The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-11-06
ROSECRANS AND LINCOLN.
An Interesting Chapter in the History
of the War.

An Interesting Chapter in the History
of the War.
Edmund Kirke," in letter to the New
York Sun, tells the story of his being sent
by Horace Greeley and other prominent
northern politicians in May, 1868, to get the
consent Of Gen. Rosecrans to the use of his
name in the nominating convention in
antagonism to Lincoln for President
He says that he went to Gen. Rosecrans'
headquarters in Tennessee at the in
stance of Greeley and others, first to find
out if Rosecrans was a consistent aboli
zionist and then, if he was satisfied on:.that
point, TO get permission for the use of his
name to antagonize Lincoln in the conven-
ton. At that time some of the leading
republicans were not satisfied with the way
the war was being prosecuted, and they
were opposed to Lincoln for a second term.
TALK WITH GEN. RosECRANs.
A Star reporter asked Gen. Rosecrans the
other evening what he recollected of the
episode.
Mr.. Krke," he said, ''tells the story with
| remarkable accuracy. | am surprised at
the power of his memory. Small details of
conversation and matters of the arrange
ment of my headquarters are described
with wonderful accuracy. Mr.. 'Kirke'-
that is, James Z. Gilmore: | called him
kirke, for that was the only name | knew
him bY--came to my headquarters at Muir
| freesboro early in 1868. did not know him
personally, but was familiar with the lit
erary name Edmund Kirke.' He had letters,
| as he says, from Mr.. Greeley and number of
| NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. enough to
take him through a stone WALL | had no
idea of his mission. l supposed he had
| come to look after his brother-ln-law, Capt.
York, who had been seriously wounded.
Capt York had already been sent TO Gin
cinnati, and Edmund Kirke remained at
my headquarters for some time guest. He
was welcome and was free to bs with me
and my staff, just as any member of my
staff was / assumed that, his brother-in-
law having been cared for, he remained to
collect information as a newspaper man.
PRIVATE INTERVIEW.
II had no suspicion" said Gen. Rosecrans,
that he was on any other mission. l was
consequently surprised when asked for a
private interview with me the day before
he said he must take his departure. He said
to me when we were alone together that he
he'd come on a special mission; That he had
been sent by the gentlemen from whom he
had presented letters of introduction to
ascertain if | was available for presidential
timber; that he had satisfied himself upon
the only point in doubt as to my being the
man they wanted, and that he wanted to
ask if l would permit the use OF my name.
He told me of the feeling concerning Mr..
Lincoln, and all about the plan as far as
know.
WHY HE DECLINED.
1.-THE thing was complete surprise to
me-, the general went on. 81 was soldier
in the field. had had nothing to do with
politics. | abhorred slavery, but regarded
the agreement between the states as a
solemn compact that the slave-holding
states should settle the question of slavery
for themselves and that the other states
should not interfere. Therefore | regretted
when the conflict had to come; but there
was one thing to do, to prosecute the war to
complete victory. AS | said before | was no
politician; l was plain man with military