Prisoner exchanges... as viewed by Siegel

[gary]

"'I admit that is a cartel acknowledged by the rules of war, but there is one other thing which you must taken into consideration. You Southerners say that one Southerner can whip three Northerners, which means that one Southerner is worth three Northerners; therefore, it will be necessary for you to give in exchange for your colonel three colonels, and for your major three majors.'

"This sally of General Siegel, which he delivered with the utmost good humour in his German accent, caused a general laugh and applause, in which our officers joined, and who now said they would be willing to forego that distinction at present and be valued upon equal terms."

From: Life in the Confederate Army by William Watson. Page 317