Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-11-27

Letter from Gen. Lee to gen. malleeh.


A special di-paieh b. the New York World,
dated Washington. Nov emles 2I-t. says:
A report is current here, aud very gvnernlly
believ ed. that Gen Lee OF the rebel army. h.ss
receDtiy addressed formal Communication, T.
Gen. Halleck touching the proposed issue OF an
emancipation PROCLAMATION on n Let Of January
next. IL viii be remembered that, after the
exciting debates in the rebel Congress a. to the
propriets OF retaliation. the whole matter
LETT TO the discretion Of the President OF the
Confederate States, with instructions To take
such measures as would compel the withdraw.s
OF the proclamation, or bring home to the
Northern troops some of the evils il threatens
against the Southern people. Ii is stated that
Gen Lees letter Is exceedingly elaborate. and
discusses the question from every point OF view
The points u IL said 10 contain are as follows:
First.-1he understandable nature Of the proc
lamation, 50 Ear as the reeognized measures of
military warfare are concerned The fact J.
pointed out that in no work military las Is
the instigatiOn OF scrvile recommended,
Ii'dorsed, or even mentioned; that, a. General
Halleck himself ney or thought of il In discussing
the various means that might be usei by be-.
ligerent enemies, the threat of sesvile war anu
instruction j. clearly not military procedure.
that being outside Of military Law. the Southern
people are justified in regarding il as coming
barous people. and resenting IL such; that the
enemy that will use il does an act as uniustihable
A. the poisoning of wells of food, the main
ing and numbering of prisoners, and the out
raging of women. On this ground il Is demanded
| that the procla maiion be Withdrawn.
Second, IL Is further urged by Gen. Lee that,
| in case the proclamation j. not Withdrawn, the
Confederate military authorities. much against
their will, but strong in The justice of their posi-
tioil will be compelled retaliate Ia the sternesi
manner upon all Union prisoners that fall into
/ their hands liz is not specified what punishment
will be inflicted, but il is distinctly ntimatel
that IT, through the instigation OF the Federal
troops any women or children are murdered by
| Infatuated negroes, an equal number of Union
troops viii be promptly put TO death. On this
matter the Confederate Government wishes the
| Federal Government to understand that il Is very
much in earnest, and will do even more than il
| threatens
Accompanying this document, and addressed &c
other members of the Government, il Is stated
that letter from high member OF the Conted
crate Government is now IN Washington for mem
bers of the Cabinet arguing the questinn to the
propriety Of resembling the Objectionable proc
lamation In addition tn the military argument:
urged by Gen Lee, an argument drawn from the
recent elections in the North is made of 10y
the Confederate statesman. 1t the Union slial
be restored, this document urges. it will be better
not to have this gulf of blood between the Norti
| and South and even should the South succeed IN
heir efforts, there would be fewer unpleasan
memories TO rankle.
| Notwithstanding these communications, it ],
still asserted here that Mr.. Lincoln il determines
To adhere To the proclamation, and to carry on
the radical programme To the bitter end.