The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-07-04
A War Renaissance,
How Gov. Morgan Greeted the Captured
Gen. Joel A. Battle.

How Gov. Morgan Greeted the Captured
Gen. Joel A. Battle.
The complimentary mention of Nor
| TONS name by Senator Thurman the
other day brought to our mind rcmi-
nnscence OF the war while Morton was
governor, and had acquired name of
unenviable notoriety in the South. 1t
was just after the disastrous second
days fight at Shiloh, and all the glo-
ry OF Johnston's first days fight had
been lost by the timely arrival of Buell..
In that fight it will be remembered that
the late gallant Gen. Joel A. Battle had
lost the two noble sons who fought side
by side with him, and he himself was
taken prisoner. The peculiar situation
of the old man excited the keenest sym-
pathies of every one. Under the cir
cumstances, he received from the fed
erals every consideration in their pow-
er. The boat OH which he was confined
was anchored in the middle of the Ten
nessee river, and though the other
prisoners with whom he was crowded
we're closely guarded, he had the free
dom of the boat, and was furnished
with comfortable state room. After
remaining near the battle-ground few
days the boat moved down the river and
up the Ohio, landing the prisoners at
Cincinnati, and thence they were taken
to Camp Morton.
A day or two after their arrival Gov.
Morton paid the prison an official visit
AS soon as he came into the iuclosure
and saw the array of sorrowful prison
ers, he spoke few words to the COM
mandant who, leading the way, brought
him up and introduced him to Gen.
Battle. When the general saw them
approaching, he naturally thought he
would be insulted or upbraided for be-
ing, found in company of youngsters,
and SO stifiened himself up TO meet the
governor in as naughty "a manner as
possible. Bat the thought was far from
Morton's mind, for, with the frankness
ana courteous bearing of thorough
gentleman, he came quickly up, lined
MS hat In the most respectful manner,
gnsped the old general by the hand,
and with his first words broke down all
barriers of southern pride; he assured
MN of his heartiest sympathy in his
great misfortunes told him he had the
! pleasure of knowing one of his sons
who had attended the state institution,
at Oxford, Ohio, and assured him, foe
as he was, he would be most happy, if
1t were in his power, 10 release him I'M
condiiionally. After moIo very pleas
ant interchange of sentiments, the gov
ernor, taking him one side, drew out
his pocketbook aud said: "Colonel, al
low me 10 be your banker for the pres
ent," and handed him a 800 bill. This
the general politely refused. assuring
him that he was well supplied IN thai
respect. a triend in Louisville having
come aboard and pressed a couple OF
hundred dollars upon him. The COVER
nor then took his leave, begging him
never TO hesitate to call upon him for
any favor, and if need be, to draw Il
draft on him at any time, telling him il
should not be dishonorcl. lie did not
content himself with idle professions of
service, for during his short imprison-
ment he sent many messages and tok-
ems of friendship in the shape of bas-
kets of provisions. ETC., and il was
through his influence that Gen. Battle
was included in the earliest batch of
exchanges. During his life he ever
spoke of Gov. Morton in the friendliest
OF terms, and never failed to do Justice
, to his kindness of heart. The writer
heard him on many occasions recount
this adventure, and say that no better
or truer man ever lived than Oliver =.
Morton, whatever he might say or do
in the heat of political debate.