The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-21
THE GRANT BOOK CONTROVERSY,
Gen. Badeau Arrives in New York aud Favors
the Pnblic with His Side of the Story.

yesterday forenoon and is now sc the Fifth
avenue Hotel. They occupy rooms II and J.
The General comes fully armed and eager for
the legal war to be waged against the widow and
estate OF General Grant His first move was
consultation with his lawyers. Messrs. Stanly,
Clarke and Smith, for which purpose he was
down town bright and early this morning.
The finishing details of evidence will be supplied
TO his counsel from among q large morocco
handbag of documents which reposes in the
Secretarys apartment.
The Generals visit to this city has been pre-
cipitated by the recent publications regarding
his suit against Mrs. Grant for compensation
for services in the pre- paration OF Gen Grants
personal memoirs. He is DESTROYS of present
ing mis- side of the for public consideration.
Since Col. f. D. Grant has fit to air the
matter In the newspapers. he argues, he will
avail himself of the Same privilege and make a
detailed statement over his OWE signature in
few days. This statement will embody q succinct
account of his literary relations with Gen.
Grant since the inception of WORK on Gen. Ba-
deaus book, 1.-THE Military History of Gen.
Grant" and cover the entire period of Grants
illness. when their joint labors wer directed to
the preparation of the memoirs" There will
be an explanation of the difference which finally
led to the discontinuance of this assistant. and
Baceau's subsequent Intellectual effort to obtain
what he claims was his right under an agree
ment with Gen. Grant.
The Sun will, tomorrow, publish General Ba-
deau's version of the controversy. The state
fills several columns of the Sun General Ba-
deau is somewhat severe in his structures on the
course pursued By Col. Fred Grant in the mat
ter. He says General Grant called him away
from his own literary work to assist, first in
the preparation of magazine articles, and then
in that of the Memoirs" They thought this
would occupy perhaps three months, whereas.
in fact, it had occupied seven months, when he
retired; that General Grant supposed he might
realize $4,000 to 900 from the work, and, of
his own motion, since its publication
would estop General Badeau from real
izlng fully his intended Life of
Grant" gave him (Badeau) the already
first $40. 600 profits. and So, 900 from the next
$4,000; that General Grant insisted this
matter being kept secret; that when he received
his drst installment of 81, 900 he paid General
Badeau $3.50, thus ratifying the contract; that
he tBadeau), finding that the work to be
such remarkable success and realizing that
his own work. on which he had spent sixteen
years. would be correspondinelV injured, wrote
General Grant, suggesting new contract; that
to this he received his letter of dismissal. all in
the handwriting of Col. Fred Grant, except the
signature. General Badeau asserts that Colonel
Grant, when it appeared that his father would
be unable to finish the work, suggested that
Badeau complete it and allow it to be published
his FIRED Grant's work. General Badeau
goes on to say that love and loyalty to his chief
has sealed his mouth as to the part
which he actually took in the prepare
waited and negotiated for settlement when he
might have gone at once into court and enforced
contract. declares
first offered him ST. 500; that this was subse-
quently raised to S. 000 and he agreed to take
that sum; but condition attached to draw
from him statement as to the authorship of
the work, which he refused to sign, and negoti-
atoms were broken off, His part in the work
he states as follows:
For months spent four or five hours q day
at his side, and many hours besides in my
room at work on his book. When were to-
gether we sat at the same table, and often. and
soon as be had written page he handed it to
ma n nO WTit "a riCfra lTfaa tfAr md in
that sense did not compose the book. The
thoughts were General Grants, and, in most
cases, the original draft of the language. But
suggested much. | told him where to insert
description of scenery, where to place an ac-
count of a character, how 30 elaborate picture
of battle. / recalled scenes and incidents to
his memory in which had participated, with
the story of which was familiar, and / verified
his statements did not compile data, as Col.
Grant supposes- The data were complied and
ready in my own history, and that he always
took as his authority. 1 read M, however, sew
eral works on the Mexican war and then went
over what he had written that subject, veri-
flying or correcting it, and almost re-making this
portion, so far construction and style are con-
cerned. discussed his statements and the ad-
visibility OF his expressions OF opinion, and
often persuaded him to change the one or with
hold or modify the other And then when
the subject-matter was settled l took
this rough material to my own room and made
any changes | saw fit III the language or style.
| took out whole pages; transferred others
from one part of the book to another; modified
any expressions which disliked or disapproved,
and there vas page in the first volume
one in the second, down to the Wilderness
campaign which did not contain a dozen altera-
items or notifications entirely l broke
up sentences; softened or heightened the effect
corrected the grammar, and all with the
knowledge and sanction, and by the express and
repeated desire of General Grant. l especially
constructed the work. General Grant had a
very good power!of clear and forcible expression
in matters with which he was familiar, or in
which he was interested, and passages of his
were often feicitious. These I always retained,
and always sought to preserve his simplicity
and directness and even ruggedness of language
never TO oetray my own share in the work, but
he never knew whether what he wrote
was good English, and bis slips in
grammar were constant. He had, besides no idea
whatever of building up chapter book, or of
treating theme SO as to lead up to point, or
TO make complete picture or argument. If
he struck out good sentence at the first trial,
so much the better: but he could not repair
improve it. rule There was nothing dis
in our relation either to him or TO
me. The work was labor of love to me, and
he appreciated this and enjoyed seeing the book
take different shape and color in my hands, or
rather, seeing his own thoughts and deeds
brought out more clearly and more absolutely &C
cording to his idea. But the book
could not have been made what it is without
me. There was no one else who had both my
peculiar knowledge of the theme aud the literary
quality. There one else whom he would
have allowed to do what did: but he knew how
loved him. and how devoted was TO his fame,
and he trusted me. l did my work Loyalty, il
aver man did and never betrayed him. I
have done nothing to precipitate this question
would net have told what am writing now if
It had not been extorted from me by the i'm
putations referred to by his SON General Grant
onee said to me Badeau know could not do
this work without you. / think could tell a
plain story, 80 that people would understand
what meant; but could not write such book
- this without you. You have been invaluable
and Indispensable TO me- not only in verifeatiou
and revision, but in suggestion. ana I am very
grateful
The Herald. speaking of General Badeau's
says, editorially: General Badeau
AYERS that General Grant, dragged, diseased. on
he verge of the grave, signed a letter written
,r improperly inspired by his son, Colonel Grant
which. had he been in his right mind. he would
lot have signed. This letter. however, exists in
General Grants handwriting, written in pencil
IS was all of General Grants literary work in
hose days of bodily effort and torture, and
copied by his son for convsniencs. This fact