The Washington critic., 1888-05-21
WASHINGTON CRITIC
EXCHANGE oF PRISONERS.
Interesting "Reminiscences by One o
the Ex-Confederate Commissfopers.


Interesting "Reminiscences by One of
the Ex- Confederate Commissioners.
In speaking to THE CRrT1c of the ex-
change of prisoners during the war, GEN
eral w. II. Hatch, Member of Congress
from Missouri, who was the executive
officer of the Confederate commission at
Richmond for the exchange of prisoners
of war u Ter whose supervision upwards
Of $1,000 Union prisoners were exchanged,
says:
eve had continuous and protraoted
interviews with General Mulford, who
was in charge of the exchange of prison
ers for the Federal Government, but he
was held down under close instructions
from Secretary of War Stanton, and was
allowed no discretion or independent ac-
tion.
zone day, subsequent to the failure of
the negotiations for new cartel with
General Butler at Fortress Monroe about
April /, 1864, on tine flag-of-truce boat /
took up large sheet of blank paper and
wrote the names ofCommissioner Robert
Ould and myself at the bottom and
handing IL to General Mulford, said
. General, here are the signatures of the
hil:liS sii4ct CO. c. paper, end yeG ere hereby
authorized to write over them any
terms for the exchange of all the
prisoners held on both sides which
suits you; the question of humanity de-
mands that the Federal prisoners Of war
should be returned to their homes, as we
have not the needful provisions and sup
plies for their health and comfort; return
us their equivalent i'll Confederate prison.
ers and thus relieve the Federal prisoners
from their confinement and sufforings.'
"Do you mean this 2'' General Mulford
asked.
~ do most assuredly," replied.
well, how much time viii you give
me to consider IL ?" asked Milford.
Take the time you think necessary
Say fifteen days and will then report
an au0wer," General Mulford replied.
with that understanding we parted,
but never saw that paper afterward, 81
remarked General Hatch.
However" he continued, "General
Mulford subsequently, told me that he at
once took that paper to Washington and
went with il Immediately to President
Lincoln and explained Tie situation and
proposition; that Mr.. Lincoln manifested
deep and ear lest feeling on the subject,
and said an. exchange of prisoners should
promptly take place; that President Lin
coin took. the paper and requested
wait for an answer; that within an hour
and a-half an orderly came to his room
with peremptory order from Secretary
Stanton for him to repair at once to his
steamer at Annapolis and return forth
with to Fortress Monroe. Nothing was
received by him in answer to our prop
Osition. Secretary of War Stanton had
evidently overruled kind-hearted Presi-
dent Lincoln and the earnest efforts OF
General Mulford, who never omitted an
opportunity to do all in his power to eff
feet an exchange"
1--WE also," resumed General Hatch,
Submitted proposition early in the
year 1864, i think in January or early in
February, to surrender about 1900 sick
and disabled prisoners held in the prisons
ofSouth Carolina and Georgia, asking no
oQuipdlent IN exchange. This proposition
was in writing, addressed TO Major-Gen-
eral Halleck, who was then the ranking
ofiicerin charge of the exchange ofprls-
oners.
"After waiting for reply some time,
another communication was sent, inclos-
ing copy of the first, and earnestly re.
questing reply. Days and weeks passed
and still no reply was received, until
General Lee was requested to send by
special flag of truce communication to
General Grant, inclosing copies of the
letters referred to.
i uen u TepiV WIS TeC6lNeu aCCeptlIlp
the proposition, and stating that we
would be informed when transportation
could be furnished to receive the pris.
oners. ft
d, ut was not until the following Decem.
ber (1864) that the arrangements were
completed, and at Savannah, Ca, and
Charleston, s. c., delivered to General
Mulford more than 1900 prisoners from
the hospitals and prisons of the South
receiving as equivalents less than 1900
slck and disabled men.
This proposition was submitted early
in the year, coupled with the statement
that 1t was made in the interest of human
lty,frankly confessing that the Confederate
authorities did not have q supply OF
quinine and medical supplies necessary
to properly care for the class Of prisoner:
named. The delay was due alone to the
ford promptly the day of his arrival a
where the exchange begun, and was con
cluded at Charleston ia
In further q conversation, Genera
Hatch says that during his serv
ice in Congress he has met Il dozer
Members of the House from the Nortl
who were Federal prisoners at Richmond
Hon. Nathan Coil, jr., the West Virgins
Congressman, who was a Union prisoner
there was at one time selected to be ex
ecuted in retaliation for the proposed ex
ecution Of q West Virginia Confederate
by the Union forces. Mr.. Goff wa:
placed in solitary confinement in dun
geon cell with the certain fate of execu
tion had the Federal authorities carried
ont their threat with the West Virginia
Confederate.