The Daily Dispatch: December 22, 1863., [Electronic resource]

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A correspondence with Beast Butler — the Beast as a humane man.

The following correspondence has passed between Butler at Fortress Monroe and Hon. Robt. Ould, our Commissioner of Exchange, and is published in the Northern papers:

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Headq'rs 18th Army Corps, Department of Va. And N. C.,

--I have been informed that the small-pox has unfortunately broken out among the prisoners of war in the hands of the Confederate authorities, both LaBelle Isle and at Lynchburg. Anxious, from obvious humane considerations, to prevent the spread of this terrible disorder, I have taken leave to forward for their use, by Major Mulford, Assistant Agent of Exchange, in behalf of the United States, a package of vaccine matter, sufficient, as my medical director informs me, to vaccinate six thousand persons. May I ask that it shall be applied, under the direction of the proper medical officers, to the use intended?

Being uncertain how far I can interfere as a matter of official duty, I beg you to consider this note either official or unofficial, as may best serve the purpose of alleviating the distress of these unfortunate men.

Since learning the fact I have had no opportunity to apply to the Department at Washington for instruction. No formal receipt is needed, a note acknowledging the receipt of this being all that can be desired. If more vaccine matter is necessary it will be furnished.

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To this letter Gen. Butler received the following reply from Mr. Ould:

--The package of vaccine matter has been received, and will be faith fully devoted to the purpose indicated in your letter. Permit me, in response to the friendly tone of your letter, to assure you that it is my most anxious desire, and will be my constant effort, to do everything in my power to alleviate the miseries that spring out of this horrible war.