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sure that you would approve of such a disposal of the remains, I delivered them to Professor Agassiz, consoled by the reflection, that, although no longer available for soup, they would nevertheless promote the advancement of science.
In the battle before
Petersburg, July 30, among the prisoners taken was
Brigadier-General Bartlett, formerly colonel of the Forty-ninth and Fifty-seventh Massachusetts Regiments.
His father,
Charles L. Bartlett,
Esq., of
Boston, was anxious to have his son exchanged, and for that purpose visited
Washington, taking with him a letter, dated Aug. 9, from
Governor Andrew to
Major-General Hitchcock, who was
Commissary-General of Prisoners.
In this letter, the
Governor thus speaks of
General Bartlett:—
He is in feeble health; lost a leg at Yorktown; was shot in three places at Port Hudson, disabling an arm, and had just joined his brigade, after receiving a severe wound in the head at the battle of the Wilderness, when he was ordered to the assault at Petersburg.
His lameness, and his yet-unhealed wound received in May, render him a person peculiarly susceptible to the rough treatment inflicted by the rebels on our prisoners; and I think his case one fairly to be regarded as exceptional, and as worthy of a special proposition for an exchange.
Mr. Bartlett will tell you of his proposition to arrange for an exchange between his son and the rebel General Trimble, who has also lost a leg. If this can be done, it will be a matter of sincere gratification.
An exchange was effected; and this gallant young officer rejoined his command, and had the gratification of seeing the
Rebellion brought to a successful end, and to know that his long and gallant services and sufferings had not been in vain.
On the 11th of August, the
Governor wrote a long letter to
Governor Horatio Seymour, of New York, asking him to consider whether it would not be of some possible public advantage—
If we two should attempt to form a more personal acquaintance, and consider some aspects of public affairs in a frank and confidential conversation. . . . I feel that it would be very becoming in us to meet, and to consider in a perfectly friendly way, and in the confidence of gentlemen, whether we might not unite to strengthen the arms of our national power, and thus help to “conquer a peace” by the use of
