The New York herald., 1863-12-03


The Exchange OF Prisoners Cerrsspon-
lFrom the Richmond Enquirer, Nov. SOL
Judge Ouid recently received letter from Brgadier
General Meredith, enclosing communication from MAJOR
WASHINGTON CnY, Nov. Is, 1883.
Brig. Gen. S. A. hxRsonu, Commissonsr Tor Exchange
SRI Am not yet Informed whether any, or how far
relief have reached unfortunate prisoners Of
10 Richmond and its vicinity under tho orders OF the
Secretary War TO send supplies TO them Of both food
and clothing
Mr.. 0ud should be notified for tho Information Of his
government that whatever steps may have been may
DO taken 10 extend relief TO tho prisoners OF
Rchmond) must, on consideration be appealed to
pr according 70 the laws Of civilized warfare IT.
In other words our prisoners In Richmond fail 10 receive
qure the au'horres In Richmond must be informed that
u will not be considered valid explanation excuse
for them TO appeal to the fact should exist thA, sup
plies from us have not reached them
The action OF our government this matter In dictated
purely by humanity, and is only effort relieve our
prisoners Of suffering inflicted upon them contrary the
claims OF both humanity and the laws OF war, and
not be understood relieving the authorities Rich
mond from responsibility to tho Christian world in the
II the authorities in Richmond viii send us ,ness prs
oners we will not only feed and coths them, but will
continue to supply food and clothing heretofore to
such prisoners ~ may be In possession and you viii
propose to Mr.. Oud that Ia this Will agree with
out reserve 10 respect the parole they give
cordna the laws OF war; frc which they shall no, be
relieved in view Of the past differences pending ques-
ON tne OF eXcnhnge, previously
obtained consent the authorities represented by Mr.
Ould, as agent for the exchange under the cartel.
You WIZ please lose no time IN communicating copy
OF this note certified by yourself 10 Mr. Oud, aud will
urge him ts acceptance due TO the most solemn
considerations the face OF tho civilized world. Very
respectfully, your ooed'ent servant, ,,,,,
Major General Volunteer Commissioner for Exchange Of
Judge Ould replied as follows:-
RICHMOND. Nov. Is, 1868.
Brisader General A. MruEprrn, Agent OF Exchsnge;-
ASR-lhe q haab "A
Until the Confederate authorities appeal bo reey
from shc obligations TO treat prisoners Of according
TO the laws OF civilized warfare" or "ocer 4.
PLANTATION or excuse for insufficient food that supplies
have not been forwarded BY your goycrnment,
be the Vows u your authorities 10 either contn
ssncy Statements most UNANIMOUSLY false have recently
calling should have imposed respect for truth which
their own personal honor 10 have failed
same rstOns = soldiers the ed such your prisoners
have received and VIII continue ~ receive Do you ask
morer so what do you demandf We recognize, in the
fullest FORM obligation TO treat your prisoners with
humanity, and TO serve them with the same food In
quantity and quality. a. 10 given 70 our own soldiers II
the supply scaniy, yon have only to blame the
Of warfare you have vsSsd against There nothing
In tho action OF the Confederate government which gives
any sort Of coun,cnance to the charge Lcruey nhu
manity TO your prisoners in the nrst place We have
mrortuned you 10 agree 10 fair and honest proposition
which would secure the release Of all OF them when
that rejected you have been permitted 10 send with
out stint or Limitation oil kinds Of supplies to them.
General Hitchcock requests that the prisoners IN
panied BY any propagation 10 release prisoners
IN your hands 50 far from that being the he prom
ises to continue To supply food and clothing hereto
fore 10 such. General Hitchcock need not have urged
you TO ose no time 10 communicating his letter No
degree ~ haste would have secured the assen o the
federae authoraes 10 proposon 90 ragranty unequal
We are ready 10 relieve your governent from the bur
then Of supplying "food ana clohng heretoore
people 10 your hands and they sent 10 us, yours
shall be returned o yoG-tbs excess side the
70 be on parole. I hope you Will "urge" on General
Hitchcock the acceptance of bs proposition "ss due
the most solemn coDsideratons In the face Of the cv
ized world
We oootent that the "civzed world" should draw
its conclusions when II contrasts the two offers
will thank you 10 forward this communicative 10 General
Hitchcock inform him that the Confederate authorities
decline to accept his proposition. Respectfully, your
obedient servant, 70. OuLD Agent of Exchange