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the common Government of all. Individuals You will pursue a different course; you will and marauding parties are pursuing a guerilla be honest, brave, and merciful; you will rewarfare, firing upon sentinels and pickets, spect the right of private opinion; you will burning bridges, insulting and even killing citi- punish no man for opinion's sake. Show to zens because of their Union sentiments, and the world that you differ from our enemies in committing many kindred acts. these points of honor, honesty, and respect for private opinion, and that we inaugurate no reign of terror wherever we go.

I do now, therefore, make proclamation, and warn all persons that individuals or parties engaged in this species of warfare, irregular in Soldiers, I have heard that there was danger every view that can be taken of it, thus attack- here. I have come to place myself at your ing sentries, pickets, or other soldiers, destroy-head and share it with you. I fear now but ing public or private property, or committing one thing, that you will not find foemen worthy injuries against any of the inhabitants because of your steel. I know that I can rely upon of Union sentiments or conduct, will be dealt GEO. B. MCCLELLAN, with in their persons and property according to the severest rules of military law.

All persons giving information or aid to the public enemies will be arrested and kept in close custody; and all persons found bearing arms, unless of known loyalty, will be arrested and held for examination.

GEO. B. MCCLELLAN,
Major-General, U. S. A., Commanding Department.

ANOTHER PROCLAMATION.

To the Soldiers of the Army of the West:
You are here to support the Government of
your country, and to protect the lives and lib-
erties of your brethren, threatened by a rebel-
lious and traitorous foe. No higher or nobler
duty could devolve on you, and I expect you
to bring to its performance the highest and
noblest qualities of soldiers' discipline, courage,
and mercy.

I call upon the officers of every grade to enforce the highest discipline, and I know that those of all grades, privates and officers, will display in battle cool heroic courage, and will know how to show mercy to a disarmed enemy. Bear in mind that you are in the country of friends, not of enemies-that you are here to protect, not to destroy. Take nothing, destroy nothing, unless you are ordered to do so by your general officers. Remember that I have pledged my word to the people of Western Virginia that their rights in person and property shall be respected. I ask every one of you to make good this promise in its broadest

sense.

We have come here to save, not to upturn. I do not appeal to the fear of punishment, but to your appreciation of the sacredness of the cause in which we are engaged. Carry into battle the conviction that you are right and that God is on our side. Your enemies have violated every moral law; neither God nor inan can sustain them. They have without cause rebelled against a mild and paternal Government; they have seized upon public and private property; they have outraged the persons of Northern men, merely because they came from the North, and of Southern Union men, merely because they loved the Union; they have placed themselves beneath contempt unless they can retrieve some honor on the field of battle.

you.

Major-General commanding.

Doc. 35.

PROCLAMATIONS OF GOV. LETCHER,
JUNE 14, 1861.

To the People of North-Western Virginia:
THE Sovereign people of Virginia, unbiassed,
and by their own free choice, have, by a major-
ity of nearly one hundred thousand qualified
voters, severed the ties that heretofore bound
them to the Government of the United States,
and united this Commonwealth with the Con-
federate States. That our people have the
right "to institute a new Government, laying
its foundations on such principles, and organiz-
ing its powers in such form as to them shall
seem most likely to effect their safety and hap-
piness," was proclaimed by our fathers, and it
is a right which no freeman should ever relin-
quish. The State of Virginia has now, the
second time in her history, asserted this right,
and it is the duty of every Virginian to ac-
knowledge her act when ratified by such a ma-
jority, and to give his willing cooperation to
make good the declaration. All her people
have voted. Each has taken his chance to have
his personal views represented. You, as well
as the rest of the State, have cast your vote
fairly, and the majority is against you. It is
the duty of good citizens to yield to the will
of the State. The bill of rights has proclaimed
"that the people have a right to uniform gov-
ernment; and, therefore, that no government
separate from or independent of the govern-
ment of Virginia ought to be erected or estab-
lished within the limits thereof."

The majority, thus declared, therefore, have a right to govern. But notwithstanding this right, thus exercised, has been regarded by the people of all sections of the United States as undoubted and sacred, yet the Government at Washington now utterly denies it, and by the exercise of despotic power is endeavoring to coerce our people to abject submission to their authority. Virginia has asserted her independence. She will maintain it at every hazard. She is sustained by the power of ten of her sister Southern States, ready and willing to uphold her cause. Can any true Virginian refuse to render assistance. Men of the Northwest, I

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appeal to you, by all the considerations which have drawn us together as one people heretofore, to rally to the standard of the Old Dominion. By all the sacred ties of consanguinity, by the intermixtures of the blood of East and West, by common paternity, by friendships hallowed by a thousand cherished recollections and memories of the past, by the relics of the great men of other days, come to Virginia's banner, and drive the invader from your soil. There may be traitors in the midst of you, who, for selfish ends, have turned against their mother, and would permit her to be ignominiously oppressed and degraded. But I cannot, will not, believe that a majority of you are not true sons, who will not give your blood and your treasure for Virginia's defence.

