The Daily Dispatch: December 15, 1862., [Electronic resource]

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The correspondence between Gen. Wise and Gen. Keyes.

The following is a copy of a correspondence relative to the Williamsburg (Va.) Lunatic Asylum from General Henry A. Wise to General Keyes, to ascertain the truth of rumors that the United States forces occupied the Asylum for military purposes:

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Brigade Hdq'rs, Chaffin's Farm, Nov. 27, 1862.
to the Officer Commanding the U. States forces at Williamsburg, Va.:

sir

--Relatives of the unfortunate inmates of the Lunatic Asylum in the city of Williamsburg have become greatly alarmed and distressed by seeing it stated in the newspapers of the day, and by reports and rumors seeming to confirm these statements:

1. That the United States authorities have removed, or had tend to remove, either all or a portion of the inmates of the State Lunatic Asylum to some Northern locality or elsewhere unknown; and

2. That since the invasion of Williamsburg by the United States forces they have occupied a large portion of the building of the State Lunatic Asylum for military uses; and,

3. That they have so disturbed all discipline and regulations of police as to crowd the two sexes and the various classes of inmates in the Lunatic Asylum together in the same wards and apartments.

These complaints have been made by the families and friends of the patients to the President of the Confederate States. He has ordered proper inquiries to be made, and I am authorized to send a flag of truce to you at Williamsburg to ascertain the real state of facts in regard to these allegations. I trust I need not say that the Confederate authorities are not willing to believe these statements are true without being better vouched for than by rumor or newspapers, and without giving even an invading enemy the opportunity of vindicating his reputation before the civilized world against all doubt as to inhumanity like this. Therefore this flag of truce is sent to soothe and quiet apprehension, naturally and excusably excitable in mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, and friends, and to pay respect to the tenderest charities of life and the most awful afflictions of mankind — charities and afflictions so sacred that States and God only can deal with them with proper care, and such as are always kept safe from all intrusion. The Lunatic Asylum at Williamsburg is a State charitable institution, long established, and of that character of hospitals the most exempt of all from the least touch of war. When the buildings of the venerable William and Mary College were burned., her ancient volumes of learning and all the material monuments of her beneficence as Alma Mater of the sages and heroes of American Revolution and American history and Glory destroyed, the President of the Confederate States abided simply the verdict of all civilized men, and justly deemed that no protest was called for from him.--But, now that the State of Virginia's children of affliction are said to be inhumanly harmed, he appeals, in behalf of these ‘"little ones,"’ if they are or have been injured, to no lower authority than that of Heaven to Christianity. For Lieut.-Col. R. Harrison and Major Stark, of my command, I ask an interview with you in person, and that they may be permitted, under parole of honor, as officers and gentlemen, to make any and all proper inquiries and inspection necessary to enable them to report fully and accurately on that matter of this communication.

I am, sir, most respectfully, your ob't serv't,
Henry A. Wise, Brig'r Gen'l.

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On receipt of the above letter Gen. Keyes communicated with Major-General Dix, and sent the following letter in answer to Gen. Wise:

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Headq'rs Fourth army Corps,

--Your communication of the 27th ult., addressed to the officer commanding the forces at Williamsburg, and brought by Col. Harrison and Major Stark under a flag of truce, has been transmitted to me.

Major General Dix, commanding the department, has decided that these officers cannot be allowed to come within our lines, but that Mr. Douglas, the Superintendent of the Lunatic Asylum, can see them and lay before them a statement of the exact condition of the institution and its inmates. It is not the intention of the United States Government, so far as I know or can learn, to remove any of the patients to the North, nor has there been any authority given to occupy the building of the asylum for military purposes, further than was necessary for protection. A surgeon of the United States forces has been directed to render his professional assistance to the inanities, and full rations of provision have been issued to them. Coal is now being sent up, and nothing in my power has been omitted to render the unfortunate in mates of the asylum as comfortable as circumstances will permit. Your communication, though based avowedly on rumor and newspaper reports, evinces a disposition to credit a charge of cruelty towards the insane, since you associate the rumors with the destruction of the venerable William and Mary College, assuming that to have been done by us. The college buildings were burned in the confusion of a raid made by your troops within our lines. I know not who burned them; but I must take this opportunity to assure you that I am opposed to all violence not sanctioned by the usages of civilized warfare. I fully agree with you, that the awful afflictions and the tender charities which they deserve to awake in our breasts, and which are the main subject of your communication, should be exempt from every touch of war. They shall be so far as I can prevent, and I would not, to spite you nor your cause, do acts deserving the condemnation of the civilized world, and in regard to the arbitrament of that higher tribunal to which you refer. Heaven shield us! Who knows which

deserves the greater pity, the poor innate in the asylum at Williamsburg, or the men who have made this war!