Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-26
c. A. DANA's RECoLLECTIONs.


In the August No. of McCluers Maya
zine is printed the last instalment of the
"Reminiscences Of Men and Events by
Charles A. Dana
For several years Mr.. Dana was AS
sistant Secretary Of War under Mr.. Stan
ton, ana it was often made his duty to
visit the camps of the commanding gene
rails and give Mr.. Stanton fuller informa-
ton concerning military matters than he
could obtain from the cut and dried Of
fetal reports. Mr.. Dana was the very
man for that duty. He was a close OBJ
server. and possessed in an uncommon
degree the ability to say what was need
full 10 be said in a few words.
In his official capacity and as the per-
sonal representative of Mr.. Stanton he
had extraordinary opportunities to supply
himself with information which was
withheld from nearly all others, and had
he written out his recollections while
they were fresh they would have made
q valuable book. AS 1t was, he waited
too long. He had exhausted his best
efforts in his editorial work on the New
York Sun before he set about writing his
"reminiscences. This we think fairly
inferrible from some OF the curious errors
that appear in them.
Mr.. Dana came TO Richmond soon after
the occupation Of this city by the Federal
troops; but President Lincoln had pre-
coded him. Mr.. Dana was present at the
conferences which took place between
Mr.. Lincoln and the members Of the
Virginia Legislature. and states the we'll
known fact that Mr.. Lincoln agreed TO
the reassembling OF that body, though,
under the influence of Mr.. Stanton and
others he, upon his return 10 Washing
ton, reconsldered his resolution. In this
connection Mr.. Dana mentions that Andy
johnson. then Vice-Presldent, wa. acre.
at the spotswood Hotel. and was violent
in expression OF the opinion that the Con-
federates should not be taken back with
out some conditions, or without some
punishment.
Mr.. Dana goes on TO say:
received from MIR. Stanton an order TO
proceed 10 General Grants headquarters
and furnish from there such details as
might be of interest. News reached me
that day, however. that Grant was on
his way TO Richmond; so / remained
there TO receive him.
AS soon as Grant reached Richmond 1
had talk with him on the condition or
Lees army and the men and arms sur
rendered. He told me that. in long
private Interview which ne had with Lee
at Appomattox. the latter said that he
should devote his whole efforts TO paci-
Tying the country and bringing the peo- |
pie back TO the Union. lie declared he |
had always been for the Union in his |
heart. and could find no justification for /
the politicians who had brought on the /
war. the origin Of which he believed 10 |
have been in the folly OF extremists on /
both sides. II General Grant had agreed |
20 the interview Lee had asked for some 4
time before. Lee said they would certain
~ have agreed on terms OF peace then,
as he was prepared 20 treat for the sur
render OF all the Confederate armies
The war. he said. had left him a poor
man. with nothing but what he had upon
his person, and his wife would have 10
provide for herself until he could nnd
some, employment.
The officers OF Lees army. Grant said.
all seemed 20 be glad that II was over,
and the men stu more SO than the off,
GERS. All were greatly impressed by the
generosity OF the terms finally given
them for at the time OF the surrender
they were surrounded. and escape was
impossible. General Grant thought that
these terms were Of great Importance
toward securing a thorough peace ana
undisturbed submission TO the govern
ment
That night left Richmond for WASH
ington with the General. reaching there
The 18th. and taking up my work In the
department al once.
II Is singular that Mr.. Dana should have
made the mistake OF saying that Gran,
came to Richmond from Appomattox,I
He not only says that. but that he Dana
gent from Richmond 10 Washington
Wlh Grant! Those are far from the