Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-11-19
AProper HetaIlatIon,

We fad in the Richmond Enquirer, of the 18Th a full
statemen. OF the measure Of retaliation proposed to
svengsthe fate oftheConfedersts privateersmea who
were recently convicted of piracy at Philadalphis
by the Federal Court. We rejoice to learn that on
government has determined to assume this position
while at the time it Is to be regetted that the
necessity has been forced upon it. The measure is
however. contemplated coniaionaly, as will be seen
57 the following statement AMI official correspon-
denCe
The election of hostages was made on Sunday last
ct the cfics Of the Provost Marsha of the prisons
in the presence Of Colonies Smith and Woferd, as
witnesses for the Confederacy, and of Mr. ly and
Colonies Lee, Cogswell and other Northern officers
The drawing OF the name Of the officer whose life
should be held as hostage for that of Capt Smith
convicted for piracy at Philadelphia was entrusted
to the Hon. Alfred Ely, N. c. Of New York. the lot
falling upon Col COreOran, who il now prisoner at
Charleston. S O. OF the remaining hostages Col.
Lee, Major Revere and Captain lockwood are from
and Neff, from Kentucky, and Potter. Wood and
McQ1sde, from New York The following is the
correspondence between the Secretary of War and
General Windcr:
CS.A war DEPARTMENT.,
RICHTOXD, November 8, 1861. (
SIR: You are hereby instructed to choose BY lot
from among the prisoners of war Of the highest
rank one who is to be confined in q cell appropris-
ted convicted felons and who ia to be treated IN
sill respects is such convict, Snd to be held for
execution in the sams manner as may be adopted by
the enemy for the execution of the prisoner of war
Smith recently condemned 70 death in Philadelphis
You will also select thirteen other prisoners of
war, the highest in rank Of those captured by cur
forces to be confined in the cells reserved for pris
ouers accused of infamous crimes. and will treat
them as such 80 long as the enemy shall continue
so to treat the like number Of prisoners Of war
captured by them at sea, and held for trial in
New York as pirates.
As these measures are intended to repress the in>
fam US attempt now made by the enemy to commit
Judicial murder on prisoners of war you will exc
cute them strictly ss the mode best calculated to
prevent the commission Of 30 heinous & crime.
Your obedient servant,
J. P. BENJAMIN,
Acting Secretary of War
To Brig. Gen. John Winder, Richmond, Va.
HEADQCLRZERs DEPARTMENT OF HENRIco,
RICHMOND Va Nov IL. 1861 /
Hon. j. P. BenJGalin SscTetSry Of WdT:
SIR: Ia obedience to instructions contained in /
your letter Of the 9th inst, prisoner of war Of
the highest rank in our possession was chosen by
lot to be held for execution in the manner az
may be adopted by the enemy for the execution of
Smith. recently condemned to death i Philadelphia
The names Of the six colonies were placed in can
The first name drawn was that of Col Corcorsn,
69.h regimentN Us. n, who is the hostage chosen
to answer for Smith.
In choosing the thirteen. from the highest rank,
10 be held to answer for like number Of prisoners
Of war captured By the enemy at ses, there being