Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1862-08-09
TIE staasaro.. !
President nari., order.

President Davis Order
The following letter and general ordeF plainly anu
unequivocally assure our people within the enemy
lines that President Davis is desermineu " 'n'"N
the brutal and bafbarous manner IN WHICH Inc "Ai
is being conducted by lincoln The government
has been, very properly, slow to retaate upon our
vanton and ruthless enemy, but though late the re-
taliaton it will be terrible, and We trust effective IN
bringing Lincoln to his senses: .... F@st !.
IRON THE PRESIDENT TO GEN. LEE
RICHMOND, Va, July 81, 1862.
SIR. On the 22d of this month Cartel tor gen.
eral exchange of prisoners Of war was signed De-
Confederate States, and Major General John A. Dix,
in behalf of the United States -tf.
By the terms of that Cartel it is stipulated that
all prisoners of hereafter taken shall be dis
charged on parole till exchanged.
Scarcely had that Cartel been signed when the
military authorities of the United States commenced
a practice changing the character of the war from
such as becomes civilized nations into campaign OF
indiscrimiRate robbery and murder.
The general order issued by the Secretary of War
of the United States, in the city of Washington, on
the very day that the Cartel was signed in Virginia,
directs the Military Commanders Of the United
States to take the private property of our people for
the convenience and use of their armies without
compensation.
The general order issued by Major General Pope
on the 23d of july the day after the signing of the
Cartel directs the murder of our peaceful nhabi-
tants as spies found quietly tilling the farms in
bis rear epen outside of his lines and one Of his
Brigadier Generals Steinwehr, has seized upon in
nocent and peaceful inhabitants TO be held as hos
tages to the end that they may be murdered in cold
blood if any of his soldiers are killed by some
unknown persons whom he designates as bush
whackerS."
Under this state of facts this Government has is
sued the enclosed general order recognizing General
Pope and his commissioned officers to be in the posi-
ton which they have chosen for themselves that of
robbers and of murderers, and not that of public
enemies entitled, if captured, to be considered as
prisoners Of war.
We find ourselves driven by our enemies by steady
progress towards a practice which We abhor aud
which we are vainly struggling to avoid. Some of
the military authorities OF the United States seem
to suppose that better will attend savage
war in which no quarter is to be given and no age
or sex to be spared than has hitherto been secured
by such hosttes are alone recognized to be
lawful by civilized man in modern times
For the present, We renouncc our right OF retalia
ton on the innocent and shall continue to treat the
private enlisted soldiers OF General Pope's army
prisoners of war; but it, after notice to the Govern
mcnt at Washington of our confirming repressive
measures to the punishment only of commissioned
Ocurs who are willing participants in these crimes
these savage practices are continued we shall re-
the war on the terms chosen by our foes until the
outraged voice of common humanity forces
respect for the recognized rules of war
While these facts would justify our refusal to
execute the generous Cartel by which we have
scented to iberate of thousands of prisoners
held by US beyond the number held by the enemy,
asacred regard to plighted faith shrinking from the
mere sembance of breaking promise, prevents our
resort to this extremity Nor do we desire to extend
to any other forces of the enemy the punishment
merited alone by General Pope and such commits
stoned officers choose to participate in tho
ton of his infamous orders.
You are therefore instructed to communicate to
the Commander-in- Chief of the armies of the United
States the contents Of this letter and copy of the
enclosed general ORDER to the end that he may be
notified of our intention not consider any officers
hereafter captured from General Popc's army as
prisoners of war.
Very respectfully, yours, etc,
(Signed) JEFFERSON DAVIS.
Gen. K Z. LEE, Commanding, etc