The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1868-09-09
deliveries were made as fast as the
Federal Government furnished trans.

deliveries were made as fast rs the
Federal Government furnished trans.
portation.. Indeed, upon more than
one occasion 1 urged the Federal au-
thoritics to send increased means of
transportation. 1t has never even been
alleged that the Confederate 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, dur
ing the same time the cartel was open
ly and VIGOROUSLY violated by the Fed
eral authorities. Officers and men were
kept in confinement, sometimes in irons,
or doomed 10 cells, without charge or
trial Many officers were kept in con:
fuement even after the notices publish
ed by the Federal authorities had de-
ciared them exchanged. In the sum
mer of 1868 the Federal authorities in
sisted upon limiting exchanges to such
as were held in confinement on either
side. This 1 resisted, as being in vio-
lation of the cartel. Such a construct
ion not only kept in confinement the
excess on either side, but ignored all
the paroles which were held by the
Confederate Government. These were
veIy many, being the paroles of officers
and men who had been released on cap
ture. The Federal Government at that
time held few CT no paroles. They had
all, or nearly all, been surrendered, the
Confederate authorities giving prison
ers as equivalent for them. Thus it
will be seen, that as long as the Con-
federste Government had the excess OF
prisoners, matters went on smoothly
enough; but as soon as the posture of
affairs in that respect was changed, the
cartel could no longer be observed -
So long as the Federal Government
held the paroles Of Confederate Ulcers
and men, they were respected, and
made the basis of an exchange; but
when equivalents were obtained for
them, and no more were in hand, the
paroles which were held by the Con-
federate authorities could not be recog-
nized. In consequence of the position
thus assumed by the Federal Govern
ment, the requirement of the cartel
that all prisoners should be delivered
within ten days was practically multi
fed. The deliveries which were after
wards made were the results of special
agreements. The Confederate authori-
ties adhered to their position until the
10th of August, 1861, when moved by
the sufferinrs,o of the men In the prisons
Of each belligcrent, they determined to
abate their just demand. Accordingly,
the last named day, l addressed the
following communication to Brigadidr
General John E.. milford Chen
Assistant Agent of Ex-
RICHMOND. August 10, 1864.
JOHN E.. Mulford, Assistan.
agent Of Exchange:
SIR: You have several times pro-
posed to me to exchange the prisoners
respectively held by the two belliger
ents-ofieer for officer, and man for
man. The same offer has also been
made by other officials having charge
Of matters connected with tho OK
of prisoners.
This r.-oposal has heretofore been
IeclineJ by the Confederate authori
les, they insisting uIan the terms of
he cartel, which required tEe delivery
# the excess on either siGc CD pat-Hte.
view, however, of the very large
of prisoners now held by each
and thesufering consequent
lpon their continued confinement, II
low consent to the above proposal, and
gree to deliver to you the prisoners
leld in captivity by tie Confederate
authorities. provided you agree 10 deliv
r an equal number of Confederate off
ers and men. AS equal numbers are de-
from time to time they will be
declared exchanged. This proposal is
made with the understanding that the
Ulcers and men on both sides who have
'een longest in captivity viii be first
delivered where il is practicable.
[ shall be happy to hear frcm you as
as possible whether this ar
angement can be carried out. Re-
pectfully, your obedient servant.
Ro GUILD, Agent of Exchange.
The delivery Of this letter was &C
ompanied> with statement of the
mortality which was burrying so many
federal prisoners ct Andersonville to
he grave. On the 22d day of August,
s64, not having heard anything>in re-
ponse, I addressed a communication
Major-G General f.. a. Hitchcock,
States Commissioner Of Ex- +.
covering n copy Of the forego-
az letter to General milford, and re
Nesting an acceptance of my PROPOSE
Ions. No dnsieer ards erer received 10
ither oftkese letters. General Null
ord, on the 3lst of August, 1864, in
me in writing that he had no
communication on the subject from the :
United States authorities, and that he
Ias not at that time authorized 10 make :
ny answer. This offer, which would :
ave instantly restored to freedom !
housands Of suffering captiyes-which
'ould have released every Federal
older in confinement in Confederate
not even noticed. Was ,
nat because the Federal officials did =
OF deem it worthy of a reply ; or be :
they feared to make one2 As :
be Federal authorities at that time had .,
large excess.of prisoners, the effect
f the proposals l had made, if carrie |
ut, would have been to release all Unit.
" prisoners, while . large number of i
ne Confederates would have remained /,
!, prison, awaiting the chances of the !,
apture Of their equivalents. e
II. :
1no l.