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[From the Charlotte Bulletin.]
Correspondence between Gen. Sher
man and Gen. Hampton.
lljsadq’us Mil’y Div. or the Miss., 1
In the Field, Feb. 24, 185"). (
Litut. Gen. W- dr Hampton, Commanding Cav
alry Forces, C. S. A. : ,
General : It is officially reported to me that
our foraging parties are murdered after cap
ture, and labelled “Death to all Ftragers.”
©ne instance es a Lieutenant and seven men
near ChesUrville, and another of twenty near
a ravine, eighty rods from the main road, about
three miles fr<u:i Feasterville. 1 have ordered
a similar number of prisoners in our hands to
be disposed of in like manner.
I hold about 1.0 m) prisoners captured in
various ways, and can stand it as long as you,
but l hardly think these murders are comnlitted
with your knowledge ; and would suggest that
you give notice to the people at !a%e that every
life taken by them simply results in the death
of one of your Confederates.
•f course you cannot question my right to
forage on the country. It is a war right as old
as history. The manner of exercising it varies
with circumstances, and if the civil authorities
will supply my requisition*, I will forbid all
foraging. But 1 find no civil authorities who
can respond to calls for forage or provisions,
and therefore must collect of the people. 1
have no doubt this is the occasion of much
misbehavior on the part, of our men, but I can
not permit an enemy to judge or punish with
wholesale murder.
Personally, I regret iho bitter feelings en
gendered by this war ; but they were'to be ex
pected, and I simply allege that, those who
■ truck the first blow, and made war inevitable,
ought, not in fairness to reproach us 4>r the
natural consequences. 1 mtrely assert our
war right to forage, and ri.y resolve to protect
my forager, to the extent of life soy life.
I am, with respect,
Your obedient servant,
[Signad] W. T. Sueimian,
Major General U. 8. A.
Headquarters in tub Firm, 1
February 27, 1865. j
Maj. Gen. Sherman, U. S. Army:
Gehbiial: Your communication of the 24th
inst. reached me to-day. In it- you state that
it has been officially reported that yarn- foraging
parties were “murdered” after capture, and
you- go on to say that you had “ordered a
similar number of prisoners in our hands to be
disposed of in like manner.” That is to say,
you have ordered a number of Confederate
soldiers.to be “murdered.”
You your order in proper terms,
/or the public voice, ‘even in your own country,
where it seldom dares to expres* itself in vin
dication of truth, hon»r or justice, will surely
agree with you in pronouncing you guilty of
murder, if carried out.
Before dismissing this portion of your letter,
1 beg to assure you that for every soldier of
mine “murdered” by you, I shall have execu
ted at once two of yours, giving, in all cases,
preference to any officer# who* ay he in my
bands.
In reference to the statement you make re
garding the death of your foragers, 1 have
only to say that 1 know nothing of it; that no
orders given by me authorizes the killing of
prisoners after capiuro, and that 1 do not bo
lieve that my men killed any of yours except
under circumstances in which ii was perfectly
legitimate and proper they should kill them.
It is a part of the system of the thievos
whom you designate as your foragers, to fire
the dwellings of those citizens whom they have
robbed.
To check this inhuman system, which is
justly execrated by every civilized nation, I
have directed my men to shoot down all your
men who are caught burning houses. This
order shall remain in force ns long as you dis
grace the profession of arms by allowing your
men to destroy private dwellings.
You say that I cannot, of course, question
your right to forage on the country. “It is a
right as old as history.” Ido not, sir, ques
tion this right. But there is a right older even
than this, and one more inalienable—the right
that every man has to defend liis home, and to
protect those who are dependent upon him.
And from my heart I wish that every old man
*.nd,b°y in my country, who can fire a gun,
would shoot down, as he would a wild beast,
the men who are desolating their land, burn
ing their houses, and insulting their women.
You are particular in defining and claiming
“war rights.” May I ask if you enumerate
among them the right to fire upon a defenceless
city without notice ; burn that city to the ground
after it had been surrendered by the authori
ties, win claimed, though in vain, that protec
tion tfliieli is always accorded in civilized war
fare to uon-conibiftants ; to fire the dwelling
houses of citizens, after robbing them, and
THE ARMY & NAVY HERALD.
to perpetrate even darker crimes than these—
crimes teo black to be mentioned?
