The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1862-10-28
A STRANGE MISSION.
From the Salisbury Wat

There was Mr.. Wood here last week, from
Washington city, sort of Federal agent to effect
an exchange of political prisoners. He came here
from Richmond, under the escort of MIR. Cash
mire, a Confederate officer, who guarded him as
he would prisoner. In fact Mr. Wood, as we
| learn, as a prisoner. He came up James River
| under flag of truce, some days ago with 15S
Confederates, who had been for some time in con-
finement in what is known in Washington as the
New Capitol prison, Of which he was superintend-
ent He applied to Mr.. Olds for an exchange of
| an equal number of Union men but that gentle
man declined any negotiation of the kind. He
then proposed to 90 up to Richmond with his
prisoners and renew the application to the author
tiles there. He was told he could go as prison
er, but not otherwise He readily assented to
this and went up, taking with him all his prison
ers, whom he afterwards liberated or paroled. His
application to the Confederate authorities it seems
obtained for him the privilege Of visiting tn is
place for the purpose of seeing the Union men
confined here though he brought no papers grant
ing him this privilege He was for several days
engaged in making out list Of them, with me-
morandum in each case, taken in the presence of
Confederate Judge Advocate, Mr.. Tally, who
simply accepted the visit and purpose of Mr..
Wood, as ready means of accomplishing his own
mission here, to wit the investigation Of the po-
litical character of the prisoners.
Inc men were Cdlleu oHe ny anu lu-
formed that the object was to release them from
prison if there were no charges against them
| iustifying their confinement. They were invited
to express their unbiased political sentiments, Mr.
Wood assuring them that if for the United States,
he thought he could effect their release. 1t may
| be remarked here, that many of those who in a
former examination before MIR. Tally, had pro-
| fessed to be thoroughly in favor of the Confed-
| crate Government and had taken the oath Of allie
glance thereto, reversed their positions, and de-
| clared themselves Union men, thus subjecting
| that gentleman to revisal of his report then
nearly ready to be submitted to the Government
Whether the unfortunate did this in vindi-
| cation Of their consciences, as the surest
means of accomplishing their speedy release, we
are left to conjecture. But if Mr. Woods mission
should fail, and we are of opinion it will, they
! have but reboted the doors which were about to
| open for their release.
| So far as we have been able to learn, the plan
upon which Mr. Wood hopes to accomplish what,
upon its surface, appears to be humane object,
it is that each Government shall release this class
Of prisoners and permit them to return to their
homes, wherever they may be, upon condition OF
absolute neutrality as regards the war. They are
to be protected in the undisturbed and free ex-
preston of their opinions, but not to take up
arms or do any act for against either side
Those of southern sentiment, residing North, are
! to be allowed to talk as they please Those OF
Northern prociivities residing South, are to have
the same liberty, and with it, in both cases, cop-
plete exemption from the operation of local laws
for the support aud prosecution of the war.
There is obvious inequality in the plan, result
ing from difference of institutions, construction OF
society, &c; and therefore are at less to know
how it happened that this Federal agent (for such
he must be regarded) should be allowed access to
one of our prisons for purpose having no better
prospect for its accomplishment. We suppose
there has been no harm done by..it, and that Mr..
Woods mission as whole, will be harmless, un
less instead of friends turned loose by him at Rich
mond, be enlarged 158 spies, who, like himself, o.
Southern birth, are yet wiling to hold commissions
and receive fees from Abe Lincoln to work the
destruction of the Confederate Government