The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-08-22


General Butler has been received at the
War Department
HEADQUARTERS Department of Virginia
Fortress Mouroe, July 80, | SCI
Hon SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War
SIR: By au order received on the
morning of the goth July from Major
General Dix, by telegraphc order from
Lieutenant General Scott, | was con-
manded to forward, of the troops of this
department, foor regiments and half.
Including Col. Bakers California Regi-
ment, to Washington via Bsltimore.-
This order reached me at 2 o'clock A Nj +,
By special boat from Baltimore. Believ-
ing that it eminsted because of some
pressing cxiEeney for the defence of
Washington, | issued my orders before
daybreak for the embark alton of the
troops, sending those who were among
the very best regiments | had. In the
course of the following day they were all
embarkN5 for Baltimore, with the excep-
tion of some 400. for whom | had not
transportation, although | bad all the
transport force in the hands of the Quar-
ter master here to aij the Bay line of
steamers, which, by the same order from
the Lieutenant General, vas directed to
furnish transportation. Up to and at the
time OF the order | had been preparing
for an advance movement, by which |
hoped 10 cripple the resources of the en-
eng at York town, and especially By sci
ziDs large quantity Of negroes who were
being pressed iuto their service in build
ing the entertainments there. | had five
days previously been enabled to mount.
Tor the 6rst time the first company Of
light artillery, y hich l bad been empow-
cred to raise, aud they had bat siugle
rlfed cannon, an iron six pounder OF
course everything must and did yield TO
the supposed exigeucy aud the orders
This ordering away the troops from this
department, while it weakened the posts
at Newport News, ueces.itated the with
drawal of the. troops from Hampton.
where | ~as then throwing up intrench
works to enable me to hold the town With
a small force. while | advanced up the
York or James river. In the village of
Haupton, there were a large number OF
negroes, composed in a great measure OF
the women aud children of the ueu who
had fed thither within my lines for pro-
lection, who bed escaped from mafaudlHg
parties OF rebel- vho had been gathering
np able { odled black to aid them in con
structing their batteries on toe James
aud York rivers. | bad e enployed the
men in Hsoipton ;n throwing up ntreneh
ments, and they were working sealouly
ana efficiently at that duty. saving cur
soldiers from, that lator under the glesm
OF a midday sun. The women were earn
ing substantially their own Subsistence in
washing. mar ketinE, and taking care OF
the clothes Of the soldiers, and rations
Gere being served out to the nep Who
worked Tor the support OF the children
But by the evacuation o!~H HsmptoU. rem
dered necessary by the withdrawal Of
troops, caring me scarcely five thousand
men out-ide the fort, including the fo,ce
at Newport News, all these black people
we're tli.ei to break up their homes at
Hampton. fleeing across the creek within
Ky lines for protection and support In.
deed. it wss 8 most distressing sight to
see these poor creatures, sho had trusted
TO the protection OF the arms Of the Uni
ted States. and who aided the troops OF
the United States in their enterprise, 20
be thus Obliged to Zee from their homes
OF their masters, who had deeerted them,
and become fugitises from fear OF the re-
turn Of rebel soldiery, who threatened to
shoot the Den who had wrought for Us,
and to carry of the women who sersed
US 20 worse than Egyptian bondage. L
have, therefore. now within the PeDinsu-
la, this side of Il smpton creek, 600 ne
groes, 800 Of whom are able bodied meD,
80 of whon are men substantially past
hard lator, Us women, 225 children un-
der the age of ten aud eighteen years.
and many more coming in. The questions
which this state OF things presents are Ve-
ry embarrassing.
First What shall be done with theml
and Second. What is their state aud
condition?
Upon these questions | desire the in
structions of the Department..
The 6rst question, however, may per-
baps be answered b. considering the asst.
Are these men, women and children
slaves Are they free I Is their condi
ton that of men, women and children, or
Of property, or is it a mixed relation =
What their status was under tbe Constitu
ton aud law we all know. What has
been the effect Of rebellion and a state of
war upon that status When | adopted
the theory Of treating the e.bodied
negro fit to work in the trenches, as prop
erty liable to be used in aid Of rebellion,
and so contrabaud of war, that condition
of things vas in so far met as then and
still believe on legal and coBstltloDal
basis. Bat now a pew series OF questions
arise. Passing BY women, the children
certainly cannot be treated on that basis;
if property, they must be considered the
incumbrauce rather than the auxiliary oil
an army, and, of course, in no possible