HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, Portland, Ohio, October 20, 1862. Maj. N. H. MCLEAN, Assistant Adjutant-General and Chief of Staff, Hdqrs. Department of the Ohio, Cincinnati, Ohio. MAJOR: I have the honor to inclose you four lists,* marked respectively A, B, C and D, showing the condition of the exchanges of prisoners of war made by me. Schedule A contains the names of 315 U. S. officers and soldiers, equivalent in value to 445 privates, who were captured by the enemy at various times and whom I exchanged for 317 Confederate officers and soldiers captured by me of the same equivalent in value and whose names will be found on Schedule B. Schedule C contains the names of 33 U. S. officers and soldiers, equivalent in value to 39 privates, who were captured in hospital and paroled by the enemy who gave those who were able passes to go to their homes, and the most of them have availed themselves of the opportunity. Those who have not are doubtless yet at Barboursville, Ky., where they were captured. Schedule D contains the names of 92 Confederate officers and soldiers, equivalent to 103 privates, captured by me while at Cumberland Gap and on the march thence to this place and whom I released on parole. I am, major, very respectfully, your obedient servant, GEORGE W. MORGAN, Brigadier-General, Commanding. INDIANAPOLIS, IND., October 21, 1862. Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War: As the necessity for sending the paroled men to the Northwest to fight against the Indians seems to have passed away allow me again to suggest that the Indiana troops taken at Munfordville and Richmond be allowed to go into camp at Indianapolis instead of being sent to Camp Chase, in the State of Ohio. The cost to the Government will be no greater and the advantages are certain. They have had continued trouble at Camp Chase which I am sure can be avoided here. O. P. MORTON, Governor. EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Iowa City, October 21, 1862. Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. SIR: Since writing you in regard to the Iowa officers and men taken prisoners at Shiloh and Belmont I have learned that our Iowa officers have come home on furlough. Cannot they and the men of their regiments (the Eighth, Twelfth and Fourteenth) be exchanged and the regiments reorganized? Part of the men are in a kind of captivity as paroled prisoners at Benton Barracks doing no good to the country or for themselves. Others are in the field in the Union Brigade, so-called, near Corinth, consolidated with men from a number of other regiments in part from other States. They have no love for or pride in this organi zation and will do no good in it. Others are or soon will be in Annap olis. Now I respectfully insist that our officers and men be exchanged; * Omitted. that they be allowed time and opportunity to reorganize and that some evidence be given them that for the future they shall not be overlooked and neglected. I feel very sore on this point as I think these men (than whom none have proved themselves more brave and more worthy) have been badly treated. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD. ROSECRANS' HEADQUARTERS, October 21, 1862. General GRANT, Jackson: My sending away paroled prisoners to Benton Barracks was in conformity with previous custom and in supposed accordance with your views of propriety of clearing them out of Corinth as rapidly as possible. As soon as made aware of different orders or views they were promptly carried out. The only person I authorized to leave for Saint Louis was Doctor Scott, not a prisoner, who called on you and took a message from you. Your dispatch complaining of the action is the first intimation I have had of your disapproval. A Captain Tobin was paroled and permitted to go North while I was absent at Ripley, but neither with my consent nor approval. No other instances have come to my knowledge. That part of your dispatch which refers to newspaper reporters and leaky members of my staff showing the existence of any desire or even any sentiment at these headquarters of keeping up a distinction of feeling and spirit between the troops of my command or the rest of your troops, as if they were not an integral part thereof, I answer that no such feeling has ever existed at these headquarters. No countenance either directly or indirectly has been given to such an idea, nor was I aware that such an idea was abroad until I saw indications of it from members of your staff and in your own orders. I regard it as the offspring of sentiments [other] than those of a desire for justice or the good of the service, and sincerely hope that you do not participate therein. There are no headquarters in these United States less responsible for what newspaper correspondents and paragraphists say of operations than mine. This I wish to be understood to be distinctly applicable to the affairs of Iuka and Corinth. After this declaration I am free to say that if you do not meet me frankly with a declaration that you are satisfied I shall consider my power to be useful in this department ended. W. S. ROSECRANS, Major-General, Commanding. WASHINGTON, D. C., October 21, 1862. Hon. E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War. SIR: The writer of the inclosed letter, Hon. Henry Cooper, of Shelbyville, Tenn., is judge of one of the judicial districts of Tennessee appointed by Governor Johnson. His brother, Edmund Cooper, who is a prisoner in the rebel hands, is one of the first lawyers in the State and one of the best and most influential of men. Turner [S.] Foster at Camp Chase is one of the persons arrested by Governor Johnson at Nashville. Knowing how all your time is occupied I content myself with submitting the letter of Judge Cooper and will call to-morrow to receive such answer as you may be pleased to give. I have the honor to be, your obedient servant, EM. ETHERIDGE. [Inclosure.] Hon. E. ETHERIDGE, Washington City. NEW YORK, October 20, 1862. DEAR SIR: I hope you will not think me troublesome but I wish you to do me a favor. My brother, Edmund Cooper, is a prisoner in the hands of the rebels and I wish to procure his release. The United States have in prison at Camp Chase Turner S. Foster, of Nashville, who writes me that if he can be paroled he can effect an exchange with the rebel Government of my brother for himself. Will you be kind enough to see the Secretary of War whether or not such an arrangement can be made. I would come to Washington myself but I am here with my family, cut off from my means of support, and feel it to be my duty to husband what few means I have left. If