The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-20
GENERALS LEE AND GRANT.
Interesting Interview with the Con-
federate Chief After the Surrender.
A Free Talk About Grant, Sherman and
Other Officers-Why the Confederacy
Failed-IIee's Appreciation of Grant.

connected as a chaplain, was making its cele-
brated march from the Corolinas to Washington,
it rested for few days in Richmond. / was
riding with General Geary, afterward Governor
of Pennsylvania, and. provided with a letter
from General Hazen, who had known Gen.
Robert E. Lee at West Point, and, at the sugges-
ton of General Geary, made up my mind to
interview the leader of the confederate armies
Ringing the bell with considerable anxiety, !
awaited the result of my rash attempt
Quickly, there appeared at the door good
looking mulatto, who politely waited to be told
what my business was
"Can see General Lee?" was my question.
''This is not the regular day when he receives
company and he has not yet entertained any
visitors, but, but"-and he surveyed me with a
hesitating look.
remarked that perhaps the General would see
a chaplain of Sherman's army for few minutes
''Your name, sirl" he asked. chaplain Pep.
per, of the Fifteenth Corps, Army of the Ten
nessce, giving him General Hazen's letters He
quickly disappeared, and in few moments re-
turned, saying it was all right, and would
please walk into the parlor
took my seat upon very plain sofa. The
house marked by extreme simplicity.
There were no rich carpets no rich curtains.
no painted windows The floor was perfectly
bare. TheSe was not even picture to attract
attention. There were a few old fashioned
chairs, a table covered with books, but nothing
that betokened that this was the residence of the
highest man in the South.
My musings were soon interrupted by the ap-
pearance of General Lee, who, with a gracious
smile and cordial simplicity of manner, asked
me to be seated. The events of a long and
bloody war had made their impressions upon his
face. Whatever may be thought of the science
of physiognomy, there was certainly a remark
able correspondence between the features of the
General and his mental and moral characteristics.
In both there was symmetry that bespoke the
healthy development of the entire man. No
part was in excess, and none defective; erect in
carriage. with elastic step, COM
posed and graceful in all his movements,
full-orbed and beaming eye. an ample
forehead, mouth that indicated equal sweet
ness and firmness and diffused over ALL Sc
rene and peaceful expression. He still seemed
to be in the full vigor of lfe but his splendid
head was silvered, the fire of his brilliant eyes
was in some measure dimmed. There was d
great dignity in his carriage, such as conscious
ness of his position would impart AT the same
time there expression of deep sadness
piercing through his smile.
The conversation turned upon variety of
subjects, on all of which he expressed his opin-
ions freely. He was very deliberate, as if feel
of Lincoln was filling the world with sorrow
and indignation-wi dismay and grief This
naturally was the first topic touched upon.
1.-The assassination of President Lincoln" said
General Lee, "haS filled me with horror. If
there were some blemshes in his character his
administration has shown many splendid and
wise acts. He was one of the most extraordinary
men that ever lived in our country. His heart
was noble and large. Had he been spared the
South would have been treated with generous
init hot hor ha fnI
Mr.. Lincoln was as the old Romans used to say,
happy in the opportunity of his DEATH for he
died in the moment of triumph, the smile of vic
tory on his lips, the palm branch of the martyr
in his hands.
General Lee spoke with profound feeling
walking the room. He pronounced Booth "a
cowardlY ruffian," and said that all the tragic
machinery of the globe could not produce so dire
fend: that the soldiers of the South and the
entire people regarded the murder of the Presi-
dent not only a crime against Christian
civilization and our common humanity, but that
his death at that time was a terrible blow to
the vanqushed, who would have to bear the
responsibility of the cruel and bloody deed
The spirit of elem ency, the moderation, and
the desire for Cancellation exhibited by Mr..
Lincoln were virtues not to be expected in his
successor. Let the avengers blow, he almost
shrieked: Fall upon the guilty; let not my in
nocent soldiers suffer. Lincoln would have
been our best friend. He was fond father; his
heart was kind and tender; he had hosts of en-
thusiastic friends he had done us no wrong; and
yet such man is pistoled in Washington as if
he were the greatest enemy of the human race.
We may boast of our civilization; but there is
surely something wrong in the society which
produces such villains as Booth, and such crimes
as Lincoln'S assassination"
To my question, "Do you think the war is
overl' he replied very emphatically: Eyes, sir;
and had it not been for the politicians it would
never have commenced I was opposed to the
war at the beginning; wept when I heard of
the bombardment of Fort Sumter. sought re-
tirement 80 that l might not hear or see
any of the leaders, the great end and aim
of whose craftsmanship was to precipitate the
havoc that subsequently swept our fields and
cities. But when Virginia, my native State,
seeded. there was only one course for me to
pursue and that was to 60 with my people,"
General Lee next adverted to the character of
General Grant, of whom he spoke at length in
most enthusiastic terms. He ascrioed to him
possession of the grandest attributes of Ameri-
can manhood, and said that he possessed the
military talents requisite for the organization of
armies. In the generous terms accorded to the
impoverished South, of which he spoke several
times, Grant had won for himself imperishable
renown
II wish, said General Lee" to do simple JUS
tice to General Grant, when l say that his
action toward my army is without parallel in the
annals Of nations. When my poor soldiers, with
furnishing faces, having neither food nor raj
ment, hungry and footsore, came before him in
the hour of surrender, it was then that General
Grant Immediately issued the humane order
that 10000 ratons should be given to them.
And that was not ALL l was giving orders to
one of my subordinate officers who was making
out the list of things to be surrendered. / told
him to include the horses. At that very moment
General Grant, who seemed to be paying no at
tention to what was going on, quickly rosa from
the camp stool and said: No, no, General Lee
no surrender of the horses. Not one, not one
Keep them all. Your poor people will need them
for the spring crops 1t was a scene never to be
forgotten"
AS Lee spoke he paced the room, and with
tears streaming down his cheeks repeated two
or three times the incidents of the surrender.
then asked him what he thought to be the
greatest of federal soldiers. Indeed, sir,
judged by Napoleon's test of Who did all thatp
General Grant is the greatest of al! living