New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-04-05
BARBARITIES ON THE BATTLEFIELD.
INTERESTING CORRESPONDENTS BETWEEN GEN.
ERALS CURTIS AND VAN DORM.
LETTIR FROM GEN. VAN DORM.
HYApsUARTERs rkASs-MIssIssIPPf DfsrRic

HHApsUARrERs TkASsMIssIssfPPI DfsrRIcr.
VAN BUREN,, ARK, March IL, 1907.
GrsERAL: am Instructed by Major-Gen. Van
Dorm commanding this district, TO express to you
his thanks and qualification account OF the oour.
,esy extended by yourelf and the officers under your
command to the burial party sent by him to your
camp on the 9Th inst.
He is panied to learn by your letter, brought to
him by the commanding officer of the party, that the
remains of some of your soldiers have been reported
to you to have been scalped, tomahawked, and
otherwise mutilated.
He hone, YOU have been msinformed with regard
TO tbs matter-the Indians who formed part OF bis
forces having for many years been regarded as civ-
lied people, He will, however most cordially unite
with you in REFRESHING tue horrors Of THIS nnnatu az
War; and that you may cooperate with DIN 10 tni4
end more efectually, be desires me- TO inform you
that many Of our who Surrendered tbemseives
prisoners of war were reported to him as having
been murdered in cold blood by their captors, who
were alleged to be Germans. The General COM
handing feels sure that you will do your part as he
will, in preventing such atrocities Ia future; and
that the perpetrators of them will be brought TO
justice, whether German or Choctaw. :.
| The privileges which you extend TO our medlcai
officers will be reciprocaed, an soon rs possible
means will be taken for an exchange OF Prisoners
''' d" bUbURY H. &AURY, AA.G
! REPLY.
| HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THB SOUTHWEST. /
CAMP AT Cross TIMBER HoLLows March Il. 1907
| CAPTAIN: / am in receipt OF yours OF the l4th
instant. expressing the reasonable regret of your
commanding General for the barbaTities committed
by the Indians 1T the recent battle OF Pea Ridge:
The fact of many bodies having been found scalpcd
and mntila,ed was patent and the General command
ing the army wishes, for the cake OF humanity, THAT
the testimony not incontestible.
| In repy 10 your information that " men who sur.
rendered themselves prisoners OF war are reported
TO the General as having been murdered in cold blood
| by their capiors, who wero alleged to DO Germsns,
| may say the Germans charge the same agaipss
your soldiers.
incioss copy ofs letter from Gen. sigel, adj
dressed t. me before the receipt OF yours. III when
the subject is referred TO. As :" dead men tell no
tales" il is not easy to see how these charges may
be proven, and the General hopes they are mere
4" camp stories having little or no foundation. mo
Germans in the army have taken and turned over
many prisoners, and the General has not before
beard murder charged against them on the contrary
they nave seemed peculiarly anxious to exhibit the
number of their captured evidence OF their vaior
Any act Of cruelty TO prsoners or those oherirg 70
deliver themselves Is such, on the part OF the
soldiers of this army, coming to the know ledge OF
the General commanding, Will be punished Win the
extrme penalty Of military law.
Exceptions may undoubtedly occur as we have
murderers in all communities bat the employ ment Ok
\ Indians involves probability OF savage ierocity
which is not regarded the exception TO the rule.
Bloody conflicts seem TO inspire their ancient bar
barities nor can we expect civilized warfare from
savage foes. II any presumption has been raised In
their favor the score OF clVllLation IL Ds certain
" been demolished by the use OF the tomahawk, war
club and scalping knife ut the Pea Ridge.
/ | may here state that the General commanding
directed a surgeon Of one of the Indian regiments
taken at the battle TO be sent TO ST. Louis close
prisoner, while other surgeons are allowed, on pa
role the freedom Of cur camps.
! Believing the General commanding the opposing
army is equally anxious to suppress atrocities which
are too o ten evinced by our species, the General
commanding the army hopes Indians will hereafter
be excluded from your forces.
lam Captain very respectfully. &c. yonrs
ii. Il. CURTIS, Asst. AcjGsantO General
THE LETTER OF GIN. sIGEL.
Hg,peuaRrER lsr AND 2D DIVISION,
Carp hoyysAS. Mo- March %, 1861
GENERAL; beg leave 10 direct your attention to
the information which was received yesterday ut
Keisville by some Of the wounded at the Flying
Battery While Capt. Elberts three pieces OF artl-
lery were taken by the enemy. and our men serving
the guns were surrounded, they Were shot dead by
the Rebels, although seeking refuge behind the
horses.
When such acts are committed, it lie very natural
that our soldiers will seek revenge, if satisfaction
is given by tine commander Of the Confederate army
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
f. SIGEI. Brig zen Commxn diug Let and p Divisions
To Brig Gen. Curtis Commanding Army OF The South.
West.