Exchange of Prisoners
Exchange of Prisoners
EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. At the time of the Revolution (and for another century), it was normal to parole prisoners of war and then arrange for their exchange. As a rule only officers could be exchanged. Exchange of "other ranks" was not favored by American civil or military authorities because the emaciated American prisoner often did not live long after his release from a British jail; this meant that the enemy stood to gain from the practice. Little is known about how many prisoners were taken during the war and even less about how many were exchanged, but the following "tariff " was worked out in December 1779 on the basis of how many privates were equivalent to various ranks. A sergeant could be exchanged for 2 privates; a second sergeant or ensign, 4; a first lieutenant, 6; a captain,16; a major, 28; a lieutenant colonel, 72; a colonel, 100; a brigadier general, 200; a major general, 372; a lieutenant general, 1,044.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lossing, Benson J. The Pictorial Field Book of the Revolution; or, Illustrations, by Pen and Pencil, of the History, Biography, Scenery, Relics, and Traditions of the War for Independence. 2 vols. New York, 1851.