Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-04-02
Interview with the President.
Mihtnry Orders 20 Come Through General
Grant. &c.


The Chaplain prayed that all that was done
should be done decently and in order; that
these Senators would appreciate the facs thar
the eyes Of the country and Of the world were
upon them.
The President pro tenn. said that no legislative
business was in order, and the Chair would be
vacated for the Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice took the chair, and ordered
the Sergeant-at-Armst o-open the Court
The Sergeant-at-Arms made the usual proc
lamatlon commanding silence.
The counsel for the President entered and
took their seats.
The Managers Of Impeachment were an
nc uneed, and following them the House of
The journal of proceedings was read by the
Secretary, Mr.. J. w. Forney.
Senator Drake submitted an amendment TO
the eth rule to add ION all such Questions the
vote shall be taken without division. unless
the ayes and noes are demanded by one fifth of
the members present, or requested by the pre-
siding officer, when the same shall be taken =
Senator Hendricks asked that the proposed
anne ndment lie over.
Mr.. Stanbery asked to recall Geo. W Kar-
sener.
MIR. Manager Butler said il this witness was
TO be recalled after the examination and cross
examination had been concluded, he must be
called as a witness for the respondent and the
proper time would be when the counsel opened
on their side.
MIR. Stanbery.-Only for moment
The Chief Justice asked Mr.. Butler il he OBJ
Jec'ed 10 the recalling of the witness.
Mr.. Butler replied in the negative.
Geo. w. karsener was then recalled.
Mr.. Sianbery.-Wsere did you go on the
night you had the conversation with General
Thomas! Al went to the house of my friend,
Mr.. Tanner. Tanner is employed in the War
Departments; don't recollect accompanying Mr.
Tanner TO the War Department the next morn
ing.
Odd you 60 at any time to the War De-
pariment 10 see Mr.. Stanton! Al did see
Mr.. Stanton.
Odd you go alone, Al was introduced
10 him by a friend.
q. Who byl A. Mr.. Tanner, Had no par
ucular object in going. In the conversation
some reference was made to the conversation
with Gen. Thomas; did not receive a note or
memorandum from Mr.. Stanton at that time;
he did not give me any directions. Something
was SAID about my be ng examined before the
Impeachment Managers.
TIE next witness called was Thos w. Ferry,
a member of the House from Michigan. Wit
ness WAS AT the War Office on the morning of
the ed of February, when General Thomas
came there and made a demand for the Off %;
paid attention 10 what was going on. and
took a memorandum Of the conversation;
have the memorandum with me. The pre-
liminary conversation as stated by tins wit
mt IS did not differ materially from that of Van
Horn and Moore head. Gen. Thomas said ne
did not want to intrude, did not want to dis
turb the gentlemen present MIR. Stanton said
there is nothing private here, what do you
wantf Thomas demanded possession of the
war Office. Stanton repeatedly ordered him
TO bis room. and Thomas declined TO obey, in
sisting on his nights Secretary of War STAN
ton asked how Will you get possession, do you
intend 10 use force! Thomas replied, L do not
care TO use force, but my mind is made up TO
obtain possession Of the Office. (At this point
a storm of dust swept into the chamber, and
the noise OF the wind overhead rendered il i'm
cs lille 10 hear the voice of the witness Gen
eral Thomas then went into the Office
OF General Schriver and command ordering
General Schriyer and General T.. ID. Townsend
Mr. Stanton entered, and told them not to mind
Thomas, that he lStanton) did not recognize
him as Secretary of War, and once more ordered
Thomas TO his own room. Thomas again re-
fused, and said he should require the mails of
the War Department TO be delivered TO him.
1t became so dark at tins time that NJ was found
necessary TO ight the chamber
Cross-examined by Mr.. Stanbery:-Went into
General Thomas room immediately after Mr..
stanton: got to the War Office about IL in the
morning; was not there the night before
Question. Did you hear the order given BY
General Thomas in General Schriyers room
Answer, (after a pause.) Yes. SIR.
General VIM. II. Emory called and sworn
and examined by Mr.. Butterfly rank is that
OF Colonel Of Cavalry; am a Brevet Major
General of the army, and co mmanding the De-
iartment of Washington. Have been IN COM
M" nd OF the Department since September. 1897
Soon after L assumed command Of the Depart
nent had conversation with the President in
relation TO the force in the Department and its
deposition.
Mr.. Butler asked that witness should first
state W hat composed the Department OF Wash
ingIon.
Witness answered the District OF Columbia
Maryland, Delaware and Fort Delaware
The witness was then asked TO detail the
conversation referred 10 which he had with the
President.
Witness replied that ii would be impossible
for him to give the conversation entire, but he
could give the substance of it, The President
asked me TO state the strength and location of
the troops in the department, and gave hun
the names of the several posts and the strength
OF each, together with the name of the officer
commanding each post. That was the sub
stance and import of the conversation with the
President upon that occasion. There was some
frY lnro 49,. a. -lo.l~
ought 10 be sent here and kept in the depart.
meat. i recommended that more troops shouId
be kept here, because II was Gen. Canbys plan
that there should always be in this department
ar least one brigade Of infantry, one squadron
of cavalry and one battery Of artillery, and
thought more troops should be kept mere in
force in Maryland.
q. What military FORGET A. The force or.
ganized by the State government of Maryland.
Y. What did you state to the President about
that military forcel A. said i did not see
the object OF that organi zation; that did not
like II and saw no reason for il. stated fur
Their that il was Objectionable an account Of a
portion of the uniform worn. ana that il was
onensl We to some Of our people because il was
omcered by gentlemen who had been in the
q. BY the offensive uniform you mean the
grayl A. Yes sir. Witness remembers moth.
ing further upon the subject at that time He
had been sent for by the President for that in
I Q.-when again did the President send for
yoHa About the ed Of February. 1 re-
o t,E, note from z, Col; William G: Moore
GER OF the army, Informing me that the Presi-
dent desired TO have q conversation with me.
have not that note with me. It may be in my
the committee Of the House of REPRESENTATIVES
when summoned to testify before them.
have seen the note Is copied, and 1t is q correct
Mr.. Butler ito the Presidents counsel MAY
use the copy, eentlemenl