Congressional Edition Volume 3792 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 Excerpt: ...at Chattanooga as to what shall be done with a body of the enemy who, having been paroled as prisoners of war at Vicksburg, have been recaptured in arms at Chattanooga without having been properly exchanged. 1 ought to state here that the Government of the United States would not haggle about a few men, more or less, if it were hundreds or even thousands, if the question was the relief, and that alone, of our suffering prisoners in Richmond; but whoever considers the above statement of facts cannot fail to see that other questions and points are involved, which it is not safe, if it were honorable, for this Government to overlook. It should be stated also that an offer was made to the rebel agent some days ago to receive all of the prisoners from Richmond under a solemn pledge that they should not be allowed to take arms unless duly exchanged with the consent of the rebel authorities, without reference to existing difficulties on the subject of exchange, and that this Government would pledge itself to both feed and clothe all rebel prisoners in our hands. This proposition also was rejected, and the Secretary of War was thus greatly restricted in his means of affording immediate relief to our prisoners in Richmond, but they have not been overlooked. God forbid. The Secretary of War has ordered both clothing and provisions to be sent through the rebel lines to sustain them, although those supplies from the necessity of the case have been intrusted to the honor and humanity of the enemy, whose agents may or may not permit the supplies to be delivered..Meantime it is well for the country to understand that this rebellion is to be put down by organized armies in the field, acting upon and destroying organized opposition to the Government, and no real progress ca...