New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-05-10
LIYCOLNS FAMOUS ORDER.
NOT STOPPED BY A THREE-MINUTE HORSE.

GENERAL wEITZEEs AIDE TELLS THE eI"Ih-
VERBAL INSTRUCTIONS WHICH WERE NOT Ia
ECUTED.
TO the Editor OF TIE Trtouhs
SIR: In THE TRIBUNE for Sunday, April 70 APP
peared an article by ex-senator Wilkinson IN regard 10
President Lncoln's celebrated order allowing the Con
tolerate Legislature to reassemble at Richmond Dur
ing the years 1864 and 1865 had the honor to serve
rs aidedecamp upon the personal stan OF haJor-"eh-
eral Godfrey Weitzel, commanding the Army oi the
James Soon after President Lincoln arrived in Rich
mond as ordered by General Weitzel to accompany
him to the flagship. Malvern President Lincoln
Goneral We,tzeI Admiral Porter and, think John H.
Campbell of Virginia held an interview In the cao'h
Of that vessel lasting about twenty minutes At the
conclusion of the interview, General Weitzel and my
self mounted our horses and rode to the State House.
Mr. Campbell rode away in carriage, and not IN our
comnany Admiral Porter states that General Weltzei
received and carried away, An order from PRESIDENT
Lincoln and that soon after General Weitzel left
fhree-minute horse attached to an old fruit wagon,
carried an officer to General Weitze, with an ORDER
which read Return my permission for the Legisia-
ture of Virginia to meet and don't allow IL 10 meet AT
ALL" General Weitzel ana myself were not over
hauled by any one, by any horse and wagon ana
we rode directly tho Malvern TO the state capitol
accompanied General WetZel directly 20 the ia io
"a Military Governor of Rich nOnd General Shopiey
aide was also present General Weizel proceeded 10
inform General Shepley that he had received hstr"c-
tions from President Lincoln. on board the steamer
Malvern to the efett that he should issue an order
inviting the Confederate Legislature to assemble az
Rohm0nd and that the President would ssnd t'enerM
WeItzel instructions from City Point. General
Weitzel wished General Shepey to issue tho orde az
Military Governor General Shepiey spTans 10 ms esS
and said, You have no order. General IN wTtng
General Weitzel replied " No; bat President Lincoln
said he would send it, General ShePey then ADVISED
and urged General Weitzel 10 defer the Ofdef uh he
,rr;ttan instructions were received from President
IincolD saving repeatedly: 1t will be political
mistake aud unless you have 1T in writing you VIII DO
fnrtber discussion General Weitze directed
70 ride down 10 the river and il the steamer was there
to request another interview between tresiaent On
and General Weitzel When arrived at the riyer the
steamer had left General Weizel then tcegraphed
the President 1 was present when Senator Wilkinson
delivered to General Wege President Lincoln lciter
of Anil g. which authorized General Weitzel to issue
the order for the Conie6 Legislature to assem-
bic The letter was discussed by Generals Wciizel
aud Shepley. and General Shepley said emphaucaily
that IL was o grave political mistake, and that he
thought it would be cOunternanded. lie urged ten
sa Weitze TO retain possession OF the letter ana 70 et
no one have 1T, saying. Your commission as
Major eneral will not be worth straw unless you
can produce that letter there will be such howl over
this recognition of the Rebels
Admiral Porter is strangely mistaken in the account
which he gives of sending an officer on frut wagon
with a three minute horse " TO overhaul General
Weitzel and coming alongside General Weitzei IN inc
streets of Richmond to demand paper which he must
know General Weitzel did not have During the inter-
view on board the Malvern was sitting where could
see all the parties present and no writing materials
we're used by any of those present know that Gen
eral Wetzel had writing from President Lincoln at
that time upon the subject for was by hls SIDE from cur
leaving tie Malvern until reached the room where
we met General Shepley and there "a before stated
he told General Shepey that he had only verbal IN
structOns, but expected the written orders TO come
from City Point from President Lincoln. was present
when ex-senator Wilkinson delivered tho letter OF
April g. containing the instructions from President
Lincoln aud it was. think. the next day. and then
heard the read and discussed Tho order said
nv Admiral Porter 10 have been sent .. by n three
minute team must be pure fcuon. think that Cen
era Lees army surrendered the next day after General
Weitzel received President LincOlns letter. and BY ~
surrender placed 1t beyond the power OF the virginia
Lepiatrr to revoke the act Of secession In day or
two General Weitzel received order from President
Lincoln revokng the first order sent hrn by the hand
of senator Wilkinson. General Ord had pow assumed
command at Richmond, and General Neltzel ana MS
army left for Fortress Monroe, en- route for Texas
Yours very truly,
TnOMAS Tn TCHER GRAVES,
Late A. D. G. to Major G rnera G.. Wctzel
DonielsoRuiLle Conn, May l, 1850