Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1862-05-16
v DESPAIRIRG Wall /
The Authenticity Of Jefs
Circular Denied
THE IMPEHDIHGWEST'N BATTLES
Reported Death Of General
Bragg!
FEDERAL RAMS SENT FOR /!
Last Nights Rspert
IRFR. DAYIs,s OIRCULAR.

CHICAGO, May Is.
Special from Cairo to the Tribune
The subjoined circular from JET. Davis eZ-
plains itself:
Private and confidential1
CAPITAL Q. s. A, RICHMOND, April 1e, 1861
Sir 1t can no longer be denied that the pros
poets of success for the Southern Confederaey are
gloomy and forbidding. On every hand, whether
through lack Of skill or the open treachery Of
Officers Of our army and navy, 1t matters not,
we meet with disasters and defeat With CON
ttnuance Of such results ere three months shall
pass away our boosted ConfederacY will exist
only In hissoFy. The past shows that We need
larger displays Of patriotism military skill, per
sonal bravery, and firm spirit of devotion 70 the
Just cause In which We have enlisted. Unless
these requisites develop themselves soon to
fitting extent, we fight In vain. Unless we have
more clear indications that the great heart of
the people is with US, our efforts will
be futile. The Government is impqtient
to retrieve disasters that have befaeD and that
OF stare us in the face hand unless the peO
pie rally to its assistance. Mcclellan IL already
ing on the Potomac; Hal 'eck's operations in the
southwest are a. every step successful against u.s.
The Federal army and navy are already menaclng
the metropolis Of the South and West and the key to
our granerias Florida Is overrun by Northern in
VEdCrs, while wherever We look We gaze on an ad-
Vsncing army.
In this trying emergency the Government appeals
10 the people, To the brave hearts aud sturdy wills Of
the South, Il cries awake cur hands have been
put to the ploW, viii you now look back and repent
your act IOu nave BEfuck out n0DlY lOf luu6-
psndence, pedginE your lives and fortunes to It's pro-
curement will you submit quietly to the invasion
and desoation Of your homes and the destruction or
confscation Of your property, aud the abandonment
Of your cherished institutionsi
Arise and convince the world that the boosted
chivalry of the South Is more than traditi0nary
myth. This appeal is made to the country, not
openly, for obvious reasons. We make the ap.
peal to the people through the Governors OF
the States comprising the COnfederacy, aud the
officers in command of our armies. Through
these mediums this Circular Is sent, with the ur
gent request that its spirit and intent If not Its
letter, be conveyed to every citizen Of our strug-
Cling republic First of all we ask for material
ald IN money, or such equivalent therefor as will
enable US to maintain our army. Clothing ana
provisions will be acceptable as substitutes for
money, When the latter cannet be obtained. Sec
cud. we need men. The ranks Of our army IN
the field are constantly being thinned BY casual
ties OF battle, the sickness incident to camp life
and the expiration of enlistmenls. We cannot
cose our ewes to the fact that their places not
dlled so promptly as they should be. Let Us see
the devotion of the country TO our cause by their
willingness TO fight Its battles, and Il need be
pour 0uttheir blood In ITS support Inirui We
need the eneoura cement of the people by more
liberal displays of patriotism than have yet been
made The tame submission yielded TO the IN
Vader wherever he appears, is In striking contrast
to the boast we have hitherto heard of the readi
ness that prevailed on every hand 70 welcome tne
hirelings with bonfires composed of the owelllnRs
and property of the people. It our lana L 70 De
leave our conduerors a smouidering waste to re-
ward them for their toll and pains. Burn every
hamlet, village and city Give the torch freely
to your cotton and houses. Let the produot oi
your lives be laid waste Fly yourselves before
The invaders where resistance shall no longer
aVSu. and thus display determination and spirit
IN the Suuse for which we are enlisted tnat viii
give ne a7<eonragement to continue the strug ggle.
TVbarevs- ~ = enemy achieve victory let It be
bootless one % so tbsk their bands, now led on oy
the hope Of piundei be disappointed and diseoeF
aged, and we shall be - ~ 49,, ~ 'NS
tons Of devotion and patti l"distl', - .oeg
Once more we expect yeu to a s,9i s.lt ~, tIs
the lsthargy that hangs over you. stlAs ioS ~
freedom Of yourselves, your families ano ~ ~ -.
Strike promptly and boldly and cur Confsdsl .iy
yet be firmly established. This is our last and N-
recourse Those who receive this circular will also
be commissioned Gs agents Of the Government to &C.
vance the purposes indicated. Full letters Of In
fSIQped,l JEFFERSON DAVIS,
Prss't. @. 8. A.