I can be of any service in carrying out my object I will come at any cost. I hope you will be able to effect the parole of Mr. Foster to let him go and effect the exchange he desires. I know I am troubling you too much, but I assure you should opportunity ever offer there is nothing I would not do for you. My brother has been and would still be of great advantage to the Federal cause in our State if at liberty to work for it. Direct any communication for me to care of Thomas Eakin, New York. Very truly, HENRY COOPER. WHEELING, VA., October 21, [1862.] Maj. P. ZINN, Commanding Camp Chase. SIR: The bearer, Washington Cline, by special direction of Governor Peirpoint is sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, apparently as a prisoner but in reality on secret service. He is to be committed as usual, but in such a way as to enable him to have full access to all the prisoners sent from Marion County, Va., whom he may desire to see. It is hoped through the agency of this man that several cases of horse-stealing, depredations on private property, &c., will be brought to light. The object is for him to gain the confidence of these men who are prisoners. from Marion County, Va., and now at Camp Chase, get letters from them to their friends in their section of country, and operate after his release for the conviction of those who have offended against the laws and so far avoided punishment. You can have such an understanding with the bearer and others that it shall be represented he is arrested for refusing to take the oath of allegiance. Whenever his plans are matured he should notify you of his willingness to take the oath of allegiance, which can then be administered to him and transportation given him to Wheeling to report to the Governor for further orders. By assisting to carry out this plan you will confer a great favor upon the State authorities here. Should it be necessary to refer this matter to any one else to facilitate its execution or approve its design, please advise me as soon as possible. Very respectfully, JOS. DARR, JR., Major and Provost-Marshal-General. WHEELING, VA., October 21, [1862.] Maj. L. C. TURNER, Judge-Advocate. SIR: I inclose evidence* against the Bedilions, of Ohio County, Va., and ask for orders regarding them. In the case of Shovelin, before *Not found. reported, and in such cases as the Bedilions I used to try to remedy their proclivity to indorse Jeff. Davis by calling on them to take the oath and give bond and it worked in several cases. Colonel Carothers, aide to Governor Peirpoint, informs me that you think we do a land-office business out here in the way of arrests. The fact is we ought to have a variety in the shape of a little hanging. We have a nest of traitors all around us to deal with. Commissary-General of Prisoners, Washington, D. C. SIR: Maj. B. H. Hill, mustering and recruiting officer, having assumed here the duties of military commander, under General Orders, No. 36, April 7, 1862, and No. 65, June 12, 1862, I desire to know how far he has control of the prisoners sent here to me or arrested by me under orders of Secretary of War through Major Turner. The duties prescribed to military commanders assimilate so much in many instances to those of a provost-marshal that I requested the provost-marshalgeneral, Hon. S. Draper, to have me designated military commander of this post. In that event there could be no conflict between me and Major Hill, and I would undoubtedly be better able to carry out the orders given me. Very respectfully, JOS. DARR, JR., Major and Provost-Marshal-General. WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, October 22, 1862. Governor MORTON, Indianapolis: I will endeavor to make the arrangement you desire in respect to the paroled Indiana troops and will advise you. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War. HDQRS. DEPT. OF MISSISSIPPI AND EAST LOUISIANA, General W. S. ROSECRANS, Commanding U. S. Forces, &c.: 41 R R-SERIES II, VOL IV inquiry nor do I believe that paroled Confederate prisoners have at any time been employed in a manner violating the terms of the cartel, either in letter or spirit. No infringement of the rules laid down therein will be countenanced or permitted by me. The partisan corps in Confederate service differ in no respect in their organization from other troops and constitute a portion of our Regular Army. On inquiry I ascertain that there are no U. S. prisoners of war at this time within this department. General Van Dorn may, however, be able to give more particular information as to the individuals named in the list accompanying your communication. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Major-General HALLECK: J. C. PEMBERTON, Lieutenant-General, Commanding. LEBANON, KY., October 22, 1862. As I understand the cartel for exchange of prisoners either party may without consulting the other release from parole and return to duty any of its prisoners of war whenever it turns over an equivalent of paroled prisoners to the other. Am I right? D. C. BUELL. HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE MISSOURI, Brig. Gen. L. MERRILL. GENERAL: Of the prisoners sent in let the commanding officer of Paris select from those who have surrendered and have not broken their paroles one-sixth per week to be released on bond and oath. Something of this kind will be necessary to relieve our prisoners and secure quiet to the country. Major-General CURTIS: S. R. CURTIS, SAINT LOUIS, October 22, 1862. GENERAL: In February last General Edwin W. Price, a son of General Sterling Price, was captured in this State and was brought to this place. He was afterwards paroled by General Halleck, limiting the parole to the county of Chariton, where he resided. He was treated with confidence as an officer by General Halleck. From Colonel Moberly, who commands the enrolled militia, as well as from others I receive the assurance that General Price always kept his parole strictly as an officer of integrity was bound to observe it. Colonel Moberly informed me that upon one occasion when an attack by guerrillas was threatened upon the post under his command the danger coming to the knowledge of General Price he gave the colonel information of the danger. He was exchanged about two weeks since for General Prentiss. When he was about to leave for the South he called upon me and gave me the assurance it was not his purpose to bear arms again but that as soon as he reached the South he would resign his commission and return home and would here employ all the influence he possessed with the disloyal people to keep them at peace with the Government. |