Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1862-08-25


sufferings of the people and the galantry of the
troops, jeff. Davis, in his message says:
The vast army which Threatened the Capital
OF the Confederacy, has been defeated and driven
from the lines of investment. and the enemy re-
peatedly failed in his efforts for its capture, is
now seeking TO raise lew armies on a scale, such
modern history does not record, TO effect that
subjugation of the South SO often proclaimed as
on the of accomplishment
Davis then charges the United States with
rapine, wanton destruction Of private property
murder of captives &c, and speaks of the confs
cation bill, as atrocious-while the monied obi
cations of the Confederate Government, are forg-
ed by citizens of the United States, and at least
two generals of the United States, are engaged
exciting servile Instruction; another has been
found of instincts brutal, to invite the vio-
lence OF his soldiery against the women of cap
tured city. He mentions Gen. Butler subsequent
ly Davis then saws:
To inquiries made of the commander in chief
of the armies of the United State, whether the
atrocious conduct of some of their military com
mandants meets the sanction of that Government,
an answer had been eyaded on the pretext that
the enquiry insulting, and no method remains
for the suppression OF these en0rmites, but such
retrebutive Justice it may be found possible To
execute. Retaliation in kind for many OF them
is impracticable, and have had occasion to re
mark in former message, that under excess
of provocation, could our noble hearted defenders
be driven to wreak vengeance Oh unarmed men,
women and children. But and
emplary punishment Can and must be melted out
To the murderers and felons, who disgracing the
| profession of arms, seek TO make of public
the occasion for the commission of the most mon
strous crimes.
Deeply regret the character of the con-
| test into which we are about to be forced, we
must accept it as an alternative which recent
hnra ,.lol
The evaporation of failure has aroused the
worst passions of our enemies, and large por-
ton OF their people, even of their clergymen, is
now engaged III urging an excited populace the
extreme OF ierocity, and nothing remains but to
vindicate our rights, ant to maintain our exs-
tence, by employing against our foe every energy
and every resource at our disposal.
Davis recommends further legislation to make
the CONSUMPTION universal; also the issue of ad-
ditiona treasury notes; also some Legislation for
controlling military transportation. He says the
very large increase of forces recently called into
the field by the President of the United States,
may render it necessary hereafter to extend the
provisions of the consrript law to embrace
persons between the ages Of thirty five and forty
five years.
The vigor and efficiency of our present force,
and their condition, and the skill and ability
| which distinguished their leaders, inspire the be
lief that further enrolment will be necessary,
but wise forethought requires that if a necessity
should be suddenly developed, during e recess
of Congress, requiring increased forces for our
defense, means should exist for calling such
forces into the field without awaiting the re-as
sembng of the Legislative Department of the
Government The rest of the message is unm-
portant
In the rebel House of Representatives, Foote
OF Tennessee, offered a bill for reialliatory pur-
poses.
1t recites that the enemy refuse to treat Our
our partisan soldiers prisoners, and have also
punished innocent private citizens for their acts.
Ii provides that an officer who may have ordered
such atrocities be put TO death if captured. An
equal number of prisoners, officers preferred,
taken from the enemy, to suffer the fate inflicted
Oh our captured soldiers or citizens.
Also bill to punish negroes taken in arms. 1t
, provides that Federal armies anonymously com
posed of white and black, shall not be held TO
the privileges OF war, or be taken prisoners Of
such may be captured. the negroes should be
returned to their masters, publicly sold, and
their commanders publicly hung shot, may
be most convenient.
He also offered bill to retaate for the seizure
of citizens by the enemy.
Ii provides that of the prisoners held by US, a
number equal to that of the citizens seized shall
be held hostages for their safety. and subjected
to like treatment. Any officer, civil or military,
, concerned in their seizure shall be imprisoned
during the war.
All the bills were referred to the military com
mittee.
Mr.. Foote offered n bill to provide for raising
an additional force OF 25O, 600 men. On his own
, notion il was laid on the table.
Also export duty OF 20 per cent on cotton
and tobacco. to aid in indemnifyng the loss OF
, citizens by the enemy.