Tribune Correspondence.
NEW YORK, Feb. 14.
The committee on the conduct of the war, to-day, in examining the case of Gen. Stone, discovered new facts, which divide the responsibility of the blunder at Ball’s Bluff between Gen. Stone and another General.
Previous to the discharge of Wikoff, the committee on the judiciary examined Gen. Sickles, whose frequent visits to the incarcerated Wikoff and his journeys from the cell to the residents of ex-Lieut. Watt at the other end of the avenue, had excited suspicion. Sickles claimed to be Wikoff’s counsel, and to have acted throughout in that capacity. The committee put some home questions to him, he replied sharply, and for a few minutes a war of words raged. While his examination was pending, the Sergeant-at-Arms appeared with Watt. He testified that he saw the message in the library, and being of a literary turn of mind perused it; that, however, he did not make a copy, but having a tenacious memory, carried portions of it in his mind, and the next day reported them word for word to Wikoff. That personage had previously testified that the passage transmitted to the Herald was given him by Watt orally.
WASHINGTON, February 14.
Hamilton Fish and Bishop Ames returned to Washington to-day and made a report to the Government of their mission to relieve Union prisoners in the south.
They repaired to Fortress Monroe, and made known their commission to the Confederate authorities at Norfolk, by whom the matter was referred to Richmond. A reply came, refusing the commissioners admission to the Confederate Territory, but expressing readiness to negotiate for the general exchange of prisoners. Our commissioners opened negotiations which resulted in perfect success. An equal exchange was agreed on, but the confederates had 300 more prisoners than we. With commendable magnanimity, they proposed to release those also, on condition that our Government would agree to release 300 of their men that they may next fall into its hands.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 15.
Mrs. Senator Chandler has received a letter from Col. Wilcox, who says that himself and other prisoners at Columbia, S. C. are in good health and that their condition has been rendered comfortable by the clothing received from the United States authorities.
The Oregon Democrat and the Los Angeles and California Star have been suppressed from the mails, on the ground that they have been used for the purpose of overthrowing the Government and giving aid and comfort to the enemy now at war with the United States.
– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 17, 1862, p. 1
