Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-12-26
Gen. Lee on Gen. Grant.
HOW THE CONQUERED GENERAL REGAR-
DED THE CONQUERING GENERAL

HOW THE CONQUERED GENERAL REGAR-
DED THE CoNQUER1NG GENERAL
One day last week, Col. j. Stoddard
Johnston, Of Kentucky, gave the following
account of his interview with Gen. Lee
Immediately after the war:
II had been parOled,'' said Colonel
Johnston, sat Greensbor0ugh, N. e., III
Joe Johnston's surrender, on the LIST OF
May, 1865, and shortly after reached Rich
mond, proposing to return to Kentucky.
In consequence of an opinion just issued
by the Attorney General of the United
States to the effect that Kentuckians IN
the Confederate Army had expatriated
themse and could not, therefore, avail
themselves of the terms of Gen. Lees sur
render authorizing Confederate soldiers to
return to their homes unless they took the
oath, and being unwilling to accept these
Conditions, in company with large number
of others, remained in Richmond fort
night until this opinion was withdrawn
and we were permitted to return under
our paroles At that time Gen. Lee was
at his private house. General Halleck,
who was in command of the city, had is
sued stringent orders requiring all persons
to take the oath as condition of carrying
on business or receiving the protection OF
laws. There was very uneasy feeling
among the Confederate soldiers and officers
then in Richmond lest they would be treat
ed with rigor, especially as reports were
current that Gen. Lee was to be arrested
and imprisoned. Projects for emigration
to Mexico, Brazil and other foreign parts
were discussed, but finally it was conclu-
ded that we should consult with Gen. Lee
as to our probable fate and what was best
to be done. At an informal meeting
Nat <,lc ofU vs,,sn nd rnVy Nynr
appointed committee to wait on Ge neral
Lee for this purpose. We both knew him
and were cordially received. Upon sta
ting the object of our visit Gen. Lee re-
piled very impressively that our condition
and the condition Of the whole South was
very deplorable. BY the terms Of General
Halleck's order we were left without the
protection of law while the South was a
ruin, her people impoverished and the
youth of our country growing up without
education. That he had but one convic-
tion, which was that whatever fate might
be in store for us, we who had been lead
abandon our people, but should share
their fate. We should remain with them,
seek to build up the waste places, alleviate
their troubles and educate the youth. LAS
to my own fate" said he, II know not
what is in store for me. l believe the
politicians at Washington are bent on the
| most extreme measures, and ii they have
their way will stop at no humiliation they
can heap on me-. My soul reliance is in
Gen. Grant. have faith in his honor and
his integrity as soldier, and do not be-
lieve that he will permit the terms Of my
surrender OF the parole given me to be vio-
laJed." The sequel showed that Gen.
Lee was correct in his estimate of Gen.
Grants character. Stanton had intended
| to arrest aud imprison him, when Gen.
Grant interposed and prevented it. de-
handing that the terms Of the surrender
should be strictly complied with, and de-
claring that if Gen. Lee was molested he
would break his sword. Knowing this as
historical fact, although opposed in the
past, and expecting to be in the future, to
Gen. Grant, politically, have Away felt
| tnat he was entitled to the gratitude OF
the Confederate soldiers tor this act."-
Philadelphia Times.