To Edwin M. Stanton2Open page
My dear Sir: Washington, Sep 1, 1863.
I am now informed, contrary to my impression when I last talked with you, that the order compelling the four hundred on Eastern Shore of Virginia to take the oath or be sent away, is about being carried into execution. As this, and also the assessment for damage done to, and at the light house, are very strong measures, and as I have to bear the responsibility of them, I wish them suspended till I can at least be better satisfied of their propriety than I now am. Yours truly A. LINCOLN.
Annotation
[1] ALS-P, ISLA. See Lincoln to Stanton, August 21, supra; also to Segar, September 5, and to Schenck, September 6, infra. A thirty-page report submitted on September 10, 1863, by Major Henry Z. Hayner, aide-de-camp on General Schenck's staff, indicates that the difficulties on the Eastern Shore of Virginia were twofold. Several hundred citizens formerly in the ``39th Rebel Regiment'' had accepted amnesty offered by General Dix on the simple provision that they lay down their arms. Later, upon being required by Schenck to take an oath of allegiance, or (1) to be regarded as prisoners of war and put up for exchange, or (2) to be sent beyond Union lines; they objected to the oath on grounds of conscience, regarding themselves as still bound by their oath of allegiance to the Confederacy. The second phase of the difficulty concerned the destruction of a lighthouse by unknown persons. Two hundred and twenty-one residents of Northampton were assessed $20,000 on the grounds that the community was responsible, and collections were made from one hundred and sixty-one, over their violent protests. Hayner's report indicates that the order suspending the oath and assessments were received in a spirit of triumph over the government (DLC-RTL).