Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-05-21
How Grant Saved Lee,s Neck.

his nalI-6Garved OAieuoratbe nAu
returned to theft desolated homes
on their parole Of honor. The VIC
torious Northern and Western armies
under command Of aarant and Sher-
man, were encamped in and around
Washington City Jefferson Davis
was an inmate of Hcasement in Mon
roe and Edwin M Stanton was the
power behind the, throne who ran
the Government fhile Secretary Of
War.
Generals Grant and Rawlins were
playing a game OF billiards in the
National Hotel and two civilians
were indulging in that pastime on an
opposite table. A Major in the reg
ular army entered the spacious room
in a hurry ande shiGpered to Gen.
Grant. The latter laid his cue on
the table, saying: 'sRawlins, don't
disturb the balls until I return and
hurried out. One of the civilians
said to the other; "Pay for the
game and hurry out. There is some
thing up"
Gen. Grant had reached the street,
where, in front of the hotel, stood a
mounted sentinel. Grant ordered
the soldier to dismount, and spring
ing into the saddle, put spurs to the
horse, and rode up the avenue SO
fast as to attract the attention of ped
estrians. The first civilian question.
ed the soldier as to the cause Of such
sudden haste on the part of Gen.
Grant but was answered with the
surprise of one who knew nothing
The second citizen appeared, saying
"What has become of Grant 70
On being told of the Generals
break neck ride up Pennnsylyania
avenue it was decided to go to the
War Department and learn the
cause, if possible. Col. Barroll, o.
the End Regular Infantry, and hus
band of Sue Denim, the actress, wal
disbursing officer in the Quarter
masters Department, presided ovel
by Gen. Rucker, and to the Colone
one of the civilians went for infor
nation. Asking him if he knew tn,
reason of Gen. Grants hasty actor
and If he had seen the hero Of tn
hour around the department, Col
Barroll answered, eyes," but wa
surprised at anybody's knowledge o
the event. When told of what trans
pired in the billiard room of th
National Hotel the Colonel said
"Wel, as you are aware Of the com
ing of Gen. Grant I will tell you al
about it, providing you promise nc
r to repeat it."
!, The promise being given Colone
r Barroll said: Secretary Stanto
sent for me in reference to the execr
! ton of certain orders, and while lis
ening to his instructions Gen. Gran
came in. The Secretary greeted th
: General with pleasant Good morn
. ing which the latter returned, an
in continuation said: MIR. Secrets
n ry, I understand that you have. il
! sued orders for the arrest of Gel
6 Lee and others, and I desire to kno
!. if such orders have been placed
? the. e..hands of any officer for execution
"I have issued writs for the a
: rest of all the prominent rebels, an
o officers will be dispatched on Il
d mission pretty soon," replied IL
Secretary.
- "Gen. Grant appeared cool, thoue
laboring under mental excitemen
and quickly said:
"sMr. Secretary, when Gen. L
surrendered to me at Appomatt,
rs Court House gave him my word
}. honor that neither he nor any of /
). followers would be disturbed SO lo1
E. as they obeyed their parole of hone
g I have learned nothing to cause I
* to believe that any of my late advt
ID saries have broken their promise
s. and have have come here to ma
ar you aware of that fact, and would
IT. SO suggest that those orders be CO
ss celed.'
ne Secretary Stanton became ter
p bly, angry at being spoken to in su
as a manner by his inferior officer a
ie said:
'c- 'Gen. Grant, are you avn
ld whom you are talking TOT I am S
or retary of War
nd "Quick as fash Gen. Grant .
to swered back: And I ann Gen. Gra
'ai Issue those orders at your per
ng Then turning upon his heel Gene
he Grant walked out Of the room as
ew concerned as if nothing had b
as pened.
re, ssIt is needless to say" continr
he Col. Barroll, "that neither Gene
it Lee nor any Of his soldiers were
on rested. I was dismissed from
lat presence of the Secretary with
he remark that my services in conn
te. ton with the arrest of the lead.
he rebels would be dispensed with vi
ty. he took time to consider, and / n
las wait the result of his decision.
,at Like some cases in law, that
in eision of the great war Secret
was reserved for all time, but whit
ins er the game of billiards betw
mo- n sa,,a,.ols G,.o,,t oud Rawl;ns was