The Congress of the Confederate States of America do resolve, That the thanks of Congress are due, and are hereby tendered, to the officers and soldiers engaged in the defense of Fort McAllister, Georgia, on the first of February and third of March last, for the gallantry and endurance with which they successfully resisted the attacks of the ironclad vessels of the enemy.
Resolved further, That the foregoing resolution be communicated by the Secretary of War to the General commanding the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and by him to be made known in appropriate general orders to the officers and troops to whom it is addressed.
Approved May 1, 1863.
APPOINTMENT OF VICE PRESIDENT STEPHENS AS MILITARY COMMISSIONER TO UNITED STATES.
TENDER OF SERVICES BY MR. STEPHENS TO MR. DAVIS.
Liberty Hall, Ga., June 12, 1863.
Hon. Jefferson Davis, Richmond, Va.
Dear Sir: I have just seen what purports to be a letter addressed to you by Major General D. Hunter, commanding the Federal forces at Port Royal, S. C., bearing date the 23d of April last. Of the extraordinary character of this paper, its tone, temper, and import, whether genuine or not, it is not my purpose to speak. It may be a forgery.[1] All I know of it is from its publication, as we have it in our newspapers. But it has occurred to me if it be genuine, this, together with other matters of controversy I see likewise in the papers, in relation to the future exchange of certain classes of prisoners of war, may necessarily lead to a further conference with the authorities at Washington upon the whole subject. In that event I wish to say to you briefly, that if you think my services in such a mission would be of any avail in effecting a correct understanding and agreement between the two Governments upon those questions involving such serious consequences, they are at your command.
- ↑ Mr. Stephens states that "it was genuine, and of a character not much short of savage."
