The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-08-21
excHAyGE OF PRISONERS I'm THE
LATE WAR.
er.rryEyT OF ROBERT oyLD, ESQ
General Grant Responsible ZOE "
Horrors Of AndersOnvfHe.

to;ne q tEo-column letter from hooeA'
Ould. ESQ.,, of this city, Commissioner OF
Exchange under the Confederate Govern
msnt. giving the history of the exchange.
We have published at different times most
of the particulars of this connected history
prepared by Judge Ould. In the form no"
presented it will reach the northern people,
who have been quite poorly informed On
the subject.
The cartel Of exchange bears date July
% 1852 and was intended to secure the
prompt delivery of all prisoners OF war
The fourth article provided that prisoners
should be paroled the tenth day after cap
ture We are forced to abbreviate part
Of Judge Guilds history.
From the date of the cartel to the sum-
mer of A63 the Confederatea had the excess
of prisoners, and they were sent on as last
a. the Federal Government furnished trans
nortation. During that period, though the
Eonfederates faithfully observed the cartel,
Il was VIGOROUSLY violated by the Federal
officers, and men were confined, Kept III
cells. sometimes ironed, without charge !;
officers were kept in confinement even after
the notice published by the Federals that
they were exchanged. ..
IA soon as the Federal authorities had
the excess they would no longer observe
the cartel. They insisted on limiting ex-
changes to such as were held IN CONNIE
ment on either side. To this the Confede-
rates objected, and deliveries afterward
were confined to cases the results OF special
agreement. Judge Guild says:
"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 belligerent,
they determined to abate their just de-
mand. Accordingly, on the last-named day
I addressed the following communication to
Brigadier-General John E. milford (then
Major, Assistant Agent of Exchange
"R1cHMoND, August 10, 1864.
"tMajor John E. Milford, Assistant Agent
of Exchange:
Sir,-You have several times proposed
to me to exchange the prisoners respectively
held by the two belligerents-otticer for
officer and man for man. The same offer
has also been made by other officials having
charge of matters connected with the ex-
change of prisoners.
"'This proposal has heretofore been de-
clined by the Confederate authorities, they
insisting upon the terms of the cartel,
which required the delivery of the excess
on either side on parole. In view, however,
of the very large number Of prisoners now
held by each party, and the suffering con-
seouent upon their continued confinement,
| now consent to the above proposal and
agree to deliver to you the prisoners held
| in captivity by the Confederate authorities,
provided you agree to deliver an equal
number of Confederate officers and men.
As equal numbers are delivered from time
to time, they will be declared exchanged.
This proposal is made with the understand
ing that the officers and men on both sides
who have been longest in captivity will be
first delivered where it is practicable.
"sI shall be happy to hear from you as
speedily as possible whether this arrange
ment can be carried out.
" Respectfully, your obedient servant,
60 ROBERT OULD,
"Agent of Exchange
"The delivery of this letter was accom-
panied with q statement of the mortality
which was hurrying so many Federal pri-
soners at Andersonvile to the grave.
"On the 22d day Of August, 1864, not
having heard anything in response, adj
dressed communication to Major-General
E. A. Hitchcock, United States Commits
sioner of Exchange, covering a copy of the
foregoing letter to General milford, and
requesting an acceptance of my PROPOSE
tons.
d" No ans,oer 1cdS erer received to either
of these letters. General Milford, on the
3lst of August, 1864, informed me in Wrl-
ting that he had no communication on the
subject from the United States authorities,
and that he was not at that time authorized
to make any answer.
"This offer, which would have instantly
restored to freedom thousands OF suffering
captives,-which would have released every
Federal soldier in confinement in Confede-
rate prisons-was not even noticed"
In January, 1864, Judge Guild, desiring to
alleviate the sufferings of the prisoners,
who seemed destined to many weary months
Of confinement, addressed the following let
ter to General Z. A. Hitchcock, United
States Commissioner Of Exchange, and de-
livered the same to the Federal authority:
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, }
"WAR DEPARTMENT,
"RICHMoED, VA, January "A, 1864. }
" Major General E. 4. Hitchcock, Agent OF
Exchange:
"Sir,-In view of the present difficulties
attending the exchange and release of pri-
soners, propose that all such on each side
shall be attended by proper number of
their own surgeons, who, under rules to be
established, shall be permitted TO take
charge of their health and comfort.
I" | also propose that these surgeons shall
act as commissaries, with power to receive
and distribute such contributions Of money,
food, clothing, and medicines, as may be
forwarded for the relief of prisoners. |
further propose that these surgeons be Sc
lected by their own governments, and that
they shall have full liberty at any and all
times, through the agents Of exchange, to
make reports not only Of their own acts,
but of any matters relating to the welfare
of prisoners:
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
"RoBERT GUILD, Agent of Exchange.
"To this communication no reply OF any
kind 11dS euer made. l need not state how
much suffering would have been prevented
if this offer had been met in the spirit in
which it was dictated" Besides, there
would have been truthful statements OF
the treatment of prisoners from officers of
character and the jury-box in the case OF
Wirz would have had different witnesses.
Though this reason: @-'e and humane propo-
sition was declined IN '64, the Federal Go
yernment in '65 sent food and clothing,