, 1862-05-08

The following letter from Dom Piatt, Aid
to Gen. r. c. Schenck, commanding brigade
in active service in West Virginia, in answer
to shareholders demand that two boys be
surrendered to him, will commend itself to
general appreciation
uEADQuAnrEEs, ScHE17cK's BRIGADE,
MOUNTAIN DEPARTMENT, CAN'T F. Lea
April a6, 1852.
SIn: am Instructed by Gen. Schenck to re-
ply to your letter Of the 18th inst, in which
you state that two boys, servants (meaning
blacks-slaEcs) hare been employed BY officers
Of the 5th Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infau-
try, belonging to the brigade that the boys
desire to return to you; and that you request
the General to take measures for having them
restored or sent back
Tic General has sent for the boys, found
them, examined and carefully. inteIrogated
them himself, and asceftajns, from their ae~
count OF themselves, that they left on their
own accord, and prefer remaining where they
are. &c will not therefore interfere between
you and them.
By your own admission these boys are not
claimed by you as property Of your oSn, but
arc represented as belonging TO your son,
Jpmes Armstrong, wAo, some time since, for
reaeons connected with his relation to the
present disturbed condition Of our country,
abandoned bis farm or household, leaving Ills
servants behind him. II he had remaiDed at
home, as true and loyal citizen. it is not
probable that they would have followed his
example, or sought place or employment else
WHERE. But this fact docs not materially af-
feet tho question. The decision Of the Cen
cra1 would have been the same If the boys
we're clained SIS your own slaves.
You arr aware, 1t seems, Of the existence
Of . law, recently passed b. Congress, pro
TO their masters fugitives from service. This
law you must expect him to obey under his
sense Of duty IS an officer: and he will obey
it chcerfu1Iy, because it comnends itself to
his judgment and conscience as necessary
ard wholesome enactment It is neither
reasonable to expect our armies, nor, III fact,
possible for them, to carry along on the march
the propcr civil agents aud process to enforce
the statutory provisions ID relation to fugi
tivcs Our military forces kave all their time
and attention more appropriately occupied il
the suppression of q causeless and Infamous
rebellion, Instituted and sustained generally
by the very men who, while they thus inter
rupt the due enforcement and execution 0
tie law By the regularly constituted tribu
pals and ministers, arc clamorous TOR hell
for their peculiar species Of property Whicl
can hare little possible protection outside o
the Constitution and Union which they ar
treacherouE1y seeking to overthrow.
The General commanding this brigade will
| therefore, SIS has been stated to you, not in
te1fere with the military force st his command
| between the claimant and the fugitive slare
| Re will neither allow the one class or the 9th
er as loafers about his camps. Bit If eithe
Of them, coming voluntarily within his lines
can be properly employed, within the scop
| Of military restrictions and ugages, as guides
servants, laborers, or in any other aVallab1
capacity, he will not hesitate to so engag
them or permit them to be engaged. he ri
punish any officer or private soldier Of hi
command who 1uay be caught either enticin
CT forcing slave to leaTe his loyal master
but he viii not lend his soldiers to be estal
lishcd as guards to prevent the escape Of fug
tires from bondage seeking their liberty.
In his camps, too, he is determined ther
shall be no disturbances occasioned BY tn
peculiar relation and the claims to which
gives rise. If the master and the runaway,
case the latter be found at any time within OF
lines, can quietly agree, to their mutual satl
faction, that the old relation between thel
shall be restored, the General shall not perm
Interference to prevent such amicable adjus
ment of the question. But he shall not a1lo
force to be used either By the master to reclal
lis power, or by the officers and soldiers
| resist the demand Such conduct be Wou
. punish, on either side, a6 he would any 9th
| scene Of disorder subFeTsiye Of military ru
aud good discipline.
By order Of Brigadier-Gener1 Schcnck.
Very respectfully yours,
fl DoNS P1ATr, A. 4. G.
. | Hon, Wm Armstrong New Greek VI