Washington telegraph., 1863-12-16


d.rstand the true alternative presented to his
choice. that We cannot avoid impressinE it
upon them again and again. Il is grievous
treachery they would practice upon you. They
come with bought up tools to impose upon you
with false promises, which they never mean to
fulfil They speak Of protecting loyal citizens,
enabling them to remain at home in peace,
restoring the laws of the nion, and bringing
back to them the bles sings they have lost.
They lie!
why do they not do so in TENNESSEE They
promised it there as earnestly as they now
hold forth the bait to gudgeons in Arkansas.
They now have Tennessee. Why do they not
restore her to the Union? 1t is because they
think of Tennesseans as subjects ani slaves Of
their rule, and mean to hold them such,
,rhether Union rebels.
They are now disarmed and powerless.
Wheedling has accomplished all its ends. and
now the lever is applied, and the screw comes
down with its terrible force. Read the follcw-
ing General Order:
aGeneral Order No l59, Headquarters 18th
Army Corps, Memphis, Tenn, Nov. 1ith, 1862,
says:
1.-The people in the district Of West Tenncs-
see and North Mississippi having shown no
disposition and made attempt to protect
themselves from marauders and guerrilla bands,
and combined in many instances with known
enemies of the United States, to procure from
corrupt traders in Memphis and elsewhere,
supplies for the public enemy, have proved
themselves unworthy of the indulgence Shown
them by the government. IL is therefore or
dered that the lines Of pickets around the
several military posts of this command, in Ten
nessee and Mississippi, be closed, and no goods
10 oil 70 no
any thing to be brought in, except food and
provisions by any citizen without a written
order Of some General oifcer-cach of which
permits and the reasons for granting the same.
will be reported to these head quarters, for
which each officer granting will be held respon-
sble. All merchants and others doing busi-
ness will be held responsible for the knowledge
Of the residence of parties to whom they sell
The sale Of merchandise to persons beyond the
line Of picke,s will be punished with the high
est rigor known to the laws Of war. All per-
sons residing under the protection Of the Unit
ed States, and physically capable Of perform
ing military duty. liable TO perform the
same under martial law, and particularly in
the city of Memphis. where it is known many
have fled to escape the liability of military SER
vice at home. This rule will be strictly ap-
piled.
s'In pursuance therefore, Of orders to this
effect from Maj-Gen. W. r. Sherman, COM
manding the army and department of the Ten
nessee, all officers commanding districts, divi-
sons and detached brigades Of this corp. will
Immediately proceed 20 impress into service Of
the United States such able-boded persons as
are liable to military duty rs may be required
to All up :hc existing regiments and batte les
to their ma mnximum.
These persons levied upon, IL they enlist for
three years or the war, will be entitled 10 full
benefits provided by the act. Of Congress. IL
not, they will receive clothing and rat ons.
and be borne st the foot Of each company roll
with remarks stating their time Of service, snd
the advancements male by the Government in
clothing. The question Of pay or other com
pensations will he settled by proper nuttori
tiss hereafter. They will he discharged when
no further military necessity appears for their
enforced service. The senior surgeons ard
inspectors present will constitute board Of
inspection on the physical character Of recruit :.
by order Of
Mai. Gen. 8. A HURLDUT.
"(Signed) THos. ii. HAREis, A. a. q.
We have lately seen letter written by Col
Robert A. Aston, from Decatur, Ga, to the
Hon. A g. Magrath, after the release OF Col.
Aston from prison. He was one of Morgan :
officers taken in Kentucky, who, for some Pc
culiar reason applicable to his case, was car
ried to Cincinnati, and whilst there had many
opportunities Of conversing with leading Fede-
rails. Speaking Of the tone Of sentiment there
Of the dominant party, and the utter impo-
tency of the democrats, he says:
''You see here IS the danger-al the weak
kneed leaders will either be bought up or
driven by fear into the support Of the Govern
ment. The Republicans are perfectly united,
not only in their vindictive hatred of the
South, but also in the vigorous prosecution Of
war, but earnestly believe that their entire
confidence in their ability to conquer us, and
what must inevitably be the final result, are
eq ial, if not greater than our hopes Of resist
a--e. There is hut one sentiment expressed
by il with whom l have ever conversed, and
tina: determination Of the leaders and utter
subj cation Of the masses They have neither
hope CT desire for reconstruction, and would
not listen to proposals Of peace on any terms
short of the most abject submission.
They say, cd d-n you, we intend to
conquer you we intend to garrison every town
in the South with your own negroes we in
tend to subvert your whole social system, and
people your territory with an entirely new race
Of men. The conquest shall be as complete
that Of the Normans over the Saxons, and those
of you who will not assimilate shall perish"
This is true, and corroborated by accounts
from all quarters high and low, official and un-
official
We contend only for the right Of self-gov-
ernment. a right always sacred to the hearts Of
freemen. For this claim we are to be conquer
ed and humiliated.
Iii bsk>