took three
South Carolina prisoners and had them subjected to the same treatment,
and the facts telegraphed to the Rebel authorities. Commenting upon
the question of the treatment of captured Colored soldiers the
"Richmond Examiner" said:

"It is not merely the pretension of a regular Government
affecting to deal with 'Rebels,' but it is a deadly stab which
they are aiming at our institutions themselves--because they know
that, if we were insane enough to yield this point, to treat
Black men as the equals of White, and insurgent slaves as
equivalent to our brave soldiers, the very foundation of Slavery
would be fatally wounded."

Shortly after this occurrence an exchange of prisoners took place in
front of Charleston. The rebels returned only white prisoners. When
upbraided by the Union officers for not exchanging Negroes the reply
came that under the resolutions of the Confederate Congress they could
not deliver up any Negro soldiers. This fact stirred the heart of the
North, and caused the Government to act. The following order was
issued by the President:

"EXECUTIVE MANSION, }
"WASHINGTON, July 30, 1863. }

"It is the duty of every Government to give protection to its
citizens, of whatever class, color, or condition, and especially
to those who are duly organized as soldiers in the public
service. The law of nations, and the usages and customs of war,
as carried on by civilized powers, permit no distinction as to
color in the treatment of prisoners of war as public enemies. To
sell or enslave any captured person, on account of his color, and
for no offense against the laws of war, is a relapse into
barbarism, and a crime against the civilization of the age.

"The Government of the United States will give the same
protection to all its soldiers; and if the enemy shall sell or
enslave any one because of his color, the offense shall be
punished by retaliation upon the enemy's prisoners in our
possession.

"It is therefore ordered that, for every soldier of the United
States killed in violation of the laws of war, a Rebel soldier
shall be executed; and for every one enslaved by the enemy or
sold into Slavery, a Rebel soldier shall be placed at hard labor
on public works, and continued at such labor until th