The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1868-09-10
STARTLING REVELATION.
Exchange Of PrisOncrs-Sfatene ent
of robert Ould, Esq -Gen.
Grant RcspOasiDie for the
E4orrOrS OF fAnGgersOnyi!ie.

GENTLEMEN-I have recently seen so
many misrepresentation of the actions OF
the late co olfederatc authorities in relatio n
to prisoners, that | feel it due to the truth
Of history, and peculiarly incumbent on
me as their agent of exchange, to bringto
the attention of the country the facts ct
forth in this paper:
The cartel of exchange bears date July
22, 1862 It's chief purpose was to secure
the delivery ofall prisoners of war.
TO that end, the fourth article provided
that all prisoners Of war should be dis
charged on parole in ten days after their
capture From the date Of the cartel un-
til the summer of 1863 the confederate
authorities had the excess of prisoners.
During the interval deliveries we're made
as fast as the federal government furnish
ed transportation. Indeed, upon one
occasion, 1 urged the federal authorities
to send increased means Of transportation
1t has never been alleged that the confed-
crate authorities failed or neglected to
make prompt deliveries of prisoners who
were not held under charges, when they
had the excess On the other hand, du-
ring the same time the cartel was openly
and notoriously violated by the federal au-
thorities. Officers and men were kept in
confinement, sometimes ip irons or DOOM
ed cells, without charge or trial. Many
officers were kept in confinement even
after the notice published by the federal
authorities had declared them exchanged.
IN the summer of 1868 the federal au-
thorities insisted upon limiting exchanges
to such as were held in confinement on
either side. This ! resisted as being in
violation Of the cartel. Such construc-
ten only kept in confinement the excess
On either side, bu. ignored all the paroles
which were held by the confederate gov
ernment. These were very many, being
the paroles of officers and men who had
been released on capture. The federal
government at that time held few or no
paroles. They had all, or nearly all, been
surrendered. the confederate authorities
giving prisoners rs equivalents for them.
Thus it will be seen that as long as the
confederate government had the excess Of
prisoners matters went On smoothly enoaSh;
but as soon as the posture OF Affairs in that
respect was changed, the cartel could no
longer be observed. So long as the feder-
al government held .he paroles of conled-
crate officers and men, they were respected
and made the basis Of an exchange but
when the equivalents were obtained for
them, aud no more we're in hand, the par
oles which were held by the confederate
authorities could not be recognized In
conseq Of the position thus assumed
by the federal government, the require
men: of the cartel that all prisoners should
be delivered within ten days was practical
ly nulIifed. The deliveries which were
afterwards made were the result of special
agreements.
The confederate authorities adhered to
their position until the 10th of August,
1864, when, moved by the sufferings of the
men in the prisons of each beligerent,
they determined to abate their just de-
mand. Accordingly, on the last named
day, l addressed the following communi
cation to Brigadier General John f. Mul
ford (then major, assistant agent of ex-
change:
RICHMOND, Aug. 10, 1864.
Major John E. Muyfora, Assistca! 4gen
Of Exchange:
SIR-You have several times proposed
to me to exchange the prisoners respect
lively held by the two belligerents-ofice
for officer, and man for man. The sam
offer has also been made by other official
having charge of matters connected wit
the exchange of prisoners,
This proposal has heretofore been de
clined by the confederate authorities, the
insisting upon the terms Of the carte
which required the delivery of the exces
on either side on parole. In view, howe,
or, of the very large number of prisoner
now held by each party and the sufferin
consequent upon their continued confint
ment, [ now consent to the above propose
and agree to deliver you the prisoners Ilel
in captivity by the confederate authoritie
provided you agree TO deliver an equ
number Of confederate officers and mel
As equal numbers are delivered from tin
time they will be declared exchange,
This proposal is made with the unds
standing that the officers and men on hot