Benjamnin F. Butler, Butler's Book: Autobiography and Personal Reminiscences of Major-General Benjamin Butler

[no. 5. see page 596.]

General — Your report of negotiations with Mr. Ould, Confederate States agent, touching the exchange of prisoners, has been referred to me by the Secretary of War, with directions to furnish you such instructions on the subject as I may deem proper.

After a careful examination of your report, the only points on which I deem instructions necessary, are :--

1st. Touching the validity of the paroles of the prisoners captured at Vicksburg and Port Hudson.

2d. The status of colored prisoners.

As to the first. No arrangement for the exchange of prisoners will be acceded to that does not fully recognize the validity of these paroles, and provide for the release to us of a sufficient number of prisoners now held by the Confederate authorities to cancel any balance that may be in our favor by virtue of these paroles. Until there is released to us an equal number of officers and men as were captured and paroled at Vicksburg and Port Hudson, not another Confederate prisoner of war will be paroled or exchanged.

As to the second. No distinction whatever will be made in the exchange between white and colored prisoners; the only question being, were they, at the time of their capture, in the military service of the United States. If they were, the same terms as to treatment while prisoners and conditions of release and exchange must be exacted and had, in the case of colored soldiers as in the case of white soldiers.

Non-acquiescence by the Confederate authorities in both or either of these propositions, will be regarded as a refusal on their part to agree to the further exchange of prisoners, and will be so treated by us.

I am, General, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

[no. 6. see page 605.]

Your correspondence with Judge Ould on the subject of exchange, and also the affidavits upon which you rely for proof of the unwarrantable conduct of the enemy in employing prisoners of war at work on fortifications, and your letter informing Mr. Ould of the steps taken to retaliate are received and the whole approved. I will forward the whole to the Secretary of War with my approval.