Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1888-02-10
CHAPTER XVIII.
INTERVIEW WITH SECRETARY or WAR
STANTON AND PRESIDENT LINCOLN

STANTON AND PRESIDENT LINCOLN
When we reached Washington n day
was fixed for an interview with Secretary
Stanton. Ohio State Agent WetmurC and
Ma. Gen. Hitchcock accompanied us. Gems.
Sigel and Stahl, with many other distin-
guished persons, We're in the ante-rOom
waiting, but as we were there by appoint
ment, they continued to wait, While we
were at once admitted. Stanton had long
resided in my county town of Steuben-
vile, and | had seen him, and knew him
well hy reputation, though | could then
claim no personal acquaintance. We
were seated. after hc had shaken each OF
us warmly by the hand and uttered
words OF greeting and compliment. We
talked f. Il considerable time, not so
much on tho subject of our expedition
for | took it for granted that, lawyer like,
he hsd looked over the evidence in the
case and made up his mind about it-as
upon general topics, such as our impress
sons of the south and the | Mon men in
it, and Of our hope and feeling about the
war. was especially struck by his ask
ing us how we had liked Gen. Mitchell as
n commanders and when we spoke of him
with uustnted enthusiasm he seemed
greatly pleased and said; "That's the
way all his men talk about him. He
told MS that he had been aware of our eX-
petition at the time, but had no accurate
information Of the fate of the party. His
impression was that all had persisted at
first On the escape of the eight i'll Octo-
Der he had made official inquiries of the
Confederate government about us, but
| had been answered that they had no in
| formation of the hanging of any of the
party.
He had then threatened retaliation in
case any more were put to death, and had
endeaNored to effect our exchange; he was
| very glad indeed that these efforts had
| succeeded and surprised us by saying,
| 'Nou will find yourselves great heroes
| when you get home:i then added many
| kind words about the high appreciation
of our services 10y the government, which,
coming from the secretary Of war of a
great nation to private soldiers, was most
fattering. Stanton seemed especially
pleased with PARROT. lie was the young
est of our number and of very quiet and
simple manners. Stanton gave him the
offer Of Il complete education if he would
accept it understood him to mean at
West Point. Parrot answered that while
the war lasted he did not wish to 60 to
school. but would rather go back and fight
| the rebels who had used him so badly.
| AT this Stanton smiled, rs if he greatly
approved his spirit, and said to him, IF
| you want Il friend at any time be sure to
annlv IA me y Then rninr into another
room he brought out a medal and handed
| il ia pnrrott saving sConcrees has nv n
recent law ordered medals to be prepared
on this model, and your party shall have
| the first: they will be the first that have
been given tOprivate soldiers in this war"
Later all the survivors of the party re-
a nresent If 300 eoch from tbe secret ser
vice fund and ordered all the nancy and
the ynluc nf arms and nronertv taken
| from, ~ NV III, r.hoIs r. he refunded
| FINALLY he asked ms ohout o,,r wishes and
intentions for tho futnre Finding that
we were all resolved to return ia active
| sor,,ica no otrorol NJ commissions nc first
linutrn,nts in the rnrulnr army we
| oynr,..od a ,rof.reucn for tbn volunteer
en,,,ino s,,ina, thnt ,ye ,,nrn soldiers only
Gov ia wow md ,ro,Id vi.b ~ resume
n,,r ,s,,,,I ,,uro,,its ,yhan nnoce returned
Ifa ,,,,,,,'i.i,I ~ roonnSt Goverrnr Todd
| of Ghin ,o rive ,io oo,iv,lont commits
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| mission Nv cnmunuiOnS had done "A lit
~ ,' ~ ~ ,, -, sbn,,,
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did stiII ,,ro,t'.r crn,,.d Hon nt tbe
~ u, ,'-' -, l.,i'i.',' ~, ~,
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we o"ilie ny 4PPol''iI'n' We i"' tno
pielele"ce anu were roi'iuc .t iiii
lleula'CiH ~ 'nc PilN"'e oiilor vi 'i,c l l'oi-
ueh'. I u'u icei S"itie Hl'lc '''lp''i "ao
nieh', p'I 'h'S 3G"rcely "ccoihP"nicu Us
over over the ,iireshoiu' -, ,...,a,.,
~, Inc Once was very plllhlS lurn lnl'Hl
mere was lonS l''oie anu Soil'c Ili"i's >