Medical assistance to prisoners.
We copied a paragraph from a Northern paper relative to a proposition of Commissioner Ould for allowing the surgeons of both countries to attend their respective prisoners. The following is the letter of Mr. Ould: War Department C. S. A., Richmond, Va., Jan. 24, 1864.
Mayor Gen. E. A. Hitchcock, Agent of Exchange:
Sir
--In view of the present difficulties attending the exchange and release of prisoners, I propose that all such on each side shall be attended by a proper number of their own surgeons, who, undertake to be established, shall be permitted to take charge of their health and comfort.
I also propose that these surgeons shall act as Commissioners, with power to receive and distribute such contributions of money, food, clothing and medicines as may be forwarded for the relief of the prisoners.
I further propose that these surgeons shall be selected by their own Government, and that they shall have full liberty, at any and all times, through the Agents of Exchange, to make reports not only of their own acts but of any matters relating to the welfare of the prisoners. Mayor Gen. E. A. Hitchcock, Agent of Exchange:
Sir