January 27, 1865
A bill passed the Legislature yesterday authorizing the Governor to surrender certain prisoners for exchange. It appears that the rebel authorities have placed in close confinement certain officers of West Virginia regiments as hostages for the return of certain rebels, bushwhackers and other disloyal persons, now held in custody by the authorities of this State. The object of the bill is to relieve our soldiers by authorizing the Governor to surrender the State prisoners for exchange I accordance with the request of the Secretary of War.
Timeline of West Virginia: Civil War and Statehood: January 1865