The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-12
a FAMOUS TELEGRAM.
The Message Which Notified President LIN
coin of General Lees Surrender.


coin of General Lees Surrender.
Philadelphia Special to Globe Democrat.
A fugitive newspaper clipping states that Gen.
Badeau claims to have obtained possession OF
General Grants celebrated Appomattox dispatch
in peculiar way. The story, which is said to
have been related by General Badeau himself, is
to the effect that General Grant after conclud-
ing the terms of surrender with General Lee,
suddenly remembered that he had not notified
President Lincoln of the surrender and, asking
Badeau for his note book, wrote the famous dis
patch. 1t was further stated that Badeau asked
permission to retain the original copy, to which
General Grant assented, and that duplicate
was then and there made, which was handed to
the telegraph operator, General BaJeau retain
ing the original. r. c. Laverty, the operator
Camden Evening Telegram. His version of the
story is different from that of General Badeau,
and is an interesting scrap of history never be-
fore published
II have never spoken about any of these mat
tiers since the close of the war, but frequently
see just such inaccurate stories in print" said
Mr.. Laverty, 'and often feel tempted to correct
them. remember the circumstance of which
you speak very distinctly. had been detailed
for duty telegraph operator on General
Grants staff and transmitted all the telegraphc
correspondence relating to the surrender.
must say doubt whether General Badeau ever
made this statement, although It must be con-
fessed he has never denied it. He was present,
-, course,
hence he could not have beet mistaken about
such ali important event had been with Gen.
Grant continually from the time we left the
front (Petersburg) until the night of that mem
orable day, April g. 1865. About III o'clock on
the morning of the 9th of April, 'Gea. Grant sent
me- with a number of kilograms addressed to
President Lincoln aud the War Department,
to find our WIRE which the telegraph corps. I'M
der Chief of Construction Doran. was following
closely by way of the South Side railroad As
had iaaxa 40 RI find on mar nd
a considerable distance to ride. aid not re-
turn until about P. NJ The surrender had
then been arranged. and the General and his
staff had returned to headquarters from the
house of Mr.. Mclean, whore the documents
were signed. The kilograms announcing and
officially reporting this event were addressed
separately to President Lincoln (who wasnlways
spoken of at headquarters as General Ltncolnl
and to Secretary Stanton. They were all writ
ten either by General Rawlings or Col. Ely >.
Parker, 'the Indian who WAS Grants military
secretary They were handed to me by Colonel
Parker. had mounted my horse when was
called back, and. dsmountng, we went into the
tent. General Grant said to me that he was
very anxious to receive replies 10 the dispatches,
sent in the morning, and urged me to make
haste with the present ones
II rode to Appomattox Station, about one mile
distant. as fast my horse would carry me. and
there found our line just completed to that
point. entered freight-car which was on the
side-track, loaded with sacks. and made room
for my instrument had but little difficulty in
getting to Washington, though by somewhat
circuitous route. Having done So said Here's
the surrender, and Immediately transmitted the
following:
HEADQUARTERS APPoMATTox G. H., Va,
April 8, 1865.
"Hon. E. M. Stanton Secretary ii War. Washinston:
General Lee surrendered the Army of Northern
Virginia this afternoon. terms proposed by myself
The accompanying additional correspondence will
show the conditions fully. y. ,. GRANT
acknowledgement
~ sent this and the accompanying messages
at 3:45 P. NJ and at Ala P. NJ. delivered to Gen.
Grant the congratuiatory answers from Presi-
dent Lincoln and Secretary Stanton. Strangely,
the line soon after failed TO work, and no bust
ness was done from that point for several days
afterward. General Grant was greatly pleased
with the speedy manner in which the business
had been transacted, as it enabled him to re-
trace his movements, which he did, going to
Burksyle Junction the next morning, and
thence to City Point and Washington.
IF General Badeau ever stated" continued
Mr. Laferty, that Grant forgot to send the dis
patches until reminded of the omission he makes
a great mistake. General Grant reported
regularly every day, and was in constant
communication about that time, because he
was extremely anxious about the personal safe
ty of the President. Furthermore, he said to
me when was intrusted with the morning dis
patches, that had been very fortunate in get
ting circuits promptly and Immediately trans
hitting his messages. He hoped that to day, es
pecially, would be no exception, more than
likely he would be in more urgent need of the
line than ever before. He urged me to make ar
rangements as near certainty as possible. The
original kilograms announcing the surrender
returned to General Grant. along with the re-
plies from President Lincoln and the Secretary
of War. and suppose they among the cam
pagn papers Of General Grant"