Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-07-04

He always called his grandfather
"iather," and his own father "Nelvil." l
kissed the Southern baby, and told him
that | did not keephis father in prison;
ahd we went in 10 dinner. 1t was served
on silver, and the wines were delicious,
but The other fare was black beans and
sCanty meat; tor the SOules were living in
captured town, and Confederate money
all they had-was worthless. They suf-
tered the hardships Of war in their sump-
tuous home, and almost starved under the
painted ceilings, surrounded by luxury
that Knocked their want. But the wines
had been left in the cellar since before the
troubles, and the luscious fruits from the
garden they did not need to buy.
Nelvil still talked so as to make me be-
lieVe that he and his father might by jul
dicious treatment be won TO the Union
cause. Perhaps it was clever in him to
do this, but thought he was IN earnest.
Col. Charles G. llaipinc was at this
time member OF Halleck's staff and on
duty atW ashington. had known him well
a. a bright mauwIth sympathies for South
eruers. He had, indeed, a good deal Of
the same feeling that | entertained. We
were both Democrats at the begin uing o
the war, and | had voted for BreckIn-
ridge. ] would once have yielded every
thing to the South thai could have been
yielded hOnOrably rather than see the
Union destroyed, and still tenderly
loved many of my Southern friends.
Even under Buffers rule | visited many
ladies' in New Orleans whom / had known
IN happier times.
knew Gen. Haleck slightly and his
wte's family almost intimately, but did
not feel at liberty to address the General
in-Chief direct. SO | wrote to halpine
and told him the whole story OF the Soules
with my belief that they might be made OF
use. ] asked whether il IN light not be adYis-
able TO release Pierre SOule on parole and
return him to New Orleans. He was
hlgh-miuded man, and the clemency
might have its effect. | thought it possible
he might be induced To form party
among the French Creoles favorable to
submission, and that the example Of so
powerful an element might tell elsewhere.
This, ii Will be remembered, was III 1862,
when others, more important than |. be-
leVed the return OF the south To her
allegiance still possible. At any rate,
proposed the plan. Halpne wrote me
Thar he laid it before Gen. Halleck, who
thought 1t worth considering; it was dis
Cussed In Cabinet meeting, but the decis-
ION was finally adverse, and SOule re-
manned in Fort Lafayette.
But-wlth good Intentions certainly,yet
just as certainly with great lack OF iudg-
ment-Halpine gave my letter In full to
the New York Times; and one day at New
Orleans | saw myself in print, with all
my suggestions and devices i'm regard to
the Soules disclosed. | WAS OF course
greatly chagrined, aud wrote at once to
NelVil declaring that l held my self fully
authorized TO make any statements |
Thought proper to my own government ;
that was in New Orleans IN time OF war.
in my uniform, serving my country, aud
there could be no doubt that ii was my
| duty 10 make known 20 my Supporters any
views or discoveries that thought might
be OF use. | could not apologize for what
| had written home. But also said that
| did not think | had any right 10 compro-
mise him with his friends, and that 10 do
80 had been turthest from my mind. |
was willing TO explain, although | could
not apologize. / assured HIM that my
I letter had been Intended 10 be conGden-
! tial, and that its publication was without
my sanction and contrary to my expressed
wish. trusted this would be sufficient
TO acquit me Of any unhandsome conduct
toward himself.
He did not reply, aud / supposed he
was dissatisfied. We had been very init
mate, ana was entitled TO some answer,
unless he meant to make an open rup-
lure. HIS silence was reproach, almost
2u insinuatiOn that | had betrayed his
confidence. ! felt this keenly, aud after
waiting n few DAYS | wrote him again,
stating that | had said all in my power.
! renewed the explanation, but was still
unable TO offer any apology for doing what
! considered my duty; but II he remained
displeased | WAS ready TO give him any
other saSsiaction he desired. l reQu ssted