The Indianapolis journal., 1884-01-11
LEE AND GRANT.
Why the Former Served the COnfederacy
and the Latter the Union.
st. Louis Globe Democrat.


st. Louis Globe Democrat.
1t happens at last that authentic state
ment has been furnished of the reasons which
Gen.'Le himself gave for going into the con-
federate army instead of retaining his place in
the regular army of the United States This
information is supplied by ex-Adjudent-gener
e. D. Townsend, now on the retired list, man
whose word is not to be questioned, and who
speaks from personal knowledge, not from hear
say. In book on the war, which he has re
Gently published he gives the following account
of the final interview, which took place April 10,
1861 beween Gen. Lee, then colonel, wearing
the United States uniform and General Scott,
at the latter's request General Townsend being
present
General Scott-You are at present on leave of alb
Colonel Lee-Yes, General; 1 am staying with my
family at Arlington
General Scott-These are times when every officer
in the United States should fully determine what
course he will pursue and frankly declare it. No
one should continue in government employ without
being actively engaged. No response from Lee.
General Scott seeing evidently that Lee showed no
disposition to declare himself loyal or in doubt
i suppose you will go with the rest Ii you propose
to resign it is proper you should do so at once your
present attitude is an equiyocal one
Colonel Lee-General the property belonging to my
children all they possess lies in Virginia. They will be
ruined if they do not go with their State cannot
raise my hand against my children.
General Scott then sgnifed that he had nothing fur
ther to say and Colonel Lee withdrew The next day
April 20, 1861, he rendered his resignation, and it
was accepted the 25th.
On the very same day that this interview took
place in Washington, another conversation was
held at Galena ILL., between Hon e. b. Wash
burne and General Grant, then private citizen
engaged in the leather business. and called Cap
tain, because having served in that capacity
during the Mexican war. This Galena conver-
sation ran as follows:
Grant said: 'I left the army expecting never to
return. am seeker for position, but the country
which educated me, is in peril and man of
honor feel bound to offer my services for whatever
they worth"
Captain" replied Washburne, 1--WE need just such
men as you-men of military education and expe-
rience The Legislature meets next Tuesday IApIil
70, 1861 Several of us are going to Springfield
Come along; you will surely be wanted
Il guess you will have to get along without me
hereafter Grant said to his brothers.
-'Unce Sam educated me for the army. and though
have served through war, still indebted to
him. and now he is likely to want all the help he can
get.
Here then, we have side by side the words of
Lee and Grant, respectively, spoken on the same
day with regard to the influences which operat-
ed to determine the course which each pursued
in the momentous struggle then just begun.
Both men had been educated as soldiers at the
public expense, and they owed equal allie
glance to the flag of the country. The
one threw up his commission and went
with the South, according to his own admission.
to save his property. The other promptly aban-
doned his business and offered his services for
whatever they were worth to the government
which, being in distress, needed and was en-
titled to his help-and the first chance that
came, which was only q common clerkship in
the Adjutant generals Office of Illinois. found
him eiger to seize and make the most of it.
Which of the two proved himself TO be the man
of honor, stirred by high and unselfsh motives,
and mindful of the obligations that have to do
with patriotism gratitude, and general integrity
of character2 Not Lee certainly, taking his
own word for it; and his own word counts for a
good deal more than has been or can be said by
anybody else.