Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-10-15
From the Richmond Viii.


The e xchange of Prisoners.
The Enquirer OF Saturday publishes the correspon-
dence between Judge Oud, the Confederate gent OF
Exchange" and Brig. Gen. S. a Meredith, the Yam
kee Commissioner relative to the exchange prisoners
of war The latter opened the correspondence under
date of 9th uIt. by notifying Judge Ould that he had
issued declaration of exchange to meet similar an
nounceme1t by Judge Oad relative to the officers and
privates captured at Vcksburg. He presents array
Of figures to show balance in favor of the United
States of 10 ,024 men, and adds:
l now claim this balance which is due US, and de-
mand that you return to their paroles all officers and
men for whom you nave paroled equivalents, or
that you release equal number from the prison, in
Richmond.
He then says that, Judge Oalss declaration Was
wholly unwarranted under the cartel, and might with
great propriety be set asde and in assigning his
sons for this Judgment, superciliously remarks
81 deem it incumbent upon me to state that L
slider your course in this matter deliberate breach of
act"
Judge Oud, under date of I'd inst, makes lengthy
reply, his letter occupying nearly four columns OF the
Enquirer He shows by facts cited that Meredith is
slippery fellow, and that he (Oud) had acted in &C
cordance with precedent and the Letter OF the cartel in
declaring the exchanges OF September 18th
On the personal question Judge Ould says:
You state that you consider my deliberate
of good faith the part of the authorities
language which offensive asperson both upon
sell and the government represent Ii there been
in other portions of your communication, would have
ted with the silent contempt it deserved and
ed it to you without comment. For the first time in the
correspondence OF the agents of exchange has any
such discourtesy occurred. l regret it very much.
Heretofore / have had occasion to com Jain Of
the action of your government but it has always
done with decoram have written word person
ally offensive to the Federal agent of exchange or nsued
his government with charge OF deliberate breach Of
good faith" 1t is matter of very little moment to
What may be your opinion of ''Eny course. There
some people connected with this who cit er from ig
norance or passion to havs clear idets any
subject The opinion of sueh if uttered in the Ian
quace of courtesy is bit Of little avail but expressed
gith intempe.ance only exalts their folly. There has
been no breach faith the part OF tho Confederate
Statee "deliberate otherwise. You imp ortuu
ed to agree fair principle by which paroles could
failure your part respond eff st1ey negatively
the Confederate government Though its agent of
change, did what demanded by courtesy and justified
both by former ctce and the provisions of the cartel
The following is the closing paragraph Z; Judge
Guilds letter
now inform yeu in view OF the declaration
exchange made by you. coupled with your either
agree to decline proposition made you the
24h of August last relation paroles, Coped
crate an will consider themselves entir ely ber
t; pu any to exchange paroles, which
they may deem right and under all circumstances
OF the At the same time, am directed to express
entire willingness to adopt fair just and recipro
cal rule in relation to those subjects, without any delay.