The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-04-23
NO. a
Grant and Lee.


Phi ladelphia Times furnishes that paper
with the following The story as told diff
fers only in the terms Of the recital from
what has been often reported of the action
of Gen. Grant when the order for the ar
rest of Gen. Lee was made known. The
people of Virginia had heard 1.-THE
people of the South had heard it-yet for
partizan reasons, they deemed it expedient
tooverloOk themagnanimous conduct of the
great victor towards the great yanquished,
and apply to him all the foul names that
the English vocabulary would furnish At
ter many stirring political contests the
calm has come, and with it reason has re-
turned, to direct public thought and ex-
preston III channels of justice and fair
ness. Fierce denunciation and bitter an
tagonism have spent their force, at least
so far as Gen. Grant is concerned, and
the conspicuous wrong done him is appa-
rent to all rejecting minds. But the les
son to be drawn.from the loose rein given
to passion, because Of political differences,
ought not to be lost. 1t should teach toll
erance among men-Tebuke unreaSoning
prejudice andi impress the conviction that
divergent views on public questions, should
be no cause for personal defamation. True
| to his record-true to himself, it follows
that he could not be false to another.
and nothing could more prominently illus
trate this than the incident given below
The war was over. Gen. Lee and his half
starved Confederates had returned to their
desOlate homes on their parole of honor
The victorious Northern and Western
armies, under command Of Grant and
Sherman were encamped in and around
Washington city Jefferson Davis was an
inmate Of easement in Fortress Monroe
and Edwin NJ. Stanton was the power be-
hind the throne who ran the government
while Secretary of War.
Gems. Grant and Rawlins were playing
game of billiards in the National Hotel and
two civilians were INDUCING in that past
time on an opposite table. A major in the
regular army entered the spacious room in
a hurry and whispered to Gen. Grant. The
latter laid his cue on the table, saying
'Rawlins, dom disturb the balls until l
return. " and hurried out. One of the civ
ilians said to the other: 'Pay for the
game and hurry out. There is something
up
Gen. Grant had reached the street, where
in front of the hotel, stood a mounted
sentinel. Grant ordered the soldier to dis
mount and springing in the saddle put
fOf hn nd 10 fba
so fast as to attract the attention of pedes-
TRANS. The first civilian questioned the
soldier as to the cause fsuch sudden haste
on the part Of Gen. Grant, but was an
swered with the surprise Of one who knew
nothing. The second citizen appeared say
ing, ''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. Col. Barroll
OF the Second Regular Infantry and hus-
band of Sue Denim, the actress, was dis
burs ing officer in the quartermaster' de
partment, presided over by Gen. Rucker,
and to the Colonel one of the civilians
went for information. Asking him if he
knew the reason of Gen. Grants haSty ae-
ton and if he had seen the hero of the
hour around the departments, Col Barrol
answered. Yes but was surprised at
anybOdy's knowledge of the event. When
told of what TRANSFERRED in the billiard room
of the Natiotal Hotel, the colonel said:
'Well, as you aware of the coming OF
Gen. Grant L will tell you all about it,
providing that you promise rot to re-
peat it..
The promise being given, Col. Barroll
said Secretary Stanton sent for me in ref
erence to the execution Of certain orders.
and while listening to his instructions
Gen. Grant came in. The Secretary
greeted the General with pleasant Good
morning. which the latter returned and
in continuation said Mr.. Secretary. |
understand that you have issued orders
for the arrest of Gen. Lee and desire to
know if such orders have been placed in
the hands of officers for execution
81 have issued writs for the arrest of
all the prominent rebels, and officers will
be disqualification the mission pretty soon,'
replied the Secretary.
General Grant appeared cool, though
laboring under mental excitement, and
quickly said
Mr.. Secretary, when Gen. Lee surren-
dered to me at Appomattox Court House,
gave him my 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 adyer
saries have broken their promises, and
have come here to make you aware Of that
fact and would also suggest that these or
ders be cancelled"
Secretary Stanton became terribly angry
at being spoken to in sucha manner by his
inferior officer and said:
.''Gen. Grant, are you aware whom you
are talking to? l am the Secretary Of
War;
Quick as a flash Grant answered back:
''Apd l am Gen. Grant. Issue those or
ders at your peril.'' Then turning on his
heel Gen. Grant walked out of the room
as unconcerned as if nothing had hap
pened.
1T is needless to say continued Col
Barroll, THAT Gen. Lee nor any of soldiers
were arrested. [ was dismissed from the
presence of the Secretary with the remark
that my services in connection with the
arrest of the leading rebels would be dis
pensed with until he took time to consider
and L now wait the result Of his decision,
Like some cases in law that decision of
the great War Secretary was reserved for
all time, but whether the game of billiards
between Gems. Grant and Rawlins was ever
played to an end has never been definitely
known, though it was surmised that with
the aid of consoling cigar the game was
finished.
The Trouble Safely Over.
Stomach trouble is serious business