The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-10-20
DID GRANT A SERVICE
Mr.. HALLS ACCOUNT OF AN UNPU6-
lISHED WAR INCIDENT.
Had n Certain Teiegraphic Message Not
Been Intercepted Grant Might Not Have
Won Fame-Interesting Correspondence
Never Before Made Public.

Been Intercepted Grant Might Not Have
Won Fame-Interesting Correspondence
Never Before Made Public.
In the history of the rebellion many
thrilling incidents have been omitted
which would be read with the deepest
interest. The war in the beginning was
considered by the English as the begin
ming of the end of the American repub-
lie by Won Moltke as a mere rabble, a
riot, which would be insignificant in
its results Yet it proved to be one of
the mightiest commissions in military
history. through which the art of war
arrived at higher state of perfection
than ever before.
The telegraph became one of the most
powerful weapons of the war depart
ment, and all Europe copied it. Men
were brought into prominence from OBJ
security and honored with the highest
gifts the country could bestow.
Among those most conspicuous was
General u. S. Grant Numerous factions
sprang up in opposition TO his steady
progress, and General Grant, in his
memoirs of this time, says many were
clamoring for his removal. Even the
telegraph was utilized TO further the
work of opposition, and had not the
manager of the Commercial Telegraph
offices in Cairo, Ills, assumed the re-
sponsibility Of intercepting a paid mes
sage to prominent judge and men,
Der Of congress in Washington the name
of Ulysses S. Grant might have been
unknown to history.
In view of substantiating this fact,
correspondence never before published
will be read with interest:
CAIRO, Ills, April 3, 1868.
Major General U. S. Grant, Commanding De
partment Tennessee:
SIR-As one loyal TO the government and
holding the position as manager of the Com
mercial Telegraph offices of Cairo, ] feel IL al
ways my duty TO arrest anything contraband
that may pass through my Office, feeling that
shall be both justified and upheld by the gov
eminent and my country.
With this consideration | have taken upon
myself the responsibility of stopping "a message,
destined for Washington, originating at Padu.
cab, KY, copy of which i inclose you, be-
lieving 1t TO be contraband from the fact that
from its tone he who sends it and perhaps 9th
ers are working against if not TO the injury Of
the commander of the department. Yesterday
april p l consulted Colonel Hill, Thirty fifth
Iowa, a man of good sound sense and he JUS
titles my holding the message. This morning
met Major General Hamilton, and he fully
approves my course in the matter and advises
me TO inclose copy of message To you with full
particulars and await your instructions.
What led me to notice it was the operator at
Paducah informed me he had private cipher
e l. 4
me TO receive and forward to Washington !
refused TO receive it in cipher, as none but rov
eminent messages in time Of war are allowed
to go by telegraph in cipher.
He then sent it to me In FULL as herein in
closed, and although IT was approved by the
commander of the post at Paducah still, upon
my own responsibility, would not allow it to
go through until had consulted some military
men of high authority. | have done So re
ceived their advice and am acting accordingly
am now awaiting your instructions belev
ing you Will uphold me In my position in the
matter. With the highest respect and esteem
am, sir, your obedient servant,
W. H. HALL
Manager Commercial Telegraph Offices, Cairo
Ills. Mailed April 4, 1863
Here is a copy Of the dispatch: i
PADUCAH, April 2, 1868.
To Judge Green Adams or Hon. S. L. Casey, NJ
c.. Washington:
/ got here last night, and, greatly 10 my sur
prise, found bills had been strlcl calling dis.
trict convention suppressed IL for time at
least until Casey could get things fixed up at
and then return home ut once. We
must have our policy foreshadowed before |
is held.
This department must at once be taken from |
under General Grant. His every act has been |
In sympathy with Trimble, Duke C Co. Make !
Casey s district a separate one and give Colonel
Dougherty full control over IT, Captain Henry |
Bartling, Company |, Second Illinois cavalry, |
who has been here for six months, is "A great !
favorite with Casey's friends has been ordered |
off 70 Vicksburg. Have an order TO have him |
transferred back 70 this department immedi. |
ltely. ] wrote you at length yesterday. DO |
your part and we will be certain 10 do ours
j. T. BoLINGER.
Approved Fl Dougherty, Colonel Command
ng Post.
Check l47-59s and 27.OG paid
This dangerous document once in |
of General Grant, he imme.
liately replied to-
Here is what the general wrote in an.
'wer:
MILLiKENs BEND, La, April 0, 1868
Y. II Hall, Esq, Manager Commercial Tele !
graph Cairo, Ills:
SIR-Your letter Of the Sd inst, inclosing a
telegraph from j. T. Bolinger to Judge Green
Adams OF 5. l.. Casey Washington, Is just this
moment received. ] hasten to answer il and to |
Express my approval of the course pursued by
'ou.
You have my hearty thanks for your prompt |
md decisive action in this matter, notwith
tanding the approval of the commanding Off
er at Paducah TO the dispatch. Truly yours
U. S. GRANT, Major General.
No further trouble emanated from
hat quarter. A silent but speedy change
vas effected in Paducah. General
irant's firm determination to do his
luty crowned him with success, and
Don after the fall of Vicksburg he was
allied to the command of the Army of
he Potomac. w. H. Hall in New
FORK Herald