THE SECESSION REBELLION: The Position Occupied by the British Government; Sympathy for Jeff. Davis’ Government Dying Out; Significant Proclamation of General McClellan (5/30/1861)

New York Times archives – Times Machine ^ | 5/30/1861

[Homer_J_Simpson]

SPECIAL DISPATCH FROM WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, Wednesday, May 29.

The Government is becoming embarrassed with the question of how the prisoners captured in this conflict now going on shall be disposed of. Our scouts are daily picking up men proved to have disunion sentiments, and already the number taken exceeds one hundred. The rebels are capturing Union men, assuming that the Government will exchange prisoners, and that by having a sufficient number they will be able to secure the release of the thirty-six rebels captured at Alexandria.

Here is the embarrassment. If the Government treat these men as rebels taken in arms against the Government, they should be hung. This would not be deemed good policy, even did not humanity revolt against such a sacrifice of human life. On the other side, if the system of exchanges be adopted, there is in the act a recognition of the rebels as belligerents according to all laws of nations.

The Cabinet has discussed this point several times without coming to any result, but it is probable that in the end the minor rebels will be discharged on parole, and the leaders only hung.

CONFISCATION OF REBEL PROPERTY.

The question as to what shall be done with the property of the rebel leaders, is also being discussed, but as yet only incidentally. The Arlington estate belongs to LEE, the rebel commander in Richmond, and is probably the most valuable property in Virginia. Apart from the negroes, it would probably sell for a quarter of a million of dollars. The confiscation and sale of this property would probably do quite as much to restore the eastern part of Virginia to its allegiance to the Government as any one act that could be done.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: Sometime in the future.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

Posting history, in reverse order

https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles

To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.

Link to previous New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3963443/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

The Secession Rebellion: The Position Occupied by the British Government– 2-3
Important from Fort Monroe: Condition of Affairs at Norfolk and Portsmouth – 3-4
Important from the West: Entrance of Ohio Troops into Western Virginia – 4
Prohibition of Cotton Exportation – 4
From Montgomery – 4
Rebels at Manassas Gap – 4
Local Military Movements: Return of the Sanitary Committee from Washington – 4-5
Editorial: What Has Been Gained – 5
The Boot on the Other Leg – 5
Editorial: Harper’s Ferry-Will it be Defended by he Insurgents? – 5-6
Editorial: The Need of a Permanent Standing Army – 6-7
Editorial: Civil and Martial Law at Baltimore – 7-8
Editorial: The Better Tone of Foreign Sentiment – 8

[M Kehoe]

Hi Professor.

Didn’t general Lee’s property end up becoming Arlington National cemetery?

5.56mm

[sauropod]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Didn’t general Lee’s property end up becoming Arlington National cemetery?

Yes, indeed. So General McDowell's assurance to Mrs. Lee, notwithstanding, the Lee's absence from Arlington would turn out to be permanent.