The Portland daily press., 1862-11-24


Falmouth, Va, Nov. %, II NJ
The following is the reply of the Mayor Of
Fredericksburg to the demands of Gen. Burn
side, which, owing to the late hour, could not
be had last night
Mayors Office Fredericksburg,
November 2l, 1862
To Brevet Major-General Z. " Sumner, Com
manding U. S. Army:
Sir have received at twenty minutes be-
fore five O'Clock this p. NJ. your communica-
ton of this date. In it you state that "under
cover of the houses Of this town shots have
been fired upon the troops of your command;
that our mills and manufactures are furnish
ing provisions and materials for clothing for
armed bodies in rebellion against the govern
ment of the United States; that our railroads
and other means for transportation are remov-
ing supplies to the depots of such troops; that
by command of Maior-General Burnside you
demand the surrender of this town into your
hands as the representative of the government
of the United States, at or before five o'clock
this p. NJ; that falling an affirmative reply TO
this demand at or before the time indicated,
sixteen hours will be permitted to elapse for
the removal from the town of the women and
children, the sick, wounded and aged, which
period having elapsed, you will proceed to
shell the town."
In reply have TO say that this comnunica-
ton did not reach me in time to convene the
Council for its consideration and furnish a re-
ply by the hour indicated-five p. NJ 1t was
sent to me through the hands of the command
ing officer of the army of the Confederate
States near the town, to whom it was first de-
livered by consent of General Patrick, who
brought 1t from you, as | am informed, and |
am authorized by the commander of the Con-
federate army to say that there was no delay
in passing il through his hands to me.
In regard 10 the matters complained of by
you, the firing of shots upon your troops, oc-
Cured upon the northern suburbs OF the town,
and was the act of the military officer com
manding tie Confederate forces near here, for
which matter the citizens nor the civil author
tiles of this town are responsible.
In regard to the other matters of complaint,
/ am authorized by the latter officer to state
that the condition of things therein complained
of shall no longer exist; that your troops shall
not be fired on from this town; that the mills
and manufactures here will not furnish any
further supplies of provisions or materials for
clothing for the Confederate troops, nor will
the railroads or other means of transportation
here convey supplies from the town TO the de-
pot Of said troops, outside of the town.
The civil authorities of Fredericksburg have
no control, but am assured by the military
authorities of the Confederate army near here
that nothing will be done by them to infringe
on the conditions herein named AS to matters
within the town, but the latter authorities in
form us that while their troops will not occu-
py the town, they will not permit yours to do
so.
Yon must be aware that there viii not be
more than three or four hours of daylight
within the sixteen hours given by you for the
removal of the sick and wounded. the women
and children, the aged and infirm. from this
place. And l have to inform you that while
there is no railroad transportation accessible
to the town, because of the interruption there
of by your batteries. all other means of trans
portation within the town are so limited as to
render the removal of the classes of persons
spoken of within the time indicated, an utter
impossibility. / have convened the council,
which will remain in session, awaiting any fur
ther communications you mag have to make.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
NJ. SLAUGHTER, Mayor.
Last night was a busy time in Fredericks-
burg removing the inhabitants. The military
authorities We're also not idle. as daylight this
morning revealed to view line of earthworks
to the right and rear of the town, the result of
last nights labor
The artillery is now being placed in the
most favorable position, while the encamp-
ments which are in range of the enemy's guns
are being removed further back from the river
There are very apparent strong reasons Tor not
pFSHAi5 upoh Sil} tO-uas, uIllcos lorCeu 10
do so by the enemy. The rebels have Just
fired few shots, but no response has been
made.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF Potomac,
November 22-Evening.
Nothing of particular interest has trans
pired. Owing to some misunderstanding, a
train leaving fredericksburg with women and
children on board was fired into, but fortu-
nately no one Of them was hurt.
The citizens of Fredericksburg are fast leav-
ing the place.