The National tribune., 1908-01-16
Kept $4,000 From Their Ranks.

Editor National Tribune: Albert D..
Richardson in Field. Dungeon and
Escape" says: "But our Government
tacted upon the cold -blooded theory of
Edwin NJ. Stanton, Secretary of War,
that it would not do to exchange we'll
| fed prisoners for half-starved ones.
IL Permitting the needless mur-
der of its own soldiers" page AIT.
1T was a terrible policy, for Union
prisoners were dying by thousands for
| lack of proper food and shelter. But
it was the policy, and Grant refused to
make an exception in favor of his rela-
tive.'-'Life of Grant" by A. d. Rich
ardson, page 44S, Tribune series
1.-The real fact was. the Secretary of
War saw that while we could raise an
indefinite number of men, the South
were unquestionably right. He thought
this course would he a saving of life in
the end; but 1t was cruel as the grave"
j. T. Headley, History of the Great
Rebellion" page $50, Tribune series.
Appeals also came from the loyal
North. East and West to exchange us,
and the pressure became so great from
all parts, and the feeling became so
intense at the delay, that our Govern
ment felt it could not with safety any
longer delay the exchange. and one of
the shrewdest and brightest officers in
our army was appointed Commissioner
of Exchange. Humanity de-
manded it. 1t was then referred to
Grant. His quick mind quickly grasped
the consequences of releasing $4,000 or
more able-bodied soldiers, rsady to en-
ter service the day they reached their
own lines. 1t meant an indefinite pro-
longation of the war. A per-
emptory order to Butler broke off all
negotiations The $4,000 Union sol
diers in Southern prisons held by the
throats $4,000 Confederates in North
ern prisons, and the Confederacy was
doomed. And the long lines
of dead grew long and longer. but by
this policy we saved the Union"
This was presented in the last Con-
gress by James d. Walker, Commander
of the National Association of Ex-Pris-
oners of War accompanied by J. c.
Palmer, OF Cleveland, o., and J. F.
MED to the Capitol BY Comrade John
McElroy. 1 am growing weak, but this
is enough. q, ~
One of the most touching, affecting
articles about AndersonviHe appeared
believe it was last year--in The Ma
tional Tribune by the President of the
w. r. C. If we suffered so much, ac-
complished so much, why does not Con-
gress recognize our great services?
And now, brethren and sisters, if you
still believe that we stiffefed so for our
loved Union, lend helping hand to get
a bill thru Congress recognizing us for
saving the same. Let all sshO shall see
these presents greeting throw additional
rails upon the fire, that fGongress may
peradyenture '-see our good work by the
dawn's early light. 1.-THE ex-prisoners
are dying; I'VE may Bross the Rapidan"
any moment before ,helpbe' mes. You
need not wake up after -Ee-are dead.
We need sympathy now.
"Oh, friends, 1 pray tonight
Keep not your kisses for my dead, cold
The way is lonely, LET me feel them
now.
Think gently of me; I am travel-worn;
My faltering feet are pierced with many
a thorn.
Forgive. oh. hearts estranged. forgive,
/ plead, o
When dreamless rest is mine, 1 shall
not need a-
The tenderness for which I long to-
night
If preventing a $4,000 addition to the
Confederate army saved the Union, we
did it.-Owen I. Wright, Sergeant, 14th
and Goth Ind, Fort Dodge, Kan.