The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-09-02

7 am further directed by his Excellency, the
President to give notice that, in the event OF not
receiving a reply to these inquiries within hiteen
DAVIS from the delivery of this letter, it will be as
sumed that the ALLEGED facts are true, and are
sanctioned by the Government of the Unltru
States. in suuh event, on that Government VIII
rest the responsibility of the retrbution or retail
atorv measures which shall be adopted to put an
end to the merciless atrocities which now charac-
tcrize the war against the Confederate States
am, most respectfully, your obd't servant
r. e. LEE,
General Commanding.
To tie Gcncral Commanding,
L. s. Army, Washington, d. {:
GEyERAL-In obedience to the order Of His
Excelicncy, the President of the Confederate
States, | have the honor to make to you the fol
lowing communication:
On the ODD July last a cartel for general ex-
change of prisoners Of war was signed between
Major General ID. II. Hill, in behalf of the Canicd-
crate States and Mai Gen. John \. Dix, in be-
half OF the United StTtes
BY the terms of the cartel it is stipulated that
all prisoners of war hereafter taken SHALL be dis
charged on parole till exchanged.
Scarcely had that cartel been signed when the
military authorities Of the United States COM
mcnccd practice chang ing the whole character
OF the war; from such as becomes civilized nations,
into campaign of indiscrminate robbery and
murder.
The general order issued by the Secretary of
War of the United States in the city Of Washing
ton, on the very day the cartel was signed IN Viz
ginia, directs the military commanders OF the
nited States to take the private property OF our
people for the convenience and use OF their armies,
without compensation.
The general order issued by Major General
Pope on the Odd day of July, the day of the sign
ing of the cartel directs the murder OF our peace
full inhabitants as spies, if found quietly tlllng
the soil in his rear, even outside OF his lines, and
one of his Brigadicr Generals, Stcinwehr, has
seized upon innocent and peaceful inhabitants to
be held as hostages, to the end that they may be
murdered in cold blood, if any OF his soldiers are
killed by some unknown persons whom he dcsig-
mates rs "bushwhackcrs."
We find ourselves driven by our enemies by
steady progress towards practice which We alb
hor and which we are vainy struggling to avoid.
Under these circumstances this Government has
issued the accompanying general order, which
am directed by the President to transmit to you,
recognizing Major General Pope and his commits
stoned officers to be in the position they have
chosen for themselves that of robbers aud muir
dcrcrs, and not those of public enemies, entitled,
if captured, to be treated as prisoners Of war.
The President also instructs me to inform you
that renouncc our ii ght of retaliation on the
innocent, and will continue to treat the private
enlisted soldiers Of General Popc'5 army prison
ers Of war; but if, after notice to your Govern
ment that we confine rcprcssvc measures to the
punishment Of commissioned officers, who are will
ling participants in those crimes, the savage prac
tice threatened in the order alluded to be persist
ed in, shall be reluctantly forced to the last
sort Of accepting the war on the terms chosen by
enemies, until the voice of outraged hui
manity shall compel respect for the recognized
yes of war.
While the President considers that the fac:s
ferrcd to would justify refusal on our part to c1
ecute the cartel by which We have agreed to lib
crate excess of prisoners of war in our hands,
sacred regard for plightcd faith which shrinks
from the semblance of breaking promise, pre-
cludes resort to such extremity nor is it his
desire to extend to any forces of the United States
the punishment merited by General Pope, and
such commissioned officers as choose to participate
in the execution of his infamous order.
| have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
obcdient servant, r. f. LEE,
General Commanding.
Headquarters Of the Army,
Washington, Aug. Q, 1862.
Gen. IL. E. Lee, Commouding, DC:
GENERAL.-Your two communications of the
ID instant, with enclosures, received As
these papers are couchcd in language exceedingly
insulting to the government Of the United States,
| must respectfully decline to receive them. They
returned herewith.
Very respectfully, your obedicnt servant,