The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-12-15
The Correspondence Between Gen. Wise nm
Gen. keyes.

The Correspondence Between Gen. Wise and
Gen. keyeS.
The following is copy of correspondence rels.
tive to the Williamsburg Va.) Lunatic Asylum
from General Henry A. Wise to General Keyes 70
ASCERTAIN the truth Of rumors that the United
States forces occupied the Asylum for military pur
poges:
BRIGADE HDo'R., Chafin's Farm,
Nov. 81, 1862.
To tbs Officer Commanding the u. States Forces at
Villa msburg pc.:
Lunatic Asylum in the city Of Williamsburg have
become ;sreatly alarmed and distressed by seeing
1t stated In the newspapers of the day, and by re-
ports an d rumOrs seeming to confirm these state
ments:
l. Th 1t the United States authorities have remov.
ed or ltend to remove, either oil a portion of
the INN stes of the State Lunatc Asylum to some
Northei u locality or elsewhere unknown; and
2 Tb at since the invasion of Williamsburg by
the Uni ed States forces they have occupied large
portion Of tho building of the State Luuatic Asylum
for military uses; ana,
B. That they have 20 disturbed all discipline and
regulations of police AZ to crowd the two sexes and
the various classes OF inmates in the Lunatic Asy-
lum togethe in the same wards and apartments
These COZ aplaints have been made by the families
and friends Of tue to the President OF the
Confederan, Ststes. Ho las ordered proper inQui
rtes to be ads, and am authorized to send flag Of
truce to 20 at Williamsburg to ascertain the real
need not SAY that the Confederate authorities arc
not " illing to believe these statements ere true
without bel ng better vouched for than by rumOr or
newspapers, and without giving even an invading
enemy the opportunity of vindicating his reputa
tion before the civilized world sgainat all doubt rs
70 inhumKuity like this. Therefore this flag Of
truce Ia sen to soothe and quiet apprehension nat
uraliy and excusably excitable in mothers fathers
brothers, sisters husbands, wives, and friends and
to pay respect to the tenderest charities Of life and
the me g. awful sffiictions Of mankind-charities
and at ictions sacred that States and God only
can de u with them with proper care and such
AZ are always kept safe from all intrusiou. The
Lunati Asylum at Williamsburg Is State chari-
table institution, lo3g established, and Of that
chsrac ter of hospitals the most exempt OF all
from Il 10 least touch Of war. When the buildings
of the venerable William snd Mary College were
burned her ancient volumes of learning aud sl the
lnateris monuments Of her bepfceuce as Alma Ma
ter Of he sages and heroes Of American Revou
tlon al American history and Glory destroyed
tho Pre- stdent of the Confederate States abided
simply the verdict Of all civilized men, aud justly
deemed shat no protest was called for from him.
But, nc that the State OF Vrginias children OF
attjictioi are said to be inhumanly harmed he ap
peals In behalf Of these ''little Ones" II they are
or have been injured. to no lower authority than
that of Ieaven to Christianity. For Lieut. Ool u.
Harrison and Major Stark, of my command, l ask
an inter- dew with you IN person, and that they
may be ermitted, under parole OF honor. a. OIL
GERS and ye0tlsmsn, TO make any and Ill proper
Inquiries and inspection nesessssy - enable them
~s
this comm u0tcatson.
am. sir. most respectfully, your obt servt,
HENRY 4. WISE, Brig'r Gen1.
On receI pt Of the above letter Gen. Keyes com.
municatsd with Major General Dix. and sent the
following otter In answer to Gen. Wise:
HKADQ'Rs FOURTH Army CORPS,
Yorktown, Va, Dec. 3, 1861
70 Brig Cen. H. 4. Wise O. 8. A., commanding,
;vcrr comu,unicat;on of the 9th nit. sd.
dreynsd 20 the officer commanding the forces at
williamsburg, and brought by Ool. Harrison and
Major Stark un der flag Of truce. has been trans
Msior General Dix, commanding the department,
has de eclded that these off, sers cannot be allow.
cd to come within our lines, but that 1r.
Douglas, the Sup erinte1dent OF the Lonasic Asy'
lum, can $50 them and lay before them statement
of the exact milton OF the institution and It's In
mates II 10 not tho intention Of the United states
Government, 90 far as know or can Iearn. 70 re-
move any of Ae patients to the Nofn nor has there
the asylun f,r military purposes urths. than wa:
necessary for protection. surgeO.9 o! sne united
States forces hes been directed 70 r<uder bis pro.
fsasional assistance to the lunstics ana uu raftone
Of provisions have been issued to theao- Ooa1 =
now bei,ig sent mp, and nothing IN my lsower N.
bean on lifted TO render the unfortunat1 inmates 9!
tho aa5lum ~ comfortable - circumstances WI
permit. Your communication, though based AvoW'
dispe sition to credit charge of cruslty 70
warts the insane. sinee you a1eoe!ass sns
ruDors with The dsstruetion Of the veaaeeble WI
liam and Nay College, assming thst = n.y: s:sn ~
cou!usion Of raid made By yo1r troops within ou!
linea know no4 who bafnsA them; but must
taka, this opportunity 70 aasnze Jon shas em op-
posed 70 d violsnss not sanssoasa Il u uaags.
g shs swiai .isons anI Is tssdsr shslss waisa
thsy deserve 70 aWaks h our bgsasts. 81 Wnion
are ths main s.hjset a yeas se.nunie.ssoo.