Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1864-11-03

tured and am instructed to say that, all
such slave property identified as belonging
to citizens of any of the Confederate States
or to persons enjoying the protection oi
their laws, will be restored like other re-.
csptured private property to those cntitlsd
to them.
Having endeavored to explain the gene
l.ral policy of the Confederate Government
with regard to this subject, beg leave to
state the facts concerning the particular
transactions referred to in the inclosed
communication. The negroes recently cap
tured by our forces were sent to Richmond
with other Federal prisoners. After their
arrival, 1T was discovered that number
of them were slaves belonging to citizens
or residential of soma Ethe Confederate
States, and of this class, fftysnine, as
learn, were sent with other negroes, to
work ON the Notifications around Rich
mopd, until their owners should appear
and claim them. AS soon as was inform
ed of the fact, less than two days atterward,
not Wishing to employ them here, ORDER
ed them to be sent to the rear. By a mis-
apprehension of the engineer officer in
charge, they were transferred to our lines
south of James River, but when apprised
of the error, repeated the order of their
removal. If any negroes, were included
among this number who were not identif.
ed as the slayes of citizeus or resideutssot
some of the Confederate States, they were
included without the knowledge or authori-
| ty of the War Department. as already eX-
planned, and the mistake, when discover
ed, would have been corrected. ,3M al y
It only remains for me to say that ne
Groes employed upon our Notifications are
not allowed to be placed where they will
be exposed to fire, and there ia.no founda-
ton for any statement to the Contrary
The author of decentralization referred
to has considered himself justified by the
report of two deserters, who do not allege
that the negroes in question were exposed
| to any danger in placing our prisoners
under fire of our batteries. In view of
the explanations of the practice of the
Confederate Government, above given, and
of the statement of facts l have made,
have now, in accordsuceswfth my instruc-
tions, respectively to inquire whether the
course pursued toward our prisoners, as
set forth in the accompanying letters, has
your sanction, and whether it will be main
tanned. Very respectfully, your obedient
servant. R. Z. LEE, General.
GEN. GRANT TO GEN. LEE.
H'DQ'Rs ARMIES OF THE UNITED STATBs,
October 20, 1864. 4
Gen. r. Lee, G. S. a., commanding army Of
Northern Virginia: man. ,.,.s.,,.s..
GENERAL: Understandingfrom your let
ter of the 10th that the colOFed prisoners
who were employed at work in the trench
es, near Fort Gilmer, have been with
drawn, / have directed the withdrawal of
the Confederate prisoners employed IN the
Dutch Gap Canal. -
1 shall always regret the necessity of
retaliation for wrongs done our soldiers,
but regard it my duty to protect all per.
sons received into the army of the United
States, regardless of color or nationality.
When acknowledged soldiers of the
Government are captured, they must be-
treated as prisoners of war, or such treat-
ment as they receive will be.inhicted upon
an equal number of prisoners held by us.
have nothing to do with the discussions
| of the slavery question, and. therefore de.
cline answering the argument adduced to
show the right to return to former owners
such negroes as are captured from our
army. Ia answer to the question at the
conclusion Of your letter, have to state
that all prisoners of war falling into my
hands shall receive the kindest treatment
possible consistent with securing them,
nhless have good authoritylfor believing
| that a number of our men are being treated
otherwise. Though painful as 1t may be
to me, / shall inf1ict like treatment on an
equal number of Confederate prisoners.
| Hoping that it may never become my
duty to order retaliation upon any men
held as prisoners of war, have the honor
to be, ID .-'s ...is.. d..
H. 4f.f o. s. GRANT, Lieut.. Gen.
| THAsKss1y1NG-PRoo loF JEFF.
DAVIS APPOINTING "a DAY FOB PUBLIC
4 WORSHIP. t..
Itis meet that the people of the Confed-
crate States should from time to time as
semble to acknowledge their dependence
on Almighty God, to render devout thanks
for tis manifold blessings, to worship his
holy name, to bend in prayer at. His foot.
stool; and to accept with reverent submis-
sion the chastening of all His wise and all
| mercifuI providence. Let as, then, in tenn
| pies and in fields, unite our voices in re-
| cognizing with adoring gratitude the man
| ifestations of his protecting care in the
many signal victories with..wh our arms
/ have been crowned, lin the fruitf1luess
with which our land has been blessed, and
in the unimpaired energy and forttpde
with which he has inspired our hearts and
4 strengthened our arms in resistance to
the iniquiteus designs of our enemies.
| And let us not forget that, while gra.
ciously youchsafing to us His protection,
our sins have merited and received grew.
ous chastisement; that many of our best
and braYest have fallen in battle; that ma
ny others are still held in foreign prisons;
that large districts of onr country have
been devastated with savage ferocity, the
peaceful homes destroyed, aud helpless
lwomen and children driven away in destI.
tution; and that, with fendish malignity,
the passions of servile race have been
| excited by our foes into the commission of
atrocities from which death is Welcome
Now, therefore, 1, Jefferson Davis, Presi.
dent of the Confederate States of America,
do issue this my proclamation, setting apart
! W adnesdaH. the 18th daH of NnYamhar