d
in, we shall reluctantly be forced to the last resort of accepting
the war on the terms chosen by our enemies, until the voice of an
outraged humanity shall compel a respect for the recognized usages
of war. While the President considers that the facts referred to
would justify a refusal on our part to execute the cartel by which
we have agreed to liberate an excess of prisoners of war in our
hands, a sacred regard for plighted faith, which shrinks from the
semblance of breaking a promise, precludes a resort to such an
extremity, nor is it his desire to extend to any other forces of
the United States the punishment merited by General Pope and such
commissioned officers as choose to participate in the execution of
his infamous order.

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

R.E. LEE, _General commanding_.

This communication requires no comment. It had the desired effect,
although General Halleck returned it as couched in language too
insulting to be received. On the 15th of August, the United States War
Department so far disapproved of General Pope's orders as to direct
that "no officer or soldier might, without proper authority, leave his
colors or ranks to take private property, or to enter a private house
for the purpose, under penalty of death."

II.

LEE'S MANOEUVRES.

General Pope had promptly advanced, and his army lay in Culpepper, the
right reaching toward the Blue Ridge, and the left extending nearly to
the Rapidan.

The campaign now became a contest of brains between Lee and the
Federal authorities. Their obvious aim was to leave him in doubt
whether a new advance was intended under McClellan from James River,
or the real movement was to be against Richmond from the North. Under
these circumstances, General Lee remained with the bulk of his army
in front of Richmond; but, on the 13th of July, sent Jackson with two
divisions in the direction of Gordonsville. The game of wits had thus
begun, and General Lee moved cautiously, looking in both directions,
toward James River and the Upper Rappahannock. As yet the real design
of the enemy was undeveloped. The movement of General Pope might or
might not be a real advance. But General McClellan remained inactive,
and, on the 27th of July, A.P. Hill's division was sent up to
reenforce Jackson--while, at the same time, General D.H. Hill,
commanding a force on the south