Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-11-21
From the Gulf States.
Prisoners to be Exchanged
RIO the Chicago Tribune.I

The commission charged with the inves-
tigstion Of the Medical Department here
has finished. Nothing Important was es'
tabIished.
The Richmond Enquirer has leader in
which it says that Slidell cannot make
concessions on Slavery under the Confed-
crate Constitution Nor even If he could
would it be justified by the public in so
doing.
The Enquirer adds: 1--WE could make
better terms with the United States than
with any European power, and shall not
ask their advice. We believe our iustitu-
tions are the best in the world.
Two thousand rebel cavalry reconniter-
ed at Germans Ford, killing and captur-
ing several Of the 18th Pennsylvania cav
airy on picket there.
There is q rumos that eleven Of our
men had their throats cat by guerrillss
lately. It is probably osnard. Two or
three eaissons were lost from railroad
train.
General Graham bade his brigsde good
bye yesterday. There was review of the
First and Second Division, Second Corps,
yesterday.
King street, Alexandra, is being re-
paired at the expense Of q fund raised
from liquor fines, they say.
Surgeon General Harmon reports the
health Of the Department Of the Gulf ex-
eelIent. There is no yellow fsver, and
New 0rlesas Is perfectly clean. The
corps d'Afrique is 13, 900 strong, and fine
soldiers.
ITO the Cincinnati Commercial
General Meredith has made reply to
the rebel Commissioners late letter on the
question Of exchange of prisoners. The
former, he says, would have been surprised
at the contents Of 0uld's letter had he not
previously been aware Of his habit Of
special pleading and perverting truth.
General Meredith then says that In his
last interview the rebel Commissioner
stated, distinctly and unequiVooslly, that
he would make O declaration Of exchange
whenever he felt conscientiously that he
had right so to do, for The purpose Of
putting men in the field, and he made this
statement not only once, but two or three
times. General Meredith then publishes
two extracts from Ould's previous letter,
and adds that the latter arrcgstes to
the rebel Goversmen and himself the
course this Government, in pros
porous condition, unlike the Confeders-
oy, with men in supersbundance to put
into the field, would not declare men ex-
changed for that purpose; nor would 8
high-toned, honorable gentleman, who has
reserved 70 himself the right to declare ex-
/ changes, use that right, with the idea Of
putting men IN the field. Yet it is well
known that many officers and men captur-
ed at Yieksburg were in the battle Of
Chicksmauga. have thought proper TO
say a few words in relation to the Is, 900
paroles which you state you have in your
/ possession, and claim as valid. You insist
on the validity ofparoles which have new
er seen, and which you acknowledge have
/ been accumulating for many months, on
general orders Of the United States Gov
ernment. These orders announce general
rules, based on the usages Of war, but the
cartel having been agreed upon, no order
Of either party could set aside its proyis-
/ ions. For instance, commander, on being
captured, might, under some circumstsn-
ces, give paroles for himself and his COM
msnd, without violating general orders,
/ but unless psrolling was done at City
Point, or other named places. it would be
in violation Of the cartel. No exception
could be taken to this course by the party
| granting parole because the validity Of
parole depends on strict compliance with
| the provisions Of the cartel. Had such
claim been admitted the effect at Gettys.
| burg would have been to give General Lee
the privilege Of placing his prisoners in
our hands, to be delivered to him at City
Point, al our charge, claim so msnifestly
absurd, that I am surprised that even you
/ should have had assurance TO make it
The eighteen thousand paroles, which you
claim as valid paroles given on battle-helds,
often given in haste, by an enemy unable
! to take care of or receive them, are inform
al and invalid By the laws of war. Mos
paroles above mentioned were tsker
By guerrillas, bushwhaokers and detached
commands in the West. No delivery
was ever made, and no rolls have evel
been forwarded. After copying the letter
sent BY Mr.. Ludlow, the former Union ES
change Commissioner to 0uld, in my last
stating that Orders Of our War Depart
ment, with cartel, provided that all pris
oners should be sent to place Of deliv
cry therein specified, and no paroles ol
exchanges would be considered binding
except those speedily provided by cartel
permitting commanders Of two opposing
armies, when mutually agreed on, to re
lease on parole prisoners at other point
thsn those specified. The letter Ould de
mics having received is herewith inolosed
The denial of facts, which is absurd, il
your last letter, though they may hsv
some weight, will not avail to eonVinc
the people Of the North that you are no
utterly reckless Of integrity and fairnes
in your declaration concerning exchange