I have sent for your protection such troops as the emergency enabled me to collect, in charge of a competent commander. I have ordered a large force to go to your aid, but I rely with the utmost confidence upon your own strong arms to rescue your firesides and altars from the pollution of a reckless and ruthless enemy. The State is invaded at several points, but ample forces have been collected to defend her.

There has been a complaint among you that the eastern portion of the State has enjoyed an exemption from taxation to your prejudice. The State, by a majority of 50,000, has put the two sections on an equality in this respect. By a display of magnanimity in the vote just given, the East has, by a large majority, consented to relinquish this exemption, and is ready to share with you all the burdens of Government, and to meet all Virginia's liabilities. They come now to aid you as you came in former days to aid them. The men of the Southern Confederate States glory in coming to your rescue. Let one heart, one mind, one energy, one power, nerve every patriot to arm | in a common cause. The heart that will not beat in unison with Virginia now is a traitor's heart; the arm that will not strike home in her cause now is palsied by coward fear.

The troops are posted at Huttonsville. Come with your own good weapons and meet them as brothers!

Given under my hand, and under [L. S.] the seal of the Commonwealth, this 14th day of June, 1861, and in the 85th year of the Commonwealth. By the Governor :

GEO. W. MUNFORD,

JOHN LETCHER.

Secretary of the Commonwealth.

To the People of Virginia:

Whereas the Convention of this Commonwealth, of the 17th of April, 1861, adopted an ordinance to repeal the ratification of the Constitution of the United States of America by the State of Virginia, and to resume all the rights and powers granted under said Constitution; and by a schedule thereto annexed, pro

vided for taking the sense of the qualified voters of this Commonwealth, upon the ratification or rejection of said ordinance, and directed the Governor to ascertain the vote so taken, and without delay to make proclamation of the result, stating therein the aggregate vote for and against the ratification; and, whereas, the returns of several counties have not been received, and of others cannot be obtained, in consequence of the presence of a hostile force in the north-western and of the blockade in the eastern portions of the State; and by the returns which have been received, it appears that an overwhelming majority of the people have voted for the ratification of the said ordinance; now, therefore, I, John Letcher, Governor, in pursuance of the authority so given, do hereby proclaim the aggregate aforesaid to be as follows:

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And to the end that the entire vote of the State, as far as it can be ascertained, may be known to the people, I have estimated the vote of the counties from which returns have not been received, taking the same from the local papers and from sources believed to be correct, or nearly so, and append it to this proclamation.

I do, therefore, further declare that the said ordinance has been ratified by the qualified voters of this Commonwealth, and in confor mity to its provisions, do annex hereto a copy thereof, together with the schedule accompanying the same. And whereas, by another ordinance, "for the adoption of the Constitution of the Provisional Government of the Confederate States of America," passed on the 25th of April, 1861, it is provided that the said ordinance shall cease to have any legal operation or effect if the people of this Commonwealth upon the vote directed to be taken on the Ordinance of Secession shall reject the same; and it now appearing by the said vote that the people have ratified the said Ordinance of Secession; therefore, I do further proclaim, that the Constitution of the Provisional Government of the Confederate States of America, ordained and established at Montgomery, Alabama, on the 18th day of February, 1861, is now in full force in this Commonwealth, and must be respected and obeyed.

Given under my hand, as Govern[L. S.] or, and under the seal of the Com1861, and in the eighty-fifth year of the Commonwealth, this 14th day of June, monwealth. JOHN LETCHER.

By the Governor,

GEO. W. MUNFORD,
Secretary of the Commonwealth.

Doo. 36.

FIGHT AT CARTER'S CREEK,

ON THE RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER, JUNE 24. U.S. STEAMER MONTICELLO, Off Fortress Monroe, June 25, 1861. "DEAR SIR: In accordance with your desire, I send you a short statement of our action at Carter's Creek, up the Rappahannock River, which took place yesterday P. M.

