Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-01-22
Military Governor, &c.
Gsu. French's Eepiy.


WELDON, NORTH CAROLINA, /
January 6th 1868.
Moj0r General j. g. Foster, u. S. f., commanding
18Th Army Corps, New6efn, North Ca,otino
GENERAL 1 have the honor TO acknowledge the
receipt of your communication of the 3lst ultio and
copy OF letter addressed to you by Edward Stanley
who signs himself Military Governor of No-th Caro-
lima
In relation to prisoners of war who have been pa
rolled, say, to my kuOwed have they been
nor have ever heard of their being employed in the
performance of any duty for the Government AS my
Government has so faithfully respected the parole of
prisoners, am the more astonshed that you should
have brought merely hearsay that came to the
of editor of the Raleigh Standard, to my no.
tce, when order issued from the War Depart
ment OF the United States, requiring, remember
paroed prisoners to instruct recruits garrison orrcsses
in the of the army, and guard prisoners.
While our press, as the extract you send me shows
would denounce such violation Of parole of honor,
have seen yours teeming with the demand that the
prisoners that we had captured and parol- should be
sent to Minnesota to repe the Indians there ct
with your people
You asked me to answer whether the acts COM
planned of by Governor Stanley have my sanction amt
whether he desires to know the negroes mentioned
will be returned to their master" His allegation is
that our forces recently invaded the county Of Wash
ngtOn and among other depredations committed upon
innocent citizens they seized and carried away against
the consent of the owner, large number of slaves
that " from the house of MIR. NJ. Bowen took away
several of his negroes who bad been faithful to him.
and whom he protected and humaneV supported " that
this outrage has the defence attempted for the At
rican slave trade - that it has brought uncivizad
beings under the influence of christianity and civizA
ton that this robbery takes civilized beings from
their families and homes it deprves kind master of
his property, and Furnishes slaves for their fidelity to
him.. 1t is true that forces did invade the county
of Washington, and the officer in command did report
to me that he brought out with him some negroes.
Mr. Stanley is representative of the United States
| tolyo
thority and if it be the determination of your govern
ment to deliver up to their the hundred thou
sand slaves you have stolen from their kind and hu-
name masters" | am sure my government will imme-
diately this one little act CT robbery to be
dcountenanced and the negroes be restored,
and thus return to their kind their property "
and to this end will transmit to the proper auhori-
ties your communication and Mr.. Stauley's letter.
AS it Ia an acknowledged principle among christian
nations to respect private property 10 lands
my government will hail this evidence that here
after yours will TO deprive peaceful citizens OF
their private property.
of civilized beings from their families and homes and
ldeprVing of their property and would 1t
the only robbery of the kind that has occurred but
many have been committed by the forces Of the United
States, that it is regarded a legitimate and pro-
per, fit and necessary war measure" by youc govern
ment.
Mr. Stanley says the voice Of civil authority out
side your lines has longer any potency" lou may
rest assured VIII 90 al II ny power 70 Lave t0se
negroes delivered up to thOsr to whnm t1eir srVce'
nay be DUE" and will, in every way sc5urt'n noe
and forbid negro stealing and in tbs | n sure Tx
" good people of North Carolina viii justify" me.
do not think the town OF Plymouth baroarOus
y and wilfully burned but reported to house
was fred in which your troops made stand and from
which they fired soldiers Such thin will hap
pen in and often for excuse except the spirit OF
destruction, the banks Of the Mississippi
Potomac, Roanoke, Rappahannock and james rivers
where cities, towns and private residences, rule
have been burned battered down by your land anc
naval forces.
l regret very much that in this street fight woman
was killed. 1t was first brought to my knowledge by
letter which received from you, and it should be
GREETED that accidents of the kind occurred from
the batteries of Gen. Burnside, when they opened or
the city of Fredericksburg.
Surgeon Hunt riding with a party Of soldiers
when he was killed, and in the official report to me- b.
was called and believed to be lieutenant in charge
a scouting party.
will at once, General, write to the Captain of the
company to which the ckng force belonged, anC
do all in my power to find the Watch, and if sue
cessu, will send it to you, that you may place it in the
hands of bis relations
am General, very respectfully,
\ our ohaSt servant,
Signed 5. g. FRENCH
81 Eep5 fO,ol1r