The Mena weekly star., 1907-11-14
IH[R LOYALTY ATTACKED MAR DEPARTMENT N[FIG
Southern Writer Says Grant, Thom- as and Farragut Applied for
 Confederate Commissions.
rut STATEMENT PROBABLY ERRONEOUS
Editor of the "conssderats Veteran" In Which the Story Appeared, Now Convinced of Its Untruthfulness-- Letters to Jefferson Davis Now In
 New Orleans, 7asis for Story.

Convlnceo Ot ste OutSutHIoIuoSu-
 Letters to Jefferson Davis Now In
 New Orleans, 5asis for Story.
 Baltimore, Nov. 12.-An article in the Confederate Veteran, the official organ of the confederate veterans, in which the writer says that Gen. Grant Admiral Farragut and Gen. George H Thomas applied to President Jefler. son Davis for commissions in the Con. federate service, is attracting wide in. terest and has been discussed at the meetings of the camp. The author of the article is Capt A. L. de Rossett of Wilmington, N. c. He quoted as his original authority Judge Robert Ould of Richmond. Va. who was the commissioner for the exchange of prisoners on the part of the Confeder- ate states. Capt. de Rossett suys that Col. Chalaron. who is the custodian of the Louisiana Historical association, has in his possession the letters, which Gen. Grant, Admiral Farragut and Gen. Thomas wrote to MT. Brown.
 After the reference to an effort to exchange prisoners, which Gen Grant refused, Capt. de Rossett's article con- tinues
 Gen. Grant. at the period of the war, was not 90 well known as after wards, and I was asked by Judge Ould fl had ever heard of the life history of Gen. Grant. Replying that had not, the judge, who was apparently in . reminiscent mood, said that in the Mexican war Gen. Grant was promo ted for gallantry in action and be- came a captain. Mir. Pierce was elected president of the United States in 1852 and appointed Jefferson Davis his secretary of war. At the sugges- ton of Mir. Davis and for good req sons the then Capt Grant resigned from the United States army and lived afterward in Illinois.
 Upon the secession of the southern states in 1861 Capt. Grant applied to the governor of Illinois for commits sion to raise regiment to serve in the United States army. as war was then being talked of His request for commission was ignored at this time and later. Jeffersan Davis. having been inaugurated provisional presi- dent of the Confederate states, Grant wrote asking for a commission in the Confederate army. He was refused.
 While in New Orleans some time ago mentioned the incident to Col. Chalaron. who is the custodian of the Louisiana Historical association, and has charge of the state museum. He told me my information was correct and that he had fin his possession the original letter from Grant to Mir. Davis, making the request. but that in ac- cordance with the terms of MT. Davis will the correspondence could not be published until two years after the death of Mrs. Davis.
 Further the colonel told me that ne had also letters to MT. Davis from Admiral Farragut and from Gen. George H. Thomas, each applying for commissions in the Confederate ser vice. have been told that the wife or each either dissuaded or objected to the resignation of the officers from the federal service.
 New Orleans, Nov. 12.--In regard to an article published in the Confeder- ate Veteran to the effect that Gen. U. Grant. George H. Thomas and Ad- miral Farra ont bod av>oura xo D-o.t oent Jefferson Davis of the Confeder- acy Tor commissions immediately be- lore the outbreak of the Civil war, and nal their leters are in the possession Oi the Louisiana Historical society, Col J. Chalaron, custodian of Memor- m nall In this city said
 Mrs' Jefferson Davis consigned several packages of letters to the care VI tne hall and these are to be opened on'y when authority is given us to do % This authority rests with her saughter, Mrs. Hayes. of Colorado springs. l do not know the contents oa 'hese letters"
 voiorado Springs. Col, Nov. 12.-In sn interview Monday Mrs. J. A. Hayes, uaughter of President Jefferson Davis .ne Southern Confederacy said:
 oo not know anything about the 'A'ents of those letters nor do .u0~ whether Gems Grant and Thom- s' or Admiral Farragut ever applied my father for commissions; never :, a,a,u my parents make any mention " 'neir having done SO.
 nashville, Tenn, Nov. Ills. A. .s.aaningham, publisher of the Confed- o. asc veteran of this city, the official saa or the United Confederate Vet ,s asns association. stated Monday in ns"u 10 the publication that Gen. Teht' ~t' Admiral Farragut and Gen. |. "'mas had applied to Jefferson Dav- ,,a VT commissions in the Confederate tas' mat at the time of the publica toa t" ol Capt. De Rosette's communica- ssa n the Veteran he had misgivings s,a me correctness of the statement bs. .nat investigation had convinced na was erroneous. As a result of ho. nVesugation the December mum 'ection. "''' oon'"'" 'o' r, ohow at Cleveland, Ohio.