The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1885-06-18

Surgeons "Reminiscences of the Days Of
Appomattox.

a Surgeons Reminiscence of the Days Of
Appomattox.
"At the surrender of Lee" said
surgeon of Erie, in the hearing of re-
porter a day or two ago, II was serving
as medical director of the Second Divi-
sion of the Twenty fifth Army Corps.
After the surrender the division was
ordered to join the balance of the corps
near Petersburg, and we left Appomat-
tox Court House on the 18th OF April,
following the south side railroad. The
general commanding directed me to
take an orderly and proceed to Prospect
station and there select a camping
/ ground for the division and also place
. to pitch our headquarter tents. l pro-
! ceeded as directed, and after select
ing suitable camping ground
crossed the fields to a large white
house near the station. As rode up to
the gate most venerable and noble
looking gentleman, of probably 20
years, came to the front gate, and l
asked him if he would have any obJec-
ton to our pitching headquarters IN his
ward He said L should be very
glad to have you do 1t, as 1t Will be
protection against the vandalism OF the
stragglers of the army He asked me
to come in, but I told him l would pre-
fer to SIT in the veranda. Finding him
to be a Methodist minister and most
polished gentleman, became interest
ed in him and we at once began to dis
cuss the unfortunate division of the
Church in 1874, and then / switched OF
on to war.
"He took the extreme Southern view,
whilst took as extreme view OF the
other side, but the discussion was friend
" and exceedingly pleasant to me. |
found he really felt that the South had
been badly treated in the election OF
Lincoln and that secession was III his
view an act of self-preservation. Alter
the discussion had continued for about
an hour he said: i take it that the war
is now over, SO what will your govern
nent do with General Lee? and added,
i suppose Mr.. Lincoln will follow him
with all the yindictiveness of his nature.
II replied: If he gets no punish
ment only that which originates from
the vindictiveness of Mr.. Llncolns
nature. it will not kill him, as Mr. Lin
coin is one OF the kindest- hearted men
born into this world. He gave Inc
look full of skepticism, and asked me
what meant. told him that there was
much more danger of Mr. Lincoln offend
ing the North by his leniency than
to punish out of revenge, and then
told HIM who and what Mr.. Lincoln
was, dwelling especially on the mercltul
side of his nature. He replied: IL
that is Mr. Lincoln, the President OF
the United States, he is not the LIN
coin described to us by our papers,
He is not the man of whom We have
heard and of whom we have read. Inc
Lincoln described to US Is man OF
blood. and full of venom, WHO cares
neither for the lives nor for the rights
of the people, and from whom we have
70 mercy to expect. This is the demon
whom our people have been fighting
these four wears After thus delivering
himself he said in subdued tone: II
YOU have properly described Mr.. Lin
coin to me then / have been most shame
fully deceived and have as shamefullv
misiudged him, but said he, 1 was just
as badly deceived in my view Of General
Grant
II asked him if he had ever seen
Grant. Yes, said he, my house was
full of your generals last night. There
were Sheridan, Humphreys. Meade.
Custer, Ord and quite number OF
others. and they were a lively set and
full of fun, and all were quite jolly with
the exception of one officer whom l
noticed sitting in corner smoking and
taking but little part in the sports IN
which the rest were engaged. They all
) went out of the house but this solitary,
silent man, and as I was going out lie
asked me where the pump was, as
he would like to get drink. On
| offering to get him some water
he said: No, sir, L am younger
than you, will go myself, and as L
, passed out he came up behind me-
; When in about the middle of the hall
, this little grand daughter came running
towards me, but the silent man. spread
: ing out both arms, caught her. took her
, up and fairly smothered her with kisses.
saving: This reminds me of my little
girl at home and makes me homeslck.
To the question where is your home
he replied 'Galena, H.. but | have
my family at City Point and am anxious
p, 20 get back to them | said, will you
permit me to ask your name. sir? Ger
tainlv: my name is Grant. Grant,
: exclaimed l. General Grant? and L
stood there awestricken and paralyzed
: with astonishment, whilst my heart
went out after this man. l thought to
. myself, here is a man whose name IS
now in the mouth Of man, woman and
: child throughout the civilized world
and yet withall he exhibits on emotion
4 and seems unconcerned and unmoved
, until the little child reminds him of his
loved ones at home. and | fairly broke
down, as General Grant had been plct-
ured out to us as a bloody butcher, and
had looked for a man looking rs saw
age as Comanche Indian. To say L
= was agreeably disappointed when L saw
: Grant express my feelings but feebly,
Z. and now you give me another surprise
t by your description of Mr.. Lincoln.
: Just here saw the head of the division
:: advancing, and babe him good evening"