The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1904-01-31
Stirring Bargains in F

President Jefferson Davis. ST was" he
said, "one of a detail OF ia men from
the Fourth Michigan Cavalry, who had
the honor to capture Mr.. Davis" Now
as TO the facts in the case: The detail
was composed of 12S enlisted men, one
captain, four first lieutenants and two
second lieutenants, all under command
of Lieut.. Col. d. B. Pritchard; but the
name of j. 7. Hurst does not appear
on the roll. Again, it is claimed by
Hurst that Col. Minty was in command
of this detail. But the fact is that Col
Minty was also a brevet brigadier
general at that time and in command
of the Military Division of the Mis-
sissippi," on detached service. Hursts
name does not appear on the roll of the
other detachment of the regiment sent
out after Davis, but which was not
present at his capture. Either Hurst
has a very vivid imagination or the
War Department has done him great
injustice. However, he seems to be ig-
norant of important facts.
Bishop Keileys War Story as
published in the Baltimore Sun, is no
doubt partially correct, as given to
him by Gen. Longstreet. But L was
too familiar with Gen. Mcclellan to
believe he desired anything more than
an interview with Gen. Lee simply
1OOhlu5 10 d. more humane conduct OF
the war or overtures for it's speedy
close. He was ever loyal to the cause
of the Union, yet he differed with
President Lincoln on the Negro ques-
ton and some other points in his pol
icy. l was a red hot" Mcclellan man
from the first, although a warm friend
and admirer of President Lincoln, and
a loyal and faithful soldier while in
the service. But favored McClellan's
Nriax
active in organizing the Mcclellan Lee
gion in New York and Boston, and
stumping'' the states of New Hamp-
shire and Massachusetts and New
York for him as President. did this
from the pureSt and best of motives
and have never regretted that action.
Gen. Charles P. Halpine u. S. v. (the
famous Miles O'Reilly') wrote me as
follows, on Nov. IL, 1864, just after the
election: II can truly say that 1 would
rather be beaten with Mcclellan than
with Mr.. Lincoln-though holding
the kindest personal feelings towards
our present chief magistrate .
of whose character, in every personal
aspect, l was led to form a high esti-
mate. We have nothing now to do but
submit to the expression of the popu-
lar will in Mr.. Lincoln's favor, giving
a hearty support to the government
live down the vile ISLANDERS that sought
to brand every supporter of McClel-
Ian as a traitor" And these sentiments
were Endorsed by Gen. J.. H. hobart
Ward and Gen. A. Duryee and Gen. A.
p. Martin and other loyal and true
War Democrats in that memorable
presidential contest, as expressed by
them in letters to me.
Now, as to the Mcclellan letter to
Gen. Lee, ex-United States Senator
Clement c. Clay of Alabama, writing
from st. GATHERINGS, c. W., on Sept.
Il, 1854. to Secretary of State Benjamin
at Richmond, Va, says: Most of our
true friends from the Chicago conven-
ton whom 1 saw thought it would be
very unwise in the South to do any
thing tending to the defeat of McClel-
Ian. They argued thus Peace may
be made with him on terms you will
accept At all events, he is committed
by the platform to cease hostilities and
to try negotiations. That is great
concession from him and the War De-
n1ocracy. An armistice win inevitably
result in peace. The war cannot be
renewed If once stopped, even for a
short time. Perhaps oul true
policy is to keep our own counsels,
withhold any further declaration Of
purpose, and let the so-called peace
party OF the North have no excuse
for laying its defeat at our door, If
Lincoln should be elected. Yet
since reading McClellan's letter of ac-
ceptance l see reason for referring him