The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1864-10-28
PRISONERS OF WAR.
Mutual Arrangements to Alleviate
their Sufferings,
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN
GEMS. GRANT AND LEE.
Supplies to be Forwarded to
Prisoners North and South.
Etc, Etc. Etc., Eto.. Etc.

WASHINGTON, october PIT will gladden. the
whole country, and carry joy and heart's-eas, TO
hundreds of thousands Of homes, to learn that
an arrangement has been made whereby those
who linger in Southern prisons will henceforth
receive adequate supplies Of food and clothing.
In the impossibility of general exchange Of
prisoners It Is a matter of rejoicing that their
suficrngs will be thus far aleyiated, and they
made as comfortable as il is possible for men in
captivity to be. The agreement looking to this
benefcent end has just been concluded between
Generals Grant and Lee, and only awaits the
settlement of practical details TO take immediate
effect.
The proposition, be II said to the credit Of the
Rebels, came from themselves, aud was first
made in communication under date of the 9Th
instant addressed by Mr.. Ould, Confederate
Agent of Exchange, TO Major General Hitchcock,
Commissioner OF Exchange for the United States
Mr.. Guilds communication in substance reced
that as there is prospect of large number
of prisoners being held on both sides during
the coming winter, it is desirable that each
belligercnt, without being freed from its
obligations of feeding and clothing the prisoners
held by them respectively, should be allowed
to furnish their own captiyes in the
others hands with sucbl additional comforts as
humanity may promp'. He therefore proposed
that We shall be permitted to send to the South
clothing, blankets and supplies for our prisoners
in the hands of the COnlcderates; they being
allowed to do the same by their prisoners in our
hands. lie further proposed that they shall be
allowed to purchase abroad the articles intended
for their prisoners held by us.
This overture was referred to General Grant,
who replied in a communication to General Lee,
under date of the 18th instant accepting Mr..
Guilds proposition, and stating thathe was autho-
rized by the Secretary Of War to make arrange
ments for the mutual relief Of prisoners held by
fho tvyn pnlg inf hn ul alx
to the alleyiation of the suiierings of those held
in captivity, l will not intorpOse any obstacle to
any plan that may be agreed upon that gives
equal privileges to both beliigoronts."
General Lee, on the following day, October l9,
replied to General Grant acknowledging the re.
Ccipt Of his communication, and stated that he
took II as an acceptance on the part OF General
Grant Of Mr.. Oulds plan. lie suggested further
that the articles sent ~ the prisoners should be
confined TO articles of necessity and comfort rs
clothing, blankets, meat, bread, Coffee sugar,
pickles, vinegar, and tobacco; and proposed that
an officer from each side should be specially de-
tailed aud pNrOled 70 see 10 the faithful execution
On the following day, October 90 General
Grant rcjoined, stating that General Lee had
rightly understood his former communication in
the sense of an acceptance Of Mr. Oulds PROPOSE
tion, and reiterated his solcitude for the we'll
being of our prisoners, a5 well as those of the
Rebels at Is" declared GGhCral Grant, "my
desire that all prisoners of war should be made as
COnlOfLdDle as III IL possible lOE lIlsOueIS uuutT
restraint to be, and will favor any proposition
looking to that end" General Grant, moreover,
requested that detailed plan should be made for
carry ing this purpose into effect.
This communication closes IN Of this interest
ing correspondence between Generals Grant and
Lee that has so fr taken place, and thus the
matter now rests. Il Is earnestly to be hoped
that the practical detrs viii be completed with
all possible promptltudc, so as to permit this
beneicent mea, urc TO take immediate effect
II is certainly matter Of COngrltulLtiOn that il
should be in such hands rs those of Grant and
Lee, whose practical wisdom and humane dispo-
sitiOn cannot lie dOubted.
There are at present iunumer1ble obstacles in
| the way OF an exchange Of prisoners obstacles
rendered insuperab by the violations of tue
cartel on the pant Of the Robel authorities; but
there is reason why these technical differences
| should be allowed ~ stand IN the way Of the
comfort well being, and even the life of those in
| bonds. We are sure that, IL the relatives and
| friends OF those in southern prisons can be
assured of the faithful Observance OF the benign
| provisions of the convention just concluded by
| Generals Grant and Lee, it will modify theil
anguish at the continued captivity of those they
| love, and whose release on terms of justice and
honor the Government finds il impossible "a
effect