Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1885-10-28
II. w. RANDALL,
AMMEN'S STORY.
HE TELLS WHAT HE KNOWS OF
SHERMAN'S CONNECTION
With the Grant-Johnson Controversy
Butler Knows Something Important,
But VIII Not Tell-Some Stste-
ments from Other Men.

PHILADELPHIA, Oct 26-Col. Frank A.
Burr, of Tue Times, has in press blogra-
pny of Gen. Grant in which the following
statement of Admiral Ammen regarding
Gen. Sherman's connection with the Grant
johnson controversy is taken. The story Is
given as told by Admiral Ammen:
Gen. Sherman, in speaking to me Of this
incident, says: l recall very clearly being
called to Washington by telegram from
congress. My headquarters were then at st.
Louls, but was down in New Mexico
among the Indians. did not know what
was gong on, but came to Washington as
repIuly as possible, and at once went to
Gen. Grants house to find out. When
together l asked him what was up. His re-
ply was tuat he did not know, but that
there was something going ON. He said
there was a disposition in the cabinet to get
rid of him. The proposition had been made
to send him to Mexico, but he had deter
minsd not to go. He said he would
stand court-martial first. He then told
me that Mr.. Seward formulated some sort
of paper which had been read and agreed
upon at recent cabinet meeting. He re-
marked 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 that could be very easily rem
edied; that it could be made to read as an
order from the secretary of war.
Gen. Grant then urged that it was
q diplomatic mission, and one under
which he could not be sent under the law.
He said if they wanted to send the army
down there, with him at the head, that was
a different thing; but he could not be Or
dered by the secretary OF war upon any dip
lomatic mission whatever. After this ex-
planation I said to him: "Well what do
they want of meT Il don't know" was his
reply. After this conversation l went over
Immediately and called upon the president
without visiting Secretary Stanton or
any other of the cabinet officers. The presi-
dent told me frankly that they were going
to send Lew Campbell as minister to Mexico
accredited to the Jaurez government, and
that it was thought best to send Gen. Grant
along with him; that his high position and
his known friendship for Mexico would give
this act high standing and place our minis
ter in a commanding position with the
government to which he was accredited. l
came that he was either at Ell Paso or near
Monterey. then said: "Mr. Presi-
dent, why do you want to send Gen. Grant
upon this service" "Well," said the presi-
dent, "he has great reputation there as
we'll as here, and will properly introduce our
this is diplomatic mission and Gen. Grant
will not go upon it. He will disobey the or
der if 1t is issued" The president seemed
very much surprised, and said that he had
q very great regard for Zen. Grant, and
would not like to do anything that was dis
tasteful to him, yet he thoughtit would be to
the interest of the government if he would
go down with Mr.. Campbell and present
him to the Juarez government After
some further conversation replied: "Well,
Gen. Hancock'5 command extends to Ell
Paso and Gen. Sherid ans south of that to
the gulf. Either of them would escort our
minister to Mexico to his proper destina-
tion and present him to the government to
which he is accredited. But if it would re-
lieve the executive of any embarrassment
my command includes both of these,
and I will go down myself" "Very
we'll, if you will go, that settles
It," said the president, "and it will be just
as we'll" He asked me to call upon the Sec
retary of the navy, which did, and five
days later took the steamer for the gulf |
Thus was the difficulty, so far as Gen. Grant |
was concerned, bridged over, and he was |
kept from an open rupture with the execu-
tive. My opinion is they desired to get rid |
cf him and keep him from being candidate |
for the presidency. What they wanted of |
me in case Gen. Grant was sent |
out Of the country 1 do not know. The dis |
cussion between President johnson AMI my
self never got that far.