Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-12-18
THE EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.

THE EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS.
Gen Hitchcock has written a letter to the
New York Times relative to the difficulties
which have arisen concerning the exchange Of
our soldiers now in rebel prisons, which cIear-
ly shows that our authorities are not to blame
in the matter. The state of the matter stands
thu. The rebels have $4,000 Of our men
as prisoners, and We have 1000 Of theirs,
and they insist that the exchange shall
be general, not man for man as provided oy
the cartel--that is that we shall surrender
for 10000 in exchange for their l3 00O.-
Gen Hitchcock says that, Judging by what
MI Ould, the rebel exchange Commissioasr.
has done already were such an extracrdir r."
concession yielded by our governments -
rebel prisoners exchanged would, after few
days parole, be sent into the rebel ranks to
fight against us Guilds conduct in muster
ing in the paroled rebels taken at Vicksburg
(Which the fellow denies in the face Of all
proof to the contrary is excellent evidence
Of the dishonorable capabilities of that indi-
ydual-for it is well known that many Of
them have been captured at Chattanooga
Therefore, were an exchange, such as he il
sists on, allowed, the act v ould be equivalent
at least to the throwing of 27,00O rebels into
lhe field in front Of the very men who cap
turod them. Another difficulty is discussed
by Gen. Hitchcock, vigorously and at length
In accordance with the bloody and bsrbarous
proclamation issued by jeff Davis in Sep
tember Of last year, the rebels have persist
emily refused to deliver up for exchange any
of our white officers captured while in com
mand Of colored troops, or any OF the color
ed soldiers who have been taken prisoners.
Our government cannot permit this, as il
would enable the rebels to defeat one Of the
/ most important measures Of national policy
for the suppression Of the rebellion.
We quote few passages from the conclud-
ing portion of Gen. Hitchcock's letter
81 ought to state that the Government Of the Unct
States would haggie about few men, less
II hundreds thousauds. II the question
the relief and that alone, of our suffering prisoners IN
, Richmond but whoever considers the statement %
facts fail TO that other quesii and point
involved, which 1t 10 not safe Il II were honorable
for this Government to overlook.
II should be stated, also, that offer made q
the rebel agent days ago 10 receive all Of the prs
onos from R0hmond under a solemn pledge that the,
should not be allowed 10 take unless duly ca
char ged with the c0nsentuf the rebel authorities with
refetenoe existing difficulties the subject Of ex
changer aud that this Government would pledge itsC
both feed aud olOhe all rebel pnsOnersi in hands
This proposition also was rjeoied, and the Secretary
Of War thus greatly restricted in his means Of at
iording immediate relief 20 our prisoners In Richmond
but they have not been overlooked God forbid. Ih
Secretary Of War has ordered both clothing and pfoyi
sons To be sent through the rebel lines sustain them
ah ugh those supplies from the necessity Of the case
have been intrasted 10 the honor aud humanity of tn
euemy, whose agents may or may not permit The suo
plies to be delivered