Destroyed.
THE ENEMY REFUSED AT HAMPTON BRIDGE.
On Wednesday morning, federal scouts and
fugitives brought word to Fortress Monroe OF
the approach of large rebel force from York
| town. These rumors were confirmed at D. m.
by an intelligent deserter from the rebels named
L. A. MAYHEM, native of Maine but resident
in Georgia who had been impressed into service
He has furnished an account of the expedition
| Mayhew had been stationed at Yorktown since
the LIST of June.
On the I'd inst, Col. Magruder left Yorktown
with 1000 rebel troops, including 200 cavalry
and eight pieces of artillery, viz, three PARROT
guns, four howitzers, one rified cannon On
Monday night they encamped at Great Bethel,
which had been completely deserted. Tuesday
night they advanced towards Hampton. AT
noon Wednesday they took up position on
Back river, some three miles from the town,
where Mayhem managed to escape through a
corn field, and after swimming a couple OF
streams, reached the fortress. He says the OBJ
| iect of this rebel movement was to draw out our
forces, and then to attack Camp Hamilton or
Newport News if possible, and at least to de-
stroy Hampton, in order to prevent our using
it for winter quarters.
Gen Butler at once repaired to this end OF
Hampton bridge, where he remained till | p. m
Wednesday night. Col Weber erected bani.
cade near the Hampton end of the bridge, and
| placed strong guard at various points this side
of the creek.
At few minutes past midnight, Col Magru-
| dor with nbout 5OO rphplS Snn1p bplOnpinu in