Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-05-09

be glad OF the fate that made any o:
us his associates.
This letter Is sent you not from any
disposition for prominence. but TO add TO
the personal history of a noble man-s
glorious and dashing life-for his de-
cendants or for those who would enjoy
the knowledge OF all incidents or facts
connected with the ending Of the mortal
career OF man who was held in such
high esteem in his professional and civil
life.
Now, for the statement. ] was sitting
in my Office at ~ Wall street New YORK
city, enc afternoon late in February.
1888 iRobert =. X, brother. OF General
Whiting, being an associate In my busi-
ness and in the Office at the time), when
gentleman Ca New York steamship
owneD entered the ofiice-named Dick
inson-and said:
Merchant, General whiting is pris-
oner OF war at Governors Island and
wishes TO see you at once"
/ said to him: when did he arrive
there and where did he come from?'
HE was captured at Fort Fisher
Dickinson handed me two English
sterling bills Of exchange q forget the
amounO and said. Whiting said get
those cashed and bring him the money
and come at once. He wants to see
YOU
When whiting bid me good-by in San
Francisco in February. 1856. he said:
"Good-by. Steve. Whenever you enter
Vanity Fair. remember me!'
The time had GOMEZ
My father. as brigadier-general, was In
command at Bedloe's Island, being the
rendezvous for all recruits for the Army
OF the Potomac.
Colonel Bomford, commander Eighth
Regiment United States Infantry. as
sociate of my brother Charles q. Mer-
chant, was in command at Governor
Island.
General Dix was in command OF the
Department of the East, headquarters
New York city.
No civilians were allowed at any OF
the military stations except they had
permit from Dix.
l gave no thought to permit.
at once went 10 the South Ferry and
took ferry-boat TO Atlantic street,
Brooklyn. There / took Whitehall
boat and had the oarsman skin close to
the shore Of the island, though warned
off by successive sentries, until we
reached the landing float at the wharf.
and while the sentry's back was turned
i jumped upon 1t previously arranging
details TO force a landing) and the oars
man pulled away rapidly, leaving me
there to listen 10 the sentry's call TO the
oarsman TO come back and take that
man away"
This call 1 interrupted through my
knowledge of military forms by:
Sentinel, call the sergeant of the
guard!'
AS no civilian could understand the
giving of such an order, the sentinel,
under his discipline, responded at once.
Sergeant of the Guard No. ~
The sergeant came. l said: Sergeant.
1 wish TO see the officer Of the day."
He obeyed, and took me TO the oincer
of the days quarters, within the square
of the buildings composing Fort Column
bus forget his name. Introducing my
self as son of General Merchant, l
said: Il wished to see Colonel Bonn
ford" So he walked with me TO Colonel
Bomford's quarters. and there left me.
stated 10 Colonel Bomfo,d the pur-
pose Of my visit (after a family talN,
and he sent me to the hospital, which
was large, two-story brick building,
facing the west.
l walked upstairs and knocked at the
door Of the room the hospital steward
had directed me to.
A young-loolting, handsome man,
dressed in Confederate gray. opened the
door half way ON its hinges.
| said to him., rs General Whiting
hereg'
This officer, as I remember, rather
shrunk from my inquiry, possibly sus-
pecting me to be northern news-re-
porter, but, turning toward Whiting.
whom / could see lying upon a cot
covered with blankets, said:
General, there is gentleman mere
asks to see you"
Writings sweet voice Of tenderness,
blended with the power of command
came through the air:
whats his nameT'
''He says his name is Steve Merchant"
Writings order camel recall 1t now
so fun of gladness-"Pass him In, d--n
him.!
] was then introduced to his staff, but
can only remember Hill. who let me In
the room. and his doctor, who was
nephew, think. of JEFF. Davis.
/ was with him for some time, talking
over other days on the Pacific ana the
situation for the contending armies and
political results.
Robert was often at the hospital to see