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Smith, Edward W. General Orders

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.321.02 Author/Creator: Smith, Edward W. Place Written: s.l. Type: Document Date: 13 October 1864 Pagination: 1 p. Order a Copy

The orders say that 100-150 Union troops have been captured by the Confederate Army and will be placed in front of their troops going into battle. The orders request that an equal number of Confederate prisoners of war be "set to work in the excavation at Dutch Gap, and elsewhere along the trenches" and that their rations match those that the Union prisoners of war reportedly receive. The order is to be read to the prisoners to inform them of the reasons for their treatment. Those attempting to escape will be shot.

HEAD QUARTERS
Department Virginia & North Carolina,
ARMY OF THE JAMES
In the field, October 13, 1864
General Orders
No.126.
It being testified to the Commanding General by a number of refugees and deserters from the enemy, that from one hundred to one hundred and fifty soldiers of the united states, captured in arms by the confederates on the lines near Chapin's Bluff, have been taken from Libby Prison and otherwheres, and placed to labor on the entrenchments of the enemy's lines in front of their troops, the Commanding General on the 13th of October, notified the Confederate Agent of Exchange, Robert Ould, of the outrage being perpetrated upon his soldiers and informed him that unless the practice was stopped, retaliation in kind would be adopted by the Government of the United States.
Being assured by Gen. Ewell, commanding Confederate forces on the North side of the James, that an answer to this communication, if any, would be sent by eleven o'clock A.M. to-day; and it being now past twelve, (noon,) and no answer having been received, IT IS ORDERED: That an equal number of Prisoners of War preferably members of the Virginia Reserves, by and under whose charge this outrage is being carried on, be set to work in the excavation at Dutch Gap, and elsewhere along the trenches, as may hereafter seem best, in retaliation for this unjust treatment of the soldiers of the united states so kept at labor and service by the Confederate authorities. It being also testified to by the same witnesses, that the rations served to the soldiers of the united states, so at labor, is one pound of flour and one third of a pound of bacon, daily, it is ordered that the same ration precisely be served to these confederate Prisoners so kept at work, and no other or different. It being further testified to, that the time of labor of the soldiers of the united states, so at work under the confederates, is ten hours each day; these confederate Prisoners, so kept at work, will be made to work, and work faithfully, daily during the same period of time. This order will be read to the Prisoners set at work, the first time they are mustered for labor, in order that they may know why it is that they do not receive that kind and courteous treatment they have heretofore from the united states, as Prisoners of War. Upon any attempt to escape, by any of these Prisoners so kept at work, they will be instantly shot. By command of major General BUTLER;
Ed. W. Smith
Asst. Adjt. Gen'l.
OFFICIAL:
Asst. Adjt. Gen'l

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

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