The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-05-02
GEN. GRANT AND THE JERSEY BOY.
An Interference That saved a Young Soldier
from Disgrace.

An Interference That saved a Young Soldier
from Disgrace.
Trenton Correspondence Philadelphia Press.
In 1864 John r. Babcock, then and now editor
of the New Brunswick FREEDMAN, went to
Washington to intercede in behalf of a young
soldier from that city who, having, when only
sixteen, run away from a widowed mother TO
JOIN the army, after a faithful service OF over
two years. being refused a furlough. had deserted
and gone home. After one days visit, and while
on ms way back TO duty, he had been arreste1
and a~fterward sent to the Dry Tortugas. Dir.
Babcock first visited President Lincoln, who said
tnat the matter was in the hands OF the war
Department and out. of his control entirely.
Upon being asked for a letter to Secretary stan
ton, ne said he was not in the habit OF writing
such letters, and added. grimly: 9TH fact IS,
l haven't much influence at the War Department
under this administration. Finally he gave Mr..
Babcock a card to Stanton.
Armed with this, an admittance to the Secre-
tary OF War was obtained, and Mr.. Babcock pro-
ceoded to urge with all his power in behalf of
the unfortunate widows son. Stanton heard
him through and shook his head. Il can do
nothing for him, he said: The has violated mill
tary rules and must suffer the penalty. There
are so many doing the same thing now that we
cannot show any partially or lenience, or we
will have no army left when spring comes
Mr.. Babcock began all over again. He plead
the lads youth, his excellent record, the certain
ty that he would not offend again, the uncon-
trollable inconsistencies that had caused the pres
emit ofense, and the ruin Of a good soldier and a
good man that the Imprisonment on the Tortu-
gas would work.
The Secretary interrupted him impatiently,
81 can not interfere with the action Of the court
martial" and was about to dismiss the matter
when a gentleman in half military dress, who
had been sitting by, quietly reading a paper.
wheeled around sharply and blurted out: 'Oh,
Mr.. Secretary, give the boy a chance" Stanton
hesitated and then made an appointment with
Mr.. Babcock for that evening at his house.
There he finally consented to the pardon and had
the papers prepared for the Presidents sigma
ture. Mr.. Baocock asked him who it was that
had interfered in the lads behalf in the morning.
why, didn't you know?' was the reply. THAT
was General Grant,
The boy made a good soldier for the rest of
the war, and soon after, being honorably dis
charged, died at his home. his mother dying at
about the same time.
Several years afterward General Grant visited
his motherin New Brunswick, and at a reception
given him at the residence of Congressman
Amos Clark, Mr.. Babcock met him for the first
time since the morning in Stantonis Office. AS
Mr.. Babcock approached in the line that was
shaking hands, and his name was mentioned.
Grant spoke up quickly, sWhy I've seen this
gentleman before. How did that boy make
outg7 Upon being told of the lads faithful
service, he said: 81 knew he would knew
he would. 1t was only a severe case of home
sickness"