Dear Evelyn; Ed emailed me the question, so when I responded, I was not aware of the context of this message string. Perhaps I should check the board more often.

The exchange of naval prisoners was handled by the navy, not the army, and a large number of these people "built up" at Camp Ford. Negotiations broke down in the fall and winter of 1864 because of the CS demand that CS Admiral Buchanan, captured at Mobile, be a part of the exchange for Camp Ford prisoners. Farragut pitched a fit over "rebels dictating terms" and held up the transfer until February 1865. Nevertheless, a few naval prisoners were released in the July 22, 1864 exchange. Signal -3; Morning Light -1; Indianola - 1: Harriet Lane - 1; Clifton - 1: out of 862 total.

It would be interesting to know when the "absent" entry was made where he missed the earlier exchange. Would it have been in July 1864?

When you go to the Nimitz library, if possible, could you arrange to copy whatever might relate to prisoners from the vessel, or anything relating to their prison experiences. I will be happy to reimburse you for any costs.

I will give Ed a quarter for the plug when I see him.

Randy