Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1864-09-21
VOL. XXXVI.-WHOLE NO. 1926.

the same day delivered 10 him at Varina
on James River:
WAR DEPARTMENT, Richmond, Va, Avo
~, 1856 Mig. John Il. Milford, Assistal,
Agent Of Exchange:
SIR-1ou have several times proposed
to me to exchange tho prisoners respec
lively held by the two belligerents, Office
and man for man. The same offer ha
also been made by other officials havin!
charge of matters connected with the ex
change of prisoners. This proposal ha
heretofore been declined by the Confeder
ate authorities, they insisting upon the
terms Of the cartel, which required the
delivery of the excess upon either eide
upon parole. In view, however, of the
very largo number of prisoners now held
oy each party, and the suffering conse
quent upon their continued confinement
now consent to the above proposal, and
agree TO deliver to you the prisoners held
in captivity by the Confederate authori
ties, provided you agree to deliver an equal
number OF Confederate officers and men
AS equal numbers are delivered from time
to time they will be declared exchanged.
This proposal s made with the under.
standing that the officers and mer who
have been longest in captivity will be the
first delivered, where it is practicable. |
shall be happy to hear from you as speed
lily as possible whether this arrangement
can be carried out.
Respectfully your obedient servsnt,
II. OULD, Agent of Exchange.
/ accompanied the delivery of the etter
with statement OF the mortality which
was hurrying so many Federal prisoners
at Andersonville to the grave.
On the Goth of the same month, Major
Milford returned with the hag-of-truce
steamer, but brought no answer to my let
ter OF the 10Th of August. In conversa-
tion with him asked him if be had any
reply to make 10 my communication, and
his answer was that he was not authorized
to make any. So deep was the solcitude
which | felt in the fate of the captives in
Northern prisons that determined to
make another effort. In order to obviate
any objection which technicality might
raise as to the person to whom my COM
muinication was addressed, | wrote to
Major-General Z. A. Hitchcock, who is
the Federal Commissioner of Exchange.
residing in Washington city, the following
letter, and delivered the same to Major
Mulford on the day of its date. Accom-
panying that letter was copy of the COM
munication which had addressed to Ma
jor Mulford on the 10th of August
RICHMOND, Va, Aug. %, 1864.
ha sst5sa qr GfsetaI e k4cAAddHg k I'd dHgteheoek u s. Com
SIR-Inc.osed is copy of communi-
cation which, on the 10th inst, address
ed and delivered to Major John L. Mul-
ford, assistant agent of exchange. Under
the circumstances of the case, deem it
proper to forward this paper to you, in
order that you may fully understand the
position which is taken by the Conteder-
ate authorities. shall be glad if he prop
osition therein made is accepted by your
Government.
Respectfully your obedient servant.
Ro. OuLD, Agent Of Exchange.
On the afternoon OF the 30th of August.
was notified that the flag of truce steam
er had again appeared at Varna. On the
following day sen, to Major Milford the
following note, to wit:
RlcHNoND, August 81, lS64.-MGjor John
E. Muiford, Assistant agent Of Exchange:
Sir-On the 10th Of this month address
YOU communication. to which have
received no answer. Major General E. A.
Hitchcock, U. S. Commissioner of Ex-
change inclosipg copy OF my letter to
you of the 10Th inst. now respectfully
ask you to state in writing whether you
have any reply to either OF said communi-
cations; and, if not, whether you have a.
ny reason to give why no reply has been
made2 Respectfully your ob't serv't.
Ro. OULD, Agent of Exchange.
In a short time received the following
response, to wit:
FLAG OF TRUCE STEAMER Nsw YoRx, Va
BINA, Va, Aug. 81. lS64'-HOa. R Oald,
Agent for Exchange: Sir-l have the honor
to acknowledge the receipt of your favor
of to-day, requesting answer, &C.. to your
communication of the 10th inst. on the
question Of the exchange ofprisoners.
To which, in reply, would say, / have
no communication on tae subject from
ou. authorities, nor am | yet authorized
to make answer.
l am, sir very respectfully yonr obedi-
ent servant. JNo. h. MULFoRD,
Major and Asst Ag't for Exchange.
/ have thus fully set before you the act
ion of the Confederate authorities in rela-
tion to matter which lies so near your
hearts, and how it has been received by
the enemy. The fortunes Of your faith
ers. husbands, sons, brothers and friends
are az dear to those authorities as their
persons are recious TO you. and have
made this publication not only as illustra-
tive OF Federal bad faith; but also that
YOU might see that your Government has
spared no effort to secure the release OF
your gallant men who have so often from
ted death in the defense OF our sacred
cause.
Ro. OuLp, Agent Of Exchange.
August 81, 1864.
WHAT Will cp,sp Arrrp u,Pcu AIR,