Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-03-07


Exchange, had nothing to do with the matter
while Col. Ludlow was in charge; indeed under
the cartel there is no such officer recognized as
Commissioners. only agents are spoken of. Gen
Hitchcock was, and we believe still is, kind of
general military adviser Of the President and
Secretary Of War. and this title was given him to
furnish an excuse for his presence at the War
Department.
g. During the Ludlow Ould regime il was mu-
tualy agreed that their correspondence should
be confidential, and should not be given to the
public. IL was felt that the adjustment Of the
delicate questions that would arise would be
riOusls- embarrassed, if not rendered impossible,
by making them the theme of violent partisan
distribes North and South. which would be in
evitabIe uoon their publication. The results
which have followed the publicity given to Gems.
Meredith's and Hitchcock's letters show how
wise this precauton.
4. The difficulty in the exchange question CON-
menced with the first interview between General
Meredith and Mr- Ould. The agents of the two
governments had previously met as equals, each
anxious to perform the duties assigned to him.
Gen. Meredith, however at once assumed that
he was the representative OF legitimate dealing
with a rebel power With this idea, honestly
entertained. no doubt. he undertook to dictate
rather than agree to terms Ould promptly re-
sented the change of tone, and matters have
gone on from bad to since. Unfor-
tunatelY, as it proved, Meredith asked for in
structions when he got into difficulty. and as the
questions in dispute could possibly be under
stood at either Washington or Richmond, he re-
ceived imperative orders which made matters
worse than ever. This was made manifest when
the correspondence between Ould and Meredith
was published. The latter. as Administration
papers like the Boston Advertiser and Springfield
Republican admitted, put clearly and explic
lily in the wrong. This became so evident to
the War Department in time that he was super
seeded and Gen. Butler appointed in his place.
5. The appointment of General Butler led to
new complication He had been outawed by the
rebel government, and 0uld could not treat with
him. Now il may have been very foolish ia the
rebels to hive done this; but it is clear that II
the Federal Congress had outawed Wise, Floyd,
or any other S0utherner, the Administration
would never consent to have formal relations
with them. 1t is a recognized rule among all
nations that its Ambassador, charge, or consul,
shall not be personally offensive 10 tne power
with which he is to have official relations. 1t is
against all precedent, therefore. for the Govern
ment of the United States to force peculiarly
obnoxious agent upon the rebel government.
1t it will be seen, therefore, that the difficulty
touching the exchange of prisoners commenced
when Col Ludlow, relieved, upon Genl.
| Dix being sent to another department. Had an
other officer Of equal discretion, and with the
same power he welded, been sent in his place.
the brave fellows who have been captured while
| fighting in the same armies OF the Union would
have been saved the long moRths of weary cap
tivity, which have fallen to their lot for want of
a little common sense, moderation and tact on
the part of the Washington War Department and
its agents. We do not wish to be understood as
indOrsng Colonel Ludlow at the expense OF ey-
cry one else. There are no doubt thousands of
officers who would prove efficient he has
been, but unfortunately the war Department does
not seem to have had them at hand.
As the War Department has submitted to
Congress the Hitchcock and Meredith correspon
dence, would it not be well for some senator or
representative TO call also for the correspondence
between C5i Ludlow and Robt. Ould which is
understood to be on file at Fortress Monroe, in
| the care of Gen. Butler? Il this should see the
light. We have no doubt that it would show why
Col Ludlow succeeded so well. and also why
Meredith. Butler, Hitchcock. and Stanton have
not succeeded at all, in exchanging the prisoners.