Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1862-08-27

laion to the execution of either John Owen or Num-
ford but measures will be Immediately taken 10 as
certain the facts of those alleged executions OF winch
you will be duly informed.
l need hardly assure you, General that 30 iar as
the United States authorities are concerned tn,s
contest will be carried in strict accordance WIN
the laws and usages of modern warfare and that all
excuses will be duly punished:
In regard to the burning Of brigdes within our
lines by persons in disguise as peaceful citizens,
refer YOU to NV letter Of the 22d of January last to
Gen. Price. 1 think you will find the views there
expressed as not materially differing from those
stated in your letter. In regard to retaliation by
taking the lives of innocent persons, know of no
modern authority which justifies it, except in the
extreme case Of a war with any uncivilized foe,
which has himself first established such barbarous
rule The United States will never countenance
such aproceeding unless forced to do so by the bar
barous conduct of an enemy who first applies such
rule to our citizens.
Very respectfully, your obi serv't
(Sgned) H. W. HALLECK,
General-in-Chief U. S. Army.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE &C S"l
Near Richmond, Aug. I'd, 1852
To the General Commanding the Army Of the Uni
ted States, Washington:
GENERAL:-On the Doth of June last was in
structed by the Secretary of War to inquire of Ma
jor General Mcclellan to the truth of alleged MUIR
ders committed on citizens by officers of the U.
States army. The cases of VIM. B. Mumford, re.
ported to have been murdered at New Orleans by
order of Major General B. F. Butler, and Colonel
John Owen, reported to have been murdered in
Missouri, by order of Major General Pope, were
those referred to. l had the honor to be informed
by Major General Mcclellan that he had referred
these inquiries to his government for reply. No
answer has yet been received.
The President of the Confederate States has since
been credbly informed that numerous other officers
of the army Of the United States within the Confed
eracy have been guilty of felones and capital Of
fences which are punishable by all laws, human and
divine. l am directed by him to bring to your no.
tice few of those best authenticated. Newspapers
received from the United States announce as fact
that Major General Hunter has armed slaves for the
murder of their masters, and has thus done all in
his power to inaugurate servile war; which is more
than that of the savage, inasmuch as it superadds
other horrors to the indiscriminate slaughter of all
ages, sexes, and conditions
Brigadier General Phelps is reported to have mi
t:ated in New Orleans the example set by Major
General Hunter on the coast of South Carolina
Brigader General g. N. Fitch is stated in the same
journals to have murdered, in cold blood two peace
full citizens, because of his men, while invading
our country, was killed by some unknown person
while defending his home
am instructed by the President of the Confed-
crate States to repeat the inquiry relative to the
cases of Mumford and Owens and to ask whether
the statements in relation to the action of Generals
Hunter, Phelps, and Fitch arc admitted to be true
and whether the conduct Of these Generals is sane
toned by their government
am further directed by mis- Exceency, the Pres
dcnt to give notice that in the event of not recev
ing reply to these inquiries within fifteen days
from the delivery of this letter, it will be assumed
that the alleged facts true, and sanctioned
by the government of the United States. In such
event. on that government will rest the responsible
ity OF the retributon retaiiatory which
shall be adopted to put an end to the mercless afro
cities which now charact,r ze the war against the
Confederate States.
am, most respectfully, your obedent servant
(Sisned) R. f. LEE,
General Commanding.