The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-04-17
TELEGRA PHO NEWS
NEWS FROM THE CApITAL.


SERGEANT BATES HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH
THE Observation-Disclosures OF HIS JOUR
NEY.
WASHINGTON, April 15.-Sergeant Bates
called upon the President to-day to per.
form what he considered a very agreeable
duty. That duty, he said, was to deliver
to the President the kind messages for the
Chief Magistrate of the nation which he
had received in the swamps and in the
woods, along the sloughs of pine forest
through which his route now and then
laid, at the lonely farmhouse, and in the
villages, cities, and towns. "Tell the
President" said gray-haired men, Eve
are praying for him." essay to him." said
hundreds, God bless him." Many, very
many, begged the Sergeant to tell the Pre-
sident that they ever would bless Andrew
johnson for his efforts to secure their
rights in the old-Union.
cat Richmond, Va.," continued the
Sergeant, looking old lady, work.
ing passage through the crowd, came to
me as I was making my way out Of the
city, and, with the tears coursing her
cheeks, said, as she took my hand. Tell
Andrew Johnson that he has the earnest
prayers of the matrons of Virginia for his
welfare and happiness Gray-haired mon,
trembling with age, invoked upon Presl-
dent johnson Heavens blessing. Just be-
yond Montgomery, in Alabama, my flag
was decorated with flowers and laurel
wreath by young lady, who said to her
mother, as she returned to me my colors,
wish I could send by Sergeant Bates a
bouquet to President Johnson They
would dismiss schools to meet me, and
many of the little girls would want to kiss
me and to wave my flag. My rooms have
been decorated with evergreen, and in
North Carolina girls strewed my way with
flowers and pinned bouquets upon my
breast. In passing through North Carolina
and Virginia had bouquet in my hand
every hour of the day. I honestly believe,
sir, that in every State through which 1
have passed in my long journey could
raise thousand men for the defence of
the flag as quickly as could anywhere in
the entire Union. I have taken by the
hand dozens Of ex-Confederate soldiers,
whose warm grasp, quivering lips, and
moistened eyes, could not lie. In Georgia,
for instance, met man who had served
in the rebel armies, and who had been
watching for me along the road. He had
been engaged in chopping wood. I &C.
companied him to his home, distant about
two miles. On the way, he told me that
the grave of his brother, who had
fallen in.the rebel cause, was not far from
the roadside. I went with him to the
spot. He stood upon one side of the grave
and I upon the other. A plain wooden
head-board marked the place, and as I
was reading the inscription, he asked why
such bad state of feeling should con-
tinue to prevail, reaching his hand over the
grave of his brother. I clasped it, and
will any one say did wrong in taking by
the hand one against whom had fought,
but who now was willing to stand by the
good old flag
Gin North Carolina I met an old man
who had served in the rebel forces. He
was quite old for one who had but a short
time since carried gun apd KNAPP
sack. The poor old man during the war
had lost two sons and son-in-law, his
only support. 1t was eight miles to the
Catawba river, the bridge over which had
been destroyed by Steadman. 1t had been
rebuilt, and was very high and bad to
cross. This old soldier took such deep
interest in me that I had to stop over night
in the town where he lived, and he went
with me to the bridge and led me over.
for fear might fall and hurt myself.
.".Between Selma and Montgomery, in
Alabama, I went to an elegant residence
occupied by "a gentleman named White, on
plantation called white Hail. Mr.
White himself came to the door. Ny flag
was unfurled, but he did not know me
nor had he heard Of my singular journey
he however warmly welcomed me, and
explained to him how had come to seek
shelter under his roof. During the war
he told me, Wilson had passed through thai
country and destroyed al he had. During
talk of two hours there was hardly {
moment that his eyes were not moistenec
with tears. In the morning I found m!
flag all decorated by his daughter will
wreathes of laurel and flowers. he wen
with me on my way about a mile, ant
finally said he would have to leave me.
took him by the hand, agentle breeze wa
blowing, and the flag held in my left hant
was flying. The old man tried to bid mi
goodbye, but he broke down, and TO
minutes wept like child" At the reques
| of the President, the Sergeant explained
the circumstances under which he had un
dertaken the long journey which he ha
Just concluded. "Persons," said he, J" mad
assertions which I believed to be both foolisl
and unfounded. contradicted them, sayin
that I did not care for their individual
opinions; but as perhaps thousands be-
lieved as they did, would make propo
sition that, if carried out, would disprov
their theory. I thereupon made an offe
to do what have done. I did not thinl
my proposition would be accepted, nor dit
the principal person Of those to whom
.aea. 4l,srlz I would dara .carru ont m,