New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-28

landed far eastward. But as luck wouid nave
1t, the sloop Schuyler in which sailed Colonei
Webb with a portion OF his command was
sighted by the British soop OF war falcon' OH
her way from New-York TO Newport. In the
effort to escape the Schuyler was forced ashore
in bad surf. and the only boat was stove as
soon as 1t was lowered. Colonel Webb and those
with him were Of course captured
From that moment Colonel Webb became Tor
several years an important factor In one Oh inc
most vexatious subordinate controversies OF the
Revoution-the dispute over the exchange OF
prisoners. In the first place. the British were
stubbornly opposed to any act that might seem
to compromise the King or look like recog-
milton OF the Continental Congress as anything
more than the organ Of people In rebellion
against the lawful government Then, when
they found that Americans could also take
prisoners. and particularly after the capture OF
Burgoyne's whole army, they began the serious
study of plans for making exchanges by methods
in which the Kings name could be ignored. On
the other hand. the Congress upset the best
laid plans of Washington by modifying It's own
resolutions on the subject again and again
Owing to the cruel treatment of Americans i'm
prisoned in New-York and In the prison-ships,
there also arose feeling among both military
to have actuated Secretary Stanton in the Civil
War; What is the use,' 1t was asked. ito
hand over to the enemy able-bodied, we-fed
men, and to receive In return men ready to die
of starvation?" The game of war does not
leave much room for compassion. Meanwhile.
since exchange was impossible. the practice OF
release on parole became common in the case
of officers on both sides, much to the exaspera-
ton of loyal soldiers like Webb. who were eager
to return to their regiments. Mr.. Ford has
taken advantage of Webbs tribulations to in
clude an elaborate study of the whole contempo-
rary discussion over the exchange Of prisoners.
and 1t certainly Is an extremely interesting
feature of Revolutionary history. Colonel
Webbs Imprisonment was rendered romantic by
his marriage to Elizabeth Bancker. While MS
return to freedom and his regiment was sad
dened by her early death. AS the war drew to
a close he felt. with his brother officers the
sting to what they conceived to be public In
gratitude. II hope devoutly." he wrote on one
occasion. that the war Is nearly over and the
next time l enter the lists Of an army of Re-
publican States I wish may be corporal l
believe we shall soon get clear of the war with
the British myrmidoT s-but II we America) de-
serve liberty am damnaby mistaken. We poor
dogs shall retire with broken constitutions and
empty purses, and the cursed SIN OF lngrattuue
has taken such deep hold Of our virtuous
countrymen that expect chosen few only will
know u.s.
Aside from the literary attractions OF these
volumes they have others. OF the letter-press
edition only $50 copies have been printed, and
If No. 1877 is a criterion. they are handsome ex-
amples of the binders art we'll as that OF
the printer. They are illustrated with numerous
portraits and also with reproductions In fac
smile of autographs from the hands Of many
distinguished men and women Of the Revolution
airy period In brief preface. DR.. w. Seward
Webb not only alludes TO the principal points in
Colonel Webb's career. but tells the story OF the
work now printed 1t was his wish to give the
records that remained Of Colonel Webb's life a
permanent form. and so he placed them In the
hands Of Mr.. Ford THE scope Of the work
widened" he adds. "as 1t proceeded, and the
one volume intended has been extended to
three" The third volume IL to contain. besides
correspondence. biography Of Colonel Webb
and an acknowledgment Of the aid afforded by
many in furnishing valuable material for the
work.