St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1893-02-25
TWO WOMEN pEAcEMAKeRS.
Gen. Grants Singular Proposition to Cen.
L0ngetreeG

TWO WOMEN pEAcEMAKERS.
Gen. Grants siogalar Proposition to Ger
Loogstreet.
In those idle and peaceful days whicl
followed graduation 1t West Point
army duties were pleasant rather thai
exacting, and time hung lightly enougl
to make social life about post very II
tractive. It was in those halcyon day
that the friendship between Grant an,
Longstreet began which was aftcrwar
drawn upon by the great union com
mander in his attempts TO bring pcac
to the country months before the cy
clone of conflict knocked the life out o
the confederacy and left politicians I,
wrangle over details for restoring tn,
union that bred no end Of trouble.
Gen. Grants idea was an inspiration
The attempt was bold enough to b
startling even now. but it gives another
evidencc Of the wonderful soldiers cour
age and faith in his Judgment Tn,
peace conference 1t Hampton Road
had failed President Lincoln had re
turned to Washington and the southern
commissioners had gone to their homes
The union commander had set grea
store upon the result Of this meeting
and was much depressed - he saw the
prospects for an early peace vanish
But the man Of many resources did no,
spend time in regrets. He soon turned
his mind In the direction Of arranging .
military conference between himself
and Gen Lee, in the hopes of reaching
some terms for the cessation of hostili-
ties that would be SO fair to both sec.
tiops that the politicians would be
forced by public sentiment to accept
them as the basis Of = peaceful settle
| ment Of the war.
The task was difficult and delicate
one, and could only be accomplished by
indirection. Gen. Grant instinctively
turned toward Gen. Longstreet for aid
to accomplish it The confederate gen.
eral had been near him when he mar.
ried Miss Dent and took up his residence
rs post quartermaster at tho City Of the
Straits In the whirl of those days
Grant and his young wife and Long
street and his bride were prominent
and interesting 6gureA To restore the
wives. who were as fast friends as their
husbands, would be to open the door
for social communion between mill
tary spirits that might lead to good re-
suits if not solve the problem in the
head and heart of the union leader.
Both armies were facing each other
In winter quarters Mrs Grant was
with her husband within the federal
lines, and Mrs Longstrcet was with
the general within the confederate. As
the sequel shows. both of these noble
women were quite willing to perform
the important part which had been as
signed them. Gen. Ord, who it is said
was always bunting q fight was sent
for by Gen. Grant and received certain
directions. An hour later in the oppo-
site confederate camp one Of Long
streets staff officers rode up to his chief
and said:
There is . flag OF truce along the
line, with Gen Ord in charge, sir"
It was only a few minutes before
Gen. Ord and Gen. Longstreet met at
the latter's tent 'Our men," said Ord.
''are trading sugar for tobacco. and cof-
fee for other things your men have.
They are even playing games and run.
ming horses together, making picket
service . pleasure rather than an inn
portant duty. It is desirable that it
should be stopped"
Longstreet agreed that It should, and
that settled it This incident brushed
away, which was really only to pave
the way for one of the most remarkable
conversations that ever took place be-
tween opposing generals in time of war,
Gen. Crd told Longstrcet of Gen. Grants
plan for bringing himself and Gen. Lee
together that they might discuss some
plan looking toward ending the war.
The plan was that Mrs. Longstreet
should come through the lines for .
social visit to Mrs Grant, staying rs
long as she pleased As many officers
rs Longstreet thought desirable should
come with her and 60 about freely with |
the union ofiicerA Mrs Grant would |
then become her guest, accompanied by |
as many federal officers as Grant might |
select
It was his idea that in this social way
about the cessation of hos
tilities would be natural. as the officers |
of the two armies came to know each |
other better. In this way the COM
of the hostile forces could also
be brought into contact in an unofficial |
way and discuss methods to put . stop to
further bl0cdshcd. Even II nothing
practical came OF it, . kindly and hu-
name spirit would, at least, be shown
among the men doing the fighting, all
he leaders Of whom were anxious to
stop further sacrifice Of human life.
81 was much pleased with the propo-
ition," said Gen. Longstreet more than
! quarter of . century after the memor-
Iblc incident of the winter Of 1865.
But having no authority to treat upon
uch matters agreed to place the inn
,ortant subject At once before Gen.
zee. did 60. and he favored It. At
Richmond the scheme was earnestly
alked over and approved. Mrs Long
treet was anxious to do her part in tho
lea fer peace, and was soon ready to
tart upon her delicate but interesting
rrand Gen. Leo gave her letter to
zen. Grant which was to be seen by me
'efore she passed through the lines
1T was q direct request for confer.
nee to consider definite articles Of
eace. I knew that request, the mo-
aent I read 1t. would be fatal to the
lans arranged by Grant He had no ,
igat to consider such articleA and !,
new him well enough to know that he
rould never assume An authority he /,
i'd not have. Invent promptly to Gen.
.ee and urged such . change in his ,
.tter . would 1t least open the way for j