Yours, most respectfully, result, though accomplished primarily | Mr. Ould, myself and the boat's officers and crew. through the devotion of the people, was also eminently due to the sagacity with which the Treasury Department was managed. A. H. Stephens' Mission. ..... .$22,626,203 -101,727,498 427,807,683 139.920 500 .387,662,0 0 20.192,456 $1,100,836,343 Assuming that there could be no end to hostilities un ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS. This being telegraphed to Washington, the following reply was returned: Mr. Stephens' Mis NAVY DEPARTMENT, July 4, 1863. Acting Rear Admiral S. H. LEE, Hampton Roads: The request of Alexander H. Stephens is inadmissable. The customary agents and channels are adequate for all needful military communications and conference between the United States and the insurgents. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy. This not only refused the application, but it most emphatically rejected ail ideas of a belligerent recognition of the Confederate Executive implied in the reception of its mission. This peremptory dismissal of the mission gave the Confederates further excuse for charges against the Federal authorities of inhumanity and wrong. Davis' letter of instructions to his commissioner was given in the Richmond journals of July 13th, together with Stephens' report. Both documents reflected severely on the National Executive and its agents, seeking to make them respon til those in rebellion submitted, or were overcome, no suggestions toward peace based on compromise were for a moment entertained in governmental quarters. The Confederate Government dispatch-sible for whatever suffering might grow out ed to Washington, apparently on a mission relating to the adoption of a system for exchange of prisoners, its Vice President, Alexander H. Stephens. Timing his movements by the reputed successes of Lee in Pennsylvania, Mr. Stephens appeared above Fortress Munroe, July 4th, on a flag-of-truce steamer, dispatching the following note to Admiral Lee, commanding the blockading squadron in those waters: CONFEDERATE STATES STEAMER TORPEDO, SIR: As military commissioner, I am the bearer of a communication in writing from Jefferson Davis, | Commander-in-chief of the laud and naval forces of the Confederate States, to Abraham Lincoln, Commander-in-chief of the land and naval forces of the United States. Hon. Robert Ould, Confederate States agent of exchange, accompanies me as secretary, for the purpose of delivering the communication in person, and conferring upon the subject to which it relates. I desire to proceed directly to Washington, in the steamer Torpedo, commanded by Lieutenant Hunter Davidson, of the Confederate States Navy, no person being on board but the Hon. of the non-recognition of the Confederates as honorable belligerents rather than as rebels. It is questionable if, in this matter, the Fedaral authorities did not act with too much precipitancy. If the sole object was “one of humanity," as Davis declared it to be, and if the harsher features of the war-such as retaliation and severe usage of prisoners-could have been mitigated by the conference, it was greatly to be regretted that Stephens did not accomplish the ends aimed at. But, the moment was illy chosen. Every day was preg. nant of events having a mighty influence on the Union's fortunes. The air was filled with rumors of an attempt at peace on some basis of mutual concession-that of a government modelled after an idea long prevalent in the South of a dual Executive, being frequently ATROCITY TOWARD NEGRO SOLDIERS. 129 the then impending reverses to the rebel arms | showed how clearly the principles at issue in must have the effect to hasten the only peace the war were apprehended, and how justly consistent with honor and a permanent understood by the intelligent under strata of Union. the French nation, were the results to be attained. Foreign Neutrality and Sympathy. Mr. Seward's "Circular" of August 12th, to Amerirican agents in Europe,* set forth, very fully, not only the progress made in subduing the rebellion, but pronounced the Federal Government's continued resolve to persist in the war until the malcontents were conquered and the rebellious States restored to their allegiance. This, though a special plea, exerted no little influence in advancing public sentiment abroad to the point of absolute neutrality in our civil strife, and thus in confirming the French and English Governments in their resolve not to interfere, even by proffers of mediation. In France, indeed, the people may be said to have sympathised but little, at any moment, with the secession cause. Having but trifling voice in public affairs, with a press that represented the idea of liberty in the abstract