You have permitted, if you have not ordered,
the commission of those offences against hu
manity and the rules of war. You fired inte
the city of Columbia without a word of warn
ing. After its surrender by the Mayor, who
demanded protection to private property, you
laid the whole city in ashes, leaving amid its
ruins thousands of old men and helpless women
and children, who are likely to perish of star
vation and exposure. Your line of march can
be traced by tbe lurid light of burning houses,
and in more than one household there is an
agony far more bitter than that, of death.
The Indian scalped his victim regardless of
sex or age, but with all his barbarity, he al
ways respected the persons of his female cap
tives. Your soldiers, more savage than the
Indian, insult those whose natural protectors
are absent.
In conclusion, I have only to request that
whenever you have any of my men “disposed
of,” or “murdered,” for the terms appear to be
synonomons with you, you will let hie hear of
it, in order that I may know what action to
take in the matter. In the meantime I shall
hold fifty-six of your men as hostages for those
whom you have ordered to he executed.
1 am yours, etc.,
[Signed] Wade Hampton,
Lieutenant General.
Official: John M (Hey, A. A. G.
“ G. VV. A. ” writes to the Columbus Sun that
General Forrest called up twenty-six of his
negroes (lie other night, and gave, them their
choice to go at. once to the Yankees, or join the
army and fight by his side, and have their free
dom at the end of the war. 'Twenty-five who
said they were willing to take up arms, stepped
out. One said lie did not want a gun, but he
“ would drive a wagon to h—ll for Mnssa Bu
ford, if he would tell him to.”
The negroes make first-rate soldiers, and
whenever you hear a man say he will quit if
(he negroes are put in, if you will dig down
around his heart, he wants to quit, anyhow.
The Appeal, of the 21st, says Gov. Harris,
of Tennessee, arrived in our city yesterday
evening, and is stopping at the- Exchange Ho
tel. The Governor i» jo** l - ir om Riolnncud,
and we are gratified to state bears with him a
commission for General Forrest, promoting
him to (he rank of Lieutenant-General of cav
alry. The country will be rejo'iced at the wel
com e intelligence.
For the present, Governor Harris lias severed
his long connection with the army of Tennes
see, and for the future will probably become a
member of Gen. Forrest’s military family.
Raising Cotton on Abandoned Planta
tions. —The Vicksburg Herald contains a state
ment relative to the cultivation of cotton and
oilier products at Davis Bend, which is very
unsatisfactory to the Yankees. The cater
pillars overturned the golden prospects of the
blue coats ; they devoured as the locusts of
Egypt, and before the first, of September tne
cotton fields were brown and scorched and bare
as if the fire bad swept over them. More than
five-sixths of the crop was destroyed. The
lessees’ purses were drained, and the negroes
who worked on short rations, and shorter
clothing, labored in vain. So much for en
deavoring to till the lands of our exiled free
men. The Almighty will not allow such people
to prosper on our soil.— Clarion.
Gun.' Forrest and Deserters. — The Regis
ter learns from a gentleman just from Missis
sippi, that this true General is getting in de
setters and stay-at-home soldiers - by hundreds
and thousands. He has adopted anew and
decisive method. The house of a known de
serter is visited, and its occupants are informed
that, “your father, husband, brother or son, is
skulking from his duty while the country is
invaded—l give you one week to send them to
the ranks—failing in that, your houses will be
burned, and you will be sent to the enemy’s
lines, for you are helping the enemy, and you
must go where you belong.” The effect of the
speech is said t o be marvellous, and only in a
few in Vances has it been ueccssary to execute
the threat.
Drowned. —We regret to learn that., a few
days since, in attempting to stretch a rope
across the Congaree river, for the purpose of
erecting a ferry for the benefit of the citizens
of Columbia, two members of the 2d Kentucky
Mounted Infantry were drowned. These brave
soldiers, who met so untimely an end, were
John Bridges, Cos. 8., who leaves a wife in Co
lumbus, Ga., and Conrad Billips, Cos. H. '
Constitutionalist, 22 d.
Paroohial Visiting.—A house-going minis
ter makes a church-going people. — Dr. Chal
mers.
