I have read conflicting "facts" in regards to the Confederacy's attempt to release the POW's (who were well enough to travel) from Andersonville only on the condition that the Union sent ships to pick them up and allowed the railroads to remain intact long enough for the release. Does anyone have a period source that can put it to rest? Did Lincoln or Grant refuse to accept the POW's for some political gain or were there provisions not outlined in my premise that gave the Union leaders moral justification?