rather than in the practice of it, less was made known of French opinions than of English. But the occasional and signal efforts of a few eloquent men, in defending the Union cause, and the outspoken voice of the Protestant pastors of France, in their address to their Protestant brotherhood of England,t See Appendix, page 511. This address, dated Paris, March 12th, 1863, was one of the most significant ecclesiastical documents of the day. Disappointed and humiliated at the unsympathetic attitude of English Christians toward the cause of the North, the French clergy published this address, to arouse the English churches to action, in which occurred such passages as these: No more revolting spectacle has ever been before the civilized world than a Confederacy, consisting mainly of Protestants, forming itself and demanding Independence, in the nineteenth century of the Christian era, with a professed design of maintaining ard propagating slavery. "The triumph of such a cause would put back the progress of Christian civilization and of humanity a whole century It would give a fatal blow to the work of Evangelical Missions, and what a frightful responsibility would rest on the Church which should remain the silent spectator of such a triumph! "If there is a peaceable means of hastening the end of the war and of rendering its issue such as is desired by all the friends of humanity, ought not the sincere Christians of Europe to give to the cause of Emancipation a powerful testimony, which would leave to those who fight for the right of Atrocity toward Nogro Soldiers. The continued atrocity practiced by Southern soldiers and civilians upon negro troops captured as prisoners, or found wounded on the field, led the President to promulgate the following severe retaliatory order: EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, July 30, 1863. It is the duty of every government to give protec tion to its citizens, of whatever class, color or condition, and especially to those who are duly organized and the usages and customs of war, as carried on by as soldiers in the public service. The law of nations civilized powers, permit no distinction as to color in the treatment of prisoners of war as public enemies. To sell or enslave any captured person on account of his color, and for no offense against the laws of war, is a relapse into barbarism and a crime against the civilization of the age, The Government of the United States will give the same protection to all its soldiers, and if the enemy shall sell or enslave any one because of his color, the offense shall be punished by retaliation upon the enemy's prisoners in our possession. the United States killed in violation of the laws of It is therefore ordered, that for every soldier of war, a rebel soldier shall be executed, and for every one enslaved by the enemy or sold into slavery, a rebel soldier shall be placed at hard labor on the public works, and continued at such labor until the other shall be released, and receive the treatment due to a prisoner of war. ABRAHAM LINCOLN. A reference to Confederate official and journalistic declamation would lead a casual observer to the conclusion that the Federals alone were guilty of prosecuting the war in an inhuman manner. Davis, in his letter of instructions to Stephens, above referred to, uttered, among other equally severe animadversions, the following: "My whole purpose is, in one word, to place this war on the footing of such as are waged by civilized oppressing the slaves no hope of ever seeing those Christians give them the hand of fellowship?" Signed by six hundred and eighty-nine pastors, this may be said to have more truthfully represented French "common" opinion than any expression from official or governmental sources could have done. to assume that the Federal Government was needlessly cruel and wicked, is to make a charge unsustained by evidence-one in contravention of the entire character of the Executive and his leading generals in the people in modern times, and to divest it of the sav- | ties; but, in the general conduct of the war, age character which has been impressed upon it by our enemies, in spite of all our efforts and protests. War is full enough of unavoidable horrors, under all its aspects, to justify, and even to demand, of any Christian rulers who may be unhappily engaged in carrying it on, to seek to restrict its calamities, and to divest it of all unnecessary severities.'' Atrocity toward Negro Soldiers. No man ever lived of a more truly humane heart than Abraham Lincoln. His con duct ever was guided by mercy to his foes and consideration for his friends' welfare; and the efforts of his adversaries to stamp his memory with the stain of cruelty or indifference to the horrors