Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-11-24

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE PoroMAc,
FALMOUTH, VA, Nov. PIP M.-The fol-
lowing is the reply of the mayor of Freder-
icksburg to the demands of General Sumner,
which, owing to the late hour, cotld not be
had last night:
MAYORS OFFICE, FREDERICKSBURG
Nov, 81, 1862
Bs'eoet MAJOR General e. Y. Sumner, Com
handing y. S. 4.
SRI have received at twenty minutes be-
fore five O'clock this afternoon, your commu-
nication of this date, in which you state that
under cover of the houses of this town shots
have been fired upon the troops of your COM
mand that our mills and manufactures are
furnishing provisions and the materials for
clothing for armed bodies in rebellion against
the government of the United States; that our
railroads and other means of transportation
are removing supplies to the depots OF such
troops; that this condition OF things must ter
inmate; that by command of Major General
Burnside, you demand the surrender Of this
town into your hands as the representative
of the government of the United States, at
or before five o'clock this afternoon; that
failing an affirmative reply to this demand
by the time indicated, sixteen hours will be
permitted to elapse for the removal from the
wounded, and aged, which period having
elapsed, you will proceed to shell the town.
In reply have to say that this communica-
ton did not reach me in time to convene the
council for its consideration and furnish re-
ply by the hour Indicated, five p N. 1t was
sent to me through the hands of the command
ing officer of the army of the confederate
states near this town, to whom it was first de-
ivered by consent of Gen. Patrick, who
brought it from you as l am informed, and |
am authorized by the commander of the con-
federate army to say that there was no delay
in passing it through his hands to me.
In regard to the matter complained of by
you, the firing of shots upon your troops &C.
Cured upon the northern suburbs of the town,
and was the act of the military officer COM
handing the confederate forces near here, for
which matter neither the citizens nor the civil
authorities of this town are responsible. In
regard to the other matters of complaint, am
authorized by the latter officer to state that
the condition of things therein complained of
shall no longer exist; that your troops shall
not be fired on from this town; that the mills
and manufactures here will not furnish any
further supplies, provisions, or material for
clothing for the confederate troops; nor will
the railroads or other means of transportation
here convey supplies from the town to the
depot of said troops outside of the town. The
civil authorities of Fredericksburg have no
control but l am assured by the military
authorities of the confederate army near here
that nothing will be done by them to infringe
the conditions herein named as to matters
within the town; but the latter authorities
inform us that while their troops will not oc-
cupy the town, they will not permit yourself
to do so.
You must be aware that there will not be
more than three or four hours of daylight
within the sixteen hours given by you for the
removal of the sick and wounded, the women
and children and the aged and infirm from
this place; and | have to inform you that
while there is no railroad transportation ac-
cessible to the town because of the interrupt
ton thereof by your batteries, all other means
of transportation within the town are SO lin
tied as to render the removal of the classes of
persons spoken of within the time indicated
an utter impossibility. L have convened the
council, which will remain in session awaiting
any further communication you may have to
make. Very respectfully, your obedient SER
want, NJ. SLAUGHTER, Mayor
Last night was busy time in Fredericks-
burg, removing the inhabitants. The militia
ry authorities there were also not idle, as day
light this morning revealed to view line of
eartnworks 10 tne Tlgnt ana rear OF tne town,
the result of last nights labor. Our artillery
is now being placed in the most favorable po-
sitions, while the encampments which are in
range of the enemy's guns are being removed
further back from the river. There are very
apparent strong reasons for not opening upon
the city to-day, unless forced to do so by the
enemy. The rebels have just fired few
shots, but no response has been made.
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OF THE PoT-
oMAc, Saturday Evening, Nov. 22-Nothing
of particular interest has transpired. Owing
to some misunderstanding, a train leaving
Fredericksburg with women and children on
board was fired into, but fortunately none of
them were injured. The citizens of Freder-
icksburg are fast leaving the place.