The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1863-12-05

WllklDS, SammOnS and SaDan, and the
post steward, Hallet, are notin any way, SO
far as our own observation has extended,
responsible for the state Of things existing
there, but on the other hand we are bound
in justice to bear testimony to their kind
ness and watchful performance Of their
duties, with the limited means at their dis
posal. .,.. ~ ...
Signed-Daniel Meeken, Surgeon .. S.
n; G. +. Sinners, Assistant Surgeon, 9th
Reg't. Indiana Vols; j. l.. Brown, As
sistant Surgeon, 10th Ohio Vol. Infantry !;
A. NJ. Parker, Assistant Surgeon, 1st
Maine Cavalry. . -.
THE EXCHANGE OF PRIsoNERs.-Thef fol-
lowing is letter addressed by the Solici-
tor of the War Department to gentleman
in this city, in reply to some inquiries for
information as to the causes of the cessa-
ton IN the exchange of prisoners: ..-.
i WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON CITY, Nov. 20, 1868,
DEAR SIR: Your letter of the 18th has
been received, in which you inquire wheth-
er any documents are now accessible, or
will be likely soon to be published by our
Government, relating to the exchange of
prisoners Of war; and you justly remark
that the subject excites deep interest in
consequence OF the SuHerlngS OF our men
in Richmond.
The correspondence published in the
Richmond papers does not, it is thought,
present matters in its true light. In few
days the entire correspondence will be
made public here by authority.
There are several serious difficulties in
the way OF continuing an exchange Of pris-
oners. One is the bad .jatth of the enemy
in putting into active service many thous-
ands of paroled prisoners, captured at
Vicksburg and elsewhere, without releas-
ing any of our soldiers held by them. But
another difficulty of still graver import
ance is the preDeptOry TefasG! by TIE enemy
to exchange cOlored soldiers and their lehtte
officers upon any terms VhGteUer. 1t is well
known that they have threatened to sell
colored captured soldiers into Slavery, and
to hang their white officers.
The Government demands that all Off
GERS and soldiers should be fairly exchang.
ed, otherwise no more prisoners of war will
be given up. The faith of the Government
is pledged to these officers and troops that
they shall be protected, and it cannot, and
will not abandon to the savage cruelty o.
slavemasters single officer Or soldier
of mis- country, and thus exposed to the
hazards of war. -
1t has been suggested that exchanges
emight go on until all except the colorec
| troops and their white officers have beer
given up. But if this were allowed, The
Rebels would not only be relieved OF tht
Ibnrden of maintaining our troops, bu
they would get back their own men, re
tanning their power over the very persons
whom we are solemnly bound to rescue
band upon whom they could then, withou
Rfear,o retaliation, carry into execution tn
inhunian cruelties they have so basely
Threatened. ~. 7sra s,ss~$ s. ! /. "a
The President has ordered that the sterl
law Of retaliation shall without hesitation
be enforced, to avenge the death of tn
| first Union soldier of fwhatever-color whom
the enemy shall in cold blood destroy, o
sell into slavery. All other questions be
A tween us may be postponed for future set
| tlement, but the fair exchange Of colore
soldiers and Of their white officers will b
insisted on by the Government before an
other rebel soldier or officer will be ex
changed. nan lar :.
The sufferings of our men in Richmon
Lare the subject of deep regret and symps
y thy here; and there has been no want {
effort to afford all possible relief.
Very truly yours,
Il WILLIAM WHITING.