New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-09-14
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GRANT AND LOUISIANA.
AN ANEcDoTE TOLD BY GENERAL GIBsON-GRANTs
FIRST THOUGHT THAT OF INTERFERENCE BE-
TWEEN PACKARD AND NICHOLS,

AN ANECDoTE TOLD BY GENERAL GTBsON-GRANTs
FIRST THOUGHT THAT OF INTERFERENCE BE-
TWEEN PACKARD AND NICHOLS.
An amusing experience of ex-President
Grant in early part OF the rebellion was related by
General Randall L. Gibson, louisiana at the Custom
House. recently. There had been some talk about the
Presidents in abstaning from interfering In
the contest between Packard and HonOs for the posi-
ton Of Governor of Louisiana, when General Gibson
said; During the efforts made at Washington to in
fuence Grants policy toward that unhappy STATE had
seVrTa long conversations With him on the subject On
my first visit TO h there little incident that oc-
CURED which should like to tell about 1t showed that
the man had most remarkable memory"
"In 1861" he continued. " I had command OF regi-
meut of Louisiana troops stationed Fort Columbus
the Mississippi River Grant was then in command OF
Union troops stationed near Cairo had occasion one
day to so with flag Of truce to his camp Along with
me went aidede-camp named Norton, Who 1t seems
was the OF a cousin OF Grant, living IN NeW-Oreans
During the war with Mexico this cousin had visited
b. Grant. and had remembered him. Years later ne
was Informed that Grant an officer In the Union
Army and upon the departure OF his for Fort Column
bus gave hun note, written somewhat IN this manner:
The commander OF the Confederate Army Is hereby
directed TO surrender the body Of General u g. Grant
(when captured to the bearer, who will see that
General Grant at gets good dinner Young Nor
ton, getting INTO the Union camp, presented tnls
order 10 General Grant, and informed MIN OF tnef fta
note. aud gave Norton good dinner When IN company
with General Sherman, called upon aim IN 1871 IN re-
atOn to Louisiana affairs, after were introduced,
10 my intense surprise, he asked me II remembered
visiting hun Caro-, aud then laughgy referred 70
NortoDs order for the delivery OF hts body. said
Well Mr. President, in view Of the turn OF affairs, it
would hardly be proper for me TO say that
/ wish we bad captured YOU He replied
But you came very doing so several umes'
General Grant then said Your people in louisiana
are causing a great deal OF trouble. don't know
bnt that shall have TO interfere You win make
mistake II You do, in my opinion, Mr. President, re-
Piled and neu he paying very close attention:
'Tur struggle there between rival Governors IS
between rivals for the Presidency. IL you snOud INFER
fore it would be Interference between Itlden Hnd
HAYES and not between Nichols aud Packard had
many talks WIN Nun afterward on the subject ahd
usually followed TINS line OF argument. Some d y hiSto-
rams will give HIM credit for great craftsmanship IN
dealing with LOUISIANA" -,
m the negotiations by which Grant was per
suaded not to interfere with LOUISIANA compi-
caGous is evident from Major Burke's testimony
before the Potter Committee. It was rs follows:
think the condition Of Affairs In LOUISIANA had been
quite fuy represented General Grant und Secretary
Cameron by our representatives at Washington, but
esnecally by Representative Randall L. Gibson, Wl0
was an old college mate OF Secretary Cameron. it
was 10 General Gibson 10 whom We generally cOmmunl-
dent Grant General Gibson was especially ser
viceaOle the interests OF the safe IN represent
ing the condition OF AFFAIRS and think 10 was mainly 10
ais e. President Grant, Secretary Cam
prOn and others that indebted THE people oil the
STATED or the fact that there Interference ON tho
part General Giant about the 9b OF January,
the time we took possession OF the STATE Govern