The Daily Dispatch: June 7, 1862., [Electronic resource]

The Recent ‘"Exchange"’ of Prisoners at Fort Pillow Interesting Correspondence

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Fort Pillow, May 20, 1862.
To Gen Beauregard:

The enemy sent down two hundred exchanged prisoners yesterday. They have the small pox among them. I shall quarantine them

[Signed] John B. Vulep our.
Brigadier General Commanding.

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Headq'rs Western Department,
Corinth, Miss., May 20, 1862.
Major-General H. W. Hallack, Commanding United States Forces:

General: I have this day been informed by Brig -Gen. Villepigue, commanding Confederate forces at Fort Pillow, that two hundred exchanged prisoners were sent him on yesterday, and that these prisoners had the small-pox among them I have directed General Villepigue to return them forthwith.

I presume that all this has been done without your knowledge, as your communication on the subject of exchange of prisoners. I regarded as an agreement on fair and equal terms.

To send us prisoners effected with contagious disease of a dangerous and deadly character is, in my judgement, violative of all ideas of fair does and justice, as well as of humanity.

For all prisoners, therefore, surrendered by Confederate officers, I shall insist, General, that they are entitled, by every and justice, to demand in exchange an equals of

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Headquarters Dep't Mississippi,
Camp on Corinth Road, Miss., May 20, 1862.
Gen. G. T. Beauregard, Commanding Confederate Forces:

General: I have just received your com- munication of this date. No prisoners of any kind have, so far as I am aware, been delivered to Gen. Villepigue. If you will inform me when and by whom these prisoners have been sent to Gen. V., I will have the matter investigated. No person, whom are var, has been authorized by me to send any prisoner to Gen. Villepigue, and I am very certain that none have been sent.

Very respectfully, your ob't serv't,
[Signed] H. W. Halleck,
Major General.

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In reply to the proceeding letter, Gen. Villepigue sent the following dispatch.

Fort Pillow, May 22, 1862.
To Gen. Beauregard:

The transaction is no myth, but from what the prisoners say, looks very much like an attempt to communicate the small-pox to my command. They were taken at Pearl and are just from an infected prison at Alton, Illinois. They were received by the second in command while I was reconsidering I endeavored to get Flag-Officer Davis to take them back, but he Will send by first boat all the papers and correspondence.

[Signed] John H. Villepigue.
Brig.-Gen Com'g.

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Headquarters Western Department,
Corinth, Miss., May 22, 1862.
General.

I have with inclose a dispatch this moment received from Brigadier General Villepigue, commanding Confederate forces at Fort Pillow, showing that the statement of the exchanged prisoners sent to that point, concerning which I informed you on the 20th inst., is not a ‘"fabrication."’

Be good enough. General, to send the necessary orders to your officers to receive these prisoners and provide for their wants its justice and civilization require.

I am, very respectfully,

Your ob't serv't.

[Signed] G. T. Beauregard, Gen. Commanding.
To this communication no reply has been received.
Monday, May 26, 1862.