Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-08-04
FROM TIE PRESIDENT TO GEN. LEE.

General d. h. Ill., in behalf of tho Confederate States
and Mel or General John A. Dix, in behsH Of the United
States.
By the terms Of that Cartel Il Is stipulated that all
prisoners of war hereafter taken shall be discharged
parole till exchanged.
Scarcely had that Cartel been signed when the militia
~ authorities of the United States commenced prac-
ce changing the character Of the war from such as be-
comes civilized nations into campaign Of indscriminae
robbery and murder.
The general order issued by the Secretary Of War Of
the United States in the city Of Washington, on the
very day that the Cartel signed in Virginia. directs
the Military Commanders Of the United States 10 take
the private property Of people Tor the convenience
aud use of their armies without compensation.
The general order issued by Major General Pope On
the 2Sd Of July the day after the signing OF the Carte
directs the murder Of peaceful Inhabitants spies
found quietly tng the farms 10 bis rear svsn Outsd.
# his lines, and one Of bis Brgader Generals Stein
wetr has seized upon innocent asd peaceful inhabitants
be held hostages TO the end that they may be mur
deed in cold blood if any Of bis soldiers are killed by
some unknown persons whom he dc signaes 40 "bush-
| uhackers."
Under this state Of facts this Government has issued
the enclosed general order recognizing General Pope and
his commissioned officers to be in the position which
they have chosen Tor themselves, that Of robbers aud Of
murderers aud not that Of public enemies, entitled il
captured, TO be considered as prisoners Of war.
We 6ud ourselves driven by our enemies by steady
progress towards practice which abhor aud which
vanly struggling 10 avoid. Some Of the mitl.
ny authorities OF the Uated States suppose that
better will attend savage war, in which ro
quarter be given and no age to be spared,
than has hitherto been secured by such hosttss
alone recognized to be lawful by civilized in mod.
| ern times.
For the present, right oil retaliation
on the innocent, and shall continue to treat the privae
enlisted soldiers Of Genera. Popes army prisoners Il,
war but il, after notice to the Government at Wash
iigon Of our corfnng repressve to the pun
ishment ouly OF commissioned officers who ~ir
PARTICIPANTS in thess crimes these savage practices are
continued we shall reluctantly be forced to the last re
sort Of accepting the on the terms chosen by our
loes until the outraged voice oil a humanity
iorces a respect for the recognized rules Of war.
While these facts would justify refusal to execute
the generous Cartel By which have consented TO lib
crate excess OF thousands Of prisoners held by
beyond the number held by the enemy, sacred regard
plighted faith shrinking from the sembance oil
breaking promise, prevents resort to this extremity
Nor do desire to extend TO any other forces Of the
enemy the punishment merted alone by General Pope
and such commissioned officers choose 10 participate
in the execution Of his infamous orders
You are therefore instructed " communicate 10 the
Commander n Chief Of the armies OF the United States
the OF this letter and copy Of the enclosed
general order y the end that he may be notified Of our
intention to consider any officers hereafter captured
from General Pope's army as prisoners Of war.
Very respectfully yours, etc,
(signed) JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Gen. K. L. LEE Commanding, etc.
ADJUTANT AND INSP'R GENERALS OFFICE,
RIcaAoSD AMguH |, 1862. !
CENTRAL OsDERs,
l. The following Orders are published for the Informs
ton and observance of all concerned.
| II. Whereas by General Order dated the 22i JHly,
1862, issued by the Secretary Of War Of the United
States under the order Of the President Of the United
States, the Military Commanders of that Government
within the States Of Virginia, South Carolina Georgia
FiOrids Alabama, Mississippi, Lousars, Texas and Ar
kansas directed to seiz. and any property real
or personal belonging TO the Inhabitants Of this Con-
edsracy which may be necessary convenient for their
several commands, and no provision 10 made Tor any
to the Of private property thus
ssiz ID and appropriated by the Military Commanders Ct
the Eaemy
III. And ,olrred,, by Genera. Order Number Eleven,
issued on the % Jaly 1862. by Atjo Gsneral Pop
commanding the forces Of the Eaemy in Northern T.
giu. il ia ordered that all commanders Of any Army
rps divisions, brigsdes and detached commands will
AZ. ia al al On
stkn their lines or within their reach 10 Of their
respective commands Sach are Wiling TO take tie
oath of allegiance to the United Sates and will iurn1
suSsn security for ia observance. shall be permitted
tU remain their homes and pursue III good faith their
accustomed ssocalions. Those who refuse shall be
Quoted South beyond the piekets Of this army
ald be notified that il found again here within our
lines atany point in rear iey will be considered spies
aud sui cted to the extreme rigor OF military law. II
any person having taken the oath Of allegiance above
specified be found 10 have violated II, hs shall be sho
and his property ID and applied to the public uss':
| ~. Aud whereas, BY an order issued on the IL b
July, 1862, by BrgaiIer General A. S.einwehr, jor
William SGtaJAG, cavalry ofier OF his Brigade, has
been ordered arrest f's Of the most prominent CHI.
zsus OF Page County. Virginia to be held hostages
and to suffer dsh n the oil any Of the soldiers VI
said Sten~ehr being shot BY "bus Sh,ckers by which
term ale meant the olzsls Of this Conlecerscy who
have taken up TO defend their homes aud families
" Aud 0hsrsas il results from the above orders that
sone Of the military authorities Of the Uned Slater
MT content with the uuast and aggressive warfare hilh
erto ~sged with savage ciaJl!y against fsndrg
people aud sperAed by the failure Of their ,ao to
sutiugae them have determined violate all the
rules aud usagas OF war; and the hositiss
hitherto ~aged Ag,inst armed forces into campaign Of
robbery aud murder agAIs. uaarmei cz aud peace
| fol lillefs Of the SOIL
VI And ,Shsrsd,, this Government bound by the
highest oblgaous OF juy it, citizens is thus driven