by the authority of the Secretary of War of the said Confederate States. I further declare I will not disclose or make known any information that I may have acquired to the injury of the Confederate States or the cause in which they are engaged. In consideration of the above parole I am to be free to go at large whenever I may see fit subject to recall within limits to be prescribed or revocation of parole, and report in person to the Secretary of War of the Confederate States of America. DE WITT C. PETERS, Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Army. Capt. GEORGE D. RUGGLES, NEW YORK CITY, September 12, 1861. Assistant Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. SIR: I left Dansville on the evening of the 9th instant to accompany my son to New Haven, Conn., where I have placed him at school, and on my return here on my way home I received a few minutes ago your communication of the 6th instant,* ordering me to report for duty at Scarsdale, West Chester County, New York. I inclose herewith a copy of my parole, supposing that the Adjutant-General may have forgotten its terms. It most positively forbids me from doing the duties to which I am ordered, and I do not see how it is possible to enter upon them or any other duties which will either directly or indirectly operate to the prejudice of the Confederate States or the rebel cause without a violation of my honor. I most earnestly hope that no such duties will be insisted upon. It would be bad indeed, under all the trying circumstances of my position, to add to them the necessity of breaking my parole or being driven from the service. Your letter was delayed in reaching me, having been directed to Bath instead of Dansville. I shall leave here in the morning for the latter place, where I shall hope to hear from you as soon as practicable. I trust the inclosed will have the most liberal construction, and that the order within referred to will not be insisted on. I am, sir, yours, very respectfully, I. V. D. REEVE, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, U. S. Army. [Inclosure.] SAN ANTONIO, TEX., May 31, 1861. I pledge my word of honor as an officer and a gentleman that I will not bear arms against the Confederate States of America, nor exercise any of the functions of my office under my commission from the President of the United States against the said Confederate States during the existence of the war now pending between the two countries unless I am exchanged for other prisoners of war, or unless I am relieved from this parole, or released by the authority of the President of the Confederate States. In consideration of which parole it is understood that I am to be free to go and come whenever I may see fit. I. V. D. REEVE, Bvt. Lieutenant-Colonel, U. S. Army, and Captain, Eighth Infantry. *Omitted. General L. THOMAS, FORT HAMILTON, N. Y., September 22, 1861. Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. SIR: I have the honor to report that the enlisted men (on parole) of companies of the First, Third and Eighth Infantry, in camp near Fort Hamilton, under my command, were yesterday transferred and put en route for West Point and Columbus, N. Y., in compliance with orders from the Adjutant-General's Office and the commanding officer of Fort Hamilton. The officers of the command, under orders from the Adjutant-General's Office, proceeded in compliance therewith to their several destinations. The officers on parole who had received no orders were directed to report to the Adjutant-General and Headquarters of the Army for orders, stating their addresses. There did not appear to be any necessity of their remaining longer at Fort Hamilton, there being no duty for them to perform, and orders will reach them with about the same facility at their several locations as at Fort Hamilton. My address will be Hartford, Conn., where I will be pleased to receive orders for any duty I can perform not incompatible with the parole given by me. Ι I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, C. C. SIBLEY, Major Third Infantry. WAR DEPARTMENT, Adjt. Gen. L. THOMAS, War Department. October 2, 1861. SIR: I acknowledge the receipt of letter of Col. I. V. D. Reeve referred by you to this Department. You will give the required instructions to have your orders executed, and if Lieutenant-Colonel Reeve does not comply with them he must either resign or have his name stricken from the rolls. I have the honor to be, respectfully, SIMON CAMERON, General L. THOMAS, WASHINGTON, D. C., October 18, 1861. Adjutant-General U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. SIR: I have the honor to report that on receipt of a copy of the letter of the Secretary of War to the Adjutant-General, dated October 2, 1861, giving a decision in reference to the order assigning me to duty at Scarsdale, N. Y., and the receipt at the same time of the letter of Captain Ruggles, assistant adjutant-general, reiterating said order, I proceeded to report accordingly, and on my arrival in New York City I learned that the troops had been removed from Scarsdale by order of the governor of the State. I therefore proceeded to report in person at the War Department. I still deemed the duty above referred to as incompatible with my parole, but not wishing to give so strict a construction to its terms as to render myself liable to a charge of wishing to avoid such duties as I might consistently perform, I referred the matter to the President, who approves my construction of the parole in relation to the duties upon which I was ordered. I am willing and anxious to do such duties as are consistent with my parole, but these are very limited. I can serve on courts-martial where the cases and individuals to be tried are not directly connected with the war, and I can serve on boards the duties of which do not go directly to the prejudice of the so-called Confederate States. I am, sir, yours, respectfully, I. V. D. REEVE, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel, U. S. Army. FORT COLUMBUS, NEW YORK HARBOR, October 20, 1861. Adjt. Gen. L. THOMAS, Washington, D. C. SIR: I have the honor to report to you the arrival at this post on the 19th ultimo of Sergts. T. D. Parker, Franklin Cook, and R. E. Ellenwood, who have recently escaped from the rebel forces in Texas. These