The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-05-24
! "Het4tRtfeFWHiiqE HARE COME FORTH"
lIndre ould in phllndelnbln rlmesl


There was one incident in the course
Of deliveries which was quite dramatic,
though very painful to one Of the parties,
a Pennsylvania colonel, In the beginn.
ing the war surgeons were regarded as
nonoOmbatants, and not subject to deten-
ton on either side A difficulty, how
ever, arose between the two governments
about one DR., RuGker, who was held in
confinement on the charge of murder
and other high crimes. The United
States demanded his release, and, failing
tosecure it, put DR.. Green, a Confederate
surgeon, in confinement in retaliation.
This led to the detention of all surgeons
ON both Sides / made vigorous efforts TO
restore the old practice and at length sue
ceeded. Accordingly day was fixed for
the delivery ofall surgeons of both sides
at City Point, and all the Federal sur
geons were directed to be sent from the
Libby and put on board the flag Of truce
steamer, accompanied the party. When
w e were nearing the steamer New York
| perceived that signal was flying for
me to come to the shore with my boat.
l did SO, and found there communica-
ton stating that Col, Harry White, COM
manding one of the Pennsylvania regi-
ments, had disguised himself as asurgeon
and was then on board my boat. l inn
mediately directed the prisoners to be
drawn up in line on the shore and made
them an address, in which l recounted
the efforts | had made to secure the inn
munity of their class, and stated that an
officer ofthe line not entitled to exchange
or release was among them disguised as
surgeon. / then raised my voice and
shouted; "Colonel Harry White, come
forth" He stepped in front at once, and
in few words claimed that he had the
right to resort to any stratagem to effect
his release. Ireplied that was not there
to dispute or affirm what he said, but
that he must return to Richmond under
arrest. 1t was a heavy blow to him,
struck at a moment when he was san
guine ofhis liberty. Two minutes more
would have placed him on the New York,
where he would have been safe even if
his ulbBulcO lldu DG6ll UuSEO uGJCbICu' llO
had been a long time in captivity, and
extraordinary efforts had been made to
secure for him a special exchange. He
had been elected as a republican to the
Pennsylvania Senate, which, without
him, was equally divided between the
war and anti-war parties. His presence
was needed to effect an organization and
working majority in that body. | had
learned these facts from more than one
quarter, and was not disposed to assist in
giving aid and comfort to the war party.
| was under no duty to release Colonel
White, as the exchange of officers had
ceased. So obstinate was !, that when
the Federal agent offered me a Major
General and several officers oflower grade
for him l declined to accept. might
have speculated to great advantage on
him if had been so disposed, and the
situation in Pennsylvania would have
warranted it. If every officer and man
had been a Harry White there never
would have been any difficulty about ex-
changes. Indeed, if the anxiety mani
tested about him had been distributed,
instead ofmaking him the reservoir of
all, itwould have been better for good
many people. "Great is Diana of the
Ephesians."