Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-04-18
GENERAL GRANTS FAITH.
How TIE K,p, u to General Lee asd HIS
Ohlrers.

oerat. Professor Mccullough was con-
nected with the United States Mint be-
fore the war. attached to the Coniede-
rate States Nitre and Mining Bureau du-
ring the war, and after the war held a
professorship in Washington College,
now Washington and Lee University.
Immediately after the surrender he was
arrested by order Of Secretary Stanton
and subjected to the bi;terest persecu-
ton:
The present is, perhaps, the fit mo-
ment to make public the following
statement: In the year 1867 the under
signed spent an evening with the late
John W. Garrett, ESQ.,, then president
of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad,
who made to him the following commu-
nication:
After the assassination of Mr.. Lin
coin the Cabinet met in the Treasury
Department and passed resolution to
arrest and try, by military commission,
the leading men Of the Confederscy,
beginning with such as Messrs. Davis,
General II. Z. Lee. and others, and
meaning thereby to strike terror into
the hearts of the southern people, sus-
picion Of completely in that crime be-
ing the ground for such intended trials.
They concluded that to carry their
resolution into effect General Grant
must give the requisite orders. Tired
Of war, he was seeking repose on the
banks Of the Delaware. He was, there
fore, telegraphed to come Immediately
to Washington, and the railroads were
ordered to bring him without detention.
Mr.. Garrett was at the moment in
Washington, and was instructed by Mr..
Stanton to go forthwith to Baltimore,
in a single express-car, there to meet
General Grant and bring him to Wash
ington as quickly as possible. He was
also told by Mr.. Stanton to inform
General Grant Of the resolution passed
which he was expected to execute, and
that the Cabinet would be in permanent
session until his arrival.
When the message was delivered in
the car General Grant said:
"These gentlemen do not reflect that
such action would be stain upon the
escutcheon of this nation which could
never be wiped out. The assassination
seems to have unsettled their wits.
Tell me that such men as General Lee
and Mr.. Davis had anything to do with
murder, gentlemen whom | have
known and esteemed for years, and who
are incapable of crime {. AS well sus-
pect myself"
The response was: "Well, General,
the Cabinet are waiting only for you to
give the orders and you will go into
their meeting as soon as you get there.
| hope when you do that you will speak
to them just as you have now done to
me-"
Then came the noble reply " shall
90 further, Mr.. Garrett. | shall tell
them they must first take my sword
from me-"
Upon their arrival General Grant
went directly into Cabinet meeting and
Mr.. Garrett remained in the corridor.
After some time the Postmaster-Gen-
eral came out. Approaching him, Mr..
into that which is confidential or secret,
but you know the message with which
| was charged. When | delivered it,
General Grant said he would tell you
gentlemen that you must first take his
sword from him." The answer was :
4" He has done that very thing, Mr..
Garrett"
To which the response was: "That
is all | wish to know. Please tell Mr..
Stanton he will find me at his house
when your meeting is over. lie told
me he desired to see me on railroad
business, and shall go there and talk
with Mrs. Stanton until his return"
When Mr.. Stanton went home he con-
firmed what his colleague had said, and
gave Dir. Garrett the information that
what took place in the Cabinet was
substantially the equivalent of what had
occurred and been said in the car.
When this statement was made to
me, in 1867, by Mr.. Garrett, | was as
sociated in Washington College, at Lex
ington, Va, with General K. +. Lee,
and upon my return from Baltimore |
repeated it to him, remarking that it
might be news to him. He admitted
that it was, but instantly said - can
add to it for YOU" And then he told
me that one Of his kinsmen,
hearing a rumor that military tri-
ais and executions were contem-
plated, and, apprehending trouble, went
to Washington, and was then making
inquiry; learning which General Grant
sent for him and said " PLEASE 90 to
General Lee from me and tell him to
have no fears that the Government
must respect what the army has done (;
and that not an officer or private to
whom terms of surrender and parole
have been conceded shall be disturbed. "
1t was long hoped by the under
signed that publicity would be given to
the above facts by Mr.. Garrett himself.
But now that his death precludes the
possibility Of such testimony, they are
hereby made known as told to me, and
as doubtless they have been also CON-
xo,n;ootaI hy NJ Carratt 10 othar, "A