gallant men were surrendered with the command of Bvt. Lieut. Col. I. V. D. Reeve, and they belong to Companies I and E of the Eighth Infantry. They inform me that the enemy violated the obligations of the local parole given the prisoners by placing them under guard and so reducing their issues of clothing and rations as to render the men in a state of suffering. Under the circumstances they determined upon and made their escape through Western Texas and Mexico, thence on by steamer to Havana, and finally succeeded in reaching this city. The above sergeants were in a destitute condition when they reached this post. The privations and hardships they have undergone while making this long journey are too lengthy to give you in detail, but they speak volumes of their worth and soldier-like bearing. After obtaining the necessary papers for drawing their pay I ordered them to report to the headquarters of their regiment at Fort Hamilton, New York Harbor. The private information these men possess of the state of affairs in Texas and Mexico may be valuable to the Department, and therefore I recommend them to you for your consideration. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, DE WITT C. PETERS, Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Army. P. S. These sergeants inform me that the U. S. consul at Tampico refused them any assistance, and also declined to loan money on a valuable watch which one of the men possessed, saying that theirs was a hopeless case and he had lost money enough. His name is Mr. Chase, and they represent him as being a wealthy man who is about returning to this city. They further say that the English consul and the captain of the English steamer treated them with great kindness, and by them some acknowledgement would be appreciated. They also state that the Mexican authorities and people sympathize with the United States Government. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 5 R R—SER II, VOL I DE WITT C. PETERS, Assistant Surgeon, U. S. Army. [Indorsement.] FORT COLUMBUS, October 20, 1861. Respectfully referred to the Adjutant-General, with a strong recommendation of these sergeants to the consideration of the authorities at Washington for their zeal and patriotism in the cause of their country, in hopes some suitable reward will be bestowed upon them. G. LOOMIS, Colonel Fifth Infantry, Commanding. HDQRS. OF THE ARMY, ADJUTANT-GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, November 6, 1861.* Capt. E. D. PHILLIPS, First U. S. Infantry. SIR: The general-in-chief directs that you immediately report to this office whether there is anything in the parole you have given to prevent your serving as instructor in a camp which it is proposed to establish near this city for the instruction of volunteer officers. I am, sir, most respectfully, your obedient servant, A. BAIRD, Assistant Adjutant-General. Capt. A. BAIRD, WEST POINT, N. Y., November 9, 1861. Assistant Adjutant-General U. S. Army. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th of November, instructing me to report whether there is any thing in the parole which I have given which would prevent me from serving as instructor in a camp of volunteer officers. As I cannot doubt that the volunteer officers are destined peculiarly and exclusively for the present war I see not how I can consistently serve in the capacity indicated. At the same time I am anxious that the generalin-chief may be acquainted with my earnest desire to be exchanged and be permitted to participate in the most active service. I inclose herewith a copy of my parole, and have the honor, to be, sir, with much respect, your obedient servant, [Inclosure.] E. D. PHILLIPS, Captain, First Infantry. SALURIA, TEX., April 25, 1861. TO THE AUTHORITIES OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA: I give my word of honor as an officer and a gentleman that I will not bear arms nor exercise any of the functions of my office under any commission from the President of the United States against the Confederate States of America during the existence of the war between the said Confederate States and the United States unless I shall be exchanged for other prisoner or prisoners of war, or until I shall be released by the President of the Confederate States. In consideration of the above parole it is understood that I am free to go and come when *Same to several other officers surrendered in Texas. ever I may see fit, except that I shall not attempt to enter or depart from any fort, camp or garrison of the Confederate States without the sanction of its commanding officer. ADJUTANT-GENERAL, E. D. PHILLIPS, First Lieutenant, First Infantry. SANDUSKY CITY, OHIO, November 14, 1861. Headquarters of the Army, Washington, D. C. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant,* and beg leave to say in reply that I have heretofore officially declined to muster volunteers into service as being a duty in conflict with my parole; and the duty to which your inquiry relates in connection with volunteers being of a similar nature I am constrained to say that I could not consistently with my parole perform the service. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. HOFFMAN, Lieutenant-Colonel Eighth Infantry. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF NORFOLK, Maj. Gen. JOHN E. WOOL, Commanding Department of Virginia. November 19, 1861. SIR: I inclose herewith a communication for Asst. Surg. De Witt C. Peters releasing him from his parole, he having been exchanged for Asst. Surg. Wyatt M. Brown by order of Major-General McClellan. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, BENJ. HUGER, Major-General, Commanding. P. S.-General Wool is requested to forward this letter to Colonel Dimick, commanding Fort Warren, Mass., as some of the surgeons released on parole inform me that Colonel D. states he could not propose exchange of any surgeon, as Dr. De Witt C. Peters had never been released from his parole. BENJ. HUGER, Major-General. Asst. Surg. DE WITT C. PETERS, U. S. Army. November 19, 1861. SIR: I am authorized by the Government of the Confederate States to release you from the obligation you are under "not to serve or exercise the functions of your office to the detriment of the States now at *See Baird to Phillips, p. 66. |