The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-06-24

Correspondence Philadelphia Times
Mr.. Danais entertaining contribu-
ton to the unwritten history of Mr..
Lincoln's life in the White House
has revived interest not only IN the
subject, but in the writer also. Mr..
Dana held a more important rela-
ton to Mr.. Lincoln and Mr.. Stanton
and had a larger space in events
than the record shows. He was
held in very high estimation by both
for his quick and penetrating sagac-
ity, the high order of bis executive
ability, and his perfect fidelity to the
undoubted capacity for important
trusts. 1t was as much by accident
as otnerwise that he ''got into the
government" Gen. Fremont had
made mess of it at st. Louis and
affairs in that quarter, particularly
as to the expenditure of vast
amounts of money, were in what ap-
peared to Secretary Stanton an in
extricable snarl, though so far as
General Fremont was concerned
there was nothing worse than con-
fusion resulting from want OF execu-
tive capacity.
Stanton had tried number Of
times to get at the bottom of things,
but without success. Mr.. Dana had
q short time before left the Tribune
and was without job. He was
brought TO Mr.. Stantons attention
as precisely the man he needed, and
Mr.. Dana was sent to st. Louis to
unravel the snarl as best be could.
In an incredibly short time he re-
turned with a perfectly clear state
ment of eyerything-how, by whom
and for what the money had been
expended, the debts made, and SO
on.
Here's the man want" said the
great War Secretary; and thereafter
Mr.. Dana's relations to the head of
the government and the great NOV
ing power in the management Of
the war were close and important.
He was at first offered a military
commission, but he declined it and
was given a salary, with peculiar
duties, which he performed with in
creasing satisfaction TO Mr.. Lincoln
and Mr.. Stanton to the close.
Mr.. Dana could tell a great deal
more than he hae tod of Mr.. Lin
coin and the perpetual pathos of his
life at the White House. Indeed, it
is difficult to see how, knowing as
much as he does, he could handle
the subject and say SO little. He
obtained not glimpses merely, but a
full view of the inner life of Abra-
ham Lincoln, about which the world
is from time to time obtaining some
knowledge. Mr.. Dana could tell
how Mr.. Lincoln bore up under the
burdens of his office during the dark
days of the Rebellion, and it is to be
hoped he will do it. His lifting of
the curtain ever so little, as he did
il his recent paper, has created a de-
sire for more.
AN INCIDENT AT CHATTANOOGA.
Anumbe- of persons have written
more or less entertainingly of Gener-
al Grants camp life, but it is proba-
BILE that Mr.. Dana could write as
none of them have written He was
with Grant under circumstances fa-
vorable to doing it-at vicksburg,
Chattanooga and other places and his
opportunities for knowing the man
before he became famous were ex-
ceptionally good.
The present writer reached Chat
tanooga in as short time after leav-
ing New York as reasonable perse-
verance would enable him to do so.
Meanwhile, being caught in the IA
NOUS Wheeler's raid in the Shagaut-
chic Valley, Tennessee, and taking
to the mountains, which one would
naturally do as the alternative Of
capture, after the news of the disas-
ter ct Chickamauga C reached the Iri-
bune office. his instructions being to
relieve the since famous Henry Vii
lard, of the Northern Pacific Rail-
road. The second person he met af-
ter reaching his destination was Mr..
Dana, the first being General Rose
Grams.
To the General l delivered the let
ter that was designed to secure for
me the standing which all war cor
respondents, after they had cut their
eye-teeth. strove to attain when con-
Germs Of moment were transporting at
headquarters. A war correspondent
without a proper standing then was
very much like a lost dog. The
General received me graciously
but he said not word about the
military situation; did not even
ask me by what ronte / came or how
I had accomplished what might rea-
sonably be considered a feat Of many
difficulties, and some dangers. 1t
did not seem to occur to him that l
might possess information of consid-
erable importance. What he want
ed to know was whether / had
brought through anything fit to
read. / answered his question by
producing from a capacious pocket
a copy of Hayperis Magazine, nearly
a month old, Eagerly turning to
the funny pages he read and COM
mented on the wit supposed to be
sometimes found there.
DANAs EARLY OPINION OF GRANT.
After q half hour thus spent, took
my leave. Hardly had / closed the
door to the Generals room when a
hand was laid on my shoulder and
n familiar voice bade me Come
right in here" It was Mr.. Dana,
whose room was Immediately oppo-
site. In the next ten minutes he
knew I'll that was able to relate
of the route by which / had come,
and q variety Of particulars which /
was able to give him. He said it
was all important. At the outset of
his rapid questioning be interjected
that in two days General Grant
would be there; that the situation
was extremely critical. and the out
come was doubtful. Said 1: stop
right there and tell me about Grant.
l. he al he seems at q distance ?
You have been with him. Tell me
hov doea he rear and Is be the