Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-08-21
very Respectfully, 0U'l
II. w. HALLECK,
General in Chief y. S. A.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, !
w ,uurNTo> Auu (


To Gen Lee, Commanding, SC:
GENERAL.-your letter of the 26h of
July was received at the Adj: Gen. office on
the 14th, but supposing from its endorsement
that it required no further reply, it was filed
without being shown to the President or the
Secretary of War | learned to-day tor the
first time, that such letters had been received
aud fastened to reply.
No authentic information has been receiv-
din regard to the execution of either John
Owen or Mumford, but measures will be i'm
mediately taken to ascertain the facts Of the
alleged execution of which you will be duly
appraised. need hardly assure you, Gen,
that so far as the U. s. authorities are con-
cerned, this contest will becarred on in strict
accordance Wild the usages and rules of mod
ern warfrre, and all excuses will be duly
punished. In regard to the burning OF bridg-
es, Sc. within our lines, by persons IN the
guise as peaceful citizens, refer you to my
letter of Jan. 22d last to Gen. Price.
| think you will find the views there ex-
pressed ere not materially different from
those stated in your letter. In regard to re-
taliation, by taking the lives of innocent per-
sons, know OF no modern rule Of warfare,
except in case of war with an uncivilrzed 70 :,
that which has himself first established bar
barous rule The Uni ed States will never
countenauce such proceedings, unless forced
to do so by the barbarous conduct of an en-
envy who first applies such rule to our own
citizens, Very respectfully,
Your ob't Sv't,
Il. w. HALLECK,
Maj. Gen. CONG.
Here follows reply from Gen. Lee, of the
rebel army, dated near Richmond, August
2, in which that official desired to know
whether the United States Government sus-
tains the hanging of Mumford and Owen in
New Orleans by order of Gen. Butler; also
the extreme measures ordered by Gen. Pope
in Va, &c &c, and concludes as follows i:
81 am furthermore ordered by his excel
lency the President, to give notice that in the
event of not receiving a reply TO these inqui-
ries within Is days from the departing of this
letter, it will be deemed that snch alleged
acts are true, and are sanctioned by the u.
s. Government.
In such an event, on that government will
rest the responsibility of the retributive or
retaliatory measures which shall be adopted
to put an end to the merciless atrocities which
now characterize the war against the Con-
federate States. am most respectfully &c,
r. E, LEE, Gen. Com g.
A second letter from the same source, and
of the same date, follows the above. Il re-
fers mainly to the 'inhumanity" of the order,
issued by Gen. Pope, and concludes as fol-
lows:
awhile the President considers that the
first referred to would justify refusal on
our part to execute the cartel by which
we have agreed to liberate an excess of pris-
oners of war in our hands as regard for
sighted faith, which shrinks from the SEM
blance of breaking promise, practlced as a
resort to such an extremity. Nor is it his de-
sire to extend to any other of the forces of
the United States the punishment merited by
Gen. Pope and such officers as participated
in his recent orders.
| have the honor to be, &C.,
r. Z. LEE, Maj. Gen. Cong.
The following is the reply of Gen. Halleck
to both the rebel officers epistles:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoToMAC
To Gen. r. E. Lee, Commanding:
GENERAL:-Yourc communications of Aug
I'd are received. As these papers are couched