Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-04-13
is THIS A TRUE sTORYq
How Gen. Grant is Said to Have Saved
Gen. Lee from Arrest.

From, the PAHadtIp1ia Times.
NEW YORK. April 10.--The war was
over. Gen. Lee and his half-staryed
Confederates had returned to their DESC
lated homes on their parole of honor.
The victorious Northern and Western ar
mics, under command of Grant and Sher-
man, were encamped in and around
Washington city. jefferson Davis was
an inmate If a easement in Fortress
Monroe and Edwin NJ. stanton was the
power behind the throne, who ran the
government while Sc retary of war.
Gems. Grant and Rawl'Hs were PLAYING
game of billiards in the National Hotel
and two civilians were INDUCING in that
pastime on an opposite table. A Major
in the regular army entered the spacious
room in a hurry and whispered to Gen.
Grant. The latter laid bis cue on the
table. saving: "Rawlins, don't disturb
the balls until return" and hurried out
One of the civilians said to the other:
"Pay for the game and hurry out. There
is something up"
Gen. Grant had reached the street
where, in front Of the hotel. stood a
mounted sentinel. Grant ordered the
soldier to di-mount and sprlngng into the
saddle put spurs 10 the horse and rode up
the avenue so tas as to attract the atten-
ton Of he pedestrians. The first civilian
questioned the soldier as To the cause OF
such sudden haste on the part of Gen.
Grant, hut was answered with the sur
prise Of one who knew nothing. The Sec
ond CIT zan app area saying, NV hat has
become Of Grant,"
On being told of the Generals break
neck ride mp Pennsvlvania avenue it was
decided to go to the War Department and
learn the cause, if possible. Col. Bar.
roll. OF the Second Regular Infantry, and
husband of sue Denim. the actress, was
disbursing officer in II e Quarterma tiers
Departm nt,presidod over hy Gen Rucker,
aud to the Colonel one Of the civilia
vent to- Information. Asking him If he
knew tho reason Of Gen. Grants hasty
action, and if he had seen the hero of the
hour around the department. Col. Bar
roll answered, eyes" but was surprised
at anyhodv's knowledee of the event.
When told of what transpired in the
bill lard room Of the National Hotel the
Colonel SAID: "Well. as you are aware Of
the coming of Gen. Grant l will tell YOU
All about il, providing you promise not to
repeat IT,"
The pr mise being given, Col. Barroll
said: Secretary St9nt0n sent for me in
reference to the execution of certain or
ders, and while listening to his instruc-
tiOns Gen. Grant came in. The Secretary
greeted the General with pheasant Good
mOrning,' which the latter returned, and
in continuation said: MIR. Secretary
understand that you have issued orders
for the arrest Of Gen Lee ana others, and
desire to know if such orders have been
paced in the hands of any officer for exc
cution.'
81 have issued writs for the arrest Of
all the prominent Coniederates, and off
GERS will be dispatched on the mission
pretty soOn.' replied the Secretary.
Gen. Grant appeared cool, though labor
ing under mental excitement, and quickly
said:
"Mr Secretary, whom Gen. Lee sur
rendered to me at App0mattoX court
house | gave him nv word of honor that
neither he nor any of his followers would
be disturbed so long as they obeyed their
parole of honor. | have learned nothing
to cause me to believe that any of my late
adversaries have broken their promises,
and have como here 20 make YOU aware Of
that fact, and would also suggest that
those orders be canceled.';
Secretary Stanton became terribly an
CRY at being spoken to in such a manner
bv his Inferior off Ger, and said:
seen. Grant. are YOU aware whom YOU
are talking to? l am the Secretary Of
War"
Quick as a flash Grant answered back:
"And | am Gen. Grant. Issue those or
ders at your peril" Then turning on his
heel, Gen. Grant walked ont of the room
as uncOncerned as if nothing had hap
pen d.
sit is needless to saw" continued Col.
Bsrroll, ''that neither Gen. Lee nor any
of his soldiers were arrested. | was dis.
missed from The presence of the Secretary
with the remark that my services i'm con-
necti'n with the arrest of the leading
Confederates would be dispensed with
until he took time to consider, and l now
wait the result of his decision"
Like some cases in law that decision Of
tn" great War Secretary was reserved for
all time, but whether the game Of bill.
lizards between Gems. Grant and Rawlins
was ever PLAYED out to an end has never
been definitely known, though it was
surmised that with the aid Of a cOnsOling
cigar the game was flushed.