New Oregon plaindealer. (New Oregon, Iowa) 1859-1866, 1861-12-06
The Reloljatory Measures.
Interesting Correspondence.
From the Richmond Enc
From the Richmond Enquirer, Nov. II.
G. S.A. War Department. J
Richmond, Nov. g., 1861. (

From the Richmond Enquirer Nov. l3.
G. S.A. War Department. }
Richmond, Nov. g., 1861.
Sir.-You are hereby instructed to
choose by lot from among the prisoners
of war of highest rank one who is to be
confined in cell appropriated to con-
victed felons. and who is to be treated
in all respects as if such convict, and
to be held for execution in the same
manner as may be adopted by the eme.
my for the execution of the prisoner of
war Smith, recently condemned to
death in Philadelphia. You will also
select thirteen other pri i'oners of war,
the highest in rank of those captured
by our forces, to be confined in the
cells reserved For prisoners accused of
infamous crimes and will treat them as
such so long as the enemy shall contin
ue to treat the like number of prisoners
of war captured by them at sea, and
now held for trial at New York as Pi-
rates, AS these measures are intended
to repress the Infamous attempt now
made by the enemy to commit judicial
murder on prisoners of war, you will
execute them strictly, as the mode best
calculated to prevent the commission of
so heinous crime.
Your obedient servant,
j. P. Benjamin.
Acting secretary of war.
To Brig. Gen. Johu Winder, Rich
mond, Va. Headquarters Depart
ment of Henrico,
49, Richmond Va. Nov. 18th, 1861.
Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Secretary Of
War:
Sir.-In obedience to instructions
contained in your letter of the 9th inst,
one prisoner of war Of the highest rank
in our possession was chosen by lot, to
be held for execution in the same man
ner as may be adopted by the enemy
for the execution Of Smith, recently
to death in Philadelphia.
The first name drawn was that Of Col.
Corcoran. sixth-ninth regiment, New
York State Militia, who is the hostage
chosen to answer for Smith. In choos-
ing the thirteen from the highest rank
to be held to answer for like number
of prisoners of war captured by the
enemy at sea, there being only ten
field officers, it was necessary to draw
by lot three captains. The first names
drawn were Captain J. B. Ricketts,, H.
and J. w. lockwood. The
list of thirteen will therefore stand -
Colonels Lee, Cogswell, Wilcox, Wood
ruff ttand Wood; Lieutenant. Colonels
Bowman and Nef; Majors Potter,
Revere and Vogdes; Captains Rick
etts, McQuade, and lockwood. Re-
spectfully, your obed.ent servant,
John H. IVinder, Brigadier General
Headquarters Department Of Henrico, !
Richaond, Va, Nov. II. 1861.
Hon. J. P. Benjamin, Secretary of war,
Richmond, Va
Sir.-1n obedience to your instruct
IONS, all the wounded officers have been
exempted as hostages to await the re-
salt Of the trial of prisoners captured
by the enemy at sea. / have therefore
made selections by lot of Captains II.
Browman and r. Kefer to replace
Captains Rickets and McQuade,
wounded.
The list of thirteen will now stand
Colonels Lee. Cogswell, Wilcox,
Woodruff and Wood; Iieutenants
Colonels Bowman, Neff; Majors Pot
ter, Revere, and Vogdes; Captains
lockwood, Bowman and keffer.
Respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
John II. Winder
Bricadier General.