CHAP. V. Instead of Mr. Benjamin's phraseology, Jefferson Davis wrote the following instruction to the commissioners, which carried a palpable contradiction on its face. RICHMOND, January 28, 1865. In conformity with the letter of Mr. Lincoln, of which the foregoing is a copy, you are requested to proceed to "Southern Washington City for informal conference with him upon the issues involved in the existing war, and for the purpose of securing peace to the two countries. Your obedient servant, Historical Vol. IV., Autograph Mr. Blair's presence, at the close JEFFERSON DAVIS. of Mr. Davis's letter about 'the CHAPTER VI THE HAMPTON ROADS CONFERENCE CHAP. VI. Wilcox to Parke, Jan. 29, MS. Ord, Jan. 29, 1865, 10 P. M. MS. ITH this double-meaning credential the commissioners presented themselves at the Union lines near Richmond on the evening of January 29, 1865, and, instead of frankly showing their authority, asked admission "in accordance with an understanding claimed to exist with Lieutenant-General Grant, on their way to Washington as peace commissioners." The application being telegraphed 1865. to Washington, Mr. Stanton answered that no one should be admitted under such character or Stanton to profession until the President's instructions were received. Mr. Lincoln, being apprised of the application, promptly dispatched Major Thomas T. Eckert an officer of the War Department, with written directions to admit the commissioners under safe conduct if they would say in writing that they came for the purpose of an informal conference on the basis of his note of January 18 to Mr. Blair, "with the view of securing peace to the people of our one common country." Before 1865. Ms. this officer arrived, however, the commissioners reconsidered the form of their application and addressed a new one to General Grant, asking permission "to proceed to Washington to hold a conference with President Lincoln upon the sub Lincoln to Campbell, CHAP. VI. ject of the existing war, and with a view of Stephens, ascertaining upon what terms it may be termiand Hunter nated, in pursuance of the course indicated by him in his letter to Mr. Blair of January 18, 1865." to Grant, Jan. 30, 1865. MS. Pursuant to this request, they were provisionally conveyed to Grant's headquarters. One of them records with evident surprise the unostentatious surroundings of the General-in-Chief. "I was instantly struck with the great simplicity and perfect naturalness of his manners, and the entire absence of everything like affectation, show, or even the usual military air or mien of men in his position. He was plainly attired, sitting in a log cabin, busily writing on a small table, by a kerosene lamp. It was night when we arrived. There was nothing in his appearance or surroundings which indicated his official rank. There were neither guards nor aids about him. . . He furnished us with comfortable quarters on board one of his dispatch boats. The more I became acquainted with him, the more I became thoroughly impressed with the very extraordinary combination of rare elements of character which he exhibited. During the time, he met us frequently and conversed freely upon various subjects, not much upon our mission. I saw, however, very clearly that he was the States." Very anxious for the proposed conference to take Stephens, "War between Vol. II., p. 597. place." The commissioners' note to Grant had been a substantial compliance with the requirement of President Lincoln; and so accepting it, the latter, on the 31st of January, sent Secretary Seward to meet them, giving him for this purpose the following written instructions. EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, January 31, 1865. Hon. WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State: You will proceed to Fortress Monroe, Virginia, there to meet and informally confer with Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, on the basis of my letter to F. P. Blair, Esq., of January 18, 1865, a copy of which you have. You will make known to them that three things are indispensable, to wit: First. The restoration of the national authority throughout all the States. Second. No receding by the Executive of the United States on the slavery question from the position assumed thereon in the late annual message to Congress, and in preceding documents. Third. No cessation of hostilities short of an end of the war, and the disbanding of all forces hostile to the Government. You will inform them that all propositions of theirs, not inconsistent with the above, will be considered and passed upon in a spirit of sincere liberality. You will hear all they may choose to say, and report it to me. You will not assume to definitely consummate anything. Yours, etc., ABRAHAM LINCOLN. CHAP. VI. MS. Lincoln to Grant, Feb. 1, 1865. MS. Mr. Seward started on the morning of February 1, and simultaneously with his departure the President repeated to General Grant the monition which the Secretary of War had already sent him two days before through Major Eckert. "Let nothing which is transpiring change, hinder, or delay your military movements or plans." Grant responded to the order, promising that no armistice should ensue, adding, "The troops are kept in readiness to move to Lincoln, at the shortest notice, if occasion should justify it." Major Eckert' arrived while Mr. Seward was yet on his way. On informing the commissioners of the 1 Major Eckert was personally acquainted with Mr. Stephens, and the meeting between them was one of peculiar interest, as Stephens had been the means of Grant Feb. 1, 1865. MS. CHAP. VI. President's exact requirement they replied by pre senting Jefferson Davis's instruction. This was receding from the terms contained in their note to Grant, and Major Eckert promptly notified them that they could not proceed further unless they complied strictly with President Lincoln's terms. Thus at half-past nine on the night of February 1 the mission of Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell was practically at an end. It was never explained why they took this course, for the next day they again changed their minds. The only conjecture which seems plausible is that they hoped to persuade General Grant to take some extraordinary and dictatorial step. One of them hints as much in a newspaper article written long after the war. "We had tried," he wrote, "to intimate to General Hunter, in Grant, before we reached Old Point, that a settlement generally satisfactory to both sides could be more easily effected through him and General Lee by an armistice than in any other way. The attempt was in vain." The general had indeed listened to them with great interest and in their eagerness to convert him they had probably indulged in stronger phrases of repentance than they felt. About an hour after the commissioners refused Major Eckert's ultimatum General Grant telegraphed the following to Secretary Stanton, from which it will be seen that at least two of the commissioners had declared to him their personal willingness to restore peace and union." "Southern Historical Society Papers." Vol. III., p. 175 (April, 1877). February 1, 10:30 P. M., 1865. Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War: Now that the interview between Major Eckert, under his written instructions, and Mr. Stephens and party has |