The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-24
GRANTS FAITH.
How He Kept It to General Lee and the \
Officers Of His Command.

How He Kept It to General Lee and the
Officers Of His Command
r. s. McCuIloch, in New Orleans Times Democrat.
The present is perhaps the fit moment to make
public the following statement In the year
1867 the undersigned spent an evening with the
late John w. Garrett. Esq, then president Of
the Baltimore & Ohio railroad. who made to him
the following communication:
After the assassination of Mr.. Lincoln the
Cabinet met in the Treasury Department and
commission. the leading men of the confederacy,
beginning with such as Messrs Davis. Gen. r.
E. Lee. and others; and meaning thereby to
strike terror into the hearts of the Southern
people, suspicion of completely in that crime
being the ground for such intended trials.
They concluded that, to carry their resolution
into effect, General Grant must give the requis-
lite orders. Tired of war, he was seeking repose
on the banks of the Delaware. He was. there
fore, telegraphed to come Immediately to Wash
ington, and the railroads were ordered to bring
him without detention.
Mr.. Garrett was at the moment in Washing
ton, and was instructed by Mr.. Stanton to go
forthwith to Baltimore in single express car
there to meet General Grant and bring him to
Washington 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 per-
manent 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 a MUIR
der-gentlemen whom l have known and es
teemed for years, and who are incapable of
crime. AS well suspect myself"
met are waiting only for you to give the orders;
and you will go into the 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: Il shall go
further, Mr.. Garrett; I shall tell them they
must first take my sword from me-"
Upon their arrival General Grant went direct
ly into Cabinet meeting, and Mr. Carrot
manned in the corridor. After some time the
Postmaster general came out. Approaching him,
Mr.. Garrett said: Il do not wish to pry 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 He has
done that very thing. Mr. Garrett"
To which the response was: THAT is all I
wish to know. Please tell Mr. Stanton he will
find me at his house when this meeting is over.
He told ne he desired to see me on railroad bust
ness. and l shall go there and talk with Mrs. S.
until his return" When Mr.. Stanton went home
he confirmed what his colleague had said. and
gave Mr.. Garrett the information that what took
place in the Cabinet was substantially the equiv
alent of what had occurred and been said in the
car.
When the statement was made to me in 1867,
by Mr.. Garrett, was associated in Washington
College, at Lexington, Va, with Gen. r. e. 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: Il can add to it for you" And then
he told that one of his kinsmen,
hearing q rumor that military trials and execu-
tons were contemplated, and experimenting
trouble, went to Washington, and was then max
ing inquiry; learning which General Grant sent
for him and said: please 60 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 con-
ceded shall be disturbed"
1t was long hored by the undersigned 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 communicated by
Mr.. Garrett to others, if never published be-
FORE
The world has admired the courteous magma
nimlty OF Grant when Lee surrendered the
field of Appomattox, and our people have felt
and appreciated it all. But they do not gener-
ally know, though they should. that the lives of
our leading men were in great danger, and that
they were then protected by Grant alone.
After the war suffering was inevitable; but we
might have Jared much worse if power had been
committed to President less generous and firm.
Now, therefore, after twenty years of peace, let
the veil be drawn over any political mistakes of
such man. And in view of such facts as the
above let all wrongs real or imaginary,
be forgiven and forgotten, while we
sympathize sincerely in the sad Attic
ton of one so noble; and who well knew how
only Of life now seem to remain for him; let us
offer him, therefore, while still living, the we'll
merited tribute of our coincidence and kindest
consideration, for brave people are ever true
to their sentiments and are never vindctive.
So indelibly did the above statement of Mr..
Garrett impress itself upon my memory at the
time that now remember and repeat it almost
word for word. give it over signature to attest
its authenticity. and hope that publication may
make it widely and generally known.