Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-08-26

ing captives-which would have released
every Federal soldier in confinement in
Confederate prisons-was not even no.
ticed. Was that because the Federal
officials did not deem il worthy Of reply;
or because they feared TO make one As
the Federal authorities at that time had
a large excess of prisoners, the effect Of
the proposal which / had made, if car.
ried out, woald have been to release all
Union prisoners, while large number Of
the Confederates would have remained
in prison, awaiting the chances Of the
capture Of their equivalent
I ii.
In January, 1864, and, indeed, some
time earlier, it became very manifest,
that in consequence Of the complication
in relation to exchanges, the large bulk
Of prisoners on both sides would remain
in captivity for many long and weary
months. II not for the duration of the
war. Prompted by an earnest desire to
alleviate the hardships of confinement on
both sides, | addressed the following
commu nication to General + A. Hitch.
cock, United States Commissioner Of
Exchange, and on or about the day Of
it's date, delivered the same to the Fed.
eral authority:
CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA,
WAR DsPARTNgET.
RICHMOND, Va, January "a. lSG3.J
Major General Z. A. Hitchcock. Agent of Ex-
SIR: In view Of the present difficulties
attending the exchange and release of
prisoners, propose that all such on each
side shall be attended by proper mum.
ber of their own surgeons, who, under
rules to be established, shall be permit
ted to take charge of their health and
comfort yfi0.sa4 fa
also propose that these surgeons shall
act as commissaries, with power to re-
ceive and distribute such contributions
of money, food, clothing and medicine as
may be forwarded for the relief of prison.
ers. further propose that the surgeons
be sslscted by their own governments,
and that they shall haye 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. Respect
fully, your obedient servant,
hO. OJLD, AR6Ht Vi EAcndHRc.
To this communication, no reply Of any
kind was ever made. / need not state
how much suffering would have been pre-
vented if this offer had been met in the
spirit in which it was dictated. In addition
the world would have had true accounts
onthe treatment ofprisoners on both sides
BY officers of character, and thus much
of that misrepresentation which has
flooded the country would never have
been poured forth. The jury box Ia the
case Of Wirz would have had different
witnesses, with different story. 1t will
be borne in mind that nearly all of the
suffering endured by Federal prisoners
happened after January, 1864. The &C.
ceptance of the proposition made by me
on behalf of the Confederate government,
would not only hsve fprnishad to the
sick medicines and physicians, but TO the
we'll an abundance of food and clothing
from tho ample stores Of the United
States,
The good faith of the Confederats gov
ernment in making this offer cannot be
successfully questioned, for food and
clothing without the surgeons) we're sent
in 1865, and we're allowed to be dstri-
buted by Federal officers to Federal pri-
soners.
Why could not the more humane pro-
posal Of February, 1864, have been
adopted ?
III.
When it was ascertained that ex-
changes could not be made either on the
basis of the cartel, or officer for officer,
aud man for man, / was instructed by |
the Confederate authorities to offer to the |
United States government their sick and
scithoat requiring any equira-
lent. Accordingly, in the summer of
1864, did offer to deliver from ten to
fifteen thousand of the sick and wounded
at the mouth of the Savannah river, with
out requiring any equivalents, assuring
at the same time the agent of the United
States, General Mulford, that if the num-
Der for which be might send tFansporta-
lion could not readily be made up from
sick and wounded, would supply the
difference with well men. Although this
offer was made in the summer of 1864,
was not sent to the SavaH-
nah river until about the middle or last
of November, and then ] delivered as
many prisoners as could be transported
some thirteen thousand in number,
amongst whom we're more than five thou
Iand well men. 1....-.... .t
More than once urged the mortality
It Andersonville as a reason for haste on
he part of the United States authorities.
know, personally, that it was the pur-
pose of the Confederate government to
end of from all its prisons all the sick
md wounded, and to continue to do the
anne, from time to time, without requir.
ng any equivalent for them. 1t was
,ecause the sick and wounded, at points
listant from Georgia, could not be
,rought to Savannah within reasonable
ime that the FIVE thousand well men
we're substituted.
Although the terms Of my offer did not
eouire the Federal authorities to de-
iver any for the ten or fifteen thousand
Thich | promised, yet some three thou
and sick aud wounded were delivered by
hem at the mouth of the Savannah river.
call upon every Federal and Confede
ate officer and man who saw the cargo
f living death, and who is familiar with
he character Of the deliveries made by
he Confederate authorities, to bear wit
ess that none such was ever made BY the
alter, even when the very sick and des.
erately wounded we're alone requested. !
or. on two occasions at least, such were
pecially asked for, and particular re-
uest was made for those who we're 90 !
espera,ely sick that il would be doubt
Al whether they would survive removal
few miles down James river. Accord
Ugly, the hospitals were searched for the
-Orst cases, and after they were delivered,