Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1862-08-22
BxApcuAEIEKs Army OF CJHrED. STATES,
Near Richmond, Aug. 2, 1861.
To GezsraI Commanding Ussei State .irayl
Washi-gtoH, u. c.

" s7srslONf - -
General; In obedience to tie order of Hi. LIZ.
oeleucy the President OF the Confederate States.
| have the honor TO make you the folloging com
muuicstiop. On the 22d OF July last a cartel for
general exchange Of prisoners was signed by
Major General John A. Dix on behalf Of the Uni
ted States, and by Major General d. II. HhI, on
the part OF this government.
BY the terms OF that cartel IL is stipulated that
all prisoners Of war shall be discharged on parole
until exchanged. Scarcely had the car el been
signed when the military authorities of the Uni
ted states commenced practice chan ging the
chaiacter Of the war from euch as becomes civil
zed nations into campaign of indiscriminate
robbery and murder. A general order issued BY
the Secretary OF War Of the United States in the
city Of Washington, on the very day that the
cartel was signed in Virginia, directs the military
cor msndeIs of the United states to take the prop
eTty Of our people for the convenience and use Of
the army, without Compensation.
A general order issusd by Major General Pope
on the zSd OF July last, the day after the date Of
the cartel, directs the murder Of our peacefuI cit
sens as pies if found quietly tlIing their farus
in his rear, even outside Of bis lines; and one Of
his Brigsdier Generals (Steinuehr) has seized in
nOeent aud pea eful inhabitants 10 be held a.
hostages to the end that they may be murdered in
cold blood if any Of his soldiers are killed by
some rnknown persons, whom he designstes as
bushwhsekers.
Some OF the military authorities suppose that
their end will be better attained By a savage war,
in which no quarter is TO be given, and no age or
is 10 be spared, than by such hostlites IS are
alone recognized TO be lawful In modern times
We ind ourselves driven by our enemies by steady
progIess towaEs 8 practice which We sbhor, and
which We are vainly struggling to. avoid.
Under these circumstances this government has
issred the accompanying general order. which
an diree;sd BY the PRESIDENT to transmit to you,
recognizing General Pope and his Commissioned
uteers 10 be IN the position which they have eho-
sen .or Themselves that Of mrriersTs and robbers,
s1d Lot dat Of public enemies, entitled, il cap
;ared. to be prisoners Of war
Inc Presdert also instruc:s re to iuIorn you
that We repoucee cur ris hts Of retaliation On the
innocent, aud will continue 70 treat the private
enlisted soldiers Of zen. Pope's army ss prisoners
u war, bat If, after notice TO your government
that We eoedne rePressive measures 10 the punish.
u1eut ef eo1Tissioped tticers vho are villing
participants IN these crimes tie savage practices
threatened 10 the order alluded to be persisted in
we shall reluctantly be forced to the last resort o.
accepting the var tas .ern.s chosen by cur enc
mics, until the voice m sn outraged humanity
sAa!i compel spect the recognized ussg.s OF
var.
While the President considers that the facts re-
iened to would justify refusal On our part to
execute the cartel by which We have agreed to lib
crate excess OF prisoners OF war In our hands
a sacred regard Tor piightei faitt, which shrinss
from tas semblsnce Of breaking . promise, pre-
cludcs . rescr. 10 such an extremity. Nor il Il
his desire 10 extend TO any other forces Of ths
United ststss the punishmsnt Derited BY General