Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1863-01-27
Gen. French,s RenIY.

WELDON, N. c., Jan. 6, 1863.
Maj. Gen. j. G. Foster, u s. A., commanding 18Th
Army Corps, Newbern, ~ G:
GENERAL Il have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your communication Of the 31St ult and
copy OF letter addressed to you by Edward STAN
ly, who signs himself Military Governor of North
Carolina.
In relation to prisoners of war who have been
Paroled, can say, never to my knowledge have
they been, nor have ever heard of their being en-
ployed IN the performance of any duty for the gov
ernment As my government has SO faithfully re-
sPected the parole of prisoners l am the more as
toniShed that you should have brought merely
hearsay rumor that came to the ears of the editor
OF the Raleigh Standard to my notice when an
order was issued from the War Department of the
United States, requiring, as l remember, paroed
prisoners to instruct recruits garrison fortresses in
the rear of the army, and guard prisoners.
While our press, as the extract you send
shows wnnld hsnnlnna cnrh uinlstinn of -nlA f
that the prisoners that we had captured and paroed
should be sent to Minnesota to repel the Indians
there at war with your people.
You asked me ito answer, whether she acts
complained of by Gov Stanly have my sanction,
and whether as he desires to know, the negroes
mentioned will be returned to their master" His
allegation is that "our forces recently invaded the
county Of Washington, and among other depreda-
tons committed upon innocent citizens, they seized
and carried away against the consent of the owner,
large number of slaves that " from the house of
Mr.. NJ. Bowen we took away several of his negroes
who had been faithful to him, and whom he protec-
ted and humanely supported; that this outrage
has not the defence attempted for the African slave
trade;" that cit has brought uncivilized beings
under the influence Of christianity and civilization y
that this robbery takes civilized beings from their
families and homes; it deprives a kind master of
his property; and Furnishes slaves for their fdel-
ity to him." 1t is truo that our forces did invade
the county of Washington, and the officer in conf
mand did report to that he brought out with
him some negroes.
Mr. Stanly is representative of the United States
government and take it for granted speaks by
authority, and if it be the determination Of your
government to deliver up to their owners the hun
bred thousand slaves you have stolen from their
"knd and humane masters" l sure my gov
eminent will Immediately cause this one little act
of robbery" to be discountenanced and cause the
negroes to be restored, and thus return to their
kind masters their property" and to this end l
will transmit to the proper authorities your com.
munication and Mr.. StanyS letter.
As it is an acknowledged principle among Chris
tan nations to respect private property in lands,
ain sure my government will hail this as an evil
dence that hereafter yours will cease to deprive
peaceful citizens of their private property.
deplore, as much as Mr.. Stanly does, this Ia
king of civilized beings from their families and
homes and depriving owners Of their property, and
would it were the only robbery Of the kind that
has occurred, but so many have been committed by
the forces of the United States that it now regard
ed as legitimate and proper, sit and necessary
war measure" by your government
| outside your lines mas no longer any potency.
You may rest assured will do all in my power to
have "those negroes delivered up to those to whom
their services may be due" and WILL in every way,
discountenance and forbid negro stealing, and in
this am sure the good people of North Carolina
will justify me-"
rously and willfully burned, but as reported to
house was fired in which your troops made stand
and from which they fired on our soldiers. Such
things will happen in war, and often for excuse
except the spirit of destruction as seen the banks
of the Mississippi, Potomac, Roanoke, Rsppahan-
mock and James rivers, where cities, towns and pr
vate residences as rule, have been burned bat
| tered down by your land and naval forces.
| regret very much that in this street fight wo-
man was killed l; was first brought to my knowl-
edge by letter which was received from you, and
it should be regretted that accidents of the same
kind oc urred from the batteries of Gen. Burnside,
! when they opened on the city of Fredericksburg.
I Surgeon Hunt was riding with party of soldiers
when he was killed and in the official report to me-
/ he was called and believed to be lieutenant in
charge Of scouting party.
/ will at once, General, write to the Captain of
the company to which the attacking force belonged
! and do all in my power to find the Watch and if
successful will send it to you, that you may place
I. it in the hands of his relations.
! 1 am, General, very respectfully,
I Your obi servant
! (Sgued) S. G. FRENCH,
Nal. General Commanding