River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-08-13

officers. and they claimed all credit for
the victory. Maj. Carroll reported
what he had learned TO Gen. Rawlins,
Gen. Hilyer and Gen. Logan, and told
them that if Buell's war correspondents
should send reports of the battle they
would undoubtedly give Buell. all credit
for the victory. Commodore Graham
gave Maj. Carroll one of his transport
steamers, and the major steamed away
to Fort Henry for the parpose of send
ing his dispatches. Telegraphic COM
munication with the north was estab.
lished at Fort Henry, and Maj. Carroll
was the only newspaper man in the
army who knew that fact. He still held
his commission as the Herald CORE.
spondent, and wrote his account of the
battle while the boat steamed down the
river. He paid the telegraph operator
ten dollars for his immediate atten.
ton, and Immediately the news began
to go over the wire. All newspaper
matter was subject TO censorship, and
very soon the operator told Carroll that
the commanding officer at Fort Donel-
son wanted to know who was sending
that long dispatch. 1t happened that
the commanding officer was Gen. Lo-
gan, and when the operator sent word
that it was Carroll he authorized the
report to go ahead Thus it happened
that Mai. Carroll sent the first news of
the battle of Pittsburg Landing. and
by doing so he not only accomplished
the greatest feat ever performed in war
but at the same time
gave the world report which fairly
represented Gen. Grant, thereby fore
stalling the reports which were sent
later in the interest of Gen. Buell.. Con-
sequently, during his entire lifetime
Gen. Grant was a warm friend of Maj.
Carroll, and took occasion to demon
strate his appreciation.
Mai. Carroll then secured leave of alb
sence, went to New York, and after
wards to Washington where he saw SEN
ator Washburn, and personally gave
him a correct account of the battle,
giving credit to Grant for his splendid
efforts, and correcting many misappre-
tensions which existed. 1t will be re-
membered that Gen. Halleck gave cre-
dencc to Gen. Buell's report, and re-
lieyed Grant of his command, humiliat-
ing the great soldier to such a degree
that, but for the warm friendship and
urgent advice of Gen. Sherman and Gen.
Rawlins, Grant might have resigned
from the army. Senator Washburn
took Mai. Carroll 70 the white house,
where he had an extended interview
with President Lincoln, to whom he
gave valuable information concerning
the Illinois soldier who was at that
time being roundly abused and villified
from many sources.
To the friendship of Maj. Carroll, Gen.
Sherman, Gen. Rawlins, Senator Wash
burn and President Lincoln the country
is largely indebted for the subsequent
career of Grant; for, during those days
of misrepresentation and calumny, the
great soldier was modify determined
to leave the army. His friends were
few, but they warmly espoused his
cause. comforted and encouraged him;
and very soon thereafter President Lin
coin restored him to command, and he
brought the war to a conclusion with
honor to his Gag. aud with credit to him.
self. And then he added luster to his
laurels by his clemency 70 the con-
quered. and by his declaration: "Let us
have peace
SMITH d. FRY.