A proper Retaliation.
--The subjoined letter from
Gen. Hindman (a vague report of whose capture is confirmed in the
Northern papers) to
Gen. Curtis, the
Federal commander in
Arkansas, is written in the proper spirit.
It is dated
Little Rock, June 8:
‘
General: I have received information that you have in prison at
Batesville certain citizens of Izani county, Arkansas, captured a few days since by a attachment of your cavalry, who are charged with firing upon your men, while attempting to arrest them, and whom it is your intention to hang as out-laws.
Without stopping to inquire whether they did actually fire upon your soldiers or not, I assert it to be the duty, as well as the right, of every citizen of this district to fire upon the soldiers of the United States Government, so long as that Government persists in the invasion of their homes, and they have the arms to defend those house with; and in the performance of that duty, I shall sustain them at every hazard.
I have in custody several officers and soldiers of the army of your Government, and I write this to warn you that if your threat is carried into execution against one single citizen of this district, who now is, or may hereafter fall into, your hands, I shall avenge his death by hanging every Federal officer and soldier whom I now hold as prisoners of war; and from that time forward this becomes a war of extermination between us. Neither asking or granting quarter, I shall put to death, without mercy, every soldier and citizen of the
United States who falls into my hands.
I am further informed that, in a published order, you have already declared this to be a war of extermination, and that you expect to wage it as such.
I request, sir, that you specifically advise me as to the truth of such information, and if compatible with your duty, furnish me a copy of the order in question.
It such proves to have been your declaration, however, you can consider this as an acceptance of the issue tendered, and we will ignore all recognized rules of civilized warfare, and make our campaign one of savage cruelty and unsparing butchery.
Hoping, General, that there is some mistake in this matter, and that the rules of civilized warfare will continue to influence us both in conducting the campaign in which we find ourselves engaged.
I have the honor to be your
’
T. C. Hindman,
Major-General C. S. A.
