Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-24
An INTERVIEW.


wash. am-Remtnfscences Of
ON Tuesday last / called to see Col Lewis ID
Campbell, who has been confined to his room
by sickness for some weeks, as he still Is, al
though his health is slowly improving. Ifound
him stretched on a lounge before a blazing coal
IRE, glancing over the Commercial. Ia the
course of conversation he said he had Just been
amused by an sllusion in 1t to Wash. McLsan's
strategy in capturing Gen. Dix when he APP
reared at that generals headquarters in New
York during the war, asking permission to pass
large demjOhn of good old whisky to Roger
fayette.
You may remember, said the colonel, that
when the war commenced, Pryor was a secesh
editor in Richmond, and said ''that 1T would be
necessary to sprinkle blood in the faces of the
IeOple in order to get up good war feeling -
q This is most extraordinary request you
make, Mr.. Mclean" said Gen. Dix; ''what rea-
son have you for asking me to pass this whisky
10 Gen. Pryor ?' Wash. quickly replied, BE
cause Pryor likes whisky" This argument
was irresistible, and knocked old " Shoot him
on-the-spOt" out of time. Pryor got the whisky.
Soon afterward, continued Colonel Camp.
bell, Mclean and casually met at Washing
ton. We both had rooms at the Metropolitan
Hotel. had personally. known Pryor before
the war as talented Southern democratic edi-
tor, and rs warm friend OF Mclean. Wash.
conferred with me about an effort he was
making to get his old friend Pryor out of prison
and sent North. IL was concluded best to move
directly on the works of 'Old Abe, ;" instead of
those Of Stanton, Secretary of War. This was
on the ground. McLean's energy and perseyer-
ance were unbounded, however, and his ardor
was in no degree chilled by the inclemency of
the weather. He fortified himself with letters to
Lincoln from Horace Greeley, Colonel Forney,
and other leading republicans of the strictest
sect, asking that his request be granted, sc.
The next point of difficulty was how to get
these papers directly to the President, and avoid
the uncertainty of having them pass through
other hands. on that day Mrs. Lincoln had her
reception. Fixing himself up for the occasion,
Wash. entered the TPCeDtlOn-TOOm
crowd of brave men and dashing ladies. As he
shook hands with Old Abe he thrust into his left
the aforesaid documents, saying: ''Alr. Presi-
dent, want you to read these papers as soon as
you cam" and passed on to pay his respects to
Mrs. President.
To my great smazement, says Col. Campbell,
that evening on his return to the hotel, Wash.
showed me an order, in MIR. Lincoln s own hand
writing, TO Gen. Dix, for the release of Pryor on
his parole, 10 report to the President in COM
Iany with Col Forney. My purpose was to re-
turn to Ohio via New York, and on McLean's
urgent request concluded to 60 with him to
Fort Lafayette. But L had no permit to visit
the Fort, and was unacquaInted with Gen. DIX.
Concluding 10 adopt McLean's policy of apply
ing at headquarters, took carriage and drove
to the Executive Mansion abOutS O'clock in the
morning. There was not one armed sentinel
about the premises. | passed up stairs to the
Executive office, and the usher who usually
stood at the door was absent. Proceeding into
the rooms of the secretaries, l found them
deserted. Taking a seat to await their
coming, / heard in the adjoining room
the jolly laugh of Old Abe, and recognized
the voices of some of my Tennessee acqusint-
ances. They we're evidently enjoying an anec-
dote. Very soon the door opened, and as these
visitors passed out, went in. The President
greeted me most cordially, and insisted on my
taking a seat, which / did, and hastily apollo
gized Tor my obtrusive entry, giving as an ex-
cuse that found no one by whom could send
in my card. Mr.. Lincoln stopped my apology,
saying that he was not much welded to red
tape and circumOcution, adding, Familiarity
What can | do for you. Lew?' Informing
him OF my wish to go with Mclean to Fort La
tayette, said desired him to give me d permit
to do so. ''is that all?-most certainly will I;''
and, picking up blank card, he wrote on it in
pencil:
ALLOW Colonel Lew d. Campbell to enter
Fort Lafayette. a. LINCoLN.'
read IL, and thanking him, said, IAN right,
MIR. President, as far as it goes; but | would
much prefer to have you add one thing more"
Taking the card again and reading it aloud he
inquired, "What more do you think recess ary?''
Please add the words also to come OUT -
Catching the idea he stretched out his long legs
and leaning back in his chair he again laughed
loud enough to be head all over the mansion.
After adding the words, which he said were
very important in those days, he inquired
Lew, why did you not lain in the army
you ought TO be there" / replied, "My health
tailed, and / could rot have lived until now in
the service; but why do YOU think should have
renamed" because said he, ssyou seem to
have the natural elements for successful mill
jary service. Whilst you are disposed to push
forward, you have at the same time the pru-
dence TO guard the rear and proride for a sgte
hearty laugh. He followed me TO the door, and
cordially shaking me by the hand. said: ''Good
night, Lew ,-(iOd bless yOu.r These were the
last words, Gays Colonel O., ever heard hi m
utter. The next time saw him a. soon after
the assassination-coldin death.-Cor. GIN. Com