The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1884-01-31
ANECDOTES OF THE WAR.

ANECDOTES OF THE WAR.
Interesting Recollections Of Scott,
Lee, Lincoln and Stanton.
From the Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
Ex-Adjutant Gen. E. D. Townsend now
on the retired list, was one of 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-in- 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 War n
the United States" just published by
D. Appleton & Co., has many historical
as we'll as entertaining qualities. The
general writes these reccllections in a
quiet, pleasant vein, and with evident
close attention to facts. The
book is not made up of scraupy anec-
dotes, but is rather a recital ofimportant
state proceedings and events in Wash
ington, with incidents attending them
1t is hardly necessary TO say that Gen.
Townsend 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 fall of 1860 he was one c. party
ottwelve OF. fourteen who dined With
President Buchanan at the Soldiers
Home. Conversation turned On the
mr. ho hi 10 offho Gfofoo
Mr.. Buchanan said little until Massa-
chusetts was mentioned, when he re-
marked. with considerable warmth: 81
wish Massachusetts, would secede; she is
practically already out Of the Union by
her action in the fugitive slave
matter" Gen. Townsend does not
give much space to Buchanan, though
acknowledging his kindly social impulses
The unfinchIng loyalty and high. minded
patriotism of Gen. Winfield Scott were
perfectly we'll known to Gen. Townsend
who was on SCOTS staff until the veneer
able soldier was succeeded by Mcclellan
Gen. Townsend was present when Col.
Robt. E. Lee had his final interviewwith
Scott, April 19, 1861. Scott had written
to Lee that he wished to see him
When Lee came in writes Townsend),
l was alone in the room with Gen. Scott.
and the door to the aides room was
close. Iquietly arose, keeping my eye
on the general, for 1t seemed probable
he might wish to be alone with Lee.
He, however, secretly mentioned me
to keep my seat, and sat down with
out Lee having chance to notice that
had rizen. The Gener having invited
Lee to be seated, the following converse
ton, as nearly as can remember. took
place:
Gen. Scott. You are at present on
leave of absence, Col. Lee?
Col. Lee. Yes, General, am staying
with my family at Arlington.
Gen. Scott. These are times when
fully determine what course he will
pursue, and frankly declare it. No one
should continue in Government employ
without being actively engaged. No re-
spouse from Lee.
Gen. Scott [seeing evidently that Lee
showed no disposition to declare him
self loyal, or even in doubt. suppose
you will 60 with the rest. If you pur-
pose to resign, it is proper you should
do so at once: your present atti tude is
an equivocal one.
Col. Lee. General, the property be-
longing to my children, all they possess,
lies in Virginia. They will be ruined if
they do not 60 with their State. can
not raise my hand against nv children.
Gen. Scott then signifed that he had
nothing further to say, and Col. Lee
withdrew. The next day. April 20, 1861,
he rendered his resignation, and it was
accepted the 25th. Gen. Scott made no
remark upon the subject, but he was
evidently much grieved at thus parting
with a man of whom he had been just
ly proud, and for whom be had
cherished the highest personal regard.
1t was probably near the same day as
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. Thomas
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 said
30; do you wish to know on what au.
thority?" "Yes," said Lee. ''Well, on
the authority of Gen. Scoltw Lee mutt
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. "An old friend
of Mr.. Lincoln was conversing with the
when things looked very dark. On
taking his leave he asked the President
what he should say to their friend in
Kentucky what cheering news he could
give him. Mr.. Lincoln replied: "That
reminds me of man who prided him
self greatly on his game of chess, hav-
ing seldom been beaten. He heard of
a machine called the automaton chess
player, which was beating every one
who played against it. So he went to
try his skill with the machine. He lost
The first game, SO with the second and
the third. Then rising in establishment
from his seat, he walked around the
machine, and looked at il few minutes.
Then stopping and pointing at it he ex.
claimed. "Chere is q man in there"
Tell my friends" said Mr.. Lincoln,
drawing himself up 10 his full height,
"there is q man in there"
Gen. Townsend's "reminiscences Of
Secretary Stanton are quite extended.
The following are quotations.; "Mr.
s anton entered upon the duties of
Secretary of War witha due appreciation
of their difficulties and responsibilities.
He W beset by persons who had axes
to ghnd, and some of them we're not
as to the means of gaining
their end. He found that a determined
will would often alone enable him to
surmount obstacles in the way of the
public service. This, added to the nerv-
GUS irritability which infallibly attends
overwork, sometimes made him arbit-
rary and offensive in his manners. But
/ always found him ready to make
amends when in the wrong-if not direct
" by apology, yet by some exceedingly
kind act which more than atoned for
his hasty words. He confirmed this inn
preston when about to take final leave
OF the War Department by saying to
me that the only regret he felt in sever
ing official relations with the officers
who, under his administration of the
War Department., had SO faithfully and