The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1870-04-07
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An Lntersielo USA ao Er-C6agalcrah
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David McCrne is furnishing the Glaa
Cow (Scotland) Herald with 4 series 8,
interesting sketches of american men and
women He described his first interview
with Gen. Lee as follows.
When got back 10 the hotel, found
that Lee, who was aware OF nv coming
had already, with the courtesy 20 conspic
uous amongst class of Americans sem
his servant 10 inquire II i had arrived,
and to say that he would like to see me al
the College.
On going there after breakfast, was
taken up stairs and shown into his room
set aside fer the use of the College Presi-
dent.
A noble looking man, dressed in gray
military coat, who had been writing at a
table near the window, rose as L entered.
lie was tall, straight, and soldier-Iike,
with crisp hair turning white; short trim
med beard, pointed at the chin, and dark
imperial looking eyes, very keen and
searching. Itwas Robert L Lee, the old
Confederate Commander.
As the first words Of greeting passed
between US, there was a hidden sadness
in his lcok which impressed me painfully.
lie was suffering from i'll health at the
time; but il was not look of physical
pain. Perhaps it was only my own feel
ing, but it seemed as If the shadow of the
past was over him-as If you could read
behind the vigilance Of his dark eyes the
fate of the South and of the myriad who
lay sleeping on the battle-felds.
When l was seated he began to inquire
where | had been in the South, and about
my journey up-smiling at the somewhat
doleful account had TO give him of my
experience in the stage from Goshen. He
said there was another road might have
taken-to one from Stanton. but they
say whichever road you take you wish by
that you had taken the other" He had
been twice by the Goshen road on horse
back. The scenery was very grand.
He began to speak about Scotland, and
said: "YOu viii meet with many of your
countrymen here. The Valley of 'Vir-
ginia is peopled with Scotch-Irish-peo-
pie who have come from Scotland by way
of Ireland. They are a fine race. They
have the courage and determination Of
the Scotch, with the Irish dash and intre-
pidity. They make fine soldiers"
He said it was an old wish Of his TO
visit this country but it would never be
realized now. StonewalI Jackson had
been in Scotland before the war He had
heard him speak of it.
When some reference was made to the
odds against which the South had fought,
and the want there was of accurate sta
tistics, told him that it was understood
he was preparing a history of the war
himself.
81 have had that in view" he said;
''but the time is not come for an impair
tial history. If the truth were told Just
now il would not be credited"
When the books that had already APP
peared were spoken of, and L mentioned
one, the proof-sheet of which, it was as
serted, had been submitted to General
Grant and himself for revisions, he said:
1T is mistake. l have never read n
history of the war, nor the biography of
any man engaged in it. Nv own life has
been written, but / have not looked into
T." He added after pause, 81 do not
wish to awaken memories of the past"
He spoke highly of Sherman's abiIi-
'ies-said Sherman had always been a
rood soldier.
He seemed much gratifed when / told |
him of the estimation in which he and |
Stonewall jackson had been held from
he first by the British people, irrespec-
i've altogether of Northern or Southern |
He said, after pause,
Jackson lies in the Presbyterian bury
ng ground at the other extremity of Lex |
ngton."