The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1885-04-28
GENERAL GRANTS FAITH.
How He Kept 1t to General Lee and
His Officers.

How He Kept 1t to General Lee and
His officers.
Prof. r. S. McCulloch, OF Baton
Rouge, Louisians, for some time an as.
sociate of General Robert e. Lee in
Washington and Lee University, Lex
ington, Va, writes IS follows to the
New Orleans Times Democrat
The present is perhaps the it hQment
to make public the following statement.
In the year 1857 the undersigned spent
an evening with the late John W. Gar
ratt, E'q.. then President of the Balti-
more and Ohio railroad, who made 10
bin the following communication:
Alter the assassination Of Mr. Lincoln
the Cabinet met in the Treasury Depart.
ment and passed resolution to arrest
and try by military commission the lead
ing men7of the Eehisderacy, beginning
with such as Mr. Davis, General r. E.
Lee and others, and meaning thereby to
strike terror into the hearts of the South
ern people, suspicion OF completely 10
that crime being the ground for such in
tended trials. They concluded that to
carrv their resolution into effect, Gener-
al Grant must give the requisite orders
Tired of war. he was seeking repose on
the banks of the Delaware. He was
therefore telegraphed to come immedi
ately to Washington, and the railroads
were ordered to bring him without de.
tention.
Mr.. Garrett was at the moment in
Washington, and was instructed by Mr.
Stanton to 90 forthwith to Baltimore, in
a single express car, there to meet Gen
Grant and bring him to Washington as
quickly as possible. He was also told
by Mr.. Stanton to inform Gen Grant o.
the resolution passed, which he was ex
pected to execute, and that the Cabine
would be in permanent session until his
arrival. When the message was deliv
cred in the car, Gen Grant said:
"These gentlemen do not reject :ha
such action would be stain upon The
escutcbeon OF this nation which coult
never be wiped out. The assassination
seems TO have unsettled their wits. Tel
me that such men as Gen. Lee and Mr.
Davis had anything to do with murder
gentlemen whom ! have known and es
teemed for years. and who are incaps
BILE of crime. AS well suspect myself
The response was: swell, General
the cabinet are waiting only for you tC
give the orders; aud you will 60 into
their meeting IS soon as you get there
| hope when you do that you will speat
to them just as you have now done tc
me-"
Then came the noble reply: 81 shal
60 further, MIR. Garrett. / shall tel
them they must take my sword iron
me-"
Upon their arrival Gen. Grant weni
directly into Cabinet meeting. and Mr.
Garrett remained in the corridor. Aitel
some time the Postmaster General cam,
out. Approaching him, Mr.. Garrett
said (: 81 do not wish to ply into iha
which is confidential or secret, but yot
know the message with which l wat
charged When l delivered it, Genera
Grant said be would tell you gentlemen
that you must FIRST take his sword frou
him" The answer was: "He has done
that very thing, M Garrett"
To which the response was: "That j:
all / wish to know. Please tell Mr.
Stanton he will find me at his house
when your meeting is over He told me
be desired to see me on railroad bust.
ness, and | shall 60 there and talk witt
Mrs. S. until his return" When Mr.
Stanton we-t home be confirmed whaI
his colleague had said, and gave Mr.
Garrett the information that what tool
place in the cabinet was substantially the
equivalent of what had occurred and
been said in the car.
When this statement was made TO me
in 1857. by Mr. Garrett, I was associa.
ted in Washington College, at Lexing.
ton, Va with Gen R. E Lee, and upon
my return from Baltimore l repeated il
to him, remarking that it might he news
to him. He admitted that it was, bul
instantly said 81 can add to it for you
And then be tcId me that one of his
kinsmen, hearing rumor that military
trials and executions were contemplated
and. apprehending trouble, went to
Washington, and was then making in.
quiry. Learning which Gen Grant sent
for him. and said: "Please go to Gen
Lee from me, and tell him to have nc
fears; that the government must respect
what the army has done, and that not an
officer or private TO whom terms OF sur
render and parole have been conceded
shall he disturbed"
1t was long hoped by the undersigned
that publicity would be given. to the
above facts by Mr.. Garrett himself. But
now tha. his death precludes the possi-
bility of such testimony, they are here
BY made known as told to me, ss doubt
less they have been also communicated
by Mr.. Garrett to others, il never pub
lished before.
So indelibly did the above statement
of Mr.. Garrett impress itself upon my
memory at the time that now remem-
nor ON ropeat it almOst word for word