The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1885-04-15
Because he Hanged Twenty
Ocserters Below kinston.

Dcserters Below ktnston.
immediately after the surreudeg Il
APPROXIMATION Information reached Major
General George e Pickett, Of Virginia,
that Governor Holden, OF North Carroll
ma. was about to make q requsitiou FOR
him as a fugitive from justice, - answer
charges Of the murder Of eight Nerth
Carolinians by execution IN the neigh
borhood OF Newberne. Ia that State.
These North Caroliuiaus were conieder-
ate deserters captured in the federalism
vice who had been tried by court martial
and summary shot for desertion.
General Pickett, fearing tie power
of Holden and knowing his influence
with President Johnson and Secretary
Stanton, took the train for Washington
in order TO lay tie matter before General
Grant, as commauder-in-chlef OF the
United States army. Pickett was very
naturally nervous and suspicious as u
the result OF his visit, not knowing what
course Gen. Giant would pursue in the
matter. He Immediately called. how
ever, on Adjutant General Rawlings
Grant being absent at the tIme-aui
stated his case. Rawlings advised HIM
TO call early the next morning. 1t was
a long and anxious night ior Pickett.
The next morning he took his place
promptly among the crowd Of visitors al
army headquarters TO await the arrival
Of General Grant. 1t was 4 long time
before he came, but at length a commo-
ton on the stairway Indicated the ap-
proach of some one IN authority. Ii
was Grant-army hat and cigar. Pickett
was on the landing Of the stairway, and
as Grant was about 10 pass he halted,
and recognizing Pickett. said, extending
his hand, How are you, Pickett:"
They shook hands cordially and viSor-
ously. 1t was the fret time they had
met since 1915 on N~aucouyer's Island,
and Pickett, when alterward relating his
experience. said that he Immediately
felt much easier.
when it came Pickett's turn TO 90 in
Grant asked, Rawlings, what j. IL that
Pickett wants. Rawlings at nee briefly
related the case, when Grant promptly
and with marked emphasis said: "ltawi-
logs, give him full protection Then
turning to ri, kett, he said: Pickett.
come around and see me. | am busy
now and can't talk much Pickett
thanked the general and returned 10 his
family at Richmond, feeling a much
happier man than when he started.
Nothing more was heard of lIolden's
demand for Pickett. "--uaj. Chds.
Nc comm of Eichmoad, IN a letter To NelC
York Herail.
This is another of those silly stories
about the war which are daily cropping
out in the Yankee papers. y tell-tie-
gram was sen sl over the land last
week telling the tale Of an ,'old soldier"
LAT present a butcher) who swears he
saw Grant, and Lee meet under a ''sour
| apple tree" and that Lee with tears in
his eyes handed Grant his sword, etc,
etc. 1t is shameful that such lies should
be printed and e-printed III the face Of
the well known fact that not a single
sword III the whole Confederate army
was surrendered. 1t was a part OF the
terms of capitulation that all officers
should retain their side arms. Gen.
Lee would not have accepted any terms
which required personal humiliation ;
and his troops would have cuttheir way
out if they had not been promised an
honorable "PAROLE,'' and all proper
treatment.
As for the story about Gen. Pickett,
we doubt it thoroughly. We served I'M
der him from beginning to end OF the
war and have no idea he feared arrest.
And we have no idea Gov. Holden ask
ed for his arrest. Holden was III Wash
inOtOn shortly after the war and heard
Grant put do WI his foot like a rock on
the proposal of Andy Johnston, Tbad
Stevens, Charles Sumner. and the black
hearted Abolition leaders, 10 arrest
Gen. Lee, Gen. Tombs, and other
Southern leaders, to be tried for treason.
1T shall not be done ,''-hc cried.
''Ihese men surrendered to me a. prjs
oners of war, and they have my Parole
of Honor to 90 unmolested until duly
exchanged! And will protect them y