Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-06-25
MILITARY LICENSE SOURCE OF WEAKNESS

We published on Saturday the narrative of the
"Burning of Bluffton," in South Carolina, as given
by the "New South paper published within
the lines of our army at Hilton Head. According
to this narrative it appears that on the Sd instant
Col. Barton, with considerable force, proceeded
to reconnoitre the enemys position at this village
Little or no opposition, it is stated, was offered,
and Button was taken, after the woods about had
been vigorously shelled to drive out any insurgents
who might be in ambush. The enemy's pickets
fed on the approach of the Union troops and were
not again seen until forces evacuated the place.
which, however, was not done until !" the village
of Button was burned to the ground, only one
building being left standing church"
We are not apprized that any military necessity
dictated the destruction of this village, and the act
we suppose, may be set down to the license of an
undisciplined soldiery, who little understood or
who little heed the obligations of the service in
which they are engaged.
Nor for this are they to be greatly blamed, when
we recall the cutlery that has been raised in GER
tain quarters against "giving protection to rebel
property" We all remember the fierce invectives
launched at Gen. Mcclellan and Gen. Mcdowell q
little less than year ago because they did not
give up the country through which they marched
to pilage and rapine 1t was held by certain per-
sons to be an evidence that these officers were
slender towards the feelings Of the rebels" and
were seeking to "kil them with kindness" 1t
wa, more than intimated that this forbearapce, so
far from being dictated by military duty or by OBJ
vious considerations of political expediency, Ito
say nothing of humanity was inspired by latent
sympathy for the insurgents. This was carried so
far that United States Senator, says the New
York Journal Of Commerce, actually went into the
lines Of our army in Virginia and made speech
to the soldiery denouncing their commander for
preventing them from sacking the farms and houses
in their neighborhood, and his views were approved
by that portion of the press Of the North which
mistakes violence for force. The reader Of the
evidence taken by the I" War Committee" is re-
ferred to the examination Of Mr.. Uriah II. Painter,
army of Gen. Mcclellan on the Peninsula, for an
illustration Of the ideas that then obtained, and
which, we suppose, still obtain among certain
class of people on this subject.
1t would be great mistake to suppose that our
military authorities lend any countenance to such
policy Of destruction and devastation The In
structions compiled by DR.. Lieber and promulgated
by the President for the government of our armies
contain the following prescriptions on this score
"37 The United States acknowledge and protect hostile
countries occupied by them, religion and morality strict
y private property the persons OF the inhabitants espe
cay those Of and the sacredness Of domestic
laons Offences TO the contrary shall be vigorously pun
shed This rule does not interfere with the right Of the
victorious invader to tax the people or their property
peciay houses lands boats or SHIPS and churches for
temporary or military uses.
"35 Private property unless forfeited by crimes by
offences Of the owner be seized only by way Of military
necessity for the support other benefit Of the army of
the United States II the has not fled the com
msndng officer will receipts TO be given, which may
/ serve the spoiated owner to obtain indemnify"
These regulations, conforming as they do to the
practice Of all civilized nations, should be strictly
enforced by the commanders Of our armies. The
good name Of our Government is involved in their
observance. We profess to be wagipg war against
armed insurgents, not against the houses and
homes Of the Southern people, and all such acts as
the burning Of Button rebound equally to the
discredit and the damage Of the national cause.
We say to the damage Of cause, for it is plain
that all excess Of force which overfows into other
channels than those Of lawful and necessary war
is Just so much Of force contributed to the strength
ening Of the animosities we propose to overcome
War does not spare the feelings" of people
when they stand in the way Of the laws, but ,ensi
bic war-that is, war conducted on military prin-
ciples--does not waste its energies in acts which