Thursday, May 29, 2014

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Major-General Richard Taylor, July 4, 1863

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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