Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1864-04-08
We find the following interesting correspond
ence in the Norfolk Neto Regime:

We find the following interesting correspond
ence in the Norfolk NetO Regime:
LooUsTvILLE, AooOMAc Co.,
VIRGINIA, March 10, 1864
GENERAL B. F. BUTLER-Sir: My school has
been closed since Christmas, because, as | un-
derstand the oath required of us. l could not
comscientiously take it. Having heard since
then that one of your officers explains the oath
as meaning, simply that we consent to the acts
of the United States government, and pledge
passive obedience to the same, | take the liberty
of addressing this to you to ascertain if you so
construe the oath. / cannot understand how a
woman can support protect and defend the I'm
ion except by speaking or writing in favor of
the present war; which could never do, because
my sympathies are with the South
"If by those words you understand merely
passive submission, am ready to take the oath
and abide by it sacredly.
"Very respectfully, MARY r. GRAVES"
GENERAL BUTLER's REPLY.
HEADoUARTERs EIGHTEENTH ARMY CoRPs
Department of Virginia and
North Carolina
FORTRESS MONROE, March IA. 1864.
My dear Madam: | am truly sorry that any
Union officer of mine has attempted to fritter
away the effect of the oath of allegiance to the
government of the United States, and to inform
you that it means nothing more than a passive
obedience to the same. That officer is surely
mistaken. The oath of allegiance means fealty,
pledge of faith to love, affection and reverence
for the goyenment-all comprised in the word
Patriotism, in its highest and tuest sense, which
every true American feels for his or her govern
ment.
You say, 4 cannot understand how a wo-
man can support protect and defend the Union,
except by speaking or writing in favor of the
present war, which l could never do, because
my sympathies are with the South
That last phrase Madam shows why you
cannot understand how woman can support
protect and defend the Union
Were you loyal at heart you would at once
understand. The southern women who are
rebels understand well how to support, protect
and defend the Confederacy without speaking
or writing Some of them act as spies, some
smuggle information through the lines in their
dresses, some tend sick soldiers for the Confed-
eracy, and some get up subscriptions for rebel
gunboats.
= Perhaps it may all be comprised in the
phrase, Where there is will there is way
Now then, you could support, protect and
defend the Union,' by teaching the scholars of
your school to love and reverence the govern
ment, TO be proud of their country, TO glory in
its flag, and to be true to its constitution. But
as you don't understand that yourself, you can't
teach it to them; and, therefore, l am glad to
learn from your letters, that your school has
been closed since Christmas; and with my con-
sent until you have changed your sentiments, it
never shall be opened / would advise you,
madam, forthwith, to GO where your fsympa-
thizers' are. 1 am only doubtful whether it
is not my duty to send you. have the honor
to be-
"Yery respectfully, you obedient servant,
"B. F. BUTLER, Maj. Gen. I Com'd'g.
:" To Miss Mary R. Graves, louisville, Acco-
mac Co., Va.
Miss Graves will probably regard Gen. Butler
as plain-speaking man.