The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-09-09

him be would not object" From which
illustration inferred that Mr.. Lincoln
wanted Davis to escape, "unbeknown "
90 him.
made no notes Of this conversation
at the time, but Admiral Porter, who
was present, did, and in 1866 he fur
nished me an account thereof, which /
insert below. but the Admiral describes
the first visit, of the 9th, whereas my
memory puts Admiral Porters presence
on the following day. Still he may be
right. and he may have been with lis the
dav before, as | write this chiefly from
memory.
THOSE INTERVIEWS.
There were two distinct interviews !;
the first was late in the afternoon Of
March 81, and the other about noon
the 2Sth, both in the after-cabin OF
the steamer River Queen; on both
occasions Mr.. Lincoln was full and
frank in his conversation, assuring me
that in his mind he was all read dy for the
civil reorganization of afi;rirs at the
South as soon as the war was over; and
he distinctly authorized me to as8ure
Gov. Vance and the people OF North
Carolina that, az soon as the rebel armies
laid down their arms, and resumed their
civil pursuits, they would at once be
guaranteed all their rights as citizens Of
a common country; and that to avoid an
archy the State Governments then IN
existence, with their civil function
aries, would be recognized by hiln
as the Government de facto till Congress
could provide others
| know when left him that I was
more than ever impressed by his kindly
nature, his deep and earnest sympathy
with the affections Of the whole people
resulting from the war and by the march
of hostile armies through the South, and
that his earnest desire seemed TO be 10
end the war speedily, without more
bloodshed or devastation, and to restore
all the men Of both sections to their
homes In the language OF his second
Inaugural address, he seemed to have
"charity for all, malice toward none, !"
and, above all, an absolute faith in the
courage, manliness, and integrity Of the
armies in the field.
When at rest or listening his legs and
arms seemed to hang almost Ifeless and
his face was careworn and haggard; but
the moment he began to talk his face
lightened UP, bis tall form, rs it were,
unfolied, and be was the very imper-
eonation Of good humer and fellowship.
The last words / recall as addressed to
me were that be would feel better when
/ was back at Goldsboro'. We parted
at the gaDgway OF the River Queen,
about noon of March %, and i never
saw him again. OF all the men ever
met, he seemed to possess more of the
elements Of greatness, combined with
goodness, than any other.
ADMIRAL PoITER's ACCOUNT.
"The day of Gen. Sherman,s arrival
at City Point q think the 9th Of March,
1869, accompanied him and Gen.
Grant on board the Presidents flagship,
the Queen, where the President received
us in the upper saloon, no one but our
selves being present.
The President was in an exceedingly
pleasant mood, and delighted to meet
Gen. Sherman, whom he cordially greet
ed. 1t.seenls that this was the first time
he had met Sherman, to remember him,
since the beginning Of the war, and
did not remember when he had seen him
before, until the General reminded him
OF the circumstances of their first meet
ing. This was rather singular on the
part Of Mr.. Lincoln, who was, | think,
remarkable for remembering PEOPLE,
having that kingly quality in an cmi-
nent degree. Indeed, such was the
power Of his memory that he seemed
never to forget the most minute circum-
stance.
The conversation soon turned on the
events Of Sherman's campaign through
the South, with every movement of
which tie President seemed familiar.
1AS sdN- -AfSA DFti cDllc OI Tie stories
Sherman told Of his bummers.' and
told others in return which illustrated
IN d striking manner the ideas he wanted
to convey. For example, he would
often express bis wishes by telling an
apt story, which was quite a habit with
HIM, and one that / think be adopted to
prevent his committing himself seriously.
The interview between the two Generals
and the President lasted about an hour
and a halt, and, as il was a remarkable
one, ! jotted down what | remembered
Of the conversation, as ] have made a
practice Of doing during the rebellion
when anything interesting occurred.
don't regret having done so, as circum-
stances aiterward occurred CStanton's
ll-conduct toward Sherman which
tended to cast odium on Gen. Sherman
for allowing such liberal terms to Jos.
Johnston.
L1NCoLN's VIEWS.
"Could the conversation that occurred
On board the Queen, between the Presi-
dent and Gen. Sherman, have been
known, Sherman would not and could
not have been censured. Mr.. Lincoln,