The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-09-08
GRANT AND MEADE.
how NEWSPAPER MEN MADE THE ONE AMI
BELITTLED THE OTHER.

Correspondence Philadelphia Times.
Noticing frequent references to the egot-
istical estimate of General Meade by Gen.
eral Grant, and the criticisms of the press,
friends and partieans in reference to the
same, have been reminded of an incident
berides myself were cognizant, but
allusion. While General Meade was
in command of the army in Virginia
and while the campaign of the Wilderness
was progressing, the headquarters of the
General in Chief, like that of General
Pope on another occasion, was sin the hut"
of the general. That is, General Grants
headq uarters were shifting about, but
always near the headquarters of General
Meade. General GRAFT repudiated the
idea that he was in direct command, Rs
sertiDg always in answer to queries, "that
General Meade is COMMANDING this army.
l command all the armies. direct the
movements of all from here without inter
fering with the duties of any" At the
time referred to number of newspaper
correspondence accompanied General
Meade's army, aud a stringent general
order from headquarters was issued and in
force, regulating the duties and RESPONSE
bilities of such persons. Among them was
one by the name of Crnpsey, believe, of
| the Philadelphia Inquirer, we'll and favor
| ably known for his skill and energy in his
profession, and for many gentlemanly
qualities. But in his zeal to get ahead of
| his fellows he ventured to send a copy of
dispatches to his paper in advance of the
movement described, which was contem-
plated, requesting his dispatch should not
| be published till after the event, or until
he telegraphed GAN Right" His telegram
to withhold publication was not received
and the movement of the army was de-
layed for several days, but not abandoned.
y-,sk A. r.lI
| and particular account of it's object and
successful result, thus "giving information
| to the enemy" by giving notice of an i'm.
portant event which remained to be exc
cuted, but which would be disastrous
If anticipated. General Meade was
angry. He ordered Crapsey under arrest.
He caused him to be divested of part of
his clothing, and hung pair of large pla-
cards over his shoulders-such as we see
paraded in our streets for advertising puF-
poses-on which his profession, crime and
it's consequences were written conepicu-
ously, and marched him back and forth
within the lines, between files of soldiere,
heralded by fife and drum, for several days.
Crspsey's companions and friends interce
ded with General Meade, but without
avail. They applied to General Grant,
bat he disclaimed authority over General
Meade in any such matter A delegation
of his friends came to Washington, and,
HILoE u DaSGS IuGSEN16W WIFI
procured an order which, although ad-
dressed to General Grant, was finally. after
long delay, acted on by General Meade,
and Crapsey was released. He fastened
to Washington, where the Fourteenth
street newspaper correspondents held their
court, and laid his case before host of
sympAthising and indignant friends, A
meeting was hastily called together and it
was resolved (about as follOws) rGeneral
Meade's name shall never be mentioned
again in dispatches by any newspaper
correspondent, except in case of defeat.
All the successes of the army he commands
shall be credited to General Grant" l
have always thought and often said since
that time that Crapsey's punishment made
General Grant President of the United
States, and that the resolution of the meet
ing referred to Rad very unjust and
injurious effect upon the estimation
of the people of the United States upon the
character of General Meade; SO tue man
| ufacturers of history aud pablo opinion
! had their revenge, and IL rsaainsd for old