Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-08-19
.General.ln. Chief Uniled statel

IN ~ ~ - "a - -
HEADQUARTERS Amy CONFEDERATE STArEs,l
NEAR RICHMOND, Va Aug. 2, 1862. ~
To the General Commanding the United States
Army, Washington: A
GEHERAL: In obedience to the order Of his
Excellency the President of the Confederate
SIs.as, have the honor to make TO you the fol-
loving communication:
On the 22d of July last, cartel for general
exchange, of prisoners OF war was singed BY
Major. General Dix on behalf of the United
States, and BY Major. General D H. Hill on the
part of this Government. BY the terms of that
cartel It is stipulated that all prisoners of war
hereafter taken shall be discharged on parole
until exchanged. Scarcely had the cartel been
signed when the military authorities Of the
United States commenced practice changing
the character Of the war from such as becomes
civilized nations into campaign Of indiscTimi-
nate robbery and murder. A general order 10
sued by the Secretary of War Of the United
States, In the city Of Washington, an the very
day that the cartel was signed In Virginia, d.
rects the military commanders Of the United
States to take the property Of our people for the
convenience and use of the army, without CON-
pensation. Ala ~ k.aN
y A general order Of Major General Pope on
the 23d OF July last, the day after the date Of
the cartel, directs the murder OF our peaceful
citizens as spies, II found quietly tilling their
farms In his rear, even Outside Of his lines, and
one of his Brigsdier. Generals, Steinmehr,
has seized innocent and peaceful inhabitants to
DO held eS hostages, TO the end that they msy
be murdered In cold blood, II any Of bis soldiers
are killed BY some unknown persons whom be
designates "Bush Whsckers."
Some Of the authorities seem to suppose that
these ends Will be better attained by savage
war in which no quarter is given, aud no age or
sex to be spared, than BY such hostilities as ere
alone recognised 70 be lawful 10 modern times.
We fnd ourselves driven BY our enemies BY
steady progress toward practice which We alb
hor, and which we are vainly struggling to
avoid . 0pder these circumHtanoes, this Gov
ernment has issued the accompanying general
order. which I am directed by the President to
transmit 10 YOU, recognizing Msjor-GeHeFal
Pope and his com missioned officers 10 be In the
position ~hich they have chosen for ofihemsslves,
that of robbers and murderers, and not that Of
public enemies entitled II captured TO be treated
as prisoners of war.
The Pfesident also instructs me to inform you
that We renounco our right Of retaliation on the
innocent, a1d will continue 20 treat the private
enlisted soldiers Of General Pope's army as pris-
opers Of war, but II, after notice 10 your Gov
ernment siss We conine our repressive meas;
ures to the punishment Of the commissipDed
officers who are wiling participants in these
crimes, the savage practices thTeaiened IN the
01ii5VS and y to b b<hoib "a 10 I'VE thail re-
IbctankI kIv be forced % shs last fesott of accept
ine the var on the terms chosen BY our enemies,
until the voico Of an outraged humanity Dhall
ol,a0el a Nespeof for tlIe teU0gnized usages Of
war.