The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-24
MEMORIES OF WAR TIMES.
An Old Mans Trip to Washington to Get
His Daughter 0utofthe Army Lines.
Obtaining Pass to Fortress Monroe-HOw
President Lincoln Got Around Possible
Trouble with Secretary Stanton.
j. F. Harvey. in Ladoga und.) Leader.

j. F. Harvey, in Ladoga Qnd.) Leader.
By reference to my pocket memorandum
find that on the Goth day of March, 1862, was
in Washington City. The occasion of my visit
was that Miss Martha Harris, daughter of Hon.
Thomas e. Harris, of our county. had, in the
autumn of 1860, gone on visit to some of her
near relatives IN Bedford county, Va, expecting
to remain with them year and return home In
the meantime the war had broken OUT the bat
tie of Manassas had been fought with many
o5her lesser engagements in Virginia.
Miss Harris put off her return
homo from time to time, expecting the
the fall of 1861, when all public conveyance be-
tween the bellgerent countries, North and
South, was effectuatly stopped, by orders from
both parties. In the latter part of the succeed
ing winter, communication was opened between
Fortress Monroe and the rebel forces at Nor
folk. By this means, mails and passengers,
under the surveillance of both parties, were per-
mitted to pass the lines. Mr.. Harris had pro-
cured my services as old friend, to go TO
Fortress Monroe and make arrangements, if
possible, by which his daughter might
return home. So it was on the morning
of the day named that I started from my hotel
for the office of the Secretary of War to procure,
it possible, the necessary pass to Fortress Mon
roe. felt well supported in the enterprise by
the company of the two senators from State,
the Hon. Henry S. Lane, who was citizen of
our county, and Hon. j. A Wright, formerly
Governor of the State; still felt nervous and
oppressed not with the magnitude, but with the
49, o:o1x
when we reached the department, entered the
hustle and stir around it, and realized that the
country and the officials wished to see were en-
gagged in the turmoil of terrible war. We found
Mr.. Stanton, then in the zenith of his power. in
his Office, with his secretary by his side, giving
aud fence in their turn to the persons who de-
sired conference. The first who approached was
man, who, for some very plausible reasons,
wished for pass through the lines TO Rich
mond. "Well, sir" said Mr.. Stanton, very
dryly, 1--WE have more than 150,0O0men now try
ing their utmost to get to that place, and as
soon as General Mcclellan and his army get
there you shall have permission to go, but not
now" The next was colonel in full regimentals,
who addressed the Secretary in reference to some
matters pertaining to his regiment "What are
you doing here2" said Mr.. Stanton, looking
fercely at him. "A week ago ordered all Off
GERS to join their regiments, and here you are,
lettering around hotels drawing your pay foe
services you do not give! Your business will be
attended to, and If you are not with your regl
ment to morrow | will have you cashiered at
once" The pompous officer of few moments
before skunk away, confused and crestfalen.
My turn came next, and would have been re-
lieyed if Senator Lane would have stated my
case for me- but. after briefintroduction he left
me to my fate | stated my business briefly,
but with a feeling that its insgnfcance
would excite the contempt of the man who was
charged with the execution of a war that in
volved the issues of the age. To my surprise,
the Secretary, with pleasant smile, said, in
the blandest tone, if it was consistent with the
public service, it would give him great pleasure
to comply with so reasonable request, but that
he had issued positive orders that no civilian be
permitted at Fortress Monroe until the army
. should leave there on its march TO Richmond,
ard that the events then Transporting were too
great to suspend any rules on account of private
inconvenience. The unexpected suavity of the
Secretary encouraged me to say that while fully
appreciated the magnitude of the occasion,
might it not be good policy in the government,
while it called npon the people for such enormous
sacrifices of blood and treasure to sustain its in
tegrity; to show its supporters that even in a
great emergency it had tender regard for the
rights and even the welfare of the humblest
citizen. well" said he, musngy, 81 admit
there is much point in your argumen Nut the
good of the few must be subordh 20 the
paramount interests of the many. life of
the nation is at stake, and our o. les to
private individuals must be suspended for
more important matters Though somewhat
discounted, we retreated in good order As we
returned toward the Capt toll, we passed just in
front of the White House, and, when just oppo-
site, Senator Wright said: Lane let's 20 in
and see Old Abe;' maybe he will give us pass
to Fortress Monroe" Certainly" said Lane.
III, don't you want to call on the President?' /
assured him l should like very much to shake
hands with him. After waiting short time in
the ante room, we were conducted into his pres
ence. His portraits well delineate his features,
so that you would not fail to recognize him at
once; but the peculiar expression on his counte-
nance no picture has ever given. A shadow of
unconscious sadness rested upon his face in re-
pose, broken often by CLEANS of humor that broke
through the melancholy mist like sunshine
through the riffs of somber clouds. He arose to
greet my companions by kind of spasmodic
mental exertiOn, and shook hands in a demon
strative kind of way, that left no doubt but that
you were in contact with man who would
make an indelible impression upon you. Mr..
Lincoln seemed wearied and re-worn, yet no
remark indicated any trouble or anxiety in his
mind. There was none of the dignified austerity
of Stanton-nothing to indicate that his mind
was laboring with the most terrible problem
that ever agitated the mind of an American
He was easy and chatty, as though he was
in his law Office attending to
the occasional calls of his clients
A member of Congress, with his
friend was already Interviewing him. 1t APP
peared that the friend was lieutenant in the
army, had been court martialed and dismissed
from the service. Afterward upon another
trial, the decision was reversed but in the mean
time the officer below him had been promoted to
his place. and now he waited the President to
provide remedy in the dilemma. ''Well," said
Mr. Lincoln, in his high key of voice, II don't
see what l can do for your friend. He was
moved out of his place, and another man is
rightfuliy there If there is one horse in the
stall, l can't put another in the same place. He
will have to go out and hunt him another posi-
ton. / have not time to go and recruit a com
pany for him." "Oh no. said the embar-
rassed NJ c., "but | thought you might give
him an assurance of position when vacancy
occurs" Certainly" said Mr.. Lincoln, Let
him recruit company, and he shall have COM
mission; that is all I can do" then stated my
case with request for pass to Fortress Mon
roe, then the seat of war. Well said Mr.
Lincoln, with much sympathy, Il should like