The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1867-09-28
Letter from Ex.COmmis-
- sfOner Ou1d.
General Robert Ould has written the
following letter to one of the editors of
the National Intelltgencer.

| deneTal hoDert OuId mas Wfltteu tne
following letter to one Of the editors Of
the Nationa1 Intelltgencer.
RICHMOND, July l8, 1867.
Ny Dear Sir: / have read the remark
able discussion in the House. Eldridgc
is substantially right in what ne said /
offered early in August to deliver all the
sick and wounded prisoners We had with
out requiring equivalents for them. ]
would have made the offer earlier, but
for tho fact that some considerable time
before | had made an offer of exchange,
man for man, to which could get no re-
sponse. | waited for response until
early in August, and failing to receive
one, / then made the offer above named,
at the same time urging haste on the part
Of the United States Government, as the
mortality among the Federal prisoners
was very great. During the Fall / again
and again urged haste, giving the same
reason / informed tho Federal authori.
ties that if they would send transporta-
ton for Is, 900 men to the mouth Of the
Savannah river would furnish that num-
Der Of sick and wounded, and that would
fill up any deficiency with well prisoners
| did not require corresponding deliv-
cry Of our prisoners, though ] expressed
the desire that they might be sent. From
early in August we were not only ready,
but anxious to make this delivery It Tas
our purpose, as well az our offer. to con.
tinue the delivery of the sick and wound
ed at all the depots Of prisoners, and upon
the terms mentioned; that is, without
requiring equivalents. Transportation
was not sent until December. The Uni
ted States authorities brought in that
month some 5000 prisoners TO the mouth
Of the Savannah river, and received over
1000 in return, many Of whom were
we'll men The 5000 delivered presen-
ted as melancholy spectacle as Ander-
sonyille ever presented Most, if not all
Of them, had been brought from Almira
Some died between Almira and Balti.
more-many between Baltimore and Sa-
vannah. ! do not believe ten per cent.
of the number arc alive now. AL these
facts are known to Federal officers. Reb-
els may lie, but yet the fact is fully estab-
lished by other evidence that the Fcde-
raj authorities sent 5000 and received
$4,000. They would have received more
if there had been accommodation. Why
were $4,000 delivered and only 5000 re-
ceived, if insisted on receiving equiga-
lcnts? There Is nothing in the publish
ed correspondence referred TO By General
Butler which, in any manner, contests
any one Of the facts | have mentioned
General Mulford will sustain everything
! have herein written. He Is a man of
honor and courage, and | do not think
viii hesitate to tell the truth. | think ii
would be we'll for you t. make an appeal
to him. as it has become question of
veracity. General Butler says the propo-
sition was made in the Fall, and that
1000 prisoners were delivered. It was
in August, and over 13, 900 were deliver
ed. If you viii get Pollard Lost Cause"
and refer TO the chapter on exchange, you
will there find the whole question accu-
rately stated. Every word of the chap
ter is true, so far as it pretends to give
facts. The book was published by sub
scription, by Treat L. Co., of New York.
You can publish any portion of this let
ter. defy contradiction as to any state
ment have made, and challenge scruti-
ny. will prove every word by Federal
testimony. Who, then, is responsible for
the suffering of Andersonville during the
period of its most deadly mortality, from
August to January?
Yours, truly, ROBERT OULD.