Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1876-02-02

as on the other side, was in truth one Of
re the sevcrcst blows stricken at the Con
As federacy, this refusal to exchange pris-
N oners in 1863 and continued through
y 1864. The Confederates made every
l. effort to renew the cartel. Among
&C other things, on the I'd Of July, 1863,
81 the Nice-Pfesidcnt Of the Confcderacy,
It the gentleman TO whom the gentleman
1t from Maine (Mr. Blaine) alluded the
o otherday insuch complimentary terms,
Mr.. Alexander III. Stephens, was abso.
y lntely commissioned by President Da.
s. Wis 10 cross the lines sand come TO Wash
r ington TO consult with the Federal au-
Z thorities, with a broad commission to
s agree upon any cartel satisfactory to
Il the other side for the exchange of pris-
r oners. Mr.. Davis said 10 him, "Your
e mission is simply one of humanity, and
I has no political aspect" Mr.. Stephens
: undertook that work. What was the
: result? wish to be careful, and will
r state this exactly correct. Here is his
I letter
I CONFEDERATE STATES STEAMER ToRPxDo,
4 In james River, July 4, 1868.
hiR-As military commissioner, am the bear
er Of communication 10 writing from Jefferson
Davis, ,commander-in-chiaf Of the land ana naval
forces Of the Confederate States to Abraham Lin.
coin, commander chief Of the land and naval
forces Of the United States. Hon. Robert Ould,
Confederate States Agent Of Exchange, accom-
panies me as Secretary, for the purpose If deliy-
ering the communication In perton and con fer. |
ring upon the subject to which 1t relates de-
sire 70 proceed to Washington in the steamer
Nall aAs..t III l.. H. n
wilson, Of the Confederate States navy, no person
being on board but Hon. Mr.. 0uld, myself and
the boats officers aud crew.
Yours, most respectfully,
A. h.srEPnEss.
This was directed to S. ii. Lee, Ad.
miral. Here Is the answer: @
Acting Reor-Adairal s. H. Lee, Hampton Roads.
The request of Alexander II. Stephens is mad
missible.
GipKoN wELLs,
| Secretary Of the Navy.
You viii acknowledge that Mr.. Ste.
phens humane mission failed. The
Confederate authorities gave TO that
mission as much dignity and character
as possible. They supposed that, of
all men in the South, Mr.. Stephens
most nearly had your confidence. They
selected him TO be the bearer of mes 7,
sages, for the sake of humanity, in be.
half of the brave Federal soldiers who
were unfortunately prisoners of war.
The Federal government would not
receive him; the Federal authorities ,
would not hear him. ,
What was the next effort? After ,
Mr.. Stephens's mission failed, and after ,
the commissioner for the exchange of !
prisoners, Colonel Onld, having exerted !
all his efforts TO get the cartel renewed, /
on the oath Of January, 1864, wrote !
the following letter to Major General {
Il. A, Hitchcock, agent of exchange on I
the Federal side: n
CONFEDERATE srArEs on AMERICA, I
War DEPARTMENT,
RIoHNosD, Va, January 20, 1864.
SIR In view Of the present difficulties attend u
ing the exchange and releaseof prisoners, pro- G
prose that all such either side shall be attend
ed by proper number Of their own surgeons
who, under rules to be established shall he per-
mitted to take charge OF their health and con- Il
fort also propose that these surgeons shall act q
as commissaries, with power to receive and dis
tribute such contributions as may be forwarded i
for the relief Of the prisoners. further propose
selected
govern ment, and that they shall have full liberty,
at any and all times, through the agents Of ex-
change, TO make reports not only Of their own
aeis, but Of any matter relating to the welfare Of
the prisoners. v
Respectfully, your obedisnt servant f a
RoBKRr 0uLD, p
Agent Of Exchange. 3,
MAJ-GEs. +. A. HIrcnoock, q
Agent Of Exchange u
The Spcakcr-The hour of the gen D.
tleman has expired "
Mr.. Randall move the gentleman a al
from Georgia be allowed to proceed. .
Mr.. Blaine-I do not object but be- ie
fore the gentleman from Georgia pass m
cs from the subject upon which he is ci
now speaking would be glad TO y
know .n ...., ie
The Speaker-lf there be no obiec- SC
lion the gentleman from Georgia will Pi
have permission TO proceed
There was no objection. III
Mr. Blaine--I believe the gentleman th
rom Georgia (Mr Hill wasa member pi
u the Confederate Senate. l find in IN
! historical book of some authenticity tr
,f character that in the Confederate ha
congress Senator Hill, of Georgia, in W, W,
reduced the following resolution rcla- ~
ing TO prisoners ~
Mr.. Hill-You are putting me on w
rial now, are your Go ahead. In
Mr.. Blaine-This is the resolution: er
"That every person pretending to be IN
soldier or officer Of the United States SD
Who shall be captured on the soil OF AZ
he Confederate States after the LIST day er'
# January, 1863, shall be presumed to asI
ave entered the territory of the Con. Co
ederato States with the intent to in. cq
ite insurrection and abet murder and iu'
nless satisfactory proof be adduced to m'
he contrary, before the Military Court
efore which the trial shall be had, wa
hall suffer death. This section shall
ontinuc in force until the proclamation 70
sued by Abraham Lincoln, dated at re
Washington, on the 22d day of Sep. kn
embcr 1862, shall be rescinded. and a'o
hc policy therein announced shall be kn
bandoned, and no longer ge'
Mr.. HILL will say 10 the gentle. col
ian from Maine very frankly, that ! o.
ave not the slightest recollection Of 20
caring that resolution before. let
Mr. Blaine--The gentleman does not 10
eny. however thai he was tbe outbor bee
ritP U'D' of
Mr. HILL do not know NV own 9th
npression is that was moi the a1tbor. wit
ai do not pretend 40 reoollec, thc all
If the gentleman can Tn
we me the circumstances under which pas