Jones, Samuel (1819-1887) to Eliakim Parker Scammon
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01927 Author/Creator: Jones, Samuel (1819-1887) Place Written: Dublin, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 April 1863 Pagination: 3 p. : docket ; 24.8 x 19.9 cm. Order a Copy
Confederate General Jones, Commander of the Department of Western Virginia, writes to Union General Scammon. Transmits two letters (not included) regarding William Hughart and W. M. [Lydenstriker?], two prisoners taken from the Union Army. Reports that the captives were recognized as Confederate deserters, and will be tried before the proper tribunal. Relates that Union officers have threatened the Confederate captors, attempting to persuade them to parole Hughart and Lydenstriker. Jones declares, "I need hardly say that the threats of those men will have no weight whatever. I send the letters to you that you may know what those two subordinates of yours propose to do; and from the tone of your letters, and then expression of the purpose which I have no doubt you entertain, to keep your men within the limits of civilized warfare, I do not doubt that would will promptly take such steps, as will effectually prevent those lawless men from executing their threats." Notes that "men who entertain such lawless ideas and purposes" exacerbate hostile sentiments on the border."
H.d 2.d Dept. W. Va
Dublin April, 1862
General:
I send with this, two letters which have been sent to me.
One is dated Provost Marshall's office Fayetteville addressed to "H.L. Walker Sir," and signed "Luther Furney Capt, and Provost Marshall." The other is dated "Fayette County, Va, March 12th, 1863" addressed to Capt. Thurman, and signed "William G. Flannigan" who says he is "commissioned", in your service I presume.
Captain Thurman commands a company in the Confederate States Service, and Early in last month, in a a skirmish with Flannigan's men Captured two men Wm Hughart and W.M. Sydenstriker. Those two men were recognized as deserters from our service. They will be tried by the proper tribunal, and if it appears on the trial that they are not deserters from the C.S. service they will be paroled.
You will see by the accompanying [trying] letters that your Provost Marshall, [2] if indeed he holds that position, which I somewhat doubt tells Mr. Walker that he understands his, Walker's, son is in Capt. Thurman's company, and that unless he, Walker, sees that the prisoners Wm Hugart & W.M. Sydenstriker are released and returned, he the Provost Marshall will arrest Walker and other men in his neighborhood. Flannigan asked Capt. Thurman to parole the two men, Hugart and Sydenstriker and adds that if they are not paroled, whatever punishment is inflicted upon them will be inflicted upon any of Capt. Thurmans men if captured and if none of them are Captured then "some" four influential southern men will have "the debt to pay that you defend."
I need hardly say that the threats of those men will have no weight whatever. I send the letters to you that you may know what those two subordinates of yours purpose to do; and from the tone of your letters, and the expression of the purpose which I have no doubt you entertained, to keep your men within the limits of civilized warfare, I do not doubt that you will promptly take such steps, as will effectually prevent Those lawless men from executing their threats. The presence on the border of men who entertain such lawless ideas and purposes, and who act by authority of your government, is calculated still further to exasperate the feeling on the border, and to provoke lawless retaliation, which you so much depreciate.
Very Respectfully, Sam. Jones
Maj. Genl.
Brig Genl. E.P. Scammon U.S. Army
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