National Republican., 1879-08-04
A WAR REMINISCENCE.
How Governor Morton Greeted the Captured
Joel a. Battle.

joel a. Battle.
Nashville (Tenn) Banner.l
The complimentary mention of Morto MS
name by Senator Thurman the other day
brought to our mind a reminiscence of the war
while Morton was Governor of Indiana, and
had acquired name of very unenyiable
notoriety in the South II was Just after tho
disastrous second days 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 IL will be remembered that the lato
gallant General Joel a. Battle had lost tho two
noble sons who fought side by side with him,
and he himself was taken prisoner. Tho
peculiar situation of tho old man excited tho
keenest sympathies of every one Under tho
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 ho
was crowded were closely guarded, ho had the
freedom of tho boat and was furnished with q
comfortable stateroom. After remaining near
the battle-ground few days the boat moved
down the river and up the Ohio, landing tho
prisoners at Cincinnati, 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 ho came into the inclosure and saw the
array of sorrowful prisoners, he spoke few
words 10 the commandant, who, leading tho
way, brought him uD and introduced him TO
General Battle. When the General saw them
approaching he naturally thought he would be
insultcd or upbraided for being found in COM
pany OF youngsters, and so stiflened himself up
to meet the Governor in as naughty a manner
as possible. But tho thought was far from Nor
tons mind, for, with the fraukness and courte-
Gus bearing of thorough gentleman, he came
quickly up, lifted his hat in the most respectful
manner, grasycd the old General by the hand
and with his first words, broke down all the
barriers of Southern pride he assured him OF
his heartiest sympathy in his great misfortune
told him lie had the pleasure of knowing ono
of his sons who had attended the State Institu-
tion at Oxford, Ohio, and assured him, foe as ho
was, he would be most happy, if it wero In
his power, to release him unconditionally.
After moro very pleasant Interchange of sen-
timents the Governor, taking him one sido,
drew ont his pocketboOk and said Colonel,
allow mo to be your banker for the present."
and handed him u hundreddolar bill. This
the General politely refused, assuring him no
was well supplied in that respect, friend in
Louisville having como aboard and pressed
couple Of hundred dollars upon him. The
Governor then took his leave, begging him
never to hesitate to call upon him for any favor.
and if need be, to draw draft on him ut auy
time, telling him it should not be dishonorcd.
He did not contend himself with idle profess
sions of service, for during his short imprison-
ment he sent many messages and tokens of
friendship in the shape of baskets of provi-
sions, &c. and it was through his influence
that General Battle was included in the ear
liest batch of exchanges. During his life he
never spoke of Governor Morton but in tho
friendliest of terms, and never failed to do
justice to his kindness of heart. The writer
heard him on many occasions recount this ad-
venture, and says that 10 better or trucr man
lived than Oliver p. Morton, whatever he
might say or do in the heat of political debate.