Daily union appeal. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-186?, 1862-08-20


I4th, but supposing from its Endorsement that
it required no further reply, it was fled with
out being shown TO the President or Secretary
Of War.
/ learn to-day, for the first time, that such
letter had been received, and hasten to reply.
No authentic information has been received
in relation TO the execution of either John
Oven or Mumford, but measures will be i'm
mediately taken to ascertain the facts Of these
alleged executions, Of which you viii be duly
informed
I need hardly assure you, General, that, so
far as the United States authorities are con-
cerned, this contest will be carried on in
strict accordance with the laws and usages of
modern warfare, and that aIl exeesses will be
duly punished. In regard to the burning of
bridges, etc, within our lines, by persons in
disguise as peaceful citizens, / refer you 10 my
letter of the 22d of January last to Gen. Price.
think you will find the views there expressed
as not materially differing from those stated in
your letter In regard to retaliation by taking
the lives of innocent persens, l know of no
modern authority which justifes it, except ia
the extreme case of war with any uncivil-
ized foe who has himself first established such
a barharous rule. The United States viii
never countenance such proceeding, unless
forced to do so by the barbarous conduct of an
q
citizens.
Very respectfully, your obedieut servant
81. w. HALLKCK,
General-in-Chief U. S. Army.
General Lee 10 General nHiIeek.
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE C. ST.
NEAR RICHMOND, Va, Aug. ., 1862.
To the General Commanding the z. s 4rmy,
Washington:
GESERAL: In obedience to the order of his
Excellency the President of the Confederate
States have the honor to make you the fol-
lowing communication:
On the I'D of July last a cartel for gener-
al exchange of prisoners was signed by Major
General Johu A. Dix on behalf of the United
States, and by Major General ID. II. Hill on
the part of this government. By the terms OF
that cartel it stipulated that all prisoners of
war heretofore taken shall be discharged on
parole until exchanged. Scarcely had the
| cartel been signed when the military authori.
ties of the United States commegced prac.
tice changing the character of the war from
such as becomes civilized nations into cam
paign of indiscriminate robbery and murder
A geNa AsGeu W lie secretary Vi
.se>l lossases, i. 80 Cst cf 7, IA
| ington, on the very day that the cartel wa!
| signed in Virginia, directs the military com.
erty of our people for the convenience and use
| of the army without compensation.
| A general order issued by Major Genera
Pope, on the 23d of July last, the day after tn,
cartel, directs the murder of our peaceful cit
| liens as spies, if found quietly tilling thei
| farms in his rear, even outside of his lines
And one Of bis Brigadier Generals, Stein
| wehr, has seized innocent and peaceful inhab
itants to be held as hostages, TO the end tha
they may be murdered in cold blood if any o
his soldiers are killed by some unknown per
sons, whom he designates as "bushwhackers.
Some OF the military authorities seem to sup
pose that their end will be better attained b,
a savage war, in which no quarter is to be Civ
en- and no age or sex is to be spared, than b,
such hostilities as are alone recognized to b
lawful in modern times. We find ourselve
driven by our enemies b. steady progress to
ward practice which we sbhor, and whic
we are vainly struggling to avoid.
Under these circumstances this governmen
has issued the accompanying general ordel
which / am directed by the President t
transmit to you, recognizing Major Geners
Pope and his commissioned officers to be i
the position which they have chosen for them
selves-thst of robbers and murderers, an
not that of public enemies, entitled, if car
tured, to be treated as prisoners Of war. Th
IItsluSnL disO insbIuctS me 10 INFORM you L1S
we renounce our right of retaliation on IL
3 innocent, and will continue to treat the privat
enlisted soldiers of Gen. Popes army prise
3 Hers Of war; but if, after notice To your go'
. ernment that We confne repressive measur
T to the punishment of commissioned Office
7 who are willing participants in these crime
. the savage practices threatened in the ord,
l alluded TO be persisted in, we shall reluctant
r be forced to the last resort of accepting Il
war on the terms chosen by our enemies unit
i the voice of an outraged humanity shall cor
e pei respect for the recognized usages
warfare.
: While Mr.. Davis considers that the facts +
= ferred to would justify refusal on our part
. execute the cartel by which we have agreed
s liberate an excess Of prisoners of war in O
5 hands, sacred regard for plighted fait
8 which shrinks from the semblance of breakir
+ a promise, precludes q resort to such an e
: tremity, nor is it his desire to extend TO a.
forces of the United States the punishme
= merited by Gen. Pope and such commission
: officers as choose to participate in the exec
= tion of his Infamous order.
r l have the honor to be, very respectfully,
: Your obedient servant,
: | fSgned1 r e LEE