American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1863-01-09
VOL. XIII.
PROCLAMATION By THE PRESIDENT.

WHEREAS, a communication was addressed
on the 9th day of July last, flse2,) by Gen.
Robert +. Lee, acting under the instructions
of the Secretary of War of the Confederate
States of Aaerica, to Gen. II w Haileck
chief of the United States army
Informing the latter that a report had reach
ed this government that VIM q Mninford a
citizen of the Confederate States, had been
executed by the United States authorities at
New Orleans. for having pulled down the
United States flag in that city before its oc-
eupation by the forces of the United States,
aud calling for statement of the facts, with
a view to retaliation, if any such an outrage
had really been committed under sanction of
the authorities of the United States.
And whereas, (no answer having been re-
eeiged TO said letter, another letter was, on
the 2d Of August last, (18e2.) addressed by
Gen. Lee under my instructions, TO Gen.
lIafleck, renewing the inquiry in relation 10
the execution Of said Mumford with the in
formation that in the event of not receiving
reply within fffesn days, it would be
assumed that the fact alleged was true and
was sanctioned by the government Of the
United States.
And whereas. an answer dated on the 18th
Engust last, 1862 was addressed to Gen.
Lee BY Gen. ii. W IIaileclz, the said general
in-chief of the armies of the United States.
alleging sufficient cause for failure to make
early reply to said letter of the 9th July,
asserting that g no authentic information
had been received in relation to the cxecu-
tioa of Mumford, bat measures will be mme-
diately taken to ascertain the facts Of the
alleged execution, and promising that Gen
Lee should be duly informed thereof
And, whereas, on the 10Th OF November
last, (la62) another letter WAS addressed
under my Instructions, by Robert OuId, Con-
federate agent for the exchange of prisoners
under the cartel between the two govern
ments. IL Lieutenant-Colonel w. III. Ludlow,
agent % The United States under said cartel,
informing him that the explanations prom
ised in the said letter of Gen. Halleek. OF
9TH of August last, had not yet been received,
and that If no answer was sent to the gov
eminent within fifteen days from the delivery
of this last communication, it would be
considered that an answer is declined;
Aud, whereas, by letter, dated on the Cd
day of the present month Of December, the
said lieutenant Colonel Ludlow apprised the
said Robot Onld that the above recited
communication OF 10Th November had been
received and forwarded to the Secretary OF
War of the United States:
And, whereas, this last delay Of fifteen
days allowed for answer has elapsed, and no
answer has been received
Aud, whereas, in addition to the taeit adj
mission resulting from above refusal 10
4
fishing the truth of the fact that the seid
VIM B. Mumford, Il citizen of this Confed-
eraey, was actually aud publicly executed in
cold blood by hanging, afteB the occupation
Of the city of New Orleans by the forces un-
der the command Of Cen Benjamin F. Butler,
when said Murnford was an unresisting and
non-combatant captive, AID for no oiIense
even alleged to have been committed by him
subsequent 10 the date of the capture of the
said city:
And whereas, the silence Of the govern
ment of the United States, and its maintain
ing of said Butler in high office under its
authority for many months after his COM
mission of an act that can be viewed in no
other light than deliberate murder, as
well rs of numerous other outrages and
atrocities hereafter to be mentioned, afford,
evidence only too conclusive that the said
government sanctions the conduct of the said
Butler, and is determined that he shall re-
main unpublished for his crimes:
Now, therefore, |, Jefferson Davis, Presi-
dent of the Confederate States of America,
and in their name, do pronounce and declare
the said benjamin +. Butler TO be feion,
deserving of capital punishment. do order
that he be no longer considered or treated
simply rs a public enemy of the Confederate
States of America but outlaw and
common enemy of mankind, and that, N the
event of his capture, the officer in command
OF the capturing force do cause him to be
immediately executed by hanging; and / do
further order that no commissioned officer of
the United States, taken captive, shall be
released on parole before exchange, nntifthe
said Butler shall have met with due punish
ment for his crimes
And whereas. the hostilities waged against
this Confederacy by the forces of the United
States, under the command of the said Ben
iamin Z. Butler, have borne resemblance
TO such warfare as is alone permissible by
the rules of international law or the usages
of civilization, but have been characterised
by repeated atrocities and outrages, among
the large number of which, the following
may be cited as examples:
Peaceful and aged citizens, unresisting
captives aud non combatants have been con-
fined at hard labor with balls and chains at
taehed to their limbs, and are still so held in
dungeons aud fortresses. Others have been
subjected to a like degrading punishment
for selling medicines to the sick soldiers of
the Gonfederacy.
The soldiers of the United States have
been invited and encouraged by general
orders TO insult and outrage the wives, the
mothers and the sisters of our citizens:
Helpless women have been torn from their
homes, and subjected to solitary contine-
ment, some in tortresses, and PRISONS and
one especially, on an island of barren sand,
under a tropical sun have been fed with
oathsome rations, that had oeen condemned
As unfit for soldiers and having been exposed
10 the yilest insults.
Prisoners of war who surrendered TO the
naval forces of the United States on agree
nent that they should be released on parole
nave been sliced and kept in close conhne-
nent:
Repeated pretexts have been sought or in
rented for pluudering the inhabitants of the
captured city by fines levied aud exacted
,nder threat of imprsoniug recusarts at
,ari labor with BAH and chain
The entire population of the city of New
orleans have been forced to elect between
starvation, by the eonfseation of all their
property, and taking an oath against con-
cience TO bear allegiance to the invaders OF
heir country
Egress from the city has been refused TO
hose whose forfitnde withstood the test,
ven to lone aud aged women and to helpless
hildren aud after being elected from their