Union aid for Union POWS

[unionblue]

Just found an interesting fact in the book, The Civil War Years, A Day-by-Day Chronicle.

December 12 (Saturday), 1863.

"The United States, until now, has been sending rations to Richmond to feed the 13,000 Union prisoners held there, because the Confederate government did not have the means. This changed today when orders were given in Richmond that no more supplies from the United States should be received by the Federal prosoners."

Anyone know or have any sources as to why these orders were given by Richmond?

Sincerely,
Unionblue

 

[jgoodguy]

Just found an interesting fact in the book, The Civil War Years, A Day-by-Day Chronicle.

December 12 (Saturday), 1863.

"The United States, until now, has been sending rations to Richmond to feed the 13,000 Union prisoners held there, because the Confederate government did not have the means. This changed today when orders were given in Richmond that no more supplies from the United States should be received by the Federal prosoners."

Anyone know or have any sources as to why these orders were given by Richmond?

Sincerely,
Unionblue

It could be fallout from the execution of two Confederate spies, Capt. William Francis Corbin and Lt. Thomas Jefferson McGraw, at the prison for prisoners of war near Sandusky on May 15, 1863. http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/587778.html

It was a big back and forth with the CSA threatening to execute in retaliation and the Union threatening reprisals for that.

 

[ErnieMac]

The official reason:
OR Series II, Volume 6, Part 1, Page 686.

CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA, WAR DEPARTMENT,
December 11, 1863.
Brigadier General S. A. MEREDITH, Agent of Exchange:
SIR: As the assent of the Confederate Government to the transmission by your authority and people of food and clothing to the prisoners at Richmond and elsewhere has been the subject of so much misconstructions and misrepresentation, and has been made the occasion of so much vilification and abuse, I am directed to inform you that no more will be allowed to be delivered at City Point. The clothing and provision already received will be devoted to the use of your prisoners. When they supply is exhausted they will receive the same rations as our soldiers in the field.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
RO. OULD,
Agent of Exchange.

 

[Civilwarcrow]

Wow