Confederate States of America,

War Department,       

Richmond, Va. Augt 1^st 1863

 

Brig. Gen. S. A. Meredith

Agent of Exchange

                                               

Sir,

                                    I am in receipt of your communication of the 30^th ult. informing me that "General John H. Morgan and his officers, will be placed in close confinement and held as hostages for the members of Col. Streights' command". I beg leave respectfully to ask what you mean by "close confinement"? In what respect will that "close confinement" differ from the confinement of other prisoners, officers and men?

 

            Col. Streight's command is treated exactly as are the other officers held in captivity by us. What that treatment is, you can find from any conscientious officer who has lately been confined in the Libby. You will hear no complaint from me or from the Confederate authorities so long as our officers receive the treat- / ment which yours do here.

 

            You further say that "Col. Streight's command have not been delivered in compliance with the conditions of the cartel agreed to by Maj. Gen. Dix and Maj. Gen. Hill".

 

            In retaining Col. Streight and his command, the Confederate authorities have not gone as far as those of the United States have claimed for themselves the right to go, ever since the establishment of the cartel. You have claimed and exercised the right to retain officers and men indefinitely not only upon charges actually preferred, but upon mere suspicion. You have now in custody officers who were in confinement when the cartel was framed, and who have since been declared exchanged. Some of them have been tried, but most of them have languished in prison all the weary time without trial or charges. I stand prepared to prove these assertions. This course was pursued too in the / face not only of notice, but of protest. Do you deny to us the right to detain officers and men for trial upon grave charges, while you claim the right to keep in confinement any who may be the objects of your suspicion or special enmity?

                                                                                               

Respectfully

Yr. Obt. Svt.

Ro. Ould

Agent of Exchange

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