of war, most miserably failed. The expression of Davis, therefore, was untrue, so far as it sought to affix the responsibility of the "savage character" of the contest upon the Executive or the National War Department. Considering the relentless nature of the contest in the Border States, whose own citizens were governed by implacable hates toward one another, from having chosen opposite sides in the controversy, cruelty and persecution were simply there unavoidable, and can be charged equally against both par field. On the other hand, if the terrible atrocities* practiced upon the field of the first Bull Run defeat were not repeated toward the white wounded and prisoners, they were not wanting in dealing with negro captives. The continued and almost uniform brutal treat ment by the Southern soldiery of such black troops as fell into their power, excited the disgust and anger of every humane person, and impelled the Federal Executive to issue the order just quoted. A long time, however, was required to teach the late slave communities that a negro was a man, with all a citizen's rights. The revolting massacre at Fort Pillow, Tenn. (April, 1864), was the culminating act of a long series of tragedies in which the usages of civilized warfare were scorned, and the Southern cause blackened with a reproach which no time shall efface. * See Vol. II., pages 274-76. HISTORICAL SUMMARY OF EVENTS,-No. 12, FROM AUGUST 1ST, 1863, TO JANUARY 1ST, 1864. AUGUST. 1. Jeff. Davis calls on Southern people to hasten return of all absentees to their camps, and grants amnesty to all returning within twenty days.-English steamer Peterhoff condemned at New York, for carrying contraband of war. -Rebel attack on batteries at Morris island repulsed, with loss.-Fourth and Seventh Army Corps discontinued.-Gen. Buford's cavalry, crossing Rappahannock,near Culpepper, meet and attack Stuart's cavalry. A division of infantry appearing, Buford falls back, followed by whole force. A severe fight ensues; Buford holding his position is re-enforced, when rebels cease their attack. Buford's loss 16 killed, 124 wounded.--Fourth Army Corps discontinued. Seventh Corps merged in 18th. 2. Four companies "Lost Children,' N. Y. vols., take 500 rebel prisoners on an island in the rear of Folly island. 3. Enlistments discontinue under President's call of June 15, for 50,000 men.-Gov. Seymour requests President to suspend draft in New York State.-Rebels destroy light-house on Smith's island, Chesapeake Bay. Col.Spear's expedition, from Newbern, attacks rebels at Jackson, N. C., and drives them back, capturing 70 prisoners, 60 bales of cotton and 100 horses. 4. A small boat from steamer Wabash, with crew of 22 men under Master E. L. Haines, captured by blockade runner Juno, in Charleston harbor.-Rebel cavalry attack Gen. Buford's pickets, and are repulsed and driven beyond Brandy Station, Va.-Steamer Ruth, with $2.500,000 government funds, burned on the Mississippi. 5. Gen. Foster makes expedition up James river, with gunboat Com. Barney, and others. Near Fort Darling torpedo explodes under the vessel, lifting her ten feet, and throwing column of water into the air, which falls on deck and washes 15 of crew overboard. Rebels open upon them with shore battery. Barney was penetrated with 15 shots, Cohasset with 12.Skirmish at Brandy Station, Va. 6. Mosby's guerrillas capture eight sutler wagons near Fairfax C. H., Va.-Thanksgiving celebrated throughout loyal States-Ship_F. B. Cutting captured and bonded by pirate Florida. 7. President Lincoln declines to suspend draft in New York. AUGUST. 8. Troops on transports ordered to be organized. -Rebel steamer R. Habersham explodes on Savannah river, killing entire crew.-General Mercer impresses into rebel service one-fifth able bodied slaves in lower Georgia, to erect fortifications at Savannah.-Gunboat Sagamore captures schooners Southern Rights, Shot and Ann, near Key West. 9. Major Warden makes raid to Woodville, Miss., destroying five locomotives, crops, etc., also cotton. 10. Gen. Grant establishes camps for unemployed colored people.-City Council of Chicago appropriate funds for bounties. 11. Union meeting at Washington, N. C.-Mosby's guerrillas capture twelve sutler wagons at Acotink creek, Va. 12. Col Biggs returns to Winchester, Tenn., from trip into Alabama, having driven back Texas regiment and taken number of prisoners.Steamer Wateree launched at Chester, Pa. 13. Gunboat reconnoissance up White river, Ark., seizes two steamers, destroys mills, etc.-Col. Philips leaves La Grange, Tenn., with expedition for Mississippi.