Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1864-09-22
HDQs's Army Tenn,


September 18th, 1864. !
Mojor-Generct ". T. Sherman Commanding U. s
Forces.
SIs:-I bad the bonor on the 9th mat, to propose
to you m exchange Of prisoners, officers and men cap
tured by both armies SINGS the commen cement OF the
present campaign,
Ca the same day you answered my communc alton,
stating that you accepted my car " to exchange priso-
ners OF war in band at this moment" There being
condition attached to the eptauce your part of
my otor 10 ezct ange prisoners, regarded it obi
gotory to the extent of the number prisoners repre-
sented by you to be within your Jurisdiction
At the meeting on the lst lost, between respec
tive Staff Officers, Maj. J. B. E1stis, A A. e., and
Lieut.. Col. Warner, l. & intended to arrange such
prelainaies Hs thu tim aad place of delivery, &c,
communication celged from you reoderng / re-
greet to 9fom YOU exchang Of pisoo"rs in ,vts-
bIe
Your refusa. - races i. eSc.a4se ybnc :! =
belonging to Greg IN -nts il. LINES are On. 7ho
have been discharged, discoses fixed purpose OF the
part OF your Government to doom to hopeless captiv
t. those prisoners whose term OF service has expired
or will soon expire.
The new principle which you seek to interpo'ate
upon The cartel of respective Governments as well
as upon the laws and customs of war, will not be
toned by me- ALI captives taken in war who owe no
obligations to the captors, must stand upon tie
equal footing The duration of these terms of
certainly impose duties or obligations on the
captors. The volunteer of day and the conscrpt for
the war, who may be captured in war; equally sub
c to all of the burthens and equally entitled to all Of
the rights secured by the laws OF nations This prir-
ce Is distinctly conceded in the cartel entered into
by respective Governments and is ctioned by
reason justice and the public laws of all civilized ma
tons.
Idly offer to exchange The prisoners captured during
the campaign pecudes intention my part in the
delivery to discriminate between your prisoners all
would have been delivered and even had it been in
tended, this discrimination between your men, whose
term of service had aud bad not expired would have
been impossible, and could not have been affected, as
bad no reliable means of ascertaining what proportion
OF your men were entitled to their discharge.
Your aVowal that this class of your soldiers will not
be exchanged, but will be rewarded by the suffering and
privatons incident to military Imprisonment because
their bodness and courage subjected them to capture
although their term of service had neary expired is
deeply regretted by me- share the earnest desire of
my Government to release from prolonged confinement
the large numder Of prisoners held by both parties.
Permit me to hope that this declare policy of your
government will be recopsidered az it Is upjusty op-
pressve to those whom the hazards of military service
rendered prisoners, aud ia volative of the well
aerstood obligations assumed by government towards
hose who are enlisted in its service.
As was proper, notified my Government Of my
,er to yoa TO effect exchange Of prisoners captured
Turing this campaign, and not on.y WAS my action
approved bat my Government placed at my entire dis