Civilian & telegraph. [volume] (Cumberland, Md.) 1859-1875, 1864-03-24
Interesting Letters.

General Buffers Correspondence With a
School Teacher lie Teaches Her
Young Med Hon to Shoot Periodically
lie Defines to Her the True Nature
Of the Oath Of Allegiance.
LOUISVILLE, AccoxAo Co.. Va, |
March 10. 1864.
General B. +. Butler:
SHINY school has been closed sinc
Christmas, because, as | understood the
oath required of us, l could not con-
sciously take it, Having heard since
them that one of your officers explains
the oath as meaning, simply, that We
consent to the acts of the United States
Government, and pledge passire obedience
to the same, L take the liberty of address
ing this to you, to ascertain if you sc
construct the oath. l cannot understand
how a woman can support, protect and
defend the Union," except by speaking
or uriting in favor of the present war,
which l could never do, because my
sympathies are with the South. If by
those words you understand merely pas
sive Submission, am ready to take the
oath and abide by it sacredly.
Very respectfully.
MARY S. GRAvns.
HDe'Rs EIGHTEENTH ARMY CORPS,
DEPT OF VIRGINIA AND N. c.,
Fortress Monroe, March IA. 1864.
Ny dear Mddam.-I am truely sorry
that any Union officer of mine has at
tempted 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 passive obc-
dience to the same.
That officer is surely mistaken. The
oath of allegiance means fealty, pledge Of
faith to love, affection, and reverence for
the Government, all comprised in the
world patriotism, in its highest and truest
sense, which every true American feels
for his or her Government.
You say L cannot understand how 9
woman can support, protect, and defend
the Union; except by speaking or writing
in favor of the present war, which could
never do, because my sympathies arr
with the South"
That last phrase, madam. shows WHY
you cannot understand how woman
can support. protect, and defend tn
Union"
Were you loyal at heart you would q
once understand. The Southern woman
who are Rebels understand well how t.
support, protect, and DEFEND the Con
federacy," without either speaking O
writing" Some of them act as spies
some smuggle quinine in their unde
clothes some smuggle information through
the lines in their dsesses, some tend sicl
soldiers for the Confederacy, some ge
up subscriptions for Rebel gunboats.
Perhaps it may all be comprised in thu
phrase, Where there is will there il
a way"
Now, then, you could 4" support, pro
tect and defend the Union" by teachin,
the scholars of your school to love ant
reverence the Government, to be prout
of their country, to glory in its flag, ant
to be true to its Constitution. But a
you don't understand that yourself. yor
can't teach it to them, and. therefore,
am glad to learn from your letter tina
your school has been closed since Christ
mas. and with my consent, until yo'
change your sentiments and are loya
woman in heart, it never shall be opened
l would advise you, madam, forthwith
to 60 where your " sympathies" are.
am only doubtful whether it is my dut,
to send you.
have the honor to be, very respect
fully, your obedient servant, lt3
B. F. BUTLER,
Major General Commanding.
To Mrs. Mary l.. Graves. Louisville
Accomac county virginia.