"Agreeably to orders received from Flag Officer Pendergrast, we were relieved at our station off Cape Henry by the Quaker City, and came up and reported on Sunday morning. Was ordered away in the afternoon and anchored in Lynnhaven Bay. Yesterday morning we steered up the Chesapeake Bay, and about 2 P. M., were at the mouth of the Rappahannock. Hoping to capture the rebel steamer Virginia, plying on that river, we steamed a short distance with the Cumberland's launch in tow, armed with a 12-pound howitzer. Seeing nothing of importance, we turned round, and, at the request of our pilot, sent the launch on shore with our gig in tow, fully armed and equipped for any emergency, although our errand was a peaceful one, as the owner of the house was an intimate friend of the pilot's, and reported a Union man.

with the other. One of our quartermasters, while getting in on the quarter of the launch, was struck in the stomach by a ball. This case is considered hopeless. Several others were slightly wounded. The ship was not struck to my knowledge, although the balls came thick and close about it; but a few well-directed shots from our guns drove the rebels away, and we had it all to ourselves. We were in action over an hour, and fired 61 times in all. We steamed down the river and bay, after doing all the damage we could, and reported last night at midnight in Hampton Roads to the flag officer. The wounded were returned to Fortress Monroe, and will receive all necessary medical attendance. It is wonderful that so few were wounded, as the launch was not more than sixty yards from the fire.

"We learned afterwards, from those who went on shore, that they were warned by this friend to leave right away, as picket guards were stationed near by. Lieut. D. L. Braine, in charge of this ship, commanded the pivot gun, and your obedient servant the two after ones; the Paymaster in charge of the maga zine, and Acting Master at the wheel; and great credit is due to the men for their courage, as we had to make our firemen do the duty of a gun's crew. The officers of the ship are as follows:

"Lieut. D. L. Braine, "in charge; " Edwin V. Gager, Acting Master; G. de F. Barton, Acting Paymaster; Geo. W. Havemeyer, Acting Captain's Clerk; Heber Smith, Acting Assistant Surgeon; Geo. Wait, Acting Assistant Engineer; L. A. Brown and Winchester, Master's Mates.

"All the officers except Braine are from New York, and volunteered their services for the defence of the United States Government in this, its hour of peril, and hold appointments from the Navy Department."

Doo. 37.

"Owing to the shoaling of the water, a howitzer's crew and four men were left in the launch, and the balance, with Dr. Heber Smith, our assistant-surgeon, Pilot Phillips, and Master's Mate Brown in command, went on shore in the gig, and were very cordially received by all hands and introduced to the ladies present. Immediately after, we saw from the ship our men running rapidly down the beach, and wading towards the launch, and then several volleys of musketry were fired from armed and uniformed men who were seen stealing along the beach. We immediately opened on the thickets whence the fire came, from the ship's bat--Account of G. W. Havemeyer, N. Y. Tribune, June 28. teries, and must have done execution, as we were less than 600 yards from shore, and could see any and every movement of the enemy, The howitzer in the launch was likewise opened GOVERNOR HARRIS'S PROCLAMATION. on them, and completely routed them and silenced the fire. We then opened on the house and out-houses, and demolished them. Our pilot was seen wading towards us from the shore, he having been left behind in the hurry. I sent a boat and crew after them. Wo were very short-handed on board, as twenty men were on the launch, but every man did the work of half a dozen, so enraged were they at the rascally treachery of the rebels on shore, and their enthusiasm could not be controlled, but burst out in loud huzzas as each shot, shell, or grape did its deadly work. I regret to say that Dr. Smith, while wading to the launch, was shot in the mouth and likewise in the hand. The former shot passed through both cheeks, and tore out his teeth and gums. The wound, though severe, is not dangerous. The wound in the hand was slight in comparison

JUNE 24.

To all whom these presents shall come, greeting:

WHEREAS, By an act of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee, passed 6th May, 1861, an election, on the 8th day of June, 1861, was held in the several counties of the State, in accordance therewith, upon the Ordinance of Separation and Representation; and also, whereas, it appears from the official returns of said election (hereto appended) that the people of the State of Tennessee have, in their sovereign will and capacity, by an overwhelming majority, cast their votes for "Separation, dissolving all political connection with the late United States Government, and adopted the Pro-. visional Government of the Confederate States of America.

"

Now, therefore, I, Isham G. Harris, Governor

of the State of Tennessee, do "make it known and declare all connection by the State of Tennessee with the Federal Union dissolved, and that Tennessee is a free and independent Government, free from all obligation to or connection with the Federal Government" of the United States of America.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the great seal of the State to be affixed, at the department in Nashville, on this the 24th day of June, A.D. 1861.

