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


Hon 4. H. Stephens on a Mission to Washington-He
not altouUed to proceed further than Neuport
Ne1rs-H1s Mission Rejected-Ihe Federal Author
tiles Consider "hc authorized Channels" Sufficient.
The following correspondence will explain itself:
RICHMOND, End July, 1868.
Hon. 4. FL. Stephens, Richmond, Va:
S1R-Havng accepted your patriotic effort to pro-
coed as Military Commissioner, under flag of truce,
to Washington you will receive herewith your letter of
authority to the Commandern Chief of the Army and
Navy of the United States.
This letter is signed by me, Commander-in- Chief
of the Confederate land and naval forces.
You will perceive from the terms of the letter that
it is worded to avoid any political difficulties in
its reception. Intended exclusively of those
communications between belligerents which public law
recognizes as necessary and proper between hostile
forces has been taken to give pretex for refu
sing to receive it the ground that it would involve
tacit recognition of the independence of the Confed
eracy.
Your mission is simply one Ct humanity, and has
no political aspect
If objection is made to receiving your letter the
ground that it is not addressed to Abraham Lincoln
President instead Of Commander-inchef, &C.. then you
will present the duplicate letter. which is addressed to
him as President ard signed by me, President. To
this latter, objection may be made the ground that
am not recognized to be President of the Confedera
cy. In this event, you will decline to confer On the
subject of your mission, such conference is admissa
BILE only on the footing of perfect equality.
My recent interviews with you have put you fully
in possession Of my views that it is scarcely necessary
to give you any detailed instructions, I, at
this moment, well enough TO attempt it.
My whole purpose is, in word to place this
On the footing of such waged by civilized people
in modern tin e aud to dives it OF the savage
ter which has been Impressed it by enemies in
spite of all efforts and protests. War is full enough
of unavoidable horrors under all Its aspects TO justify,
end even to demand, of any Christian rulers who may
be unhappil7 engaged in carrying it on, seek
strict its caames, and to dVest 1t OF all unnecessary
seventies You will endeaVor to establish the cartel
the exchange of prisoners on such basis as to avoid
the constant difficulties and complaints which arise and
to prevent for the future what we deem the unfair
conduct of enemies in eVadlng the delivery OF the
prisoners who fall into their hands in retardlng it by
sending them circuitous routes, and by OBTAINING
them sometimes for months in camps and prisons and
| ia persisting in taking captives nOn-cOmbatants.
Your attention is also called to the unheard Of
duct of Federal officers in driving from their homes
entire communities of women and children, as well al
of men, whom they find ia districts occupied by their
troops for other than because these unortu
mates are faithful to the allegiance due to their States
and refuse to take an oath of fidelity to their enemies
| The putting to death OF unarmed prisoners has beer
ground OF just complaint In more than one instance
and the recent execution of officers OF our army In Ken
lucky for the sole that they were engaged In re
crutiDg service in State which is claimed still Ont
of the United States but is also claimed by US ont
of Tie Confederate States, must be repressed by retail
alton not Internationally abandoned because 1T "out
Justify the like execution every other State OF th
Coniederacy and the practice barbarous, useess!
cruel and only lead to the slaughter OF prisoners OF
both side5a result too horrible to contemplate with
out making every effort to avoid it.
, On these and all kindred subjects you will conslde
your au hority full and ample to make such arrange
mens as will temper the present cruel character OF III
contest and full confidence is placed in your Judgment
patriotism, and discretion that while carrying out th
objects OF your mission you will take that the equa
rights of the Conf leracy be always preserved.
q Very respectfully,
e (Signed) JEFFERSON DAVIS
. RICHMOND, 9Th July 1853.