HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE TENNESSEE,
Near Vicksburg, July 4, 1863.
Maj. Gen. R. TAYLOR,
Commanding
Confederate Forces, Alexandria, La.:
GENERAL: Your letter of the 27th of June, disclaiming the act of hanging Union soldiers who were
taken prisoners by your forces near Milliken's Bend on the 7th of June, is just
received. I could not credit the story, though told so straight, and I am now
truly glad to hear your denial. The prisoners taken by our forces have not been
subjected to any harsh treatment in consequence of the statements detailed in
my former letter.
In the matter of
treatment of negro soldiers taken prisoners, I do not feel authorized to say
what the Government may demand in regard to them, but having taken the
responsibility of declaring them free, and having authorized the arming of them
[sic] and another for the white soldiers.
This, however, is a
subject I am not aware of any action having been taken upon.
I am, general, your obedient servant,
U.S. GRANT.
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. 469
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