Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-01-04
tcon.inu~d from Yesterday
DARING AID SUFFERING.
A History Of the Andrews Railroad
Raid Into Georgia in 1862.
CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPIEh ANVIL
NTEEvIEw WITH SECRETARY OF WAR
STANTON AND PRESIDENT LrycolE.
When we reached Washington q day
was fixed for an interview with Secretary
Stanton. Ohio State Agent Wetmore and
Ma. Gen. Hitchcock accompanied us. Gems.
Sigel and Stahl, with many other distin-
guished persons, were in the ante room
waiting, but as-we were there by appoint
ment, they continued 70 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 by reputation, though could then
claim no personal acquaintance. We
were seated, after lie had shaken each of
warmly by the hand and uttered
words Of freezing and compliment We
talked fcr Il considerable time, not 81
T1uoh on the subject Of our expedition
fer tco: it for granted that, lawyer Ike,
he had looked over the evidence in Tie
case and male up his mind about it--a.'
upon general topics, such Us our impress
sions OF the south and the Union 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
a commander; and when we spoke of him
with unst.nted enthusiasm he seemed
greatly pleased, and said: That's tie
way all his men talk about him" He
told us that lie had been aware Of cur ex-
petition at tie time, but had no accurate
Information Of Ike fate of the party. His
impression was that all had persisted at
first On The escape of the eight in 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
endeavored to effect our exchange; he was
very glad indeed that these efforts had
succeeded and surprised us by saying,
"You will find yourselves great heroes
when you get home;" then added many
kind words about the high appreciation
of our services by 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 complete education If he would
accept it understood him to mean nj
West Point Parrot answered that while
the war lasted lie did not wish to go to
school, but would rather go back and fight
the rebels who had used him so badly.
At this Stanton smiled, as if he greatly
approved his spirit and said to him, If
you want friend at any time be sure to
apply to me-" Then going into another
room he brought out a medal and handed
it to Parrot, saying, Congress has by
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 to private soldiers in this war"
Later all the survivors Of the party re-
ceived similar medals. Then lie gave us
a present of 800 each from the secret SER
vice fund, and ordered ell tie money end
the value of arms and property taken
from US ly the rebels to lie refunded.
IinGlly he t kod US about orr wishes and
intentions for the future. Finding that
we were all resolved to return to active
service lie olered us commissions as first
licutenants in the regular army. We
exbr. sscd n preference for the volunteer
service, saying that we were soldiers only
for Tie war, and would wish to rcsrlE.e
oUr usual pursuits wien peace returned.
lie promised TO Request Governor ToCd,
Of Ohio, to give Us equivalent con.E2is-
sions in our own regiments. Then with
Il hearty Eou,iby we lclt hiill.
We bad been invited to call upon the
PRESIDENT The sane day, and Gen. Hitch
cock accompanied Us on this pleasant
mission My companions had done n lit
tie jcstng about being able now to show
me how much ] was mistaken in try
ing to impose upon them the tall, plain
stranger we had met ut the Smithsonian
institution without any guard, such as
horn spiI nlwaxS 81 cd
him, for the great and good Abraham
Lincoln which | enjoyed ms much as they
did a stu greater crowd than Mt the
war Office was awaiting admissions; bat as
we came by appointment we had the
prefers nee and were conducted i'm
mediate ly to the Private Office of the prcsi
dent, We did feel some Little enlbg rrnss-
ment, but this scarcely accompanied us
over the threshold
Tic Office was very plainly furnished.
There was Il long table and some chairs.
but scarcely anything else. Lincoln met
Us ut the door. greeted us warmly, and
told us how u.ucl he had been interested
in hearing of our adventures and low
glad he was that we had at last escared
from the hands of the enemy. We
answered as well as we could. rcmem-
her telling him that we were very glad to
see him, though we mad been hearin a
great many things not complimentary
about him for the past year. He smiled,
saying: "lHdeed, there are good many
people up here that say about as bad
things OF me" | also mentioned the
reason that the other members of the
party would not believe that he was the
man we met at tie Smithsonian, which
caused him to ]auch heartily and ask
al I
with a greet guard raradirg after him,
and if tie people of the SOU i believe, all
the stories printed in their papers? While
talking lie did not keep one position, but
shifted from place to place going from one