The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-13
A MAN OF HIS WORD.

How the Hero, General Grant, Saved the
Neck of General II. e. Lee.
New York Special to Philadelphia Times
The war was over General Lee and his half
starved confeierates had returned to their desc
lated homes on their parole Of honor The vic
torious Northern and Western armies, under
command of Grant and Sherman, were en-
camped in and around Washington City Jeffer-
son Davis was an inmate of casemats ia Fort
ress Monroe, and Edwin NJ. Stanton was the
power behind the throne who ran the govern
ment while Secretary of War
Generals Grant and Rawlins were playing a
game of billiards in the National Hotel, and two
civilians were indulging in that pastime on an
opposite table A major in the regular army
entered the spacious room in hurry and whis-
pered TO General Grant The latter laid his cue
on the table, saying: "RawlinS. don't disturb
the balls until | return" and hurried out. One
of the civilians said to the other PAY for the
game and hurry out. There is something up.
General Grant had reached the street, whore,
in front of the hotel, stood mounted sentinel.
Grant ordered the soldier to dismount and,
sprlnging into the saddle, put spurs to the horse
and rode up the avenue so fast as to attract the
attention of pedestrians. The first cyllianq ques-
toned the soldier as to the cause of such sudden
haste on the part of General Grant but was an
swered with the surprise OF one who knew moth
ing The second citizen appeared saying, What
has become of Grant,
On being told of the Generals break neck ride
up Pennsylvania avenue it was decided to go TO
the War Department and learn the cause, if
possible. Colonel Barrol of the Second Regular
Infantry, and husband of Sue Denim the actress,
was disbursing officer in the quartermasters
department, presided over by General Rucker,
and to the Colonel one of the civilians went for
information Asking him if he knew the reason
re- HAxx 1ah lad
seen the hero of the hour around the depart
ment, Colonel Barroll answered Yes" but was
surprised at anybodys knowledge of the event.
When told of what transpired in the billiard
room OF the National Hotel, the Colonel said:
s'Well as you are aware of the coming of Gen.
Grant, will tell you all about it, providing you
promise not to repeat it"
The promise being given, Colonel Barroli said:
Secretary Stanton sent for me in reference to
the execution of certain orders, and while list
enng to his instructions General Grant came in.
The Secretary greeted the General with pleas
ant good morning which the latter returned,
and in continuation said: Mr.. Secretary, un-
derstand that you have issued orders for the ar
rest of General Lee sand others, and | desire to
know if such orders have been placed in the
hands of any officer for execution
s'T have issued writs for the arrest Of all the
prominent rebels and officers will be dispatched
on the mission pretty soon,' replied the Secre-
tory.
General Grant appeared cool, though laboring
under mental excitement, and quickly said:
"'Mr Secretary, when General Lee surrendered
to me at Appomattox Courthouse I gave him
my word and honor that neither he nor any of
his followers would be disturbed SO long as they
obeyed their parole of honor. / have learned
nothing to cause me to believe that any of my
late adversares have broken their promises, and
have come here to make you aware of that fact,
and would also suggest that those orders be can
celed
Secretary Stanton became terribly angry at
being spoken to in such manner By his inferior
officer and said:
/" General Grant, are you aware whom you are
talking tot am the Secretary of War,
"Quick as fash Grant answered back. AND
am General Grant. Issue those orders at your
peril Then turning on his heel General Grant
walked out of the room unconcerned as if
nothing had happened.
1T is needless to say" continued Colonel
Barroll, "that neither General Lee nor any of
his soldiers were arrested. | was dismissed from
the presence of the Secretary with the remark
that nay services in connection with the arrest
of the leading rebels would be dispensed with
until he took time to consider, and now await
the result of his decision"
Like some cases in law that decision of the
great War Secretary was reserved for all tims
but whether the game of billiards between Gen
erals Grant and Rawlins was ever played out to
an end has never been definitely known, though
it was surmsed that with the aid of a consoling
cigar the game was finished.