H 8. Doggbtt to January 16, 1865, January 13, 1865

Richmond, Va., January 13, 1865.

Capt. H. S. DOGGETT, Fredericksburg, Va.: Detain Hon. H. S. Foote until further orders.* J. A. SEDDON, Secretary of War.

HEADQUARTERS, Fredericksburg, Va., January 13, 1865. Major CARRINGTON, Provost-Marshal :

MAJOR: I advised you by telegraph last night that I had caused Hon. Henry $. Foote, member of Congress from the State of Tennessee, to be arrested at Occoquan on the 10th instant on his way to Washington City, for the following reasons:

On Sunday, the Sth, information was lodged with me that Hon. Henry S. Foote and lady, after having spent the night previous with Joseph B. Ficklen, at Falmouth, had left early in the day for Dumfries, aud thence to pass beyond our lines into the lines of the United States. J at once dispatched two trusty men with written orders, per inclosed paper, marked A. My verbal instructions were not to interfere with the honorable gentleman or his lady until they had clearly exhibited a purpose to pass beyond our jurisdiction, which I took it for granted would be quite apparent when they passed beyond Dumfries. My reason for being thus particular was that it was intimated that Mr. Foote might be going to Prince William to visit friends. It gives me pleasure to say that these orders were implicitly obeyed, and that Mr. Foote was not molested until he arrived at Occoquan, which is within five miles of the enemy’s camp and thirty-seven miles beyond my picket-lines at this place. Here he was arrested and brought back to this place. On his arrival here he stated without reserve to me that his purpose was to go through Washington with his family to the State of Tennessee, and that while in Washington he should use his best efforts to negotiate a treaty of peace. Since his arrival at this place he withdrew a resignation of his seat in Congress, which he had previously written and left with a friend, to be mailed to the Honorable Speaker of the House of Representatives.

His wife, my scouts say, had proper papers to pass beyond our lines. In consequence of Mr. Foote’s age and position, and my belief that I could rely upon his honor, 1 have paroled him to remain within the

* For other correspondence relating to Hon. H. S. Foote not published herein see Series I, Vol. XLVI, Part II.

CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.—UNION AND CONFEDERATE.

limits of this town until I receive instructions from your office. Please advise me as early as possible what disposition to make of him. Since writing the above I have received the telegram of the Honorable Sec. retary of War instructing me to “detain Hon. H. S. Foote until further orders.” This order having been exhibited to H. S. Foote, he informed me of his purpose immediately to apply to Hon. Judge Halyburton, at Richmond, for the privilege of writ of habeas corpus in his case.

Respectfully submitted.

H 8. DOGGBTT,

Captain, Commanding Post, and Provost-Marshal.

[First indorsement. ]

JANUARY 16, 1865.

Respectfully referred to Honorable Secretary of War.

The original of these papers was filed with the committee of the

House of Representatives.