The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1865-01-27
The Exchange Of Prisoners.
WAsHINGToN, January %

FROM SECRETARY STANTON AND GEN. GRANT.
The secretary of war sent the follow
ing letter to the speaker of the House
of Representative on Monday, and it
was referred to the committee on mill
tary affairs -
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington Jan.
2I.-Sir: In answer to the resolution
of the House of Representatives of
Dec. 81, calling for the correspondence
in reference to the exchange of prison
ers, have the honor to submit here
with the reporS of the adjutant gener-
al, together with such communications
upon the subject as have not hereto
fore been published. The correspon-
dence of Con. Butler details the action
IN regaId to the exchange of prisoners
under the authority enforced upon
him. BY an oydcr of the war depart
ment on Oct. Is, the subject of ex-
changes was placed under the direction
OF Lieut.. Gen. Grant, with full an
thorlty TO take any steps he might
deem proper to effect the release ana
exchange of our soldiers and Of Iowa
persons held as prisoners by the rebe
authorities. He was instructed that i
was the desire of the president that II,
efforts consistent with national homo
should be spared TO effect the promp
release of all soldiers and loyal person
in captivity to the rebels as prisoners
of war or upon any other grounds
and the subject was committed to hin
with full authority to act in the premi
ses as he should deem right and pro
per. Under this authority, the subiec
of exchange has from time to tim
continued in his charge, and such eff
forts have been made as he deemet
proper to obtain the release of on
prisoners. An arrangement was mad
for supplying our prisoners, the article
to be distributed under the direction
of our own officers, paroled for tina
purpose, and a corresponding privileg
has been extended to the rebel author
tiles.
In order to afford every facility 70
relief, special exchanges have been OF
fered whenever desired on behalf @
our prisoners. Such exchanges hay
in a few instances been permitted b
the rebel authorities, but in man
others they have been denied, and
large number of exchanges, includin,
all the sick, have been effected within
a recent period The commissioner
general OF prisoners has been directe,
to make detailed report of all ex
changes accomplished since the gener
al exchange ceased. He will furnis
it to the House of Representatives a
soon as completed. The last com
munication of Gen Grant gives reasol
to believe that a full and complete ex
change Of all prisoners will speedil
be made. 1t also appears from hi
statement that weekly supplies az
furnished to our prisoners and distri
buted by officers of our own selection
His letter is subjoined, as follows -
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE u. S.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., January 81.
Hon. Z. II. Stanton Secretary Of Far
SIR; / have authorized Col Mul
ford, agent of exchange, to renew ne
gotiations for the exchange of all pris
oners now held by either party. TIL
first interview between our agent an
the rebel agent, Col. Ould, has alread
been held, and there is no doubt bu
an arrangement will be entered into
Indeed, on the strength of that inter
view, an exchange, "a limited one,
now going on near Richmond. Your
truly, U. S. GRANT, Lieut.. Gen.
p. S.--We are sending supplies I
our prisoners at least weekly They al
received by officers of our own selet
ton, released federal prisoners, VIII
distribute them as directed.
Supplies furnished by friends
prisoners are also forwarded in th
same manner; the nature Of supple
authorized TO be furnished by ind
r yiduals is specified in an order of tn
department.
Very respectfully your obediei
servant, EDwIS Al. STANTON,
| Secretary of War.