April 17, 1862 (Tuesday): Prisoner Exchange Rejected

General John E. Wool

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF VIRGINIA,
Fort Monroe, Va., April 17, 1862.

Honorable E. M. STANTON, Secretary of War:
    SIR: I have received proposals from Major-General Huger at Norfolk to appoint commissaries to take charge of prisoners of war. He uses the following language, viz:
I have in obedience to the wishes * of the Government of the Confederate States to propose to you the appointment of a commissary of prisoners upon the part of teach of the belligerents, whose duty it shall be to receive and transmit remittances to prisoners of war, and to have such supervision of their comforts as is usually allowed among civilized nations.
    I did not hesitate to decline the proposition which I could hope will meet your approbation. To have entertained the proposition would have been tantamount to a recognition of their Government and independence as a nation.
    I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,



   JOHN E. WOOL
   Major-General.

Official Records, Series II., Vol. 3, Part 1, Page 458.

On February 23 General Wool had met with Confederate General Howell Cobb, but no arrangements were made.  General Huger attempted to restart discussions as discussed with no success.  In July an agreement was reached with a fixed rate of exchange of officers for enlisted men (varying by rank).