The Indianapolis journal., 1886-01-31

Historical Facts That Are Now In Order-Pres-
ident Lincoln and General Grant.
Washington Letter to New York SUM-
The controversy that has been going on be-
tween Gen. Lew Wallace and General Boynton
as to Halleck's conduct during Early's expedition
to Washington has not brought out one Of the
most interesting facts Of that period. 1t is not
generally known that President Lincoln desired
General Grant to hasten to Washington from
Petersburg with such of his troops as were not
needed for retaining his hold there. and to per-
sonally direct the effort to defeat Early. This
project was not carried out, but it is an,interest
ing subject of surmise as to what might have oc-
Cured had it been attempted.
1t should be said that the suggestion originally
came from Grant himself When Early, toward
the end of June. 1864, marched down the Shen-
andoah valley for the purpose OF invading Mary
land and alarming Washington, with the ultimate
view of paralyzine, at least for time, Grants
aggressive operations around Richmond, the
very boldness of this counter stroke caused the
news of it at first to be discredited 1t was not
believed possible for Lee to do more than hold
his own under the tremendous attacks constantly
made upon him by Grant. That he should have
had the audacity during these attacks to detach
a whole corps for aggressive operations in Mary
land was deemed preposterous. This is why
EarlyS march was far advanced before its true
character was appreciated at City Point. Then,
however, all the greater activity became neces-
sary, and was in fact, employed, to repair the
effects of past incredulity, and to meet the EN-
ergency, Hunter, who had retreated from Lynch
burg through the Kanawha to Gauley Bridge and
Charleston, was urged TO hurry his troops by
way of the Ohio to Parkersburg and thence back
to the mouth of the Shenandoah valley. The
President called on the Governors of New York,
Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts for hundred
day volunteers to help repel the enemy. The
Maryland farmers with their household goods in
wagons and packs, began streaming away in all
directions from the prospective lines of Earlys
march. 1t was under such circumstances that,
on the 9th of July, the day of the battle of the
Monocacy, Grant sent this despatch to Halleck:
Forces enough to defeat all that Early has
with him should get in his rear, south of him,
and follow him up sharply, leaving him to 90
north defending depots, towns, &C., with small
garrisons and the militia If the President
thinks it advisable that should 60 to Washing
ton in person. can start in an hour after receiv-
ing notice, leaving everything here on the de-
fensive."
General Halleck at once communicated this
despatch to the President, who Immediately
made his own reply
"What think is that you should provide to
retain your hold where you certainly. and
bring the rest with you personally and rake
vigorous effort to defeat the enemys force in this
vicinity. l think there Is really a fair chance to
do this, if the movement is prompt This is
what think upon your suggestion, and is not
an order"
1t must be remembered that at that time Early
was rapidly pushing for the national capital.
having not only defeated but driven away to-
ward Baltimore the army of Wallace including
the only Division of the Army of the Potomac
infantry that had arrived for the defense of
Washington. There was nothing between
Early's army and the Union cavalry scouting on
the northern suburbs of the capital. The Sun
day following the battle of the Monocacy, with
its news that at single stroke and in a few
hours the army of Wallace had been eliminated
as factor of defense for Washington, was one
of excitement and anxiety. Grant, however,
looking on the situation from the distance of
City Point, on that very day sent to Meade a de-
spatch which most curiously contrasts with the
alarming tone of the messages flying in everv di-
rection from Baltimore and Washington. It
was this: taking all together, everything looks
favorable to me.n
It was in this mood that the dispatch of Presi
dent Lincoln found him. He had had time to
reflect that the very fact of his leaving City
Point at such an hour would not only cause the
peril of Early's movement to be exaggerated, but
might unsettle faith in the tenacity of his own
grip at Petersburg. And this result might occur.
to certain extent. even it, without taking more
troops than had already been ordered he should
simply go to Washington sin person." which was
what he had originally suggested. This, accord
ingly, was his rejoinder to Mr. Lincoln:
II have sent from here a whole CORPS COM
manded by an excellent officer Major Gen. H. G.
Wright, besides over g. 600 other troops One
division of the Nineteenth Corps, 5000 strong, is
now on its way to Washington, steamer loaded
Win tnese troops having passed ort monroe To-
day. They will probably reach Washington to-
| morrow night This fcrce under Wright, will be
able to compete with the whole force under
Early. Think, on reflection, IL would
have bad effect for me to leave here, and. with
Gen. Ord at Baltimore and Hunter and Wright
with the forces following the enemy up, could do
no good. Ihave great faith that the enemy will
never be able to get back with much of his force"
This closed the proposition to have Grant take
charge OF the campaign around Washington.
Within three days Early was in full retreat.