Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-08-04
IMPORTANT OFFICIAL COBRK-
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HEADQUARTERS FIRST DISTRICT, DEPARTMENT
/ EAST LOUISIANA AND MISSISSIPPI,
TANGRAH0A, La, July 10, 1862
To Maior-G General Butler Commanding United State
Forces New Orleans, La
GENERAL; l have received petitions IRON
officers of the lst regiment Louisiana partisan
rangers, touching the case OF Henry Castle, Jr.
a private of Company H, Of that regiment, an(
also an application respecting Tho Z. Penning
! ton, private of Capt. Wilson Iate's company
of the same regiment, and deem 1t expedlen
to request your ca ly consideration OF the sub
ject.
1t sppears that Private Castle was captured
/ by detachment of Federal troops in the vicin
! ty of Baton Rouge, on or about the seventh
/ (7thl of The present month, and private Pen
| nipcton on or about the 2S h day of June, that
/ they we're taken to New Orleans and are now
held either there or at one of the forts in the VI
emily in close confinement, with the threat that
they are to be tried and executed as members oi
military organization not sanctioned by the
laws of civilized warfare.
1t Is to be observed that the first great law OF
nature, the right of self-defense, is inherent in
communities as well as individuals. No law
condemns the individual who slays the robber
or the assassin; and no just law can condemn a
community for using all its power to resist the
invaders and drive him from their soil.
The exercise of this right, so universally re-
cognjzsd, becomes an imperative duty when the
invader, as has been the case with the Federal
5s IA this district, disTegards these rules of
warfare recognized and pected by all civilized
nations, and adopts that code which has hereto
fore been confined to the rudest savages.
The proof Of this, is unfortunately too abun-
dant in the vicinity of Baton Rouge. 1t is at
tested by helpless women and children flying
from their burning homes; by the desolatiou OF
plantations, by the plunder of private property,
and the wsnton destruction of growing crops.
Such acts are crimes against humanity, and JUS
tify all men in taking up arms against their per-
petrstoTs.
The independence Of nations has rarely been
achieved BY regular armies. Oar own Revolu-
ton, that Revolution " hich successfully estab-
hshed the great principle for which the Conied-
crate States are now c0ntendins, that "all gov
ernments derive their Just powers from the con-
sent Of the governed" was mainly fought out
By men who left the plow at the news of the
e1emy's approach, and returned to it when he
had been driven back 1t may be conceded
thst in Europe, where the governments main
ly rely upon large standing armies, which
are, as much as possible, disconnected with
the people; and where the policy is to pre-
vent the people from bearing sims under
almost any circumstances, some very absurd re-
6nemeuts on this subject have been asserted,
trines have never been recognized on this con
tinent-the United States especially have al
ways Tepadiated them.
The vanous revolutions which have agitatad
the Central and South American States, have
been conducted by tie people frequently without
and without leaders other than
those chosen upon the spur of the occasion, to
direct q single enterprise. Aud to Tecur to the
revolution Of eur fOrefatheTs the history Of that
immortal struggle ab0unds with instances where !
the hardy yeOmen, as at Lexington and Bunker
Hill, were ike the clansmen of ROderick Dhu, !
called by concerted signal to some Lanerick /
Mead and then selected their officers upon the /.
very field of battle. But whatever difference of
opinion may exist on this point, II has never /
been claimed even by the most stringent adyO- /
cate of legitimacy, that one belligerent has any |
tight TO complain of the name OF form which |
he other may choose TO give to its military or
The right to sdapt these 10 the
peculiar service required, has been universally
conceded; so far indeed has this practice been
.auied in naval warfare that prvateersneh, the
militia OF the seas, with charters as bread as
he OCEANS bounds, ere recognized as legitimate
morg bOlligerents. And now, indeed, the ex-
TaorCiusTF spectacle Is presented TO the con
empiatiOu OF civilized man, IN this bossted nine
eeuth century, OF the Christ an world, Of 2
IauOn claiming to be civilized, in violation Of
Is constitutional obligations iDaugura'ing, de-
beJaely, seTvi.e war by stimulating the half
iviUzad Afl lean to raise his hand against his
master and beuefactor, and thus make war upon
he A. g'o-Ssxon Tace-war on human nature
This, wIsh the Federal government, is legitimate
7ailarei buE the defense of their fresides by
he7n citizens is treason and murder. In
military organizations the Polish lancers, the
french zOusves and British co ps Of scouts aud
,uides in the late East Indian war, are cases in
,olnt The Confederate States claim and have
xeTCised this uudoUbt-d right. The formation
f companies, battalions and regiments Of par
isan rangers has been specially authorized by
q act Of Congress The officers Of this corps
re commissioned; the men are regularly mus
cred into service, receive pay, rations and
quipments from the government, and are enti-
led to the same privileges and governed by the
anne regulations as all other troops in the Con-
ederate service It is not perceived, therefore,
What prstext can be offered by the enemy for
ubjectiug the membess Of this corps to a differ
Mt treatment from that extended 10 other pris-
ners of war, certainly no such distinction can
e recognized or tolerated by US. The govern
1ent having called these men into service is
ound by every obligation of good faith to pro-
sct them TO the extent of its power. And If
)und necessary for their protection, as well as
Or that Of numerous u armed citizens who have
cen subjected to OuGages unparalleled in civ {
lied warfare, VIII not hesitate feel cOnstrain-
to declare, to resort to retaliation, even to the
Ktent sanctioned by the Jewish law" an eye
u an eye, a tooth for tooth, and life for life"
/ await an answer containing an explicit de-
aTation OF the Intentions Of the United States I
o7ernment respecting these prisoners.
Very respectfully,
Your obedieut servant,
RUGGLES, Brig-Gen. Com.
HEADQUARs DEPARTMENT or THE GULF, !