The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-08-19
HEApQ'hs ARHY Of THE &C. s.
Nesr Richmond auy ID I.f0

To tie Gs.sra, Commanding the army Of TIE Tni:ea
S.ahs, Washington
Generation the 2oth OF June last was instruct.
ed by the Secretary Of War to inquire OF MAJOR
Genera, Mcclellan as to the truth # alleged nurs
ders committed on our ciiz b.; officers OF the U.
states aruly. The of Wni. u. Mumforfi, re-
ported TO have been murdered II New Orleans BY
ortie: of Major. General D. F. Butler, and Colonel
John Owen, reported 10 have been murdered in Mis-.
suuri by order Of MniorGaneral Pope. were those
referred TO. had 'hs honor to be Informed by
Major General McCiriian that ha had referred these
inquiries 10 his Government fOc @ rery No an.
aver has as yet been received.
The Pre-, ident OF TIE Confederate States has
since been eredihly informed that numerous other
officers Ct The army of the United s at within the
Contedsracy have been guilty of teionies and cap
i:ai offences which are punishable by all laws, hu
man and divine. l am directed by Kim To bling TO
your ro,ice a few of those best authenticated
Nawspapers received frcm the United States an
nounce a. a fact that Msior-G Genera. Hunter has
arrled slaves for the murder OF their masters, and
has thus dope all in his power to indusrfata q ser
vile war. which il more than that OF the savage,
inasR,uch as il superadds other horrors ~ the in
discriminate slaughter cf sn ages, sexes. and oou-
d.iions.
Brigadler- General pie'os /, reported 10 haYa in.
tia.ed in New Orleans the example set by Mno:-
Genera! Hunter The coast Of South Carolina
BEigadier General q. y. Fitch is stated in tha
Journals to have Murdered, IN cod blood, two
peaceful citizens BECAUSE Que ot lis nien, while in
vadiug cur country. was killed by souie unknown
pers0n while defending his home
[ am instructed by the President Of the Cor fed
rate States TO repeat the inquiry relative to the
cases of Munford and Ovens and to ask Whether
the statements in relation 20 the action of Generals
Hunter Phelps, and Fitch are admitted to be trre,
and whether the conduct Of these Generals Is sane
toned by their Government.
/ a,u further directed by his Exceiiency, The
Preside nj to give rniee that. In the even. Of
receiving reply 10 these iEi, iities within fifteen
days Fl n the delivery OF this letter, il will ba
slIusd that the alleged facts fru, and sane
TONED by the GoyerameDf of the United States
In such event. on that Government will rest the re-
spopsbjy @! the Fetroution or retAiiatory inca.
sures which shall be adopted 10 put an end 20 the
merciless atrocities which now charararize the
wer against the Confederate States.
an. most respectfatyryour obriien, servant.
{hisnedp L. T.. LEE,
General Commanding.
To he h7snrol C1mmanaing
r. S. army, Washsa9ton, u. C.;
GESERAI-In obe eience TO the order Of His Ex
celency, the Preaidant OF tie Confederate States
have the honor 10 MAKE 10 you the following COM
muuicaion:
ON the 22d July last q cartel for general ex
change Of prisoners Of war was signed between
Major General -. II. Hill, in behalf Of the Conted
crate States and Major General John A. Dix, In
behalf Of the United Statss.
By the terms the cartel 1t is stipulated that all
prisoners of war hereafter taken shall DO dis
charged on parole TIL exchanged
Scarcely had that cartel been signed when the
military authorities Of the United States com.
uenced practice changing the whole character
Of the war, lram such as becomes civilized netons
into q campaign OF indSerimlnnis robbery and
murder.
The general order Issusd by the Secretary Of
War of the United Staies, in the city OF washing
ton, on the very day the cartel was signed In VII
ginia, directs the military commandefs ef the u
States to take the private property of our people
for the cpnvepieucs and Use OF thtR srmeA wita'
ont eompsnaaaioa.
9h~esnsrai eg1ef iaensd BY Major. 0eneral Pope
on the 33d Aav = July. the Asy aftsr sisping Of
the cartel, dlnsets tbs mnFder Of on1 psacefd IN
kabitanls = 800 foanA quietly tillsg ~ tasms