In response to the Union placing 600 Confederate Officers under fire – referred to as THE IMMORTAL 600, the Confederates decided to place a group of Union officers in a house located on the battery in Charleston so as to keep the Union vessels in the harbor from firing on the city of Charleston.  On July 1st, 1864, five U.S. Officers signed two documents.  The first was sent to General Lorenzo Thomas and was a plea for a prompt exchange of prisoners of war.  We will attach a transcription of this letter.  The second document, also written on July 1st, 1864, was another five signature message this time sent to Gen. John G. Foster who was in command of the Federal Forces at Hilton Head. 

Here is that message: 
                                                                                                            Charleston, S.C.
                                                                                                                July 1st, 1864

General,

            The journals of this morning informs us for the first time, that five
General Officers of the Confederate Service have arrived at Hilton Head
with a view to their being subjected to the same treatment that we are
receiving here. 

            We think it is just to ask for these officers every kindness and
courtesy that you can extend to them in acknowledgement of the fact that
we at this time are as pleasantly and comfortably situated as is possible
for prisoners of war, receiving from the Confederate authorities every
privilege that we could desire or expect.  Nor are we unnecessarily
exposed to fire.

                                                            Respectfully, General

                                                                        Your Obdt. Servants,

(Signed) H. W. Wessells

                        Brig. Gen. U. S. Vols.

(Signed) C. A. Seymour

Brig. Gen. U. S. Vols.

(Signed) E. P. Scammon

                        Brig. Genl.

(Signed) C. A. Heckman

                                                                                    Brig. Gen. Vols.

(Signed) Alexander Shaler

                        B. G. U.S. Vols.

                        Pris. of War

 

To: Major General J. G. Foster U.S. Vols.

                        Commdg. Dept. of the South

                                                Hilton Head, S.C.

 

Head Quarters Dept. of the South

Hilton Head S.C. July 8th, 1864

Official Copy:

Thomas J. Robinson

1st Lieut. 21st U.S. C. T.

Act. Asst. Adj. & Genl.

According to the book, Civil War Hostages – Hostage Taking in the Civil War by Webb Garrison, both of the notes were transmitted by Confederate General Samuel Jones, in command at Charleston.  He expressed to Foster his fervent hope that there should be an exchange of prisoners of war. 

The letter offered is written in brown ink and has a red “docket” – “Head Quarters Dept. of the South Hilton Head, S.C. July 8th, 1864. Official Copy.”  The copy was made by Thomas J. Robinson, 1st Lieut., 21st U.S. Colored Troops.

This is the only copy that we have ever seen of this correspondence involving the Union prisoners held in Charleston.  It is recorded in the official records 66, 161, 163. 

For the collector or institution interested in the Immortal 600 and Charleston “50/50”, this is a unique opportunity!

#PO40 – Price $495