New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-06
An Interview With Lincoln
Described by One Who Has Also Seen
Barnard's Portrait
To the Editor of The Tribune.

To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: About two days after our arrival in
Washington, after our perilous escape Of
eleven days from Richmond in September,
1861, Colonel William II. Raynor and Captain
John K. Hurd called TO pay their respects to
President Lincoln l, being very much dis
abled and unable TO walk without crutches,
waited a few days longer to call, as had
some important verbal messages from Con-
gresham Alfred Ely, who was taken prisoner
at Bull Run; also from William Huson, broth
er-in-law Of Secretary OF State Seward, and
from several OF the most important military
prisoners, which could not be written. and
this for obvious reasons
| called at 3 o'clock, and heard whole
string Of charges made by well-known po-
l.tcal character from Newark and another
man, who wanted the President to dismiss
peremptorily a Lieutenant Colonel AleXah-
der, of New Jersey regiment. Mr.. Lincoln
patiently heard their charges, and when they
were through ne replied: "Now, do you think
! would dismiss this man on all this expert
testimony without giving the officer r chance
to be heard in his own defence?" This put
flea in their ears and they left without
more ado.
After they left two Representatives from
Illinois came in, whom the President intro
duced TO an old man from the same state,
who was employed in the House.
introduced myself as one of the three
escaped officers from Richmond. He received
me most cordially, said he knew I was
in Washington, and asked NE in the kindest
manner TO be seated, and invited me TO call
at o'clock, when the business Of the day
would be over, as he had so much 10 say TO
me and would receive the verbal messages
had for him from Richmond when I called
in the evening.
He was particularly anxious to know all
about his orotner-in-law, Captain Todd
Kentuckian who was in command Of our
prison, which was one Of the great tobacco
factories Of the Mayos, corner of Twenty
first and Main Streets This and the other
two large buildings were unoccupied, and
before Libby Prison was established there
were no other buildings large enough 10 &C
commodate 1,400 prisoners, who came in so
suddenly. The rev poorhouse was nearly
finished, and the two smallest of the tobacco
warehouses were used as hospitals.
After giving my verbal messages he asked
me all about Captain Todd. who he had
heard was unkind to the prisoners. re-
piled this was furthest from the truth as
saw the captain every day and saw nothing
Of the matters charged against him
As ] had volunteered 10 take charge Of the
two tobacco building hospitals as superin-
tendent, could 20 out in the city on hospital
business. but always in charge of an armed
guard so had my eyes and ears always open
TO see and hear what was going on. also
had access TO a Richmond newspaper, which
the other prisoners were deprived Of Con-
seduently, could answer good many Of
Mr. Lincoln's questions satisfactorily
remained with him until after 10 O'Clock.
answering all sorts of questions. and never
passed a pleasanter night in my life.
On another occasion | called on the Presi-
dent. In the course of the conversation he
Informed me Of the means they had adopted
to prevent the ironclad Confederate steamer
Merrimac from reaching Washington And
this was 10 sink schooners full Of stone in
the channel of the Potomac River below
Washington. He also informed me that The
sinking OF the Merrimac was principally
caused by the opening OF the seams of the
ship by the great impact when she rammed
the two wooden frigates. the Congress and
the Cumberland.
Re the Barnard statue Of Mr.. Lincoln.
agree in full with the statement OF my friend.
Mr.. X. b. Stanton, In his letter OF few day,
ago. CHARLES J. MURPHY
New York, Oct 81, 1917.