The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-02-01
ANECDOTES OF THE WAR.
Interesting Recollections Of Scott.
Lce, Lnncoln and Stanton.

from tne Cincinnati COMM sfclal Gazette.
Ex-Adjutant Gen. E. D. Townsend now
On the retired list; was one IF the most
active and trusted officers at Washing.
ton during the war. His position placed
him in almost daily contact with the
president, the general chief, when in
Washington, and the secretary of war,
and he saw how the rulers of the coun.
try labored with weighty problems be.
fore reaching official decisions. His new
book, Anecdotes Of the Civil Warin
the United States," just published by
v. Appleton d Co., has manv historical
as well as entertaining qualities. The
general writes these recollections in a
quiet, pleasant vein, and with evident
close attention to facts. The
book is not made up of scrappy anea-
dotes, but is rather recital ofinportant
state proceedings and events in WASH
ington, with incidents attending them.
II is hardly necessary 10 say that Gen.
!ownsend does not violate any conf.
dences. He has many Interesting things
TO say Of buchanan. Lincoln, Scott, Nc.
Clellan, Halleck. Stanton and scores OF
others prominent in the war.
In IL 9 fall of 1861 he was one G. 4 party
q twelve or fourteen who dined .llll
President Buchanan Mt the Soldiers
Home. Conversation turned ON tile
probable secession ofthe Southern States
Mr.. Buchanan said little until Massa.
chusetts was mentioned, when lie re.
marked. with considerable warmth: 81
wish Massachusetts would secede; she is
practically already out of tho Union by
her action in the fugitive slave
matter" Gan. Townsend does not
give much space to Buchanan, though
acknowledging his kindly social impulses
The untlinching loyalty and hig h. minded
patriotism of Gen. Winfield Scott were
perfectly well known to Gen. Townsend
who was on SCOTS staff until The vener.
able soldier was succeeded by Mcclellan
Gen. Townsend was present when Col
Robt. +. Lee had his final interviewwitll
Scott, April 10, 1861. Scott had written
to Lee thst he wished to see him
When Lee came in writes Townsend),
I was alone in the rom with Gen. Scott,
and the door to the aides room was
close. Iquiotly arose, keeping my eye
on the general, for it seemed probable
he might wish to be alone with Lee
He. however, secretly montiohed me
to keep my seat, and sat down With.
out Lee having a chance to notice that
had rizen. The Gener having invited
Lee to be seated, the following conyersa
ton, as nearly as I can remember. took
place:
Gen. Scot You are at present on
leave Of absence, Col. Lee?
Col. Lee. Yes, General, l am stavinp
uvifh ,ox, fossos1s, of r1;ruk1
"S GEN. scott. % These II asns,o1i aTe times when
fully determine what course he will
pursue, and frankly declare 1t. No one
should continue in Government employ
without being actively engaged. mo re-
sp0nse from Lee.1
Gen. Scott Iseeing evidently that lee
showed no disposition to declare him
self loyal, or even in doubt. suppose
you will 20 with the rest. If you pur-
pose to resign, it is proper you should
de 90 at once; your present attitude il
an equivocal one.
Col. Lee. General, the property be.
longing to my children, all they possess,
lies in Virginia. They will be ruined il
they do not go with their State. Gun
not raise my hand against nv children
Gen. Scott then signified that he he'd
nothing further to say, and Col. Lee
withdrew. The next day, April 90, 1861,
he rendered his resignation, and it was
accepted the 25th. Gen. Scott made nc
remark upon the subject, but he was
evidently much grieved ut thus parting
with . man of whom he had been just
ly proud, and for whom he had
cherished the highest personal regard
Il was probably near the same day az
the interview with Gen. Scott, that the
following incident, related to me by the
late Col. Shiras, occurred. Shiras was
in the Office of Adjt. Gen. L. Thomat
when Col. Lee came in there. Standing
on the side of the table opposite where
Thomas was sitting, Lee said: "Gen
Thomas, | am told you have said was
Q traitor" Thomas arose and looking
him in the eye, replied: II have sale
80; do You wish to know on what au
thorityp "Yes," said Lee. "Well, or
the authority of Gen. Scottw Lee nut.
tered, "There must be some mistake,
and left the room.
Gen. Townsend saw much Of Mr..
Lincoln, and gives q number of the
pointed stories used as illustrations
by the war President. can old friend
Of Mr.. Lincoln was conversing with the
President at time during the wal
when things looked very dark. Or
taking his leave he asked the President
what he should say to their friend 8 in
Kentucky what cheering news he coulC
give him. Mr.. Lincoln replied: "Tha
reminds me of man who prided him
self greatly ON his game of chess, hav.
ing seldom been beaten. He heard OF
Q machine called the automaton chess
player, which was beating every one
who played against it. So he went Ia
try his skill with the machine. He lost
the first game. 30 with the second and
the third. Then rising in astonishmenl
from his seat, he walked around the
machine, and looked at it few minutes
Then stopping and pointing at it he ex
claimed. "There is man in there
Tell my friends" said Mr.. Lincoln
drawing himself up 10 his full height
"thsre Is man In there"
Gen. .Townsend's "reminiscences o
Secretaty Stanton are quite extended.
The following are quotations.; "Mr
Stanton entered upon the duties of
Secretary of War with o due appreciation
of their difficulties and responsibilities
He WIS beset by persons who had saxel
to grind and some of them were no
scrupluous % to the means Of gaininl
their end. He found that . determined
will would often alone enable him t,
surmount obstacles in the way of tn,
public service. This, added to the nerv
ous irritability which infallibly attend
overwork, sometimes made him arbit
rary and offensive in his manners. Blu
] always found him ready to make
amends when in the wrong-if not direct
ly by apology, yet by some exceedingly
Kind sct which more than atoned 70
his hasty words. He confirmed this im
preston when about to take final leav
Of the War Department by saying I
me that the only regret he felt in sever
who, under his administration Of th