The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-05-06

eftect In exchange for himself the re-
lease OF Col. Richard II. Lee, OF the
Confederate cavalry an officer OF the
same rank and n member OF the Lee
family beside, who YVES a prisoner In the
hands OF the federal authorities at john
sons Island.
ImpOrlant Documents UnSHFthSh.
At my request Gen. Powell hunted up
q copy of his parole among his papers
and gave me a copy Of Il, as follows;
"RICHMoND, Va. Jan. 90, 1864.
II, William H. Powell. colonel OF the
Second West Virginia Cavalry. U, $. A..
in consideration OF my being released
from imprisonment, do give my parole
as u soldier and my pledge of honor az
q gentleman. TO effect the exchange OF
Col. Richard II. Lee, G. s. A.. now
held as n prisoner of war by the United
States government, and his delivery to
the Confederate States authorities at
City Point. Va. within thirty days from
this date, or to return to City Point,
Va, and deliver myself Il prisoner of
war to the Confederate authorities With
I'm said period OF thirty days. And fur
Their. that viii not give any aid to the
United States government or its author
ltleS, or any Information to any person
whatever. prejudiclAl or injurious to the
Confederate states.
"Cul. I'd w. Va. Cavalry, L. $. A."
signed:
"W. H. HATCH,
Capt. ana a. a. G., c. S. a"
Going forth on hts parole like that his
torlc Roman who was pledged TO exc
cute his mission or return to his death,
Gen. Powell made his way To Washing
ton, and on reaching there speedily
sought and obtained an interview with
MIR. Lincoln, the President OF the United
States. TO whom he made known the
object OF his mission. Mr.. Lincoln, with
out q moments hesitation, took up his
pen and wrote the following character
istlc line OF introduction to his great
secretary OF war:
Hon. f. n, Stanton, Secretary OF War,
Dear Secretary This viii Introduce
TO YOU Col. william II. Powell. Second
regiment West Virginia Cavalry, the
bearer Of his parole. Execute the eN-
change therein required. Yours.
ABRAHAM LINCOLN"
A Grsat Scene In the CApItaI-Ths "BHttls
Hymn ofths RSpuhlIC."
Mr.. Stanton. too. knowing the value
OF such an officer as Gen. Powell TO the
service. which was In sore need Of just
such officers, gave the matter his prompt
attention and soon had the exchange
under way. Meanwhile the U. S, Chris
tiRn Commission was 10 have us an
nual meeting In the hall OF the house
next day, and Il was 10 be great occa-
sion, and Mr.. Stewart, OF Philadelphia,
its president. insisted that Gen. Powell
should remain over, and In Its presence
deliver the special message from the
prisoners OF war al Richmond to the
President OF the United States, with
which he came charged. To this the
general. anxious as he WAS to see his
family and friends, consented, and
have seldom heard 0nythlng more
graphic than his description Of that
great gathering OF the LIST OF February.
1864. In the south wing OF the capitol.
and OF the scenes and events OF that
day, Including his own part therein. He
said that he could not help feeling In
spired for the occasion rs he saw the
great hall. floor and galleries filled with
the most brilliant audience he had ever
looked upon. before or since.
There were all the heads Of the gov
eminent, chiefs OF departments. foreign
ambassadors, Justices OF the supreme
court, distinguished soldiers and civil
lans. the members OF the two houses Of
Congress, the President OF the United
States and his family. beautiful women
and visiting strangers by the hundred;
all these TO give their aid and countc-
nance TO the occasion. Imagine my
feelings" said Gen. Powell. las ] saw
Mr.. Stewart arise in the presence OF this
assembly and state 10 II that there were
present to-day as part OF this audience
two visitors from Richmond, Va, Just
arrived. whose names were Chaplain
McCabe and Col. William II. Powell,
late prisoners OF war in the Confcder-
at capital. who would, at his persuasion.
come forward and sing that great hymn,
the Battle Hymn Of the Republic as
they had been accustomed to sing II to-
gether In Libby prison.
I'VE were both IN good voice that
day." said General Powell "aS good
fortune would have II, and we were GER
tainly exalted in our feelings By the
majesty OF the occasion. SO we arose
and went forward to the speakers elc-
walton and sang the great hymn with
all the fervor and patriotism that was
In US. You must know" said he, that !
learned TO sing hymns In my fathers
house and practice them In good old
parson Weeds choir. In the First Pres.
byterian church. In Wheeling, and so
It happened that I could sing In Libby
when Il came my turn"
AZ the close OF the hymn Mr., Stewart
announced that one OF the persons to
whom the assembly had Just listened
came as the bearer OF special message
from the prisoners OF war at Richmond,
and that he would now arise In front OF
the President OF the United States and
deliver this message 10 him In person.
as Il part OF the ceremonies OF the day.
Following this Introduction. General
Powell arose and singing out Mr. Lin
coin In the front row before him. re-
uucsted him Ia rise 10 his feet Tor n
moment, which he did. whereupOn the
general addressed him as follows.
mir. Presidcnt:-Upon the eve Of my
departure from Libby prison a special
message was entrusted to my keeping
by my prison companlons-the men
who answered your repeated calls for
help TO put down the rebellion and save
the Union, leaving home and all that
was dear 10 them on earth to enter the
service In defence OF the flag; they said
10 me: Say to Father Abraham mat In
all our sufEerlngs endured In prison we
remain loyal to the nag. aad " It Is
necessary that we shall remain In pris-
on to maintain the honor and principles
OF the government Involved In the eN-
listing contest We are willing 20 suffer
on even unto death. but N our con-
tinunnce in prison Is but the result OF
mere technlcalitIcs In the rulings OF the
commissioners u exchange, Involving
no essential principles. then we ask and
demand In the interest Of our families
and OF humanity and Of the government
that you. as the President Of the United