, 1862-08-01
The Rebel Government Recognizes
qSuer1lIa VaTfare.s.The Lex Talon

In 10 De APp11e0s ......-...-
TakhA VIZ. AND LIE AA'A1 0N0' N~1 "
sro7TswooD HOTEL, RICHMOND, Jnly Is, 1852.
Hon. George ". Randolph, sec'y. Of Var:
Sm:-I respectfully desire to know from
you whether the several partisan corps Of
rangers, now organized or that may be Or
galzed in the several states Of the confeder--
acy, are to be regarded as pars Of the army OF
the confederacy, and protected by the gov
ernu1ent as such; and whether, if any Of said
corps are captured in battle, or Otherwise
while ia the line OF their duty, By the enemy.
this government will claim for them the same
treatment IS prisoners Of war, which Is nov
exacted for prisokKs belonging to our pro-
TiEionR1 army.
are Bot ali partisan rangers, organized by
your authority, emplatlcally a part Of the con
1ederate army, and will they not be regarded
and treated as such?
i consider that il is not only the right, but
the duty of every loyal citizen Of the confed-
crate states, to resist, by al means in his
power, even TO the death, If necessary, the
attempt Of the enemy in q body or slDgly to
invade his domicile or to capture his person,
or that Of his wife, child, ward, or servant, or
to take from him, against his will, any Of his
property; and if, in making such resistance,
whether armed or not, our citizens are cap
1ured by such invading enemy, have they not
the right to demand to be treated by the enc
Ely as other prisoners of war; and will not
| this government exert all its power, If neces-
tectsd and treated?
| This is 8 war Waged against the sovereignty
| of the several Stares OF the confederacy, and
| against the lives, liberty and property Of every
citizen yielding allegiance to the States ant
| government Of their choice, in which they re
side. Such war has no parallel IN the histo
n of Christian nations.
I respectfully request you to give me you
opinions on the several points in this letter
in for1n to be submitted to my constituents
to enlighten them in regard to the extent 0
their rights and powers IS viewed by this gov
eminent, and how lar their government vii
protect them in the exercise OF those rights
which, to an intelligent freeman, are dcare
than life itself. Your early answer is respect
JOIN B. CLARKE.
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, !
War DEPARTMENT, RICHMOND. Va,
July 16, 1862. J
Hon. John B. Clarke, Confederate States senate:~
SIR: I have the honor to ackno aledge th
/ receipt Of your letter OF the 18th instant, an
| to reply that partisan rangers are part Of th
| provisional army OF the confederate states
subject to all the regulations adopted Tor It
| Governments and entitled to the same pr0te|
ton as prisoners Of war. Partizan rangel
: | are in no respects difereat from troops Of tt
line, except that they are not igaded, an
| H1E Eu P!O4~A OAAN4eA ~ AeA .~>
! They require stricter discipline than -otht
I troops to make them efficient, and withor
: discipline they become terror to their frien'
t and are contemplate in the eyes OF the enem
| with reference TO your inquiry as to the Pr
lection which the government will extend
private citizens taken in hostile acts agaln
the enemy, 1t is not easy to lay down genf
| 81 rule,
IS War, as conducted by civilized nations,
| usually contest between the governments
~ the belligerente, and private pers ons, remain
l. quietly at home, are respected in their rlgh
Z, Of person and property. In return for Il
privilege they are expected to take no p:
a IN hostilitles, unless called on by their COVE
e. ment.
:, It, however, in violation Of this usage, p
yate citizens of Missouri should be oppress
TSt and mattreated By the public enemy, tn
nff taFe unquestionahly d right to take up arl
in their own defense, and if captured and C
81 tined by the enemy, under 6ucn clrcuinstAn
ri they are entitled, as all citizens OF Ihe g
ftderste states, to all the protection wh
az that government can afford; and among
arA | measures to which it may he useful to res
n is that Of the Ter talionis.
NC We shall deplore the necessity Of reta
nd tion, as adding greatly to the migeries Of
he K war, without advancing its objects; q
therefore, we shall act With great circnmsI
mt | tion. ard only upon facts clearly ascertain
nd But it. is our only means Of compelling
-. observance of the usages Of civilized Warf
no we cannot hesitate 10 resort to it when
1c- 4 proper time arrives. Very respectfully, )
10 GEO. n. RANDOLPH, sec'y Of Wa