Richard Baxter.
During Mr. B.ixfer’s residence in Coventry,
he, in company with several of the ejected
ministers who resided there, commenced preach
ing in a house, by' the side of a common, not
many miles from the city. The time of service
being rather early in the morning, Mr. Baxter
set out for the place the preceding evening.
The night being very dark he missed his way,
and after wandering about for a considerable
time he espied a light, on a rising ground, at a
considerable distance, to which ho immediately
bent his steps. On hi3 arrival he found that it
emanated from the window of a gentleman’s
house. He called and begged te be allowed to
remain until morning ; at the same time stating
that he had lost his w^y.
The "servant informed his master that a per
son of very respectable appearance was at the
door, and wished to be accommodated for the
night.. The gentleman ordered the servant to
invite him in. The invitation was accepted ;
and Mr. Baxter met with the greatest hospitali
iv. At supper, the gentleman inquired what
was the profession or employment of his guest.
Mr. Baxter, from several things spoke* by his
host, saw it necessary to he upert his gunrd,
and replied, “I am a man-catcher, sir.” “A
man-catclier,” said the gentleman, “ are you ?
You are the very person I want. I am justice
of the peace, and am determined to seize upon
one Dick Baxter, who is expected to preach at
a neighboring cottage to-morrow morning, and
you shall go with me, and I doubt not we shall
easily apprehend the rogue.” Mr. Baxter no
longer remained ignorant of the quality of Ids
host, and consented to accompany him. After
breakfast the next morning, they accordingly
set out. in the magistrate’s carriage for the
place. When they arrived, the people were be
ginning to assemble outside of th« house ; but
no Dick Baxter made his appearance to preach.
The justice seemed'to be considerably disap
pointed; and said to his companion, he sup
posed Mr. Baxter had been apprised of his
design, and would not fulfil his engagement.
After wailing for some time in arflent expecta
tion for the approach of the non-conformist,
but. without effect, Mr. Baxter told the magis
trate that it.was a pity for so Many people to
be collected together on the Sabbath morning,
without something being said t* them respect
ing religion; ani hoped lie would deliver a
short address to them on the subject. He re
plied, that as as all religious services sh*uld
begin with prayer, he could not perform that
duty, not having his prayer-book in his pocket.
“However,” said the. gentleman, “ I am per
suaded that a gentleman of your appearance
and respectability would 'be able to pray with
them, as well as to talk to them. I beg, there
fore, that you will be so good as to begin with
prayer.” After a few modest refusals, Mr.
Baxter commeneed the service with a prayer
at once selemn and fervid, for which he was so
remarkable. The magistrate soon melted into
tears. The man of God then delivered a most
impressive sermon ; after which, the magistrate
stepped up to him and said, that he felt truly
thankful that Baxter had not come, for he had
nevet; heard anything, that 10 much affected
him iu the whole course of his life. Baxter
turning round to him with a pathos not to be
imitated, said: “I am the very Dick Baxter of
whom you are ia pursuit; lam at your dispo
sal.” But the justice having felt so during
the service, entirely laid aside all his enmity ;
and ever afterwards became one of the most
decided friends of the nonconformist, and died,
it is believed, a decided Christian.
•*-*-*•
[From the Telegraph and Confederate.]
Hood Hospital, j
Cuthbevt, Ga., March, 1865. j
Mr. Editor: It has been the misforlune qf
the writer of this to have been in many hos
pitals since the war, but in none of them has
he noticed such plenty and variety, or so well
prepared for the table. The fare here is as
much more abundant and palatable, compared
with other hospitals, as that of a first-class
hotel compared with this.
Now, Mr. Editor, there must be something
wrong at the other hospitals, else why so
marked a difference, in every respect?
On inquiry, I learn that the Steward of the
Ilood Hospital has no more allowed him iu
rations or money than other hospitals ; yet I
know that it is far superior to others—so much
superior that the difference is worthy the at
tention of the Medical Director, under whose
eye the writer hopes this brief article will pass,
with the hope that any wrong existing may be
corrected, that full justice may be done the
gallant soldier worn down by wounds or dis
ease, and receive the benefit of the provision
the country has made for his sustenance and
comfort. Ho.spital Patient.
