Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-06-25
RUTLrD6x.

GEs LovELL's PRoTIsT AGAINST THK ExrcuTIos OF
OowARDLT YASKTE THREAT The following cowmupica.
tou from Arjor General Lowell was transmitted to the
feet below Yicksburg under Alg Of truce:
U. 8 sTEANTR WISoxA,
OF Rodney, June 5 b, 1852
T. the Auhoritis Of the Twa Of Rcdnty:
You are doubtless aware that the town Of Grand Cuff
was fred upon short time stree by Of the vessels
of the United States Government as puni.hment Tor
permitting battery to fire upon some OF our transport
ste lmers while passing down.
deem il my duty % inform you that should any bat
terry or artillery fire upon sny OF vessels while pass
irg up or down from or near the town of Rodney the
punishment for the cuce will be visited upon the town.
We ace not hear TO upon uDarmed or peacea6e per
sons and we would deprecate any event compelling Us
to FIRE upon the properly of iuofsnsive people.
Very respectfully,
Your obt ser'vt,
[Sguedl Ed T NICHOLS,
Lieut. Comdg, and Ssuicr Officer Present.
CnSTKDERArE STATS CT AMERICA
Headquarters Department No.
JACKSON, Mss June s!h, 1862.
Commanding Officer L. s Navy,
Mississippi River below Vicksburg:
sIR-I have the honor 10 encltsl a copy OF letter
received BY the Mayor of Rodney, notifying him in sub
SARGE AZ If tie els OF TIE United States Navy are
fred upon by troops from near the town. venge
aucs VIII be taken upon the aud children, or,
the writer is pleased to term it, punishment for the of
fence viii ba visited upon the town" sad ths, too, while
declaring tina; "6e not here 10 war upon uDarmed
and pesc1able persons"
When two nations at war, it has been Customary
among ci,iZ PEOPLE 40 pcnish the oGsnce" 81 an
tack by tic armed forces Of once upon those of the 9th
or, BY a combat with the attacking party.
II such attack be made from town the as,sultipg
party s not eLtuei tc and far troops
cerned does no. claim any immuGity by reasOn Of the
presence Of women aud children what do ella N,
however, aJd insist upon that Shenever your vessels
transports fred into by our troops they shall not
hasten the nearest collection Of "unAmed aud peace
ab,n women an children and Hrelk their vengeance
upon them done lately st Grand Gul! by the j..
ted States vessels in retaliation tor attack with which
the town had nothing more 70 do than had the city Of
8. Louis.
Nv batteries are located at such points upon the river
deemed best suited fer the desired purposes and
without reference TO connection with the people OF
the toEDs Should the site happen 10 fall within vii
hge, you Of course at liberty to the fee;
should be in the vicinity Of one however, the u.sges
OF civilized warfare do pot JUSTLY its destruction unless
demanded By the necessities Of attack or defence.
| canDot bring myself to believe tta the barbarous
ard cowardy policy indicated In the enclosed letter will
meet with the approval CT any officer Of rank standing
in the Ulited States Navy have therefore thought
proper transmit you under flag Of truce, with the
confident expectation thai you will direct these under
your command, TO confne their offensive operations
far as possbls troops and forbid the des-
t-ucoa Of defencess towns filed with fer ding
cowbatants unless required BY imperious military
cessity.
The practice Of slayiug and children act
Of retaliation has, happily fallen into disuse in this
country with the disappearance Of the dan trbss and
trus: Il will not be revived by the officers Of the Ua
ted States Nsvy but that the demolition aud punder Of
the uncf.ndi little village Of Grand Calf may be per-
milted to alone and without parallel upon the re-
cord.
am, cir, very respectfully,
Your obsdient servant,
NJ LOWELL,