The Abingdon Virginian. [volume] (Abingdon [Va.]) 1849-1883, 1863-01-02
By the President of the Confederate
States.
a PROCLAMATION.

Whereas communication was addressed
on the 9th day Of July last, 1862, by Gen.
Robert f. Lee, acting under the instruction
of the Secretary of War of the Confederate
States Of America, to Gen. III. w. Halleck,
General in Chief of the United States army,
informing the latter that report had reach
ed this Government that VIM. B. Mumford, a
citizen of the Confederate States, had been
executed by the United States authorities at
New Orleans fer having pulled down the
United States flag in that city before its oc-
cupation by the forces of the United States,
and calling for statement of the facts. with
view to retaliation. if such an outrage had
really been committed under sanction of the
authorities Of the United States:
And whereas, (no answer having been re-
ceived to said letter.) another letter was, on
the End of August last, 1862, addressed by
General Lee, under my Instructions, to Gen.
Halleck, renewing the inquiry in relation to
said execution of the said Muinford, with the
information that in the event Of not receiving
reply within fifteen days, it would be as
/ sumed that the fact alleged was true and was
! sanctioned by the Government Of the United.
States.
And whereas, an answer dated on the 7th
August last, 1862, was addressed to Gen.
Lee, by II. w. Hallcck, the said General in.
Chief of the Armies Of the United States, al
leging sufficient cause for failure to make ear.
ly reply TO said letter of 9th July, asserting
that mo authentic information had been re-
ceiyed in relation to the execution of Num-
ford, but measures viii be Immediately taken
to ascertain the facts of the alleged execu-
tion-' = and promising that Gen. Lee should be
daily Uniformed thereof: !
And whereas, on the Goth November last.
1867 another letter was addressed under nv
instruction by Robert Ould, Confederate
Agent for the exchange Of prisoners under
the cartel between the two Governments,
to Lieut. Col. w. H. Ludlow, agentof the
United States under said cartel, informing
him that the explanations promised in the
said letter of Gen. Halleck, Of til August
last, had not get been received, and that if
no answer was sent to the Government in ff.
teen days from the delivery Of this last COM
manication, it would be considered that an
answer il declined:
And Whereas by letter dated on the Sd day
of the present month Of December. the said
Lieut.. Col. Ludlow apprised tie said Robert
Onld that the above recited communication of
the 18th 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 relapsed and no
answer has been received :
Ard whereas, in addition to the tacit ad.
mission resulting from the above refusal to
answer. have received evidence fully estab-
fishing the truth of the fact that the said
VIM B. Mumford, a citizen of this Confede-
racy, was actually and publicly executed in
cold blood by hanging, after the occupation
1of the City of New Orleans by the forces un-
der the command of General. BENJAMIN F /
Butler, when said Mumford was an unresist-
ing and non-combatant captive, and for no of |
fence even alleged to have been committed /
Dy him su bsequent to the date Of the capture
df the said city:
I Ana whereas, the silence of the Govern
,nnent OF the United States and its maintain
ing OF said Butler in high Office under it's I
authority Tor many months after his commits
SION OF an act that can be viewed in no other
hight than as deliberate murder, as we'll as |;
o. numerous other Outrages and atrocities
hereafter to be mentioned, afford evidence
only too conclusive that the said Government
sanctions the conduct Of said Butler, and is
determined that he shall remain unpunished
for his crimes
Now. Therefore,, Jefferson Davis, Presi-
0ent q the confederate States Of America,
and IL their name, do pronounce aud declare
the said 3. r. Butler to be felon, deserving
OF capital punishment. i do order that he
pe go longer considered or treated simply as
pa bic enemy of the Confederate States of
America, but as an outlaw or common enemy
OF mankind and thatin the event of shis cap
tpre, the officer in command of the capturing
force do scause him to be Immediately exc,
cuted by hanpinp. and 7 do f,,rtba.s aar /
that no commissioned officer Of the United /