Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1868-08-23

tons of the action of the late Confederate
authorities in relation to prisoners that i
feel it due to the truth of history, and pc
culiarly incumbent on me as their agent OF
exchange, TO bring to the attention of the
country the facts set forth in this paper:
The cartel of exchange bears date July
22d, 1852. It's chief purpose was to secure
the delivery of all 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 until
the summer of 1868, the Confederate au-
thorities had the excess of prisoners. Dur
ing that interval, deliveries were made as
fast as the Federal government furnished
transportation Indeed, upon more than
one occasion, l urged the Federal authori-
ties to send increased means of transporta-
ton. 1t has never 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,
during the same time the cartel was openly
and VIGOROUSLY violated by the Federal
duAllOittACbs OLliCCIA duu Ilbu were kept
in confinement, sometimes in irons, or
doomed to cells, without charge or trial
Many officers we're kept in confinement
even after the notices published by the
Federal authorities had declared them ex-
changed.
In the summer of 1868 the Federal
authorities insisted upon limiting ex-
changes TO such rs were held in confine-
ment on either side. This | resisted, as
being in violation of the cartel. Such a
construction not only kept in confinement
the excess on either side, but ignored all
the paroles which were held by the Con-
federate government. There 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 authori-
ties giving prisoners as equivalents for
them. Thus it will be seen that "a long az
the Confederate 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, as
long as the Federal government held the
paroles of Confederate officers 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
Confederate authorities could not be recog.
nized. In consequence Of the position thus
assumed by the Federal government, the
requirement of the cartel that all prisoners
should he delivered within ten DAYS was
practically nullified The deliveries which
were afterwards made were the results of
special agreements.
The Confederate authorities adhered to
their position until the 10th Of August
1864, when, moved by the suaerings of the
men in the prisons of each belIigerent,
they determined to abate their lust de-
mand Accordingly, on the last-named
day, addressed the following communica-
ton to Brig. Gen. John +. milford, (then
Major Assistant Agent of Exchange:
RICHMOND, August 10, 1864.-Maior
John +. milford, Assistant Agent of Ex-
change: SIR; You have several times
proposed to me to exchange the prisoners
held by the two belligerents-
officer for officer, and man for man. The
same offer has also been made by other
officials haYing charge of matters connected
with the exchange 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, how
ever, of the very large number of prisoners
now held by each party, and the suffering
upon their continued confne-
ment, | now consent to the above proposal,
and agree to deliver to you the prisoners
held in captivity by the Confederate au-
.horities, 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
he understanding that the officers and |
men on both sides who have been longest in |
captivity will be first delivered where it is |
practicable.
| shall be happy TO hear from you as |
peedily as possible, whether this arrange
nent can be carried out.
Respectfully your o'bt. sv't-,
Ro. OULD, Agent Of Exchange.
The delivery of this letter was accompa-
lied with statement Of the mortality |
which was hurrying 30 many Federal pris-
,ners at Andersonville to the grave.
On the 22d day of August, 1864, not
having heard anything in response, | adj
Iressed a communication TO Major General
:. A. Hitchcock, United States Commits
Toner of Exchange, covering a copy Of the
oregoing letter to General milford, and
equesting an acceptance Of my PROPOSE
ions.
No answer was received 10 either Of these
etters. General Milford, on the 3ist of
IHgusl, 1864, informed me in writing that
e had no communication on the subject
rom the United States authorities, and that
e was not at that time authorized 10 make
ny answer.
This offer, which would have instantly re-
iored % freedom thousands of suffering
would have released
very Federal soldier in confinement in
confederate prisons-was not even no
ced. Was that because the Federal off |
ials did not deem il worthy Of reply or be-
luse they feared to make one? As the
'ederal authorities at that time had A
urge excess Of prisoners, the effect Of the
roposal which had made, if carried out.
ould have been 10 release all Union pris-
ners, while large number OF the COnfed- |
rates would have remained n prison,
waiting the chances OF the capture Of their
luivslsnts.
In January, 1864, and, indeed, some time
Irlier, II became very manifest, that in
Of the complication ia rela-
on 10 exchanges, the large bulk of prison
= on both sides wonld remain in captivity
T many long and weary months, If not for
e duration of the war Prompted by an
.rnest desire to alleviate the hardships Of
nhnemeRt on both sides, addressed the {
flowing communication 20 General T.. A.
itchcock, United States Commissioner of ,
and on or about the day Of its
lie, delivered the same to the Federal au- '
ority
CONFEDERATE STATES or AMERICA {
AR DEPARTMENT, RICHMOND, Va, Jan.
J lS64-Major General +. A. Hitchcock. '
gent Of Exchange: SIR: la view OF the | I
esent difficulties attending the exchange {
d release OF prisoners, | propose that all c
Oh on each side shall be attended by | 3
proper number Of their own surgeons. \
10, undertakes TO be established, shall be | b
rnitted to take charge of their health v
d comfort. .