-Gen. Burnside regulates employment and subsistence of negro laborers Rebels attack signal station near Warrenton, Va., capturing everything except officers. First regiment of colored men raised in Pennsylvania leaves Philadelphia for Morris island. Col. Catherwood attacked by rebel Col. Coffee, at Pineville, Mo. Rebels routed, losing large number of prisoners, wagons, horses cattle, stores, etc. 14. Gen. Warren assumes temporary command of Second Army Corps -Party of rebels enter Poolesville, Md., capture telegraph operator, destroy wires, rob merchants and retire. 15. Gen. Rosecrans issues order, holding citizens in Department of the Cumberland responsible for guerrilla warfare. 16. Gunboat Rhode Island captures rebel steamer Cronstadt President Lincoln's letter to Union 17. Bombardment of Fort Sumter commences. A shot from the fort strikes monitor Catskill, instantly killing Commander Rogers. Fort AUGUST. Wagner silenced.-Robert Toombs of Georgia, publishes letter denying that he favors reconstruction.-Gunboat De Solo captures rebel steamer Nita.- Order regulating discharge of prisoners issued by War Department. Capt. Hotchkiss, commander of gunboat Gen. Putnam, killed by guerrillas, on Pi ankatank river, Va.- Col. Phillips drives rebels from Granada, Miss., with heavy loss, and destroys 57 engines, 400 cars, depots, commissary stores, etc. 18. Lieut. Bross attacked by rebels under Col. Street, near Pocahontas, Ark. After brief struggle rebels broke, ran and were chased five miles and some captured.-British steam. er Hebe run ashore and destroyed by Niphon. One of Niphon's boats swamped and crew captured by rebels on shore.-Bombardment of Sumter continued. AUGUST. 28. Supervisors of N. York city donate $2,000,000 to exempt firemen, police and militia from draft-Guerrillas attack mail carriers of the Army of the Potomac, killing one and capturing four, with the mail. 29. Five deserters from Army of Potomac, shot — 19. Drafting commences in N. Y. city, without dis- SEPTEMBER. turbance. 20. Gen. Onderdonk returns to Portsmouth, Va., from successful raid into North Carolina.Gen Beauregard orders observance of fast day at Charleston. 21. Lawrence, Kansas, pillaged and burned by guerrillas under Quantrell. Many citizens butchered in cold blood.-Gen. Gilmore demands surrender of Sumter, and threatens to shell Charleston, if demand is refused. U. S. ship Bainbridge founders off Cape Hatteras, and 79 of crew lost.-Chattanooga, shelled by Union cavalry under Col. Wilder.- Gen. Meade regulates circulation of newspapers in his army-Rebel steamer Everglade overhauled and sunk, near Tybee island. 22. Bombardment of Sumter continues. Fort badly battered, but not taken. Surrender refused. Shells thrown into the city from battery, five miles distant. Capt. Gerry, with detachment of cavalry from Martinsburg, Va., encounters enemy at Bunker hill, captures a number and returns.-Gunboats Satellite and Reliance captured by rebels off mouth of Rappahannock. Col. Wilder burns railroad bridge over Nicajack, and destroys communication with Chattanooga. 23. Fort Fisher, N. C., bombarded by frigate Min nesota. 24. Col. Woodward's cavalry enter Pocahontas, Ark., and rout and capture a number of rebels, among them Gen. Jeff. Thompson.-Skirmish near Fairfax, Va., with Mosby's guerrillas.— Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry cross Rappahannock, and is driven back by Gen Custer, with loss of several killed and wounded. 25. Fight at Brownsville, Ark.; rebels evacuate the town. 26. Fight near Perryville, Ark., between rebels under Cabell and Gen. Blunt. Rebels routed. -Steamer C. P. Smith runs up Chickahominy river, destroying boats, etc.-Guerrillas cap. ture steamer Live Oak, at Berlin, Mo., and plunder passengers.- Rifle-pits before Fort Wagner assaulted and taken by Gen. Gilmore's troops.- Battle at White Sulphur Springs, Va. 27. Gen. Davidson defeats rebels at Bayou Matea, Ark. Skirmish at Hanover, Ala.-Guerrillas 1. Skirmish at Barber's Cross Roads, Va.--Gen. Kilpatrick destroys captured gunboats Satellite and Reliance.-Fort Smith, Ark., captured by Union forces of Gen. Blunt. Rebels cross Potomac at Edwards Ferry, and capture cattle, which they cannot carry off, being pursued. Rebels defeated at Devil's Back Bone, Ark. 2. Kingston, Tenn., occupied by a portion of Gen. Burnside's army, under Gen. Minty. 3. Gen. Onderdonk returns to Gloucester Point, Va., from successful raid. 4. Bread riot at Mobile, Ala. 5. Major Stephens attacked at Moorfield Va., by 6. Forts Wagner and Gregg evacuated by rebels; La. 8. Gunboats Clifton and Sachem captured by rebels at Sabine Pass, La., being disabled by shore battery. Chattanooga evacuated by rebels -Boat expedition from Dahlgren's fleet assault Fort Sumter, and are repulsed, losing a large number of prisoners.-Bath Va, attacked by rebels, who are pulsed. re 9. Gen.. Rosecrans occupies Chattanooga.-Col. N. C., destroyed by soldiers and citizens.- |