Baltimore, Md.,
November 15,1861.
Sit Excellency A. Lincoln:
My Dear Sir,—I
enclose a
proclamation which I have issued to the people of Accomac and Northampton
Counties, Va. Its purpose, as will be apparent to you from its tone, is to
bring about a peaceable submission on their part. If they resist, they are
advised that they may expect severe chastisement.
The case of these counties is peculiar. They have not
engaged in any active hostility to the United States. Their people have never
crossed the Maryland line. Their greatest offences are sympathizing with the
Richmond leaders, and carrying on an illicit trade with the Western Shore of
Virginia. One of their captains fired on a barge belonging to one of our revenue
steamers; but the act was disapproved by their leading men. If they can be
reclaimed and induced to throw off their connection with the Confederates, it
will be a great point gained, especially as the residence of Governor Wise,
their former representative, is in Accomac. And I thought it worth while to
make the effort by quieting their fears, in the first place — for they have got
it into their heads that we want to steal and emancipate their negroes — and,
by giving them the strongest assurances of kind treatment and protection, if
they do not resist the authority of the Government, I trust — I ought to say I
hope, rather than trust — that they may be gained over without bloodshed. As
their case is peculiar I have endeavored to meet it with a remedial treatment
adapted to the special phase of the malady of Secession with which they are
afflicted.
I have sent an additional force since my return from
Washington. The whole number will be 4500, among them about 3500 as
well-disciplined troops as any in the service.
In my instructions to General Lockwood, who commands the
expedition, I have directed him to disarm and make prisoners of all persons
found with arms in their hands. I have also enclosed him a copy of the Act of
Congress of the 6th of August last, entitled “An act to confiscate property used
for insurrectionary purposes,” the last sentence of which concerns persons held
to labor and service; and I have instructed him to enforce its provisions as
far as practicable.
In all I have done in this matter I have had the best
interest of the Government in view, and I shall be much gratified if it meets
your approbation.
I have the honor to
be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
John A. Dix, Major-general commanding.
SOURCE: Morgan Dix, Memoirs of John Adams Dix,
Volume 2, p. 41-2
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