Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-07-16

river hosting and bearing flag of truce after passing
Ulty FONT The next day 1.-THE 4tb) at about one
News we were met by small boat of the enemy car
rylng two guns which also raised white flag before
approaching u.s. The officer in command informed
Lieut.. DAVIDSON that be had orders from Admiral Lee
on board the United States flag ship Minnesota living
below, and then in view, not to allow any boat or yes
sci to pass the point near which he was stationed With
out his permission. BY this officer sent to Admiral
Lee note, stating my objects and wishes, copy of
which 10 hereto annexed, marked A. also sent to the
Admiral to be forwarded another in the same language
addressed to the officer in commard of the United
States forces at Fort Monroe The gunboat proceed
ed Immediately to the Minnesota with ihese dispatches
While the Torpedo remained at auchor. Between 3
and O'Clock P. NJ, another boat came up to u.s. bear
ing the Admirals answer, which is hereunto annexed
marked B.
We remained at or about this point il the river un-
til the 9th instant when having heard nothing further
from the Admiral at II O'Clock Nj. on that day, d.
rected Lieut. Davidson again to speak the gunboat on
guard, and to hand to the officer in command another
note TO this Admiral This was done. A copy of the
note is appended marked O.. AT halfpast two O'Clock
P. NJ, two boats approached US from below one bear
ing an answer from the Admiral to my note to him of
the 4ih This answer is annexed marked d. The
other boat bore the answer of 1t, Col W. Fl Ludlow,
to my note of the 4th, addressed to the officer in
rnaDd at Fort Monroe. A copy of this is annexed,
marked K. Lieut.. Col. Ludlow also came up in per-
son in tie boat that brought his answer to me, and
conferred with Col Ould, board the Torpedo, upon
some matters be desired to him about in connection
with the exchange of prisoners. From the papers aE-
pended, embracing the correspondence referred to-
will be that the mission tailed from the refusal oil
the enemy to receive entertain 1t, holding the
proposition Tor such a conference g. jnadmissble"
The influences and views that led to this determine
ton after so long consideration Of the subject, must
be left to conjecture The assgned for the re-
fnsal by the United States Secretary of War, TO Wit
that the Gus omary agents and channels " consd-
cred adequate for all needul military communications
and conferences" to acquainted with the facts
seems not only unsatisfactory, but very singular AID
unaccounable; for it is certainly known to him that
these very agents. to whom he evidently aludes hereto
fore agreed upon in former conference in reference
the exchange OF prisoners Zone OF the subjects embrace
ed in your letter tc ne) now, and have been for
some timc distinctly at Issue several importan
points The existing cartel, owing to tho Sc disagree
ments is virtually suspended far as the exchange of
officers either side is concerned Notices of retaa-
ticD have been given on both sides.
The effort therefore, for the very many and cogent
set forth in your letter of Instructions to me-
to if these differences could not be removed and if
clearer understanding between the parties as to the
general conduct of the could not be arrived at be-
fore this extreme should be resorted to by
either party, no less in accordance with the die
tates OF humanity than in strict conformity with the
usages OF bellgerents in modern times. Deeply I'M
pressed, was, with these views and feelings in
dertaking the mission, and asking the conference, Can
but express my profound regret at the result OF the eff
fort made 10 obtain it, and can but entertain the be-
lief that, if the conference sought had been granted,
mutual good could have been effected by it and il this
war; unnatural, unjust, unchrstiaE, and in
consistent with every Fundamental principle of Ameri
can constitutional liberty, must needs continue to
horrors which now SO eminenty threaten, might have
been avoided.
Very respectfully,
ALEXANDER III. STEPHENS