By the Governor.

ISHAM G. HARRIS.

J. E. R. RAY, Secretary of State.

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Doo. 39.

NAPOLEON'S PROCLAMATION OF NEU-
TRALITY.

"His Majesty the Emperor of the French, taking into consideration the state of peace which exists between France and the United States of America, has resolved to maintain a strict neutrality in the struggle between the Government of the Union and the States which propose to form a separate Confederation.

"In consequence his Majesty, considering Article 14 of the Naval Law of August, 1681, the 3d Article of the law of the 10th of April, 1825, Articles 84 and 85 of the Penal Code, 65 and following of the Decree of the 24th of NO BEP. March, 1852, 313 and following of the Code 32,928 Pénal Maritime, and Article 21 of the Code 8,198 Napoleon

6,117

"Declares:

"1. No vessel of war or privateer of either of the belligerent parties will be allowed to 47,238 enter or stay with prizes in our ports or roadsteads longer than twenty-four hours, excepting in case of compulsory delay (retache forcée.) 2. No sale of goods belonging to prizes is allowed in our ports and roadsteads.

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"3. Every Frenchman is prohibited from taking a commission under either of the two

THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT N. Y. S. V. parties to arm vessels of war, or to accept letters

THE following is a list of the officers:
Field.-Colonel, Calvin C. Pratt; Lieutenant-
Colonel, William H. Brown; Major, Addison
Dougherty.

Commissioned Staff-Adjutant, Frank Jones;
Quartermaster, Baron Samson; Surgeon, Dr.
Frank H. Hamilton; Assistant Surgeon, Dr.
Lucien Damainville; Chaplain, Rev. Samuel
W. Waldron, Jr.

Non-Commissioned Staff

Sergeant-Major, Edward Frossard; Quartermaster - Sergeant, Lemuel Pitman, Jr.

of marque for privateering purposes, or to assist, in any manner whatsoever, the equipment or armament of a vessel of war or privateer of either party.

"4. Every Frenchman, whether residing in France or abroad, is likewise prohibited from enlisting or taking service either in the land army or on board vessels of war or privateers of either of the two belligerent parties.

"5. Frenchmen residing in France or abroad must likewise abstain from any act which, committed in violation of the laws of the Em pire, or of the international law, might be conLine.-Co. A-J. A. Hassler, Captain; Peter sidered as an act hostile to one of the two parties, J. Stuyvesant, First Lieutenant; Robert R. and contrary to the neutrality which we have Daniels, Ensign. Co. B-L. C. Newman, Cap-resolved to observe. All persons acting contain; Daniel E. Sinith, First Lieutenant; Eu- trary to the prohibition and recommendations gene Trossard, Ensign. Co. C-(The Polish contained in the present declaration, will be Legion)-Alexander Raszewski, Captain; Lewis prosecuted if required, conformably to the Domanski, First Lieutenant; Vincens Kocha- enactments of the law of the 10th of April, nowski, Ensign. Co. D-M. O. McGarry, Cap- 1825, and of Articles 84 and 85 of the Penal tain; James H. Bradley, First Lieutenant; Code, without prejudice to the application that Rannie L. Knight, Ensign. Co. E-August might be made against such offenders of the Help, Captain; Charles E. Klein, First Lieu- enactments of the 21st Article of the Code Natenant; Henry Shickard, Ensign. Co._F-poleon, and of Articles 65 and following of the Henry Whitthack, Captain; Frederick Prop, First Lieutenant; Lewis H. Browne, Ensign. Co. G-Edmund Johnson, Captain; Oliver J. Rogers, First Lieutenant; William D. Prentice, "His Majesty declares, moreover, that every Ensign. Co. H-David Lamb, Captain; Asa Frenchman contravening the present enactB. Gardner, First Lieutenant; Frederick F.ments, will have no claim to any protection Pfeifer, Ensign. Co. I-John A. Rue, Captain; J. Barnet Sloan, First Lieutenant; T. Hamilton Hare, Ensign. Co. K-William H. Watts, Captain; William H. Maitland, First Lieutenant; no ensign yet. -N. Y. Herald, June 23.

Decree of the 24th of March, 1852, on the merchant service, 313 and following of the Penal Code for the navy.

from this Government against any acts or measures, whatever they may be, which the belligerents might exercise or decree.

"NAPOLEON. "THOUVENEL, Minister of Foreign Affairs." -Moniteur, June 11.

