Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-12-19

river, divided into two corps, the first
commanded by General James Long
street and the second by General I.
J. C"StonewalI) Jackson. The Confed-
crate linz extended from Cuipeper
Court House (where the First corps
was stationed on its right across the
Blue Ridge down the valley OF Viz
glnia to Winchester. There Jackson
was encamped with the Second corps.
About the 18th Of November Lee
received information through scouts
that Sumner. with his grand division
OF more than 10000 Federals, was
moving toward Fredericksburg. On
receipt Of the information two Of
I,ongstreet's divisions were ordered
down 10 meet him. They made a
forced march and arrived on the hills
around Fredericksburg on the after
noon Of the 21st Sumner had already
arrived, and his army was encamped
on Stafford heights. overlooking the
town from the Federal side.
Surrender Demanded.
Before Longstreet reached Fred
ericksburg General Patrick. provost
marshal general, crossed the river
( under o flag Of truce and put the in
habitants In state Of great excite
ment by delivering the following let
Z ter:
Headquarters of the Army Of the Potomac,
Nov. Il. 1862
I To the Mayor and Common Council of
Fredericksburg:
/ GentIenea-I nder cover Of rhe houses
I OF your city shots have been fred upon
I the troops ~ my command. Your mills
/ and manufactures arc furnishing provi-
sions and the material for clothing for
armed bodies In rebellion against tho gov
/ eminent OF the Tci;Cd States. Your rail-
roads and other means OF transportation
/ are removing supplies to the depots OF
such troops This condition Of things
must terminate. and by direction Of Cen
4 eral Burnside ! accordingly demand the
surrender OF your city into nv hands as
! the representative OF the government of
/ the United States az or before ; o'clock
/ this afternoon. Failing in an affirmative
| reply to this demand by the hour indi-
/ Gated sixteen hours will be permitted to
/ elapse for the removal from the city OF
I women and children, the sick and wound
/ ed and aged. etc. which period having
/ expired I shall proceed TO shell the town.
| Upon obtaining possession Of the city ev-
! cry necessary means viii be taken TO pre-
| serve order and secure the protective OPP
Grafton OF the laws and policy Of the Unit
| ed States government. 1 am. very re-
| spectfully, your obedient servant.
E V. SUMNER,
Brevet Major General U. s. Army Com
handing Right Grand Division.
While the people were in a state OF
excitement over the receipt Of this de-
mand for the surrender of their town,
Longstreet's troops appeared upon the
heights opposite those occupied by the
Federals. T.ongstreet stated to the
town authorities that he did not care
to occupy the place for military pur-
poses and that there was no reason
why II should be shelled by the Fed
eral army. The mayor sent to General
Sumner statement Of the situation
and was notified that the threatened
Smelling would not take place since
the Confederates did not purpose to
make the town a base of military
operations.
Drafting Soldiers For the Field
At this time City years ago several
northern states We're face TO face with
military consumption. and the whole
south was graphing with this up-
American problem. Never before IN
the history Of the republic had 1t been