Federal authorities sent three thousand and received thirteen thousand. They would have received more if there had been accommodation. Why was transportation sent to Savannah for the prisoners unless I had agreed to deliver them? Why were thirteen thousand delivered and only three thousand received if I insisted on receiving equivalents?
There is nothing in the published correspondence referred to by General Butler, which in any manner contests any one of the facts I have mentioned.
General Mulford will sustain everything I have herein written. He is a man of honor and courage, and I do not think will hesitate to tell the truth. I think it would be well for you to make the appeal to him, as it has become a question of veracity.
General Butler says the proposition was made in the fall, and that seven thousand prisoners were delivered. It was in August, and over thirteen thousand were delivered.
You can make public any portion of this letter. I defy contradiction, as to any statement I have made, and challenge scrutiny. I will prove every word by Federal testimony. Who, then, is responsible for the suffering of Andersonville during the period of its most deadly mortality, from August to January?
Yours truly,