Doc. 40.

A SOLDIER'S RESPONSE.

The subjoined communication reached us from the gallant

officer whose signature it bears, and who, from a remote post of public duty, utters a voice of no uncertain sound in this day of civil trial. Such an utterance from such a source needs no word of introduction or commendation at our hands, as the reader will sufficiently learn from its perusal that the writer holds a pen as brilliant and as loyal as the sword he wields in the service of his country. Would that the trumpet-notes of his fervid appeal might yet reach the ears and move the hearts of his fellow-citizens in the great Commonwealth of which he is a native!-National Intelli

gencer.

FORT CRITTENDEN, Utah, June 6, 1861.

I have seen the call of the Virginia Convention on all natives of the State in the army and navy, and have been the subject of other more pointed appeals.

The respect which I owe to the opinions of the citizens of my native State demands of me an answer—an exposition of my circumstances and views of duty.

I belong to a district of the State which, I just learn, has voted for Union. At fourteen years of age I was severed from Virginia; the National Government adopted me as its pupil and future defender; it gave me education and a profession, and I then made a solemn oath to bear true allegiance to the United States of America, and to "serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whatsoever." This oath and honor alike forbid me to abandon their standard at the first hour of danger.

In the national service I have been for thirtyfour years a Western man, and if my citizenship be localized, a citizen of Missouri.

My military profession has not prevented attentive observation of political affairs, and I have had of late the vantage ground of a calm position. Thus I have formed strong political opinions, which must have had their weight in deciding my course.

Now, what was the true status of a great sectional struggle when the Virginia Convention resolved upon revolution?

For the first time in our national history her citizens enjoyed a legal right to settle with their slave property on every acre of the public domain; and this had just been recognized for the first time by the Republican party in their votes for their territorial acts of Congress. If a barren right, it was too confessedly a mere point of honor. And slavery was recognized by local law, with the acquiescence of that party, in all the territory south of the old Missouri compromise line.

The "Personal Liberty" acts of some Northern States-misrepresented, but really disloyal and irritating-were being reconsidered; some had already been modified or repealed.

ed at Chicago with unwonted facility by an officer appointed by the new Administration.

But one patent fact remains: The Confederate States had committed an overt act of aggressivo war upon the nation! they threatened its Capital, and the President had called for militia for public defence.

Years ago public men at the South began to despair of their habitual control in the future of the power of the National Government; they were irritated at this prospect, and unreasonably, for it was to be the legitimate result of our political system, and of sectional institutions. But the politicians of the Cotton States had long familiarized themselves with ultra ambitious schemes; they were committed, especially in South Carolina, beyond any dignity of retraction to vain State rights theories and threats of State action; they embraced wild, dazzling, but unscrupulous and impracticable designs; they resolved to rule, if only amid the ruins of their country; they conspired; they had influence to sever the great national party; they remorselessly turned their backs on their constant and sorely pressed friends at the North and West; they forced an election by a minority of the people, and then gladly raised the cry of sectional domination, and of imaginary injuries and evils to follow. They took advantage of their own wrong, and pronounced a political crime the success of a sectional party, to which they had deliberately contributed.

Then the oligarchy of South Carolina, (a State not very homogeneous, politically or socially, with any other part of the nation,) with contemptuous disregard of the dignity and of the counsels of their neighbors, coolly set themselves to convert a great excitement into temporary madness. They applied the torch to the temple of free Government. South Carolina assumed the bad eminence of leader in revolution and ruin. Thus aided, the arts of demagogues and the violent energies of rebellious spirits elsewhere dragged or dragooned the reluctant voiceless inhabitants of six other States into her train. Ever since the leaders have exerted every art to gain over the "Border States," to save themselves from failures; until desperately they lit the torch of war; then Virginia fell into the snare. In a secondary position, she is made a tool-a fender against collision-a battle-ground. When the war tocsin sounded, her Catilines, her mad youths, her city-mobs, drove excitement to frenzy, and a great Union majority in the Convention was overcome. Thus recklessly, for a time, the temperate voice of duty has been drowned, and the good old State may have been plunged into the darkness of moral and physical desolation-the hell of a bitter civil, it may be a servile, war.

The democratic party was gaining strength; was successful in some of the New England I have given the utmost condensation to this States. But for southern defection it had been sketch of my views and convictions; it is not a in control of two of the three great depart-time for many words. If I had been on the ments of the Government. ground I might have felt tempted to shoulder

The fugitive slave law had just been execut- a musket in defence of the mother of dead

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