National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-08-18
GEN LEES OPINION OF GEN. GRANT.

The Cincinnati Commercial has recently
given utterance 20 an interview that oc-
Cured between General II. L. LEE and n
chaplain of the Union Army while General
SHERMAN's forces rested at Richmond on
their way to the National Capital in which
the distinguished leader of the Confederate
army conversed very freely as to LINCOLN,
General GRANT and other prominent officers
in the Union army
The writer says Accompanied by General
GEARY, afterwald Governor GEARY, of Penn
sylvanla, and provided with n letter from Cen
cral HAzEN, who know General LEE at West
Point, was admitted to the presence Of the
illustrious commander. General LEE was erect
and handsome. His easy smile aud simplicity
of manner did not speak of disaster. He was
very positive In his convictions, but in our
long talk always weighed every sentence.
President LINCoLN's assassination was
uppermost in all our minds. General LEE
said "The death of that eminent citizen
has filled me with horror If there
were blemishes in his character his life ex-
hibited some splendid and rare virtues. He
was one of the most extraordinary men that
ever lived in our country. His heart was
grand aud large He WAS constitutionally
pensive. Had he been spared the South
would be treated with honorable propriety
and with gallant generosity; that good will
and friendliness would have marked his
treatment of the people Of the South" Gen
eral LEE now adverted to the character OF
GRANT, of whom he spoke in themost friendly
words and terms. He ascribed to him the
possession of the noblest attributes of Amcri.
lean manhood and said that he possessed all the
requisites and talents for the organization oi
armies. 81 wish, said General LEE, ito dc
simple justice to General GRANT when l say
1. tI,,..,. Il
is without parallel in the history of the
civilized world. When my poor soldiers
with famished faces, had neither food moi
raiment, il was then that General GRANT i'm
mediately issued the humane order that 40,
600 rations should be furnished to the impov
erished troops. And that was not all Of hi
magnanimity. l was giving directions to on'
! of my staff officers, when making out the lis
f of things to be surrendered, to include thu
horses. At that moment General GRANT, whit
seemed to be paying no attention to what wa
transpiring, quickly said No, no, Genera
LEE, not horse--not one-keep them all
Your people will need them for the spring
crops =" 1t was scene never to be forgotten
to watch LEES manner when, with spirit o
chivalry equal to his skill and gallantry, h,
told, with moistened eyes, this and man,
other instances of the magnanimity 81
nobly displayed by his illustrious rival
/ asked him who WIS the greatest of the Fed
eral generals. Indeed, sir, have no hesi
tation in saying General GRANT. Boil
! Us q gentleman and an organizer of victor
ious war, General GRANT hath excelled all you
, most noted soldiers. He has exhibited NOR
: true courage, more real greatness of mind
: more consummate prudence from the outse
and more heroic bravery than any one Of
; your side" The conversation turned to Gen
eral SHERMAN, of whom he spoke as follows
, "As stategst and commander of me
SHERMAN has displayed the highest order q
military genius. Throughout his recent cam
5 paign, when he had to pass through an un
known country, cross rivers, support his troops
&C., he certainly exhibited singleness Q
purpose, fertility of resource, which wi
him high place among the famous soldier
of history. He seems to be cool withou
apathy, cautious without being dilatory
e patient without being dispirited, PERSONAL
brave, but never rash. Judged by NAPOLEON
test Who did all that p lie is, in my opinion
: among the most successful of the Federal oil
GERS who have played a prominent part in tn
: history of the war" In the course of CONVEX
sation he spoke of SHERIDAN as a most bri
Q liant and magnetic commander.