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STUART, J. E. B., General, C.S.A.. Autograph letter signed ("J. E. B. Stuart"), to Gen., R. H. Chilton, Lee's Chief of Staff, Head Quarters, Cavalry Division, Army of Northern Virginia, 21 December 1862.
A FEW DAYS BEFORE HIS DUMFRIES RAID, STUART PROTESTS UNION TREATMENT OF A REBEL PRISONER
Stuart angrily complains that Private Thomas F. Chancellor was "without the shadow of excuse or reason detained a prisoner in close confinement from 14th of October till the 15th of Dec. at Fort Delaware" in violation of the "Cartel of exchange of prisoners agreed upon between the two Govts." Stuart deems "the conduct of the U.S. authorities in this case to be a violation of its stipulation to parole all prisoners within ten days, in justice to Chancellor and to my command, I beg that such steps will be taken as will prevent its recurrence, and that explanation be required for this instance." An endorsement on the back of the letter from W. H. Taylor, conveys General Robert E. Lee's response: Col. R. Ould, the "Commissary for Ex-Prisoners" will "inquire into and report the causes for this alleged detention of pvt. Chancellor." Five days after writing this letter, Stuart bagged about 200 fresh Union prisoners in his bold Dumfries Raid. Moving with a force of 1,800, the rebel cavalryman killed and wounded some 30 men, and in addition to the prisoners, seized a large train of horses, wagons, guns and supplies and eluded Union pursuit.
A FEW DAYS BEFORE HIS DUMFRIES RAID, STUART PROTESTS UNION TREATMENT OF A REBEL PRISONER
Stuart angrily complains that Private Thomas F. Chancellor was "without the shadow of excuse or reason detained a prisoner in close confinement from 14th of October till the 15th of Dec. at Fort Delaware" in violation of the "Cartel of exchange of prisoners agreed upon between the two Govts." Stuart deems "the conduct of the U.S. authorities in this case to be a violation of its stipulation to parole all prisoners within ten days, in justice to Chancellor and to my command, I beg that such steps will be taken as will prevent its recurrence, and that explanation be required for this instance." An endorsement on the back of the letter from W. H. Taylor, conveys General Robert E. Lee's response: Col. R. Ould, the "Commissary for Ex-Prisoners" will "inquire into and report the causes for this alleged detention of pvt. Chancellor." Five days after writing this letter, Stuart bagged about 200 fresh Union prisoners in his bold Dumfries Raid. Moving with a force of 1,800, the rebel cavalryman killed and wounded some 30 men, and in addition to the prisoners, seized a large train of horses, wagons, guns and supplies and eluded Union pursuit.