Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1860-1862, 1861-10-15
HEAD QUARTERS TROOPS,
near Pensacola, Florida.

October 10th, 1861.
SIR:-I received late last night your COM
municatiou of that date, with profound aston
iShment. The. building on which you had
for the first time observed the yellow flag has
been well known to you and to all your
command, as we'll as to the U. S. Navy, as
the military hospital of this station, and you
could not help knowing that it is now used
for that purpose.
Dealing with one who had been an old
brother soldier of high reputation, had
hoped that our Intercourse and conduct in
the hostile attitude in which we are placed,
would be marked by all the courteses and
amenities Of civilized warfare. But it seems
from your communication that you claim the
right to violate the hospital flag, bec1uSe il
may be abused. Admit this principle and we
advert to a state of barbarism. The sick, the
women and children, and prisoners must be.
come objects of vengeance, the white flag
must be abolished, beauty and booty, ""rape
and rapine," must follow in the track of
victorious commander. l decline your invi-
tation to make these the subj ct Of war.
Your hospital flag has been and shall be
respected. In the affiir of Tuesday night,
your hospital, with its inmates, was in our
possession for al least cue hour, aud as far
as can learn, my orders to scrupulously re-
spect both were rigidly enforced.
Our hospital and the two adjacent build
ings occupied by medical officers, will con-
tinue to be used for legitimate purposes
Nothing has been or will be done TO attract
your fire. If, under these circumstances, you
should put your threat into execution, which
would be only in accordance with the acts
of some of your brother commanders, OF little
experience in the custom of war, shall take
care that the facts shall be made known, that
il may receive, as it viii deserve, the execra-
tion of the civilized world.
l have the honor to be.
Your obedient servant,
ISignedl BRAXTON BRAGG.
Col. Harvey Brown, Commanding U. S.
forces in the State of Florida, Fort Pickens.
The Observer makes the following remarks
on Browns letter
THE infamy and degradation of the North
ern army is fully displayed in the oommuni-
cation of Harvey Brown. who has introduced
a precedent hitherto unknown to civilized
warfare. Whipped, routed and disgraced,
no effort of vice and contemptuousness will
be kept back by this hero of cowardice and
viciousness. Indeed, his rel ction OF respect
towards hospitals, women aud children is an
paralleled in the history of the world for
| baseness oil design aud cowardice to execute :
This act alone is sufficient to stamp the
whole Northern army with irrevocable dis
grace before the nations of the earth, and
will no doubt receive the unconditional re-
buke of every power under the sun. Is it
not surprising that an American citizen could
descend so low into the depths of infsmy as
to disregard the sick in hospital under the
proper flag? But what better can We look for
| from a man who could baseiy give orders for
| the murder of a helpless, wounded and dying
enemy. By these very acts of Plug uglism
| aud barbarism, the enemy has caused the
| blood of thousands of Southern men to boil
| within them, who viii now rush forward to
mete a most terrible revenge upon this heart
| less and unchristian set OF heathens. God
pity the poor wretches whenever the word
'.aciionp is given.
| .'Gen. Bragg has taken measures to meet
| and successfully repel every attempt of the
enemy, and has shown in his every movement
| his great character for humanity and chris
/ tianity His late orders We do not feel at
| liberty to publish. Brave. disciplined and
empowered, b.. stands ready to defend and
maintain bis position against the combined
forces of the enemy; and when the eontfic
comes on, we feel satisfied that he will aus
tain his character as Q superior military lofa-
Ger and commander"