The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1862-01-31
Important Correspondence be,
tween Gen. Price and
Gen. HalleCk.

ST.. Louis, Jan. 23.-The following cors
respondence has taken place between Gem
erals Price and Halleck. The material
points OF Prices letter is as follows:
HEADQUARTERS MISSOURI STATE GUARD
SPRINGFIELD, Jan. 18th. !
GENERAL 81 have received information.
that as Major General Commanding this
Department, you have either arrested or
allowed the arrest Of citizens in pursuit of
their several and peaceful avocations. That
men, officers and privates belonging to this
army have been taken prisoners on the
Kansas border and conveyed to Fort Leav-
enworth, and as such and for no other es-
tablished offence or crime have been shot in
come cases.
have learned that my discharged col.
diers have been seized whenever and wher
ever they have shown themselves, and that
they have been, by military coercion, forced
into servitude unknown to International
and civilized usage.
have obtained information that indiA
viduals and parties of men specially ap-
pointed and instructed by me to destroy
railroads, culverts and bridges, by tearing
them up, burning them, &C., have been ar
rested and subjected to general court mar.
tial for alleged crimes which all laws of
warfare heretofore recognized by the civil.
zed world have regarded as strictly proper
and lawful.
have learned that such persons, when
tried, if convicted of offence or offences as
stated, are viewed as lawful subjects for
capital punishment.
These statements l cannot believe to be
correct, but let US understand each other on
this subject. Do you intend to continue
the arrest of citizens engaged in their ordi.
nary and peaceful pursuits, and treat them
as traitors and rebels? If so, will you
make exchanges with me tor such as may
or will make for similar causes?
Do you intend to regard members of this
army as persons deserving death whenever
they may be captured, or will you extend to
the recognized rights of prisoners of war by
the code OF the civilized world?
Do you regard the destruction of import
ant roads, transportation facilities, &C., for
military purposes as the legal right OF
belIigerent power? Do you intend to re-
gard men whom have specially dispatched
to destroy roads, burn bridges, bar up cul-
verts, &C., as amenable to an enemy's court
martial, or will you have them tried as
usual by the proper civil authorities &C
cOrdiDg to the statutes of the State
(Signed) STERLING PRICE,
Major General Commanding.
GENERAL HALLECK'S RESPONSE.
The following are the main features of
General Halleck's reply:
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF No..
ST. LOUIS, Jan. %.
To General S. PRICE, Commanding Genl., &C.
Ysur letter dated Springfield, January
IL, is received. The troops of which you
complain on the Kansas frontier and at
Fort Leavenworth are not under my com
mand. In regard to them respectfully re-
fer you to Major General David Huster,
commanding the Department OF Kansas,
headquarters at Fort Leavenworth. You
also complain that individuals snd parties
of men who are especially appointed and in-
structed by you to destroy railroads, cul-
verts and bridges, tearing and burning
them, &C., have been arrested and subjected
to general court martial for thoss alleged
crimes.
This statement il in the main CORE ct
where individuals and parties of men vio-
late the laws OF war, they will be tried and
if found guilty will cer,sin!y be punished,
whether acting under your special appoint
msut or not.
You must be aware General, that no or
ders of yours Can save from punishment
spies, murdsrers, robbers, incendiaries, guer-
rilia bands, all and who violate tbs laws of
war. You cannot give immunity to crime.
But let as fully understand each other on
this point. If you send armed forces wear
ing the garb OF soldiers and duly organized
and enrolled as legitimate beligerents to de-
stroy railroads, bridges, &C., as military
act, we shall kill them if possible in open
warfare, or if we capture them we shall
treat them as prisoners of war.
But it is well underksaa that you have
sent numbers of your ad2sfents in the garb
of peaceful citizens, and under false preten-
ces through our lines into Northern Mis-
souri,, to rob, and destroy the property of
Union men, and burn and destroy railroad
bridges, thus endangeriDg the lives Of thou
sands, and this too without any military
necessity or possible military advantage.
Moreover, peaceful citizens of Missouri,
quietly working on their farms, have been
instigated by your emissaries to take up
arms as insurgents, to rob, plumber and
commit arson and murder. They do not
even act under the garb of soldiers, but un-
der false pretences, and in the guise of
peaceful citizens.
You will certainly not pretend that men
guilty of such crimes, although specially
appointed and instructed by you, are en,i.
tied to the rights and immuDities of ordin-
airy prisoners of war. If you do, will you
refer me to the laws of war which recognize
such acts. am daily expecting instruc.
lions respecting the exchange of prisoners
of war. will communicate with you on
that subject as soon as they are received.
(Signed) H. W. HALLECK,
Major Gen. Commanding Department
The p;,Lor oc nvconI Loo ,ooooklx,