The Use ov Means. —God never promised to
save by miracles those that would not save them
selves by means.— Henry.
THE LIFE-CLOCK.
FROM THE GERMAN.
There is a little mystic clock,
No human eye hath seen.
That beateth on—and beateth on,
From morning until e’en.
And when the soul is wrapped in sleep,
Aud heareth not. a sound,.
It ticks and ticks the livelong night,
And never runneth down.
O wondrous is that work of art
Which knells the passing hour,
But art ne'etYormed, nor mind conceived,
The life-clock s magic power.
N#r set in gold, nor decked with gems ;
By wealth and pride possessed ;
But rich or poor, or high or low,
Each bears it in his breast.
hen life s deep stream, ’mid bed and flowers,
All still and softly glides,
Like ihe wavelet s step, with a gentle beat,
It warns of passing tides.
When threat’ning darkness gathers o’er,
And hope's bright visions flee.
Like th# sullen strokes of the muffled oar,
It beateth heavily.
When passion nerves the warrior’s arm
For deeds of hate and wrong,
Though heeded not the fearful sound,
The knell is.deep and strong.
When eyes to eyes are gazing soft,
And tender words are spoken,
Then fast and wild it rattles on.
As if with love ’twere broken. v
Such is the clock that measures life,
Os flesh and spirit blended;
And thus ’twill run within the breast
Till that strange life is ended.
A Thrilling Exordium.
In a sea-port town, on the west coast of Eng
land, some years ago, there was notice given
of a sermon to' be preached one Sunday eve
ning, in a dissenting chapel. The preacher
was a man of great celebrity in his calling, and
that circumstance, together with the picus ob
ject of the discourse—to enforce the duty of
the strict observance of the Sabbath—attracted
an overflowing audience. After the usual
prefatory prayer and hymn of praise, the
preacher gave out the text, and was about to
proceed wiih his sermen, when he suddenly
paused, leaned his head cn the pulpit, and r«-
nV.ired silent for a few moments. It was
imagined that ire had become indisposed ; but
he soon recovered himself, and addressing the
congregation, said, that, before entering upon
his discourse, he begged to narrate to them a ,
short anecdote. “It is now exactly fifteen
years,” said he, “since I was last in this place
of wersljp; and the occasiou was, as many
here may . probably remember, the very same
wkieli has now brought us together. Among
those who came thither that evening were three
dissolute young men, who came not only with
the intent of insulting and mocking the vene
rable pastor, but even with stones in their
pockets to throw at him, as he stood in his
pulpit. Accordingly they had not listened long
to the discourse, when »ne of them said impa
tiently, ‘ Why need we listen any longer to the
blockhead? throw!’ but the second stopped
him, saying, ‘Let us first see what he makes of
this point.’ The curiosity of the latter was no
sooner satisfied, than he .said, ‘Ay, it is only
as I expected, .throw, now!” But here th#
third interposed, and said, ‘it would be better
altogether to give up the design which had
brought them there.’ At this remark, his two
associates took offence, and left the church,
while he himself remained to the end. Now,
mark, my brethren, continued the preacher,
with much etnotion, what were afterwards th#
several fates of these young men. The first
was hanged many yearsllgo at Tyburn, for the
crime of forgery ; ihe second is now lying
under sentence of death, for murder, in the
jail of this city. The third, my brethren,” —
and the speaker’s agitation here became exces
sive, while he paused and wiped the large drops
from his brow—“ the third, my brethren, is he
who is now about to address you. Listen to him."
The number of hogs packed in Cincinnati is
estimated, upon packers’ returns at 333,000,
being a deficiency, as compared with last sea
son, of 32,000 head. At Chicago the packing
foots up 750,000, against 904,060 lust year,
being a falling off of about 150,000. The fall
ing off in the whole West will fall little short,
of 700,000 head. In the number shipped East'
there is also a large deficiency.
Horrible. — We learn that a letter has been
received by a lady in this city, from one of the
nuns in the Convent at Columbia, stating that
the Yankees fired the Convent, and that twenty
five children, placed there to be educated, were
■ burned to death. Two of the nuns were car
ried off by the brutal soldiery. Their fate can
only be surmised. The conduct of our foes in
this war proves that all the devils are not in
hell. — Exchange.