The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1863-11-28
A Specimen Of Yankee Impudence-
The Exchange Question.

Judge Ouid recently received a letter from Brig
adler General Meredith, enclosing communica-
ton from Major General Hitchcock, of which the
following is copy:
WASHINGTON CITY, u. c.,
November 18th, 1863 !
Commissionsr fr Erchange Of Prisoners :
Sir IL am not yet Informed whether any, or
how far, relief may have reached our unfortunate
prisoners Of war In Richmond and It's vicinity un-
der the orders OF the Secretary Of War to send sup
piles tO them Of both food and clothing.
Mr.. Ould should be notified, tor the information
of his Government, that whatever steps lhay have
been, OF may be, taken to extend relief, ito the
prisoners of war In Rchmond,) must, on no con-
sideratiOn, be appealed to by the enemy to relieve
him from The obligation TO treat prisoners accord
ing to the flaws OF civilized warfare. II, In Oirr
wO H. our prisoners In Richmond fall to receive
such supplies AS the laws alike OF hum ,nity ana
war require, the authorities in Richmond must be
informed that II will not be considered valid
PLANTATION excuse for them TO appeal 10 the fact,
should IL exist, that supplies from Us have not
reached them.
The action Of our Government on this matter Is
dictated purely by humanity. and Is only an effort
relieve or prisoners OF sufterings inflicted upon
them contrary u the claims Of both humanity and
the laws of war, and must not be understood as
relieving the authorities Of Richmond from re-
sponsbity 10 the Christian world In the premises
lf the authorities In Richmond will send
these prisoners we will not only feed and clothe
them, but will continue 10 supply food aud cloth
lug as heretofore u such prisoners as may be In
our possession, and You will propose "a Mr.. Ould
that In this case we will agree, without any re-
serve, respect the parole they may give accord
ing % the laws Of war, from which they shalt not
be relieved In view of the past differences or pend
Ing questions on the utject Of exchange, without
the previously obtained consent of the authorities
represented by Mr. Ould, As agent for the exchange
under the cartel.
You will please lose no time In communicating
q copy Of this note, certified by Yourself, TO Mr..
Ouid, aud will urge upon him Its acceptance as
due tA the MDst solemn considerations In The face
Of the civilized world.
Very respectfully, your ohedieat servant,
Mai. Gen. Vols,
/. Comm'T Tor Exchange of Prisoners.
Judye Ou!d replied as follows:
RrcRM0xD, Nov. 18th. 1869.
Brio. Gen. 8. a. NeyeiisA, Agent Of Exchange:
SIR: The letter Of Gen. Hitchcock has been re-
ceived.
Uulii the Confederate authorities appeal 10 be
relieved ssffOm the Ubligafi0A 10 treat prisoners OF
war accOvdlug 10 the lnws 0f civilized wAsfnses"
or lsOes, ~ mn expnnail0a Os excuse" tor tnsuih.
Client food, that supplies have NOT been forwarded
by your Government, Il h entirely unnecessary to
discnss what will be the views " yOar authorities
IL either cOnalmgency. Hiates0ents, MOst lRfa-
mOxsly false, have eccsnely been made Aad elreo.
lated st the NSsth By pessons whose caiHng should
have lmspfseA respect tOs truth which tiics own
honOr seems 10 have failed 10 secuTe. Oar
sraIsiIoas renu1se shAs pgisOners shalt Eeceive the
saens rati0ns ~ sOldteSs o. the 0ela. 6ueh ya0f
pslsOners have received, ard WIN c0ntanue " ~
extve 10 you ~ nossf Il esst Whist 10 yos De-
qsn1l Wss~eaGnlEa, y ~ httes! 6lsM, ass e
Aea,iea y teeat ySss peaeness wsie sseAs sss