The daily clarion. [volume] (Meridian, Miss.) 1863-1866, 1864-09-09
nueation of Hxohanges.
To lie Relatives md Friends Of CcoWedsrat
Soldiers con6i,ed IN Northern Prisons.

Exchange was agreed upon. The chief,
If not only purpose Of that instrument,
was to secure the release of all prisoners
of war. 10 that end, the fourth article
provides that all prisoners of war should
be discharged on parole in ten days after
| their capture, and that the prisoners then
held, and those thereafter taken, should
be transported TO the points mutually
agreed upon, at the expense OF the cap
turing party. The sixth article also slip
ulates that "all prisoners, of whatever
arm Of service, are TO be exchanged or
paroled in ten days from the time Of their
capture, ieit be practicable to tsansfer
them TO their own lines in that Time; II
not, as soon thereafter as practicable.
From the date of the Cartel until
July, 1868, the Confederate authori-
ties held the excess of prisoners. Dn-
ring thar interval deliveries We're made
as last as the Federal Government fur
nished transportation. Indeed, upon
more than one occasion, urged the
Federal authorities to send increased
means 81 transportation. AS ready as
the enemy has always been to bring false
accusations against us, it has never been
alledged that we failed or neglected to-
make prompt deliveries of prisoners who
were not under charges, when we held
the excess. On the other hand, during
the same time, the Cartel was openly and
VIGOROUSLY violated by the Federal au-
thorities. Officers and men were kept in
cruel confinement, sometimes in irons or
doomed cells, without charges or trial,
In July, 1868, the enemy, for the first
time since the adoption Of the Cartel
held the excess of prisoners. AS soon as
that fact was ascertained, whenever de-
livery was made by the Federal authori-
lies, they demanded an equal numbering
return endeavored frequently to OBJ
tain from the Federal Agent Of Exchange
a distinct avowal Of the intentions Of his
DIS to the delivery of prison
ers, but in vain AT length, on the 10Th
of October, 1863, j addressed to Brig.
Gen. Meredith the following letter, to wit;
RIcHMoND, VA, Oct. Goth, 1868.
Brig. Gen. S. a. MEREDITH,
agent of Exchange:
SIR: More than month ago asked
FOUR acquiescence in proposition that
III officers and soldiers on both sides
should be released, in conformit gwith the
Of the Cartel. In order to obyi-
lie the difficulties between US. Isuggested
hat all officers and men on both sides
should be released, unless they were sub
ect to charges; in which event, the oppo
ute Government should have the right of
holding one or more hostages, if the re-
Jention was not justified. You stated to
ne, in conversation, that this proposition
vas very fair, and that you would ask the
consent Of your Government to it.
AS ustial, you have as yet made no re-
ponse. tell you frankly, do not-ex-
5ect any. Perhaps you may elisappoint
ne, and tell me that you reject or accept
he PROPOSITION. write this letter for
he purpose Of bringing to your recollec
ion my proposition, and Of dssipating
he idea, that seems to have been pur-
,osely encouraged by your public papers,
hat the Confederate Government has
efused Oh objected to a system Of ex-
hanges.
In order to avoid any mistake in that
direction, now propose that all officers
nd men on both sides be released in
Uniformity with the provisions or the
tartel, the excess on one side or the other
0 be on parole, Will You accept this? Il
have no expectation Of an answer, but, 4
erMps, you may give one. If it,does
ONE, hope i .sill be. scan (
Observation-Disclosures OBJ scryst III
,Ro. OULD, Agent Of Exchange. s
Ga the Goth Of October, 1853, | received Z
'om Gen. Meredith d communication IN
orming me that my proposal OF the 10th
as +" not accepted" | was insnltingly Il
Did that if the excess OF prisoners was
they would be wrongfully de-
Jared exchanged by me and put in the
cid. To show how groundless this inn 4
utation was, ii is only necessary for me 4
state that since then I have repeatedly R
fered to give ten Federal captives for
very Confederate soldier whom the enc .
" will show to have been wrongfully de-
AIRED exchanged.
From the first named date until the :,
,esent time there have been but few de- Il
geries of prisoners, the enemy in each
se demanding like number in return. II
1t will be observed that the Confeder- a.
Q authorities only claimed that the pro- liz
sions of the Cartel should be fulfilled - 50
ley only asked the enemy to do what fol
thout any hesitation, they had done no
ring Che first year Of the operations Of BIZ
e Cartel. Seeing persistent purpose thu
the part of the Federal Government
ate authorities, moved by the sufferings he
the brave men who are so uDjustly arr
Id in Northern prisons, determined 10 as
ate their fair demands, and accordingly "a
the 10th of August, 1864, addressed ie
e following communication to Mai Jno. e"'
Muhord, Assistant Agent Of Exchange,
charge OF the flag of truce boat, which
the same day | delivered to him at
rina, on James river.
WAR DEPARTMENT.
: Richmond, Va. Aug. 10, 1864.
.jor JoHN r MUIroRD,
Assistant Agent Of Exchange:
sIR You have several times proposed :
me TO exchange the prisoners respec, wi
ely held by the two belligerents, officer son
officer and man for man. The same S
sr has also been made by other off ton'
Is f15fv1ug charge of matters connected thai
h the exchange Of prisoners This doei
posal has heretofore been declined by ish
Confederate authorities, they insist the
upon the terms of the cartel, which heal
uired the delivery of the excess on has
Ter side upon parole. In view, how. 'ann
!, of the very large number OF prison voie
now held by each party, and the sui. g =,
ng consequent upon their continued nsA
hnement, | now consent to the above
posal, and agree to deliver to you the 49,. :. -
oners held in captivity by the Confed- ~
e authorities, provided you agree to 49,
yer an equal number of Confederate ~,
ers and men. As equal numbers are viii
vered from time to time, they will be has .
G roll - al