ORs: 2nd Message from Gen. Kilpatrick to Gen. Wheeler

Major-General WHEELER, Commanding Cavalry, C. S. Army:

GENERAL:
Your dispatch dated Chesterfield, February 22, has just been received and I feel satisfied that you will so fully investigate the circumstances attending the murder of my men that the guilty parties will be discovered and punished. The regiment referred to as being commanded by a lieutenant-colonel may have been commanded by a captain, but certain it is that the force was mostly composed of Texans, many armed with the Spencer rifle, and my people were shot by order of the officer in command. One of my scouts a reliable man, was with this force all day, and testified to the fact that not only were these men referred to murdered, but that the general conversation of your men was that they would take no more prisoners. I hope you may be able to furnish some reason that may in a degree justify the course taken by your men.

You speak in your communication of my threat to burn houses, &c. , as being "too brutal for you or your Government to entertain. " No matter how brutal it may seem, I have the power and will enforce it to the letter, and more, if this course is persisted in, I will not only allow but encourage my people to retaliate man for man. I shall take no action for the present. If stragglers from my command are found in the houses of citizens committing any outrages whatever, my own people are directed to shoot them upon the spot, and of course I expect officers and soldiers of your command to do the same.

I am alive to the fact that I am surrounded by citizens as well as soldiers, whose bitter hatred to the men I have the honor to command did not originate with this war, and I expect that some of my men will be killed elsewhere than on the battle-field, but I know and shall not hesitate to apply a sure remedy in each case.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
J. Kilpatrick,
Brevet Major-General, Commanding Cavalry