Savannah morning news., 1885-09-05
GRANT ON DAVIS.
The sIander OF ex- President Davis Sup
pressed.
From tho Bashetlle american.

Through the agency of the beloved and
venerable Bishop Green, OF Mississippi,
a slander on Mr. Jefferson Davis has been
wrested from the current of history, in
which, ii it had been permitted to con
tinue, by authority Of Gen. Grant, its cor
rection would have been ever afterwards
hopeless. Though nearly 90 years Of aye,
the good Bishop noticed that the slander
was to be embodied in Gen. Grants work,
and most fortunately and most oppor-
tunelv he did the great service of fore
stailing It's intrenchment. But the fol
lowing very interesting spondence
explains the matter referred to:
SEwANEE. TENN, June II, 1885.
Gen. 4. 5. GrdHt:
DEAR SIR-TnOugh il is not my
pleasure TO know you personally, l
am not ignorant Of the high ana Justly
nonored name which you bear. Ny home
and field OF labor lie south Of Mason and
DixOn's line; but such is my confidence
in your generous nature, that l feel sure
you Will. none the less, excuse my thus
addressing you, even if it should please
YOU TO refuse the request which now beg
respectfully to ask.
There has appeared lately in one of the
periodicals OF the day some extracts from
your forthcoming history OF our late
war, all OF which l read with pleas
ure, except one sentence, in which, speak
ing Of Mr.. Jefferson Davis, Won state
that, ut the time OF his capture, he was
attempting to make his escape in female
apparel.
This slanderous story was gotten up
and published at a time of high political
excitement, when groundless rumOrs and
| disparaging statements were too readily
credited by botn sides of the cOntending
parties. From time to time the thing has
been repeated by the vulgar and he ig-
norant; and the friends Of Mr.. Davis have
been willing TO leJ it pass as undeserviug
their attention. But when it appears that
! your noble and generous spirit is aboat to
record your belief in that false and fool lsh
story, and your hOnored hand is prepared
| to pass it down the line of authentic his
| tory, every admrer Of your name through
! out our widespread South, rs well as
/ every friend of Mr.. Davis, would unite in
! respectfully and earnestly begging you to
withhold your hand.
There es before me at this moment a
confidential letter from Mr.. Davis, CIV
ing me, at my particular request, r. cir
\ cumstantial account OF his capture and
! denying most positively that he either
made any attempt 10 escape after being
4 surprised by his pursuers, or disguised
himself In woman's clothing. A similar
denial was afterwards made by Mr. H0r-
! -
and by the Hon. Messrs. Reagan and
Lubbock, VINO were then in his COM
pany.
LIT me hope then. dear s!r, that with
your usual magnanimity. you will scOrn,
as it certainly would zeem, to strike a
fallen Zoe, and wound the feelings OF
thousands and tens OF thousands who,
/ since the asperitieg of war have passed
away, have come TO regard you with pride
aud esteem, as an honor to our country,
as well as to the list Of the worlds best
and most successful commanders.
Your Southern fellow-cittzens are nei-
! ther ignorant OF, nor Ungrateful for your
| noble refusal TO consent 10 the igRomini-
Gus trial OF Mr.. Davis and others after the
| surrender; and they would rejoice with
| your best friends 10 see a like course OF
action mark the closing days OF your lie.
| Let me assure yOu, dear General, that the
! svmpathies ~ the whole South are deeply
/ interested in the daily accounts or your
present suderiugs ;andthe prayers of many
OF them are offered IN your behalf. That IL
may please God 70 send YOU relief and long
spare Nou 20 our common country is the
sincere and feryent prayer Of yours, very
respectfully, W. NJ. GREEN,
Bishop Of Mississippi, residing at Sc
vance, Tenn.
To this letter there came ia few days
the following reply from Col. Fred. d.
/ Grant, the Generals son;
MOUNT McGREGoR, June "a, 1885.
Gen. Grant directs me to say
/ the passage you refer TO VIII not ap-
] penr in his book; and that Il was by a
mistake It got into the papers. Respect
fully v. ID. GRANT.
/ ". ". Green, Bishop u Mississippi