May 15, 1863, The Charleston Mercury
FROM RICHMOND.
RICHMOND, May 14. We have news from Fredericksburg today. Passengers report that large volumes of smoke were seen this morning in the direction of the Yankee camps.
The aggregate number of our wounded brought here since the late battles was 7100, of whom 3000 have since returned to duty.
The retaliation resolution adopted by Congress provides that every commissioned officer who shall command negros for military service against the Confederate States, or aid them in any military enterprise, shall, if captured, be put to death. Negros, when captured in arms against the Confederate States, are to be delivered to the authorities of the State in which they may be captured, to be dealt with according to the present or future laws of the State.