Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-07-03
A WAR aEHIEIsCEEoE.
How Governor Morton Greeted the Cap.
ture Of General loci A. Battle,
Nashville Banncr,l

Nashville Banncr.l
The complimentary mention of Nor
tons name by Senator Thurman the
other day brought to our mind a remi,
n%iscence of the war while Morton was
Governor of Indiana, and had acquired
a name of very unenviable notoriety
in the South. 1t was Just after the
disastrous second day S fight at Shiloh
and all the glory of Johnston's first
days fight had been lost by the timely
arrival of Buell.. In that fight it viii
be remembered that the late gallant
General Joel A. Battle had lost the
two noble sons who fought side by
side with him, and he himself was
taken prisoner. The peculiar situa.
ton of the old mar excited the keen
est sympathies Of every one. Under
the circumstances, he received from
the Federals every consideration Of
respect in their power. The boat on
which he was confined was anchored
in the middle of the Tennessee river,
and, though the other prisoners with
whom he was crowded were closely
guarded, he had the freedom Of the
boat and was furnished with a COM
Portable stateroom. After remaining
near the battle-ground a few days the
Boat moved down the river and up the
Ohio, landing the prisoners at Cincin-
natl. and thence they were taken to
Camp Morton.
A day or two after their arrival
Governor Morton paid the prison an
official visit. As soon as he came into
the Enclosure and saw the array of sor-
rowful prisoners he spoke a few words
to the commandant, who, leading the
way, brought him up and introduced
him to General Battle. When the
general saw them approaching, he nat
urally thought he would be insulted
or upbraided for being found in a com
pany of youngsters, and so stiffened
himself up to meet the governor in as
naughty a manner as possible. But
the thought was far from Morton's
mind, for, with the ffankness and
courteous bearing of a thorough gem
tleman, he came quickly up, lifted his
hat in the most respectful manner,
grasped the old general by the hand,
and with his first words broke down
all barriers of Southern pride; he as
sured him Of bis heartiest sympathy
in his great misfOrtunes-t0ld him he
had the pleasure of knowing one Of
his sons. who had attended the State
Institution at Oxford, Ohio, and as
sured him, foe as he was, he would be
happy, if it we're IN his power to re-
lease him Internationally. After some
very pleasant interchange Of senti-
ments, the governor, taking him
one side, drew out his pocket
book and said Colonel, allow me
to be your banker for the present"
and handed him a hundred-d0llar bill.
This the general politely refused, as
surfing him that he was we'll supplied
IN that respect, a friend is Louisville
having come aboard and pressed a
couple of hundred dollars upon him,
The governor then took his leave, beg.
ging him never, to hesitate to cal
upon him for any favor, and if need
be, 10 draw a draft on him at any
time, telling hin it should not be dis
honored. He did not content himself
with idle professions of service, for
during his short Imprisonment, he
sent many messages and tokens Of
friendship IN the shape of baskets Of
provisions, ETC., and it vas through
his influence that General Battle was
included in the earliest batch of ex-
changes. During his life he ever
spoke of Governor Morton in the
friendliest OF terms, and never failed
to do justice to his kindness Of heart.
The writer heard him on many coca.
siOns recount this adventure, and say
that no better or truer mar lived thar
Oliver P. Morton, whatever he might
soy or do in the heat of political de.
bate,