The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-01
DISPUTED WAR HISTORY,
How Raleigh, N. c., Was Saved by the
Action of a Commission.
The Position Assumed by Sherman for Re-
storing North Carolina Which Was Dis
turbed by LincOln's Death.
r. A. Burr. in Philadelphia Times.


DIR. Edward Warren has been frequently men
toned in connection with the commission that
conducted the negotiations between Governor
Vance and General Sherman that has given rise
to this dispute. Both the late general OF the
army and the present senator from North Caro-
limo have assumed that Warren was the receptacle
of all the secrets If secrets there were. and the
inside history, if any such they were, OF the do
iues and sayings of the men who were sent by
Governor Vance to treat with General Sherman
Is the Confederacy was dissolving amidst the
fire and smoke of the conflict. During the
DR. Warren was at one time medical inspector
upon Gen. Lees staff and at the time Of which
am to write was surgeon general Of the State of
North Carolina He was of course upon the staff
of the then Governor, who is now a United
States senator. Soon after the war; DIR. Warren
went to Egypt and entered the service of the
Khediye, where he rose to the highest medical
rank, and for saving the life Of the Minister of
War was decorated and given the title of Bey.
A few years ago. after nearly losing his eyesight
at Cairo, DR.. Warren left Egypt and settled in
Paris where he resides to-day, one of its leading
physicians He has several times in the recent
past been decorated for distinguished medical
services. the most Important, perhaps, DelIlR a
new honor in the shape of the cross of the
Knights of the Legion of Honor. Only. yester-
day one Of the great steamers that ply between
this city and Havre brought DR.. Warren back to
his native shore on a visit to his aged mother,
who still resides in Virginia. He has
not changed greatly since he left here early
in the seventies and nearly fifteen years
of most remarkable career abroad has
only endowed this bright American with
more interesting and useful qualities Of mind
and character than he ever could have achieved
if he had remained at home. But it was not of
his singular history in the old world that shall
now speak. As he has been presented to the
country as IN important figure in this discussion
between General Sherman and jeff Davis, /
turned the conversation in that direction as soon
as possible after the usual greetings.
''Both General Sherman and Governor Vance
are mistaken in relation to the character OF my
service in connection with the negotiations with
General Sherman, that have been alluded to i'll
the present controversy said DR.. Warren. Il
was a member of the Governors staff and one
of the military officers in charge of the flag of
truce under which the commission proceeded to
General Sherman's headquarters. The facts in
brief. were these:
''The war was about concluded. and the con
federate forces under command or General
Joseph f. Johnston were in camp In and about
Raleigh, N c. Sherman began to approach
with his victorious troops from the direction OF
Goldsboro. General Johnston retired then to
the west OF Raleigh with the main portion of his
army, leaving that city uncovered. with the ex-
ception of General Wade Hamptons command
OF cavalry. which was posted as picket line be-
tween the city aud the enemy.
"Governor Vance then had consultation
with Gen Hardee. the ranking confederate com
mander nearest him. the members of his staff
and persons of distinction in the city. 1t was
determined to make an effort to save Raleigh
from the fate of Columbia, which had just been
burned. With this end in view Governor Vance
selected and dispatched a commission. composed
of Ex-Governor Graham and ex-Governor
vA~wS1 dnnA
Governor Graham had been the Secre-
tary Of the United States Navy in the Cabinet
of Mr.. Fillmore, and candidate for the onee
of Viee-pPesident when Gen. Scott was the pres
idential candidate Mr. Swain had been Gov
eruor Of the State, and was then the president of
the University of North Carolina These two
gentlemen were citizens OF the highest character
and position. They, as commissioners, were
sent under ag of truce, which was accorded
them by Gen. Hardee. and it was accompanied
by Major DevereuX, Col. Burr, OF Wilmington,
and myself as military escort
Upon reaching General Hamptons head
quarters there was the usual delay to perfect an
arrangement between military commanders, but
in due time General Sherman agreed to receive
the commissioners and flag of truce within his
lines We had passed beyond our own pickets
and were proceeding to fulfill Sc mission upon
which we had been dispatched when order of
recall was suddenly received from President Da-
Wis who was then at Charlotte, N. C. This ae-
ton of the President was no doubt based upon a
serious MISUNDERSTANDING
commission and is doubtless the real cause of the
present controversy. We of course turned back
re-entered the Confederate lines and iourneyed
as rapidly as possible towards Raleigh. The
train which was carrying US was still flying the
dag of truce. When we were we'll within
our lines it came to very sudden halt
and | jumped to the front door of the ear
to see what had happened saw about 200
yards before US. on the railroad track, large
force of Union cavalry, which at once opened
fire. / escaped injury by lodging behind the
tender. The whole party. with leveled carbines
and reyolyers, rode down toward me- when i'm
mediately took my white handkerchief from my
pocket and waved it IN token of surrender. AS
the firing ceased proclaimed myself medical
officer and asked the protection of the person III
command. The officer Immediately rode up. and
said that he was Colonel Godfrey. of General
Kilpatrcks staff. When told him that was
Surgeon-general of the State of North Carolina
he said: All right; but keep close to me-.
then sprang to the ground and approached him.
and at the same moment looked toward the back of
the car to see if my comrades safe. / saw
the commissioners ard my brother officers de-
scenGing from it
'.In the sudden fright and general confusion.
while was parleylng with the officer in front,
the soldiers had entered from the rear and gone
through the car and commissioners, too. Though
had been in the most immediate danger, was
more fortunate than all the rest, because es.
capped with everything had, including hundred
dollars in gold--all the money | had in the world
and my watch and chain Colonel Godfrey
then conducted us to General Kilpatrick's head
quarters, some half mile distant. who received
us very sullenly and refused to acknowledge the
official character of the commission, for it was
exceedingly hard for us to explain to his satisfac
ton why we pere travelling towards Raleigh with
flag of truce flying He finally said he would
send as to the rear and decide what he would do
with us later. Our conversation was brought to
very abrupt conclusion by a sharp skirmish that
commenced at that moment AS we went to the
rear we had to pass a number of federal cavalry
regiments and as the commissioners wore high
hats and were dressed In frock coats, they were
objects of nerriment to the soldiers who had
not seen man in civilians clothes for months.
The commissioners being all men of great dig
nifty marched on without responding to the chaff
of the soldiers. We were taken back and confined
IN an old house We were kept in suspense sew
eral hours before General Fitzpatrick paid atten-
Aier, tn Whan he did he sa;d fi,at he bod 10