The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-09-03
R. Z. LEE.
General Commanding.
To ils General Commanding,

Z. >, Army, Washington, ~. =.
GESERAL-In obedience TO the order Of His
Exeellency, the President Of the Confederate
States, have the honor to make to YOU the
following communications
On The ED Of July last cartel for gene.
raj exchange OF prisoners Of war signed be-
tween Major General ID. II. Hill, in behalf
of The Confederate States, and Major General
John A. Dix, in behalf Of the United States.
By the terms Of the cartel it is stipulated
that Eli prisoners Of war hereafter taken shall
be discharged on parole I'LL exchanged.
Scarcely had that cartel been signed when
the military authorities d the United States
commences a practice changing the whole
character Of the war, from such as becomes
civilized nations. into campaign OF indls-
criminate robbery and murder.
Tbs fast aAfl6s tf ste * a he CITY q
Washington, on the very day the cartel was
signed ia Virginia, directs the military CON
manders OF the United STATES TO take the Pri-
yate property Of oqr people for the convent
ence and use Of their armies, without CON-
pensatioB.
The general order issued By Major Gene
raj Pope on the esd dsy OF July, the day OF
the signing Of the cartel. directs the murder
Of our peaceful inha bitanls as spies, Il found
quietly tilIing the farms III bis rear, even out
side 81 his lines, and one Of his Brigadier
Generals, StenwehF, has seized upon innp-
cent and peaceful inhabitants TO be held as
hostages. TO the end that ihey may be murder.
ed in cold blood. il any ol his soldiers are
killed by some unknOsn persons whom be
designates as bashwhaekers."
We find ourselves driven by our enemies
by steady progress towards practice which
We abhor, and which We are yainly siraS-
CLING 10 avoid. Under these circumstance
this Government has issued the accompany
Ing general order, which am directed BY the
President 10 ;ransmi, to you, recognizing
Major General Pope and bis commissioned
officers 70 be 10 the position which they baYe
chosen TOR themselves, that NJ robbers and
murderers, and not that II public enemies
entitled, # captured, to be treated a. pri.
soners OF war
The President also instfuets me 20 infor n
YOU that we Tenounee our right Of retaliation
on the innocent, aud viii continue 10 treat
the private enlisted soldiers of General Pope
army as prisoners Of war bat il, after NOTES
10 your Government that We cOnfne repress
i've measures to the punishment 81 commits,
toned officers, who are wiling participant
IN those crimes. me savage practice threat
ened in the order alluded 10 be persisted in
@s shall be reluctantly forced to the last re.
sort Of accepting the war on tie terms ohosel
By our enemies, until the voice Of an outrag
Cd humanity shall compel a respect Tor the
recognized usages Of war.
While tie President considers that N,
fats referred 70 would justify refusal 81
ear part % execute the cartel By which W
have agreed 10 liberste an excess Of prisonefl
Of war 10 our hands, sacred regard foi
plighted faith, which shrinks from the sem
alsnce Of breaking promise, preeludes
resort 70 such an extremity nor Is u his de
ere 70 extend 10 any other forces Of the Unit
ID states the punishment merited BY Gen
eral Pope, and such commissioned officer
= choose 10 participate 10 the execution o
his infamous order.
have the honor 10 be, very respectfully
yoar ObeJisnt servant.
(signec,) RE. LEE.
cs1sral csmnsn5ins