Page:The Immortal Six Hundred.djvu/22

 PREFACE have scurvy to a considerable extent. He recommends, as a necessary sanitary measure, that they be at once put on full prison rations; and, also, that they be allowed to receive necessary articles of clothing from friends. I would respectfully endorse the surgeon's recommendation, and ask authority to take such steps as may be necessary to relieve actual sickness and suffering.

C., U. S. A., Brev. Maj. Gen. Commanding.

(See War Record, p. 162, Vol. xxxv.)

To-day there is abundant proof to show the most biased mind, that President Jefferson Davis and General Robert E. Lee, did protest against the violation of the cartel of exchange, and did offer, for humanity's sake, to turn over to the United States all the wounded and sick Union prisoners of war held in the South, if the United States would send transports and take them away, and finally, General Robert E. Lee, in humanity's name, said "Come and get all your prisoners of war, we cannot feed them, nor get medicines to keep them in health." All offers to exchange or send for their prisoners were rejected by Mr. Secretary Stanton, in part of the United States Government, and this as every one now knows was the cruelty inflicted on the prisoners of war