The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-01-24

IN the interval OIL the week ptlNeth
Sunday. April ?. 1865. when the Con-
federate capital was abandoned by
President Davis and the government
corps, and Sunday. April ., when the
Army of Northern Virginia was sur
rendered to the United States, Presi-
dent Lincoln passed by water TO Rich
mond.
A committee of citizens acting for
the town paid a visit of honor to him
on board the boat, led by Mr. John A
Campbell, late Assistant Secretary OF
War 10 the fallen government and
hitherto, when he was of the supreme
court at Washington. known to Mr..
Lincoln as negotiator between him and
the Confederate peace commissioners.
The president received the committee in
the most frank and hospitable manner.
To outward appearance. he was on a
pleasure excursion and was pleased to
receive representative citizens of tho
locality where he stopped.
In full view of the ruins of the fire
devastated city, surrounded by a whole
population in want and apprehension,
ing from the battle of the two armies,
there was nothing to talk about but
the troublous times.
The President spoke to tne commit
tee with perfect freedom. He consid-
cred the war over. The object OF the
war was nearly accomplished. The re-
naming thing to be done was the Inn
mediate restoration of all the states
that had formed the Confederaey to
their original places In the government
of the United States.
The President entered into details
with the committee He desired that
u courier should be dispatched for the
governor, who had fled the city. If
the governor could not be found then
the lieutenant governor must come
from the mountains to fill the execu-
tive office as the law required. He
would publish a call upon the members
of the legislature to hasten to Rich
mond and assemble. He would, with
his own hand give the messengers sem
out passes through General Grants
lines, "and l presume" he added
loosely, General Lee will pass then
through his"
"rhey must come here" said th
President, "the very place where the,
went out to come back. Your peopl
viii all return and we shall have oil
Virginia back again"
The headquarters of General Weitzel
commanding the post, were a consider
able way from the wharf where tn
lboat lay and Mr. Lincoln, in tall sill
that, started out to walk thither througl
the ruins on every side, oblivious O
surroundings, which caused those nea
him acute alarm for his safety.
In obedience to orders, General Welt
eel issued a notice to the governor an
members of the legislature suggesting
their presence in Richmond. This no
tce was published in the morning pa
lpers of April 13. In the afternoon .
the same day the commander of th
lpost recalled in the most public man
ner the notice of the morning. Th,
President had returned to Washington
and the Secretary of War, stanton, ha,
prevailed upon him TO rescind tn,
lpolicy upon which he had begun to re
store the union. The legislators VIII,
might have responded were specially
ordered out of Richmond, under the as.
surance that all who might be dis.
covered in the city would be lodged In
ljail.
The incidents now recited are not irrel
| evant. In March before Appomatto,
| William Crawford Bibb, a gentleman o.
iare intelligence and tact in affairs. 1
citizen of Montgomery and active sup
porter of the Confederacy, with design in
| viled Governor Watts to drive with hin
behind his famous horse out on the high
ways. Bibb put the direct question
What steps have you taken TO get shoe
| and clothes for the state troops In th
feld?" Monet" replied the governor, .
can see no way TO get them
Mr.. Bibb then proposed, and the cover
| nor consented, that he should make hi
way through the enemy's lines to Wash
| ington, see President Lincoln and offe
cotton at the port of Mobile in exchang
| fof army shoes and gray cloth.
| Through countless difficulties this ac
complshed gentleman arrived on his mis-
sion at Washington on or about April 8
the day of Appomattox. His dignity o
bearing, rare intelligence and tact of ad
dress recommended him. He saw the At
\ toiney General and was encouraged. Blu
! the President had not yet returned fron
the south. Mr.. Lincoln reached the Whit
| House on the forenoon of April II.
was at once determined to assemble
xast throng on the White House ground
that night to congratulate him upon tn
surrender of Lee. Mr.. Bibb Joined tn
crowd and stood on the front edge ant
heard all that was said while the Pres
ident spoke from the porch The speecl
was of the same tone as the conversation
| the orator had with the committee on th
boat at Richmond. There he had de
clared: II would pardon jeff Davis himsel
II he asked for it." AT the close of th'