The Columbia daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1865, 1865-05-23
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
COLUMBIA. May 20, 1865.

Il par'ment, bearing date the I'd dav OF
May, 1865, is hereby revoked; and the
directions therein given are hereby coun-
termanded. The following correspondence
the causes which have led me to revoke
that proclamation and countermand its
directions:
HEAQRS DEPT OF THE SOUTH,
Huron HEAD, S. c., Nav 1865.
Hon. Il. g. Magrath. ColaunLia, S. G.
S1n: 1 have seen in the public prints
what purports 10 he proclamation issued
by You to the people of the State of South
Carolina, tn'ed at "lIeadquarters. Colum-
!, May 2. 1862" directing that NIL sub
sistence stores and property Of the Con
federate States within the limits Of the
State be. turned over to and accounted for
by the agents Of the State appointed for
that purpose. The subsistence and other
stores to be used for the relief of the peo-
pie of the State, and the other property,
of whatever kind, to be held for the com
mon benefit of the State"
By the convention between Generals
Sherman and Johns on, agreed uron on
the 2Gth day of April ultimo at Benefits
house, near Durham Station, n. g., an
official copy of which l enclose, all acts Of
war OH the part Of General Johustou's
command ceased, and the army and public
property were surreL Ldered to the Unite.
States. The district covered by said con.
vention includes tde State ,oi South Caro-
lima, rs is correctly stated to You in the
despatch from General Johnston, dated
Greensboro, \. c., April 80, 1868
All public property. therefore, should
he delivered to officers of the United
States. and its seizure, by State agents or
by any other persons, is in direct violation
OF the convention. is an act Of war, a crime
against humanity. and will be SO regarded
and treated at these headquarters.
l consider that you cannot properly
take any official action in this matter, eX-
c+Pt through the United States authority.
to whom this property belongs. by right
Of military ca p,nre and surrender. lis
sratuitous distribution among pcrsors who,
by persistent treason on the part of their
leaders have been reduced to a condition
of aEject ranperism, in a senseless and
truitless attempt at revolution must be an
act OF charity on the part of the Govern.
ment which they have tried to overthrow
| stand ready, under the orders Of Major
General Sherman, to take possession Of
this property. and "to relieve present
wants and encourage the inhabitants TO
resume their peaceful pursuits in the
State OF South Carolina; anu | expec.
those who hold any semhlancc of authority
IN the State TO act in aid of this benevo
lent policy. if they attempt TO act at all!
l am. sir, respectfully, Your obcdient
servant, Q. y. GILMORE,
Major General Commanding.
CohuMrIA. May 90, 1865.
MAJOR General Q 4. Gilmore, Con,oandt,4y
department Of the SO'th.
SIR: AT Union, on the 18th, I received
your letter of the 10th. at the same ti,ue
ard place, | was informed that detach-
ment of United States troops were at
Snartanharg-there with dispatches to
me, waiting my arrival I arrived there
to tind that the party in charge of these
dispatches had departed, and immediately
| returned TO this place. for the purpose
of sending You my reply.
1t Is proper for me very distinctly to
assure You that it was not in any ise in.
tended by me to interfere with, or IN any
name: affect, the terms or conditions Of
the military convention between Genera!
Sherman and General Johnston On the
contrary, l desire and consider myself
bound TO conform to it in all particulars.
When the proclamation was published,
two considerations were present to ne
the one. to relieve want, not during the
progress of war. but when war had
ceased, and hostilties on the part Of TIE
people of the State We're ended the other.
to secure a portion of subsistence which
was still in the State-placing it in the
hands of prudent persons, and they saving
it, with sny other public property. from
waste. AT that time. had 10 reason to
suppose that to this there would be exccp-
ton.
AS soon as Genera! Johnston's telegram
was communicated. it was published rs
explanatory of the proclamation. | had
no information of the construction which
would be given to the convention, except
from that paper. gave i: as received it.
II You claim, rs NOW understand You