News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1885-05-14
HOW GRANT SAVED LEE,
HIS GREAT 1TAGNANIMITY AT THE
CLOSE OF THE WAR.
ne heeps his Word of Honor, and Prevents
stanton from Ordering nn Arrest.

An interesting story of Gen. Grants
magnanimity at the close of the war.
and his keen sense of honor. comes from
New York correspondent. The war
was over. Gen. Lee and his half star sed
Confederates had returned to their desc.
late homes On their parole of honor.
Inc victorious armies, under Grant and
sherman, were encamped in and around
Washington and JEFF Davis was in Fort.
! ress Monroe.
Gems. Grant and Rawlins were play
ing game of billiards in the National
Hotel and two civilians were indulging
in that pastime on an opposite table.
A major entered the room in hurry
and whispered to Grant. The latter
laid his cue on the table, saying: "Raw-
Inns, don't disturb the balls until re-
turn" and hurried out. One of the
civilians said to the other: s'Pay for the
game and hurry out. There's something
up"
In front of the hotel stood mounted
sentinel. Grant ordered the soldier to
dismount, and springing into the saddle
rode up the avenue so fast as to attract
attention. The first civilian questioned
the soldier as to the cause but was an
swered with the surprise of one who
knew nothing. On being told OF the
Generals breakneck ride it was decided
to go to the War Department and learn
the cause, if possible. Col. Barrou, of
the Second Regular Infantry, was dis
bursting officer in the Quartermaster's
Department, and to the Colonel one of
the civilians went for information. Ask
ing him if he knew the reason of Gen.
Grants hasty action and if he had seen
the hero of the hour around the Depart
ment. Col. Barroll answered, "Yes.'
but was surprised at anybody's knowl-
edge of the event. When told of what
transpired, the Col. said: "Well, as you
are aware of the coming of Gen. Grant
I will tell you all about it, providing you
promise not to repeat it.
Secretary Stanton sent for me in
reference to the execution of certain
orders, and while listening to his in
structions Gen. Grant came in. The
Secretary greeted the General with
pleasant Good morning. which the
latter returned and said: Mr.. Secretary.
understand that you have issued orders
for Gen. Lee and others, and desire to
know if such orders have been placed in
the hands of any officer for execution
"T have issued orders for the arrest
of all the prominent rebels, and officers
will be dispatched on the mission soon,'
replied the Secretary.
"Gen. Grant appeared cool, though
under mental excitement, and
quickly said:
"sMr. Secretary, when Gen. Lee sur
rendered to me at Appomattox I gave
hin, INV word and honor that neither he
nor any of his followers would be dis.
turbed so long as they obeyed their
parole of honor. have learned nothing
to cause me to believe that any of my
late adversaries have broken their prom
lSSS, duu udfO uoI0 u uldk6 you
aware of that fact and would also sug-
gest that those orders be cancelled
Secretary Stanton became terribly
angry, and said:
"'Gen. Grant, are you aware whom
you are taking to? am the Secretary
of War
"Quick as a flash Grant answered |
back: And I am Gen. Grant. Issue
those orders at your peril Then turn
ing on his heel Grant walked out as un-
concerned as if nothing had happened. |
cit is needless to say" continued Col.
Barroll, "that neither Lee nor any of |
his soldiers were arrested. I was dis |
missed from the presence of the Secre-
tary with the remark that my services |
in connection with the arrest of the |
leading rebels would be dispensed with |
until he took time to consider, and ! |
now wait the result of his decision"
Like some cases in law the decision of |
the great War Secretary was reserved |
for all time, but whether the game of
billiards was ever played to an end has
never been definitely known.