The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-03-20


would have any objection to our pitching head
quarters in his yard. He said: should be very
glad to have you do it, as it will be protection
against the vandalism of the stragglers of the
. army He asked me to come in, but told him
would prefer seat in the veranda Finding
him to be Methodist minister and most pol
ished gentleman, became interested in him and
we at once began to discuss the unfortunate di-
vision Of the church in 1S44, and then l switched
off on the war.
i.He took the extreme Southern view. whilst
took as extreme view of the other side, but
the discussion was friendly and exceedingly
pleasant to me. found he really felt that the
South had been badly treated in the election Of
act of self representation. After the discussion
had continued for about an hour, he said I
take it that the war is now over, so what will
your government do with General Leep and
added, I suppose Mr.. Lincoln will follow him
with all the vindictiveness of his nature.
II replied If he gets no punishment only
that which originates from the vindictiveness of
Mr.. Lincolns nature it will not kill him, as Mr..
Lincoln is one of the kindest hearted men born
into this world He gave me a look full of
skepticsm and asked me what meant told
him that there was much moro danger of Mr..
Lincoln offending the North by his leniency than
to punish out of revenge, and then told him who
and what Mr.. Lincoln was, dwelling especially
on the merciful side of his nature. He replied:
If that is Mr. Lincoln, the President of the
United States, he is not the Lincoln described to
US by our papers. He is not the man of whom
we have heard and of whom we have read The
Lincoln described to us is man of blood and full
of venom, who cares neither for the lives nor the
rights of the people, and from whom we have no
mercy to expect. This is the demon whom our
people have been fighting these four years.
After thus delivering himself he said in a sub
dued tone: If you have properly described Mr.
Lincoln to me then have been most shamefully
deceived and have as shamefuly misjudged him;
but said he was just as badly deceived in my
view of General Grant.
II asked him if he had ever seen Grant Yes,
said he my house was full of your generals last
night There was Sheridan, Humphreys, Meade,
Custer, Ord and quite number of others, and
they were lively set and full of fun, and all
were quite jolly with the exception of one officer
whom noticed sitting in corner smoking and
taking but little part in the sports in which the
rest were engaged. They all went out of the
house but this solitary, silent man, and as was
going out he asked me where the pump was as
he would like to get drink. On offering to get
him some water, he said: No, sir, am younger
he came up behind me. When in about the mid
die of the hall this little grand daughter came
running towards me, but the silent man spread
ing out both arms caught her, taking her up
fairly smothered her with kisses, said: This
reminds me of my little girl at home,
tion where is your home, he replied: 'Galena.
H., but have my family at City Point and am
anxious to get back to them I said, will you
permit me to ask your name, sirg Certainly;
my name is Grant Grant, exclaimed /, Gen
eral Grant, and stood there awe-stricken and
paralyzed with astonishment, whilst my heart
went out after t}as7man. l thought to myself,
here is man whose name is now in the mouth
of man, woman and child throughout the civil
lied world and yet withal he exhibits no emo
tion and seems unconcerned and unmoved until
the little child reminds him of his loved ones at
home, and fairly broke down, as General
Grant had been pictured out to us as bloody
butcher, and had looked for a man looking as
savage as Comanche Indian. To say / was
agreeably disappointed when 1 saw Grant ex-
presses my feelings but feebly, and now you
Mr.. Lincoln Just here saw the head of the
division advancing and bid him good evening