The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1862-04-25

the military authority. The intention of
those who voted for that article was, not
to abridge any mans rights, but 70 leave
every one to his legal remedies as though
no war existed.
How is this new article Of war enforced
II has been promulgated 70 the army it ID
true. 1t may not be openly and avowed-
ly violated. Soldiers may not hereafter
be required to actually perform the humil-
iating office of fastening manacles upon
the limbs Of persons said to be slaves, nor
to escort them to the residences Of their
masters; but the experience Of the last
few days has taught us that, notvi.h-
standing the new article Of war, eur milf
tary officers suffer their camps TO be inya-
ded by armed detachments Of slave hunt
ers, without the support Of any process
Of law, who there attempt to shoot, ruin,
and kill with impunity those whom they
claim to be slaves, while our soldiers are
required TO stand indifferentIy by and wit
ness the inhuman work. There seems to
be purpose in some quarters to do by in
direction what cannot be done directly.
The object being TO serve shareholders,
whether loyal or rebel, (and they are gen.
orally rebels, there seems TO be dispo-
sition on the part of some officers to travel
around a law which they dare not break
through. Unable any longer to compel
the soldiers to engage in the search, cap
ture, and rendition of slaves, they now
authorize slave-hunters, armed with pis-
tolls and military orders. to traverse their
camps in search of their prey, and, by
threat Of military punishment, attempt to
compel the soldiers to remain quiescent
witnesses of the atrocities that may be
committed. There b no Controversy
about the fact, the evidence ID cverwhelm-
ing and is to be found on every hand -
Only last week, General Joseph Hooker, 1
native of Massachusetts, 10 command Of
q division Of our army, issued m order,
Of which the following il . copy
fHsADerAsssas Hoox rs's Dlyis.os, @ AR BArsa.,
LovEn foIoAAe, March 70, i6s9.
To Brigade and Regimental Command.
ers Of this Dtrts,oa
Messrs. Nally, Gray, Dnmmington.
Dent, Adams. Speake, Price, Posey, and
Cobey, citizens OF Maryla have negroes
supposed 70 be With some Of the regiments
Of this division: the Brigadier General
commanding directs that they be permit
ted to visit oil the camps Of his command,
in search of their property, and if found.
that they be allowed to take possession of
the same, without any interference what
ever. Should any obstacle be thrown in
their way by any officer or soldier in the
division, they will be at once reported By
the regimental commanders to these
headquarters.
JosEpH DICKINSON,
Asst Adjutsnt Gen.
1t will be observed that this order au.
thorizes nine persons, citizens of Mary
land, to visit the camps of Hooker's di-
vision, without any judicial or other pro-
cess other than this military order, and
there search for slaves "without any in-
reference whatever,' and "should Any
obstacle be thrown in their way, by any
officer or soldier in the division" they
are threatened with an instant report to
headquarters and consequent court-mar-
tial and punishment. The appearance
and conduct Of this band of marsuders
produced precisely the result that might
have been anticipated. In describing it,
/ use the language Of the officer in COM
msnd of one of the regimental camps
which they visited and attempted to
search: ~
HEADarAarrns BEcoEs RsefnExr.l
kxrxLsioA BHIsApE, CAHr HALL, Aarch g.
LIEuTEsA1T In compliance with YER
bal directions from Bngadier General ID.
E. Sickles, to report as TO the occurrence
It this camp on the afternoon Of the 26th
instant, beg leave to submit the follow
ing:
At about $50 O'Clock p. m, March &c,
1862, admission within our lines was de-
manded BY party of fhorssmen (ciYiians),
numbering. perhaps fifteen. They pro-
sented the lieutenant commanding the
guard with an order of entrance from,
Bngadier General Joseph Hooker, COM
division (copy appendej). the
order stating that nins men should be ad-
mitted. / ordered that the balance Of the
party should remain without the lines,
which was done. Upon the appearance
Of the others, there was visible dissatisfac-
tion and considerable nurmuring among
the soldiers, to 20 great an extent that |
almost feared for the safety Of the slave
owners. At this time General Sickles
arrived. and instructed me TO
order them outside the camp, which / did,
amid the loud cheers Of our soldiers. It
y proper 70 add, that before entering our
lines, and within about seventy-6ve or :
hundred yards Of our camp, one Of their
number discharged two pistol shots at
negro, who WAS rnnning past them, With
Hn evident Intention. Of taking his life
This justly enraged ous men.
All Of which i respectfully submitted.
Your obedient servant, .,.s.