Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-10-26

that have from time to time been
brought to the attention of the govern
ment. AS have said before, If the guilty
parties could be taken, either the o1ncer
! who commands, or the soldier who exc
cu;es such atrocities, should not hesitate
to advise the infection of the extreme
punishment they deserve, but l cannot
think it right or polite to make the lnno-
cent after they have surrendered as pris-
oners Of war, suffer for the guilty.
On this letter Mr.. Davis makes this en-
dorsenent:
The views Of General Lee I regard as
Just and appropriate.
Contrast this letter and this endorsement
with the treatment accorded by General
Sherman to prisoners. as detailed by him
on page 194. vol. 2, of his Memoirs, ana
you will see the difference between the
conduct of a Christian and that of a saw
age
But we must proceed with the subject Of
the exchange Of prisoners: Some time IN
the summer of 1868, General S. a. Mere
,lith was appointed Federal Commits
sioner of Exchange, End in September
Judge Ould attempted to open negotia-
tons with him for resumption of the
cartel. To this attempt by letter, no re-
ply was received. He renewed these efforts
on October 10th. 1868, saying:
Il now propose that all officers and
men on both sides be released in con-
formity with the provisions OF the car
tel. the excess on one side or the other
to be on parole. VIII you accept this?
have no expectation of an answer, but
perhaps you may give one. If it does
ONE ! hope it Will come soon" Id. 2. 401.
But nothing was accomplished by either
Of these efforts. Some time in November
or December 1868, General B. F. Butler
was appointed the Federal Commissioner
of Exchange It will be remembered that
this man had been outlawed by the Con-
fedcrate authorizes prior TO this time.
and it was openly charged. and generally
believed, that this appointment was made
solely to make communica ton between
the bellgerents the more difficult by en-
oarrassing th> Confederates. and conse-
quently to throw this additional obstacle
in the way Of further exchange OF pris-
nners.
Immediately on taking charge Genera,
Butler says he saw MIR. Stanton, Secre-
tary of War, and suggested that the Con-
fedcrate prisoners in their hands should
be sheltered, fed clad, and otherwise
treated as Federal prisoners were being
treated by us. and this suggestion he
says Mr. Stanton at once assented to-
(Sec Buffers Book. Page $50 mother
the Confedecates in their exhaustion and
poverty, could not adequately supply tho
needs OF their men in our prisons. there
fore ne and the Federal Secretary of
War thought it right, as an act of re-
Venge and retaliation. to withhold these
comforts and supplies from our men in
their prisons, when they had adequate
means of all kinds to supply the needs of
these men Surely comment on this state
nent Is unnecessary
SLAVES IN THE ARMY.
After Mr. Eincolns emancipat ton pro-
clamaton went into effect. as we have
said, on January !. 1863 the Federals
enrolled a large number Of slaves in +hni~
armies The greatly embarrassed as well
as eSasperated the ConfeQerateS We have
heretofore stated that the stand proposed
py Mr.. DAVIS, and recommended by him to
the Confederate Congress, was that the
oi'icers OF these colored troops be turned
over 10 the State authorities wherever
any OF them might be captured, to be
uled IN the courts of such State for the
crime Oh melting servile instruction, and
That Congress refused TO sustain him fully
IN that recommendation. The question
then arose as TO exchanging negro pris-
oners. The Federal authorities commended
that where slaves We're captured by them.
or "hen they deserted and came to them
ana enlisted in their armies, they thereby
became free. and should be placed on the
same footing with their white soldiers, in
respect to exchanges, as well as in all 9TH
er respects The Confederates. on the
contrary, contended that whatever might
De the effect on the status of the slave
by going to the Federals and enlistins in
thelT armies. yet should they be recap
tured by the Confederates, that restored
them to their former status as slaves
ana they should then be returned to their
masters. or put to work by the Confeder-
ates and their masters compensated for
thefr labor. In those cases where the mas
Ter DID not reside In the Coi.sederacy. or
could not be ascertaired. such negroes
We're to be exchanged as other prisoners
The letter from General Lee to G.c1erat
Grant, stating the Confederate position
on This subject. is a masterpiece, whether
considered from a legal. historical or
statesmanlike point of view. See Series
H. Vol. VII. Serial No. 40. page 1910
General Grant. in his reply. seeing tina.
re could not answer the arguments OF
General Lee. contents himself with saying
on this point:
have nothing to do with the discus
sion OF the slavery question: therefore
deciine answering the arguments adj