Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1861-11-10
ncroRER 81. III.
HnDquAprrps SECOND Dr1Ioy


SIR: A communication from Mr.. ". j.
Smith, inclosing another from yourself dated
the Both ultimO, reached these headquarters
to-day.
In your letter or order you direct Mr. Smith
TO 20 or send to the parties who took Penn,
Shipp and Gentry and imprisoned them, that all
of these men must be- released and returned
there unharmed'
You further state that you know the persons
who . took these men,, and utter threats Of a
very serious character, not only against them,
but against all their relations aud property.
You conclude your letter by very kindly
stating the strength Of your command and your
ability 20 execute your threats; and after thus
evincing a savage and mercjleSs spirit, which IS
better suited 10 the interior OF Africa than 10 the
heart Of Kentucky, yoU sarcastically remark that
if the csptors Of the parties whose release
YOU claim, "hope for either favor or mercy al
my your hands, compliance with my iyoUl
request must promptly be made
These persons whose release YOU claim under
such heavy penalties, are officers or soldiers of
veur command. They were arrested by a de-
tachment Of this army n the very act OF com
hitting depredati0ns, according TO the custom
of your army, upon the property OF peaceful
citizen They were engaged IN an attempt 10
transfer within your lines the negroes and other
propertv of citizen which presume was merely
1 dealing with citizens in the spirit OF severity
/ which appears to have dictated your letter
further understand that besides the many
similar cases Of severity which, IN less polish
ed language, might more appropriately be styled
! robbery. the citizen who was induced by your
threats 10 forward your communication, had
been previously relieved of nearly all OF his pro
pertY by persons under yOur command.
| Another instance of the peculiar "tavoT ana
| mercy 10 be expected from persons acting un-
der vour orders, am informed, happened al
Greensburg recently, while you were there, be-
fore your recent retrOgade movement Two
ladies who were visiting the village, whose
names / forbesr 70 mention, were UnjusJiy, and
without reason, suspected Of having letters IN
their possession addressed 10 their relatives m
this section Of the state.
They were arrested by band OF your soldiers
in the streets and conducted to Tecm IA tho
hotel. There. in the presence, aud under the
directions CT y0BT proves, marshsl MAJOR K. L.
Moore, and Mai John II. Ward, two officers OF
your force, thcJ we're almost entirely stripped OF
their clothing, and subjected 70 indignites which
should have tinged the cheek OF a savage with
| blush Of shame
Incidents ike these, pa.raking as they do OF
the spirit Of your le4ter, support the lessons
which history teaches, that neither favor nor
| mercy n0r the other yirtBes which CB0ble
| human nature. are t0 be hoped for from those
who are guilty Of such indigniiies 10 woman.
As no favOrs sre in any event to Dc expected
from Won or those associated with you, ihe rules
Of war which govern civilized nations viii con
tinue 10 be the guide Of this AMY.
The persons whose release you claim are prs
ouers OF war and VIII be held as SUCH AND
should any crueIGes be practiced by you, IN con
s4onence OF a refusal 10 release these prisoners
except under the rules which govern civilized
lconnlunities they viii be held as hostages an'
| he dealt with according 70 the same measure O
severity you deal to others.
Ia voar threatened depredations upon Prvat
7,ropartv. however, the officers OF this army wi
not initiate your example.
Respectfully, your obedient servant
: s. B. BCCKEER.
Brgadier General G. 5 A.
To W T. WARD,
General Of Volunteers.