Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1864-07-13
Union Prisoners Placed Under Fire in
Charleston.

Union Prisoners Placed Under Fire In
Charleston.
WASHINGTON, June 2l.-The following is
the correspondence between Generals Foster
and Jones:
LETTER FROM GEN. JONES TO GEN. FOSTER.
HEADQUARTERS DEPT SOUTH CAROLINA,
GEORGIA AND FLORIDA, Charleston June l6,
lS64.-General Five general aud forty five
field officers of the United States army-all
of them prisoners of war-have been sent to
this city for safe keeping. They have been
turned over to Brig. Gen. Ripley, command
ing the first military district Of this depart
ment, who will see tina. they are provided
with commodiouS quarters in a part Of the
city occupied by non-combatants. the majori-
ty of whom are women and children. 1t is
proper, however, that I should inform you
that it is a part Of the city which has, for
many months, been exposed, day and night,
to the fire of your guns. Very respectfully,
your oEedient servant,
SAM. JONES,
~ Major Gen. Commanding:
Mei,r.Gen. JIG. Foster, commanding Uni
ted States forces on the coast of South Caro-
lima, Confederate Stotes.
GEN. FOSTERS REILLY.
HDQ'Rs DEBT OF THE South,
Hilton Head, S. c., June lG, 1864.
Major General Sam. Jones, Commanding Con.
federate Forces, Department. OF South Car
olina, Georgia aud Florida:
GENERAL: have TO acknowledge the re-
ceipt this day Of your communication OF the
18th inst, informing me that FIVE generals
and ferty-f4e field otIicersof the United States
army, prisoners Of war, hare been turned
ov.r to you by Brig. Gen. Ripley, with iustruc-
tiors TO see that they are provided with quar-.
tcrs in part OF the city occupied by ron
combatants, the majority OF wbich. latter you
stste are women and children. You add that
you deem il proper to inform me that is.ls a
part of the city which hos been fer many
months exposed TO the fire of cur guns. Many
months since Maj. Gen. Gilmore, United
States army, notified Gen. Beauregsrd, then
commanding in Charleston, that the city would
be bonlbsrdsd. This notice was given that
noncombatants might be- removed, and thus
women and children spared from harm. Gen.
Beaureeard, in Communication to Gen.
Gilmore, dated. August 22, 1863, informed
him that the non -coulbatant population OF
Charleston would be removed with sll posi-
BILE celebrity. That women and childreh have
bc:n since retained by yon in part OF the
city Which has been for many months expos
ed to fire is matter decided b. yoar uwn
sense of humanity.
/ must, however, protest against your ac-
ton in thus placing detenceless prisoners of
war in position to constant bombardment.
1t is an indefensible aci of cruelty, and can
be designed only to prevent a continuance OF
our fire upon Charleston. That city is 2 de-
pot for military supplies. 1t contains NOT
merely arsenals. but also foupdIies and fac
tories for the manufacture of munitions of
war. In its shipysrdG several armed lron-
clads have already hccp completed, while
others are still upon tlis stocks in course of
construction. It's wharyes and the banks Of
tire river on both sides of the city are lined
with batteries. TO destroy those means Of
continuing the war is, therefore, our object
and duty. You seek to defeat this effort and
by means not known 20 honorable warfare,
bit by placing unarmed and helpless priso'
ncrs under their fire. have forwarded you:
communication to the President, with re-.
quest that he place in my custody an equal
number Of prisoners Of ike grade to Ike kept
by me in positions exposed to the fire OF your
guns, so lopg as you continue the course sta
ted in your communication.
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
your obedient servsut,
Major-Gen. Commanding.
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