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Sunday, July 31, 2011

31 July, 1862: Thursday

Government - Confederate
President Davis writes to General Robert E. Lee that on July 22 a cartel for exchange of prisoners had been signed, but that shortly afterward the Federal authorities "commenced a practice changing the character of the war, from such as becomes civilized nations into a campaign of indiscrimimate robbery and murder."

Davis was referring to the orders of seizure of private property without compensation, the threats that citizens would be shot as spies if found in or near Pope's lines, and the seizure of citzens as hostages.

Therefore Davis issued orders that any commissioned officers captured from Pope's army be treated as felons rather than prisoners of war, for, he said, they had put themselves in the position "of robbers and murders." He regretted having to threaten retaliation on the officers, but laid the blame on the United States.

Confederacy - Military
Virginia

Confederates attacked Union camps and shipping between Shirley and Harrison's Landing.

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Bibliography
The Civil War Day By Day: An Almanac 1861-1865. E.B. Long with Barbara Long, De Capo, 1971

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