The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-10-24
Holding in Check the Factions that
Threatened the Republics Life.
Gen. Butler Says the Whole Story Has Not
Been Told-Recollectio of Gen. Horace
Porter and John B. Henderson.
COL. BURR'S NARRATIVE.
Interesting Statement Of the Relations of
Grant, Sherman and johnson.

Interesting Statement of the Relations of
Grant, Sherman and Johnson.
PHILADELPHIA, Oct 23-The pending CON
| troversy between the friends of General Grant
and those of ex-President Andrew Johnson is
creating great interest here, where many of
General Grants friends live, and are in greater
or less degree familiar with the Generals ex-
pressions on the subject during the latter years
of his life. Col Frank A. Burr, of the Philadel-
phia Times, has just finished his memorial vol
ume "The Life and Deeds of General Grant, and
it will shortly be given to the public. 1t has
been written under the patronage of General
Grants closest friends, and will contain thor
ough discussion Of his differences with Andrew
johnson. The chapter of Mr. .Burr's book which
deals with the relations between Johnson Stan
ton and Grant furnishes the evidence of many
living witnesses as to the correctness Of the
statements made In view of the various articles
published the past few days to the action of
Grant and Johnson after the assassination Of
Lincoln, the part Of Mr.. Burr's chapter upon
these questions which introduces General Sher
man, is most important. After dealing with the
differences about the confederate officers Mr..
Burr writes:
''It would appear that General Grants interest
in NJ exican affairs kept coming back to plague
him during all the boisterous times of Johnson's
administration. General Sherman and Admiral
Ammen both tell most interesting story. Ad-
miral Ammen takes up the narrative by saying:
while / was still the guest of Grant at his
own house, General Sherman appeared one
morning before breakfast. when General Grant.
with twinkle in his eye, asked, What are you
doing here, Sherman9 Did you know that. un-
der existing laws, your leaving your station
without my authority subjects you to grave pen
altiesp
Yes, replied Sherman, that is very true;
but have come on here upon telegram from
the President, and have called to see you to find
out what is in the wind
II never inquired of either party the status
which seemed to me to pe explained by subse-
quent events
General Sherman now, in speaking to me of
this incident, says:
~ recall very clearly being called to Washing
ton by a telegram from President johnson, dur
ng his troubles with Co ngress. My head
quarters were then at ST. Louis but was down
in New Mexico among the Indians. I did not
know what was going on, but l came to Wash
ington as rapidly as possible, and Immediately
went to General Grants house to find out
When we were together asked him what was
up. His reply was that he did not know, but
that there was something going on. He said
there was disposition in the Cabinet to get rid
of him. The proposition had been made to send
him to Mexico, but he had determined
not to co. he said he would stand a court
martial first He then told me that Mr..
Seward had formulated some sort of paper,
which had been read and agreed upon at re-
cent Cabinet meeting. He remarked that he
had said at the time that he was not in the habit
of receiving orders from the Secretary of State,
whereupon they had said that could be very
easily remeded; that it could be made to read as
an order from the Secretary of War. General
Grant then urged that it was diplomatic mis-
sion, and one on which he could not be sent
under the law. He said that if they wanted to
send the army down there, with him at it's head,
that was very different thing; but that he
could not be ordered by the Secretary of War
upon any diplomatic mission whatever After
this explanation I said to him, We'll, what do
they want of me9
80 I do not know, was his reply.
"After this conversation I went over i'm
mediately and called upon the President, with
out visiting Secretary Stanton or any other of
the Cabinet officers. The President told me
frankly that they were going to send Lew Camp
bell as minister to Mexico, accredited to the
Juarez government and that it was thought
best to send General Grant aleng with
him; that mis- high position and his
known friendship for Mexico would
give this act high standing, and place our min
lister in high standing with the government to
which he was accredited / asked where Juarez
was. The answer came that he was either at Ell
Paso near Monterey. l then said, Mr.. Presi
dent, why do you want to send General Grant
upon this service? WE'LL said tho President,
he has great reputation there as we'll as here.
and will properly introduce our Representatives
II said Mr. President, this is diplomatic
mission, and General Grant will not go upon it.
He will disobey the order, if it is issued
1.-THE President seemed very much surprised.
and said that he had very great regard for
General Grant, and would not like to do ything
that was distastefnl to him, yet he thought it
would be to the interest of the government if he
would 20 down with Mr.. Campbell and present
him to the Juarez government After some fur.
ther conversation replied, WELL General Han
| cocks command extends to Ell Paso, and Gen.
| Sheridans south OF that. to the gulf. Either OF