hall be
engaged in war, or be taken in arms against the confederate
States, or shall give aid or comfort to the enemies of the
confederate States,' were directed to be turned over to the
authorities of 'State or States in which they shall be captured,
to be dealt with according to the present or future laws of such
State or States.'

"On the twenty-first of July, however, the Commanding General
telegraphed to the Secretary of War for instructions as to the
disposition to be made of the negroes captured on Morris and
James Islands, and on the twenty-second received a reply that
they must be turned over to the State authorities, by virtue of
the joint resolutions of Congress in question.

"Accordingly, on the twenty-ninth July, as soon as a copy of the
resolution or act was received, his Excellency Governor Bonham
was informed that the negroes captured were held subject to his
orders, to be dealt with according to the laws of South Carolina.

"On the same day (twenty-ninth July) Governor Bonham requested
that they should be retained in military custody until he could
make arrangements to dispose of them; and in that custody they
still remain, awaiting the orders of the State authorities.

"Respectfully, your obedient servant,
"THOMAS JORDAN,
"_Chief of Staff._"

The Proclamation of Jefferson Davis, referred to in the second
paragraph of Mr. Jordan's letter, had declared Gen. Butler "a felon,
an outlaw, and an enemy of mankind." It recited his hanging of
Mumford; the neglect of the Federal Government to explain or
disapprove the act; the imprisonment of non-combatants; Butler's woman
order; his sequestration of estates in Western Louisiana; and the
inciting to insurrection and arming of slaves. Mr. Davis directed any
Confederate officer who should capture Gen. Butler to hang him
immediately and without trial. Mr. Davis's proclamation is given here,
as history is bound to hold him personally responsible for the
cruelties practised upon Negro soldiers captured by the rebels from
that time till the close of the war.

"First. That all commissioned officers in the command of said
Benjamin F. Butler be declared not entitled to be considered as
soldiers engaged in honorable warfare, but as ro