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

[no. 1. see page 585.]

There is an urgent necessity to provide in your department a suitable depot for rebel prisoners of war, without any delay. I beg to recall the subject to your attention and ask you to take immediate measures to establish a depot at such point as you may deem suitable in your department, and inform me how soon you will be ready to receive prisoners of war, and in what numbers.

Your report in regard to place for confinement of rebel prisoners has been received, and on consultation with the general-in-chief, it is believed to be inexpedient to select either Sewall's Front or Hatteras for the present. Therefore, all action in the matter is suspended.

[no. 2. see page 586.]

Sir:--In the limits of a telegram, and for the public eye, it was impossible to explain my full thought on the subject of exchange of prisoners. I believed there was some misunderstanding upon the questions involved when I telegraphed, and your answer, with the sentiments of which in every word I concur, convince me that I was right in my belief.

No one will go farther in exerting every power of the government in protecting the colored troops and their officers, than myself. And if that is the question which prevents exchange, and we stand before the country upon that question, I have not a word further to urge. But I fear that is not the point, or at least it is not now understood by the country, that it is upon the pledge of the country's honor that all men, white or black, who fight for us, shall be protected, that we now feel obliged to let our fellowsoldiers starve, if such shall be the inhumanity of the rebels.

I ought to premise, perhaps, why I interfere where it is not specially within my command. Believing that I could do something for the good