The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1885-07-29
WHAT MIGHT HAVE ereN.
An Engagement with Mr. uusOln That
Might Have saved His Lie.


Might Have Saved His Lie.
tIDns Branch Cor. Philadelphia Timetl
Had President Lincoln kept an en-.
gagenent DO made with me be might
! perhaps 10 living still, " said Nc. an.
dali, Of New ofk, formerly ofSt. louis,
the other evening. Mr. randall Is the
father Of Mrx Garrison, and the coli.
yersation took place on the piaz a Of her
residence hero. When urged to tell the
story Of how this could be, hO mentioned
that during the latter part Of the winter
OK 1873 he, knowing tho state Of
o airs in the part OF Missouri within
the febel lines and in the adjacent
states where Kirby smith, with 10000
men, was only held in check and kent
from making raids by 5000 men OF tho
Union army, and being aware that
'ktrly smith and his men having had
no pay or clothing issued to them for
six mouths, were greatly dissatisfied
with Je Davis and the Confederate
I government and Sere maddcnCd by the
knowledge Of tho necessities OF their
wives, children, mothers, and sisters,
who were actually bRrefootei as well as
otherwise scantily clothed, thought that
no would try Ivy peaceablO means 10 rid
that part Of the country OF smith and
his men and pNgent their making any
more raids. Ibis he sought to do BY
getting permission or Mon iEen to buy
their cotton, which no knew was packed
ready for sale, and permitting tie deSti.
tute southerners to buy the necessities OF
life In return.
lie opened negotiations with President
Lincoln at Washington through ''Dick
Yates, who at one time was governor of
Illinois, and represented 10 him the
wise policy Of Adopting the plan hO pro.
posed, for he said there we're no other
ConfCderates in arms in that part Of the
country, and hO felt convinced tho plan
he urged would e!Fectually dispose Of
smith and his men, aud that money to
buy the nOcessaries Of life procured by
the sale Of cotton and the opportunity
given topurchase slchsupplies would, no
thought. convert some Of them into good
! mon men, while il would induce all to
cease raiding. And if you do not buy
their cotton, Mr.. anlall pleaded, they
will burn il as soon AS they SEQ Federal
troops approaching to sci o it, 1t. is
ready alike for sale or for tho torch. ?"
Ito went to see President lincoln finally
himself, and succeeded in convincing
him OF the wisdom Of the proposed plan
and secured the necessary permit TO
stock a boat with supplies and 10 send
| it and purchasers OF cotton TO proper
points on the Mississippi whence
negotiations might he opened for the
purchase Of cotton SO much needed in
orthern factories and for the sale OF
food and clothing to the starving,
ragged ConfederatGs.
All seemed likely to 20 well, the toat
was duly fitted up and stocked at great
expense and started on her trip, but un.
fortunate delays were made by the
naval o:cers commanding our s laadron
on the Mississippi and hy army OF cers
guarding posts on land, and the vessel
was not allowed to proceed Finally,
after many attCm IS to set matters
right, Mr.. andall determined to 20 to
Washington again, see Mr. Lincoln,
Stanton, and Welles and send the Loat,
which had ready cost a large SUN. to
! ttls fla tt,n.Ntnu ,..sl...A 4 s,..-I.