Union and American. [volume] (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1875-1877, 1876-02-17
acy should be in like manner re-


acy should be in like manner re-
leased and returned TO us.
This foul accusation, though di-
rected specially against me, was
no doubt intended and naturally
must be the arrangement of the
South, by whose authority and in
whose behalf my deeds were done.
1t may be presumed that the feel
ings and the habits of the South
erh soldiers were understood by me,
and in that connection any fair
mind would perceive in my con-
gratuiatory order to the army after
a victory in which the troops were
most commended for their tender.
ness and generosity to the wound.
ed and other captives, as well the
instincts of the person who issued
the order IS the knightly temper
of the soldiers to whom it was adj
dressed. 1t is admitted that the
prisoners in our hands were not as
well provided for as we would wish,
but it is claimed we did as we'll
for them as we could. Can the
other side say as much? To the
bold allegations Of i'll treatment of
prisoners by our side and humane
treatment and adequate supplies
by nj opponents, it is only neces-
sary to offer two facts:
FirSt-It appears from the re-
ports of the United States War
Department that though we had
$4,000 more Federal prisoners than
they had Of Confederates, 5000
more Of Confederates died in
Northern prisons.
Second-The want and suffering
of men in Northern prisons caused
me to ask for permission to send
out cotton and buy supplies for
them. The request was granted,
but only on condition that the cot
ton should be sent to New York
and the supplies be bought there.
General Beale, now Of st. Louis,
was authorized to purchase and
distribute the needful supplies.
Our sympathy rose with the oc-
casion and responded to its de-
msnds, not waiting for ten years,
then to vaunt itself when it could
serve no good purpose to the suf-
%ferers, under the mellowing infu-
ence of time and occasional de-
m~onstrations at the North of a de-
sire for the restoration of peace
and good will. The Southern peo-
pie have forgotten much, have for
given much of the wrongs they
bore. If it be less so among their
invaders, it is but another example
of the rule that the wrong-doer is
less able to forgive than he.who
has suffered causeless wrong. 1t
is not, however, generally among
those who braved the hazards Of
battle that unrelenting vindictive-
ness is to be fonnd-the brave and
generous and gentle. 1t is the
skulkers of the fight, the Blalnes,
who displayed their flag on an I'M
tented field. They made no sacri-
fee to prevent the separation of
the States. Why should they be
expected to promote the confidence
and good will essential to their
union?
When closely confined at Fort
ress Monroe / was solicited to add
my name to those of many esteem
ed gentlemen who had signed a Pc
tition for my pardon, and an as
surahce was given that onomy do
ing so the President would order
my liberation. Confident of the
Justice of our cause and the recti-
tude of my own conduct, / declined
to sign the petition and remained
| subject to the inexcusable priva-
tions and fortunes which DR.. Craven
has but family described. When
after two years of close conine-
ment l was admitted to bail, as Of
ten as required | appeared for trial
under the indictments found
against me, but in which Mr..