Hillsborough (NC) Recorder

July 17, 1861

Page 2

Last Sunday Lieut. Col. Thos. H. Taylor, C. S. A., of Kentucky, left this city for Washington, bearing a letter from President Davis to President Lincoln, understood to be an official notification of the course that will be pursued by this government in the event of the execution or other criminal punishment of the prisoners taken on board the Privateer Savannah. Col. T. proceeded to the headquarters of Gen. Beauregard, by whom, it is said, he was furnished with a letter to Gen. McDowell, in command of the Lincoln forces on this side of the Potomac. He then proceeded to Fairfax C. H., where he was furnished with an escort of twelve men and two non commissioned officers, under command of a Lieutenant, with a white flag. Thence he proceeded towards Arlington, encountering a squadron of the enemy’s dragoons, when within about seven miles of that place, to whose commanding officer he made known his errand. Arriving at Arlington, General Scott was notified of his presence, and sent a carriage to convey him to Washington, where he arrived about 9 o’clock Monday night, and delivered his letter to Gen. Scott—Lincoln not being visible. Col. T. was then reconveyed to Arlington, where he spent the night, and the next day was escorted back through the enemy’s lines. Gen. S. informed him that an answer to the letter of which he was bearer would be forwarded to this city by one of his officers, and requested Col. T. to deliver his “kind regards” to Generals Lee and Beauregard. Col. T., while in the enemy’s lines was treated with all the courtesies of the profession.

--Richmond Whig--

[Transcribed by Sharon Strout]