The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-12-16
Report of the Secretary orwar.

and men Of the various commands. The Sec |
rotary then speaks as follows in regard to the
exchange Of prisoners:
From the commencement Of the Rebellion
until the War Department came into my charge
there was no cartel or formal exchange Of pris-
oners, but at an early period afterwards q Just
and reasonable cartel was made between Msior
Gen Dix and the Rebel General Hill, which, IN
Ill recently, was faithfully acted upon BY both
parties. Exchanges under that cartel are now
stopped, mainly for the following reasons:
LIST. At Yicksburgh over $4,000 Rebel pris-
oners fell into our bands, and over 5000 more at
Port Hudson. These were paroled and suffered
10 return 10 their homes until exchanged, pur
suant 10 the terms of the cartel. But the Rebel
Agent, in violation Of the cartel declared the
Eicksburg prisoners exchanged, and without
being exchanged the Port Hudson prisoners he,
without just cause and in open violation OF the
cartel, declared released from their parole.
These prisoners were returned 10 their ranks,
and a portion Of them were found fighting at
Chattanooga and again captured. For this
breach OF faith, unexampled in civilized warfare,
the only apology OF excuse was that an equal
number OF prisoners had been captured by the
enemy, but on calling for specifications in regard
to these alleged prisoners, it vas found that a
considerable number represented az prisoners
we're not soldiers but were non-comoatants,
citizens Of towns ard villages, farmers, travellers
and others In civil life, not captured in battle,
but taken at their homes, on their farms, or on
the highway 10y John Morgan and other Rebel
raiders, who put them under a sham parole. To
balance these men against Rebel soldiers taken
in the field, would be relieving the enemy from
the pressure Of war, and enable him to protract
the contest TO indefinite duration.
ID. When the Government commenced or
ganzing colored troops the Rebel leader, Davis,
by solemn and official proclamation, announced
that coio-ed troops and their white officers, if
captured, would not be recognized az prisoners
Of war, bat would be given up for punishment
20 the State authorities. These proceedings OF
the Rebel authorities were met by the earnest
remonstrance and protest of this Government
without effect. The offers by our Commission
er to exchange man for man and officer for
officer, OF TO receive and provide for our own
soldiers under the solemn guaranty that they
should no. 90 into the field until duly exchanged,
were rejected I'm the meantime, well authenti-
Gated statements show that our troops held a.
prisoners of war were deprived OF shelter,
clothing, and food, and some have persisted from
exposure and famine.
This savage barbaiity could only have been
would bc compelled by sympathy for the suffer
ing endured by our troops to yield to the propO
stion of exchanging all the prisoners of war on
both des, parOriDg the excess not actually ex
changed, the effect Of which operation would be
to enable the Rebels to put into the field new
army ~, 600 strong. forcing the paroled prison.
ers into the ranks without exchange, rs was
done with those parolcd at Nicksburg and Port
Hudson, and also to leave in the hands OF the
Rebels the col0red soldiers and officers, aho are
not regarded by them as prisoners of war, and
therefore not entitled to the benefit Of the pro
posed exchange The facts and correspondence
relating to this subject are detailed in the accom-
panying report OF Major Gen. Hitchcock, Com
missioner Of Exchange. As the matter now
stands, We have over 10000 prisoners of war,
ready at any moment to be exchanged. man for
man and officer for officer, to the number held
By the Rebels.
This number is about L., 900, and they are
now supplied with food and rainent by this Gov
eminent and by our benevolent and charitable
associations and individuals Two prisoners,
Capts SAWYER and Flynn, held by the Rebels,
are sentenced to death by way of pretended re
taliatiOn for two prisoners tried and shot "a spies
by command OF Major Gen. Burnside. Two
Rebel officers have been designated and are he'd
as hostages for them The Rebel prisoners of
war in our possession have heretofore been
treated with the utmost humanity and tender
ness consistent with security. They have good
quarters, full rati0ns, clothing when needed, and
the same hospital treatment received by our own
soldiers. Indulgence Of friendly visits and sup.
plies was formerly permitted but they have been
cut of since the barbafity practiced against our
prisoners became known to the Government II
it should become necessary for the protection OF
our men, strict retaliation viii be res0rtcd to
but while the Rebel authorities suffer this Gov
eminent to feed and cothe our troops held as
prisoners we shall be content to continue to their
prisoners in our hands the humane treatment
they have uniformly enjoyed.
The Secretary states that the conscripiion act
has been enforced in twelve States, and that the
number of men realized from its operations have
been $4,000, and the amount of commutation
money to be Sl0,00O,000. He does not recon-
mend the repeal of the $500 exemption clause,
but remarks:
This feature of the bill has been much dis
cussed, and the opposing opinions are nearly
balanced az to the operation and effect of this
provision. While some claim that it is Oppress
i've upon the poor man and favors the rich
others contend that it places the rich and poor
man on equal terms, and enables the poor man
10 obtain exemption from military duty for a
sum within the reach Of every one.
Without undertaking 10 reconcile OF decide be-
tween these conflicting opinions, il is certain
that this clause OF exemption, As it stands, occa-
sions delay in calling out the military force
The drafted man is exempted after a long pro-
cess by the payment of a sum Of money. Sup
posing that sum to be adequate for procuring
a substitute, considerable time must unavOidsblv
elapse before competent substitutes can be
procured. The question whether this clause
shall remain or be stricken out requires the
early attention Of Congress.
over 10000 colorcd troops are reported as
being in the ranks, and IT is recommended that
they be put on an cqnal footing. in the wav Of
pay and hountes, with the other troops r. the
field.
The specific duty of the Ordnance Department
- to supply arms and munitions Of war for sea
coast and frontier Notifications, and for the
forces in the field.
The expenditure for these purposes during
the last fiscal year amount TO so, 5l3,6S 81.
The cannon, small arms, accoutrements and
for men and horses, and ammunition
obtained during the late fiscal wear, by purchase
and manufacture, were a. follows. 81 field, |
siege and ses-c0ast cannon. with carriages Gals |
sons and other implements, l.OS2 Sal muskets |
and rifles for foot soldiers: 2S2,SS9 carbines /
and pistols for mounted troops; 1926, 600 can |
non balls and shells; 4s,7l9, s62 pounds Of lead |
and lead bullets: l,455,046 cartridges for ar
.illery; 250022 2l6 cartridges for small arms
al 2-6 4-0 nercnSSion cans . . o95 ESQ friction