HDQRS. DIST. OF W. LA., Alexandria, June 27, 1863.
Maj. Gen. U.S.
GRANT, Comdg. United States Forces near Vicksburg:
GENERAL: Your
communication of the 22d instant, attributing to the troops of my command, upon
evidence furnished you by a white man, certain acts disgraceful alike to
humanity and to the reputation of soldiers, has just reached me. In reply, I
beg to say that I remained at Richmond and in its vicinity for several days
after the skirmish to which you allude, and had any officer or negro been hung
the fact must have come to my knowledge, and the act would most assuredly have
met with the punishment it deserved. The hanging of a white sergeant by Colonel
[I. F.] Harrison's cavalry is, I am satisfied, likewise a fabrication. I shall,
however, cause this matter to be thoroughly investigated, and should 1 discover
evidence of such acts having been perpetrated the parties shall meet with
summary punishment. My orders at all times have been to treat all prisoners
with every consideration.
As regards negroes
captured in arms, the officers of the Confederate States Army are required by
an order emanating from the General Government, to turn all such to the civil
authorities, to be dealt over with according to the laws of the State wherein
they were captured.
I remain, your obedient servant,
R. TAYLOR.
SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of
the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume
24, Part 3 (Serial No. 38), p. 443-4
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