Afterwards the Secretary of War placed in my hands the following
telegram, indorsed by him, as appears:
OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH,
_War Department_.
The following telegram received at Washington January 29, 1865, from
headquarters Army of James, 6.30 p.m., January 29, 1865:
"Hon. EDWIN M. STANTON,
"_Secretary of War_:
"The following dispatch just received from Major-General Parke, who
refers it to me for my action. I refer it to you in Lieutenant-General
Grant's absence.
"E.O.C. ORD, _Major-General, Commanding."_
'HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF POTOMAC,
'_January 29, 1865-4 p.m._
'Major-General E.O.C. ORD,
_'Headquarters Army of James_:
'The following dispatch is forwarded to you for your action. Since
I have no knowledge of General Grant's having had any understanding of
this kind, I refer the matter to you as the ranking officer present in
the two armies.
'JNO. G. PARKE, _Major-General, Commanding.'_
'FROM HEADQUARTERS NINTH ARMY CORPS, _29th._
'Major-General JNO. G. PARKE,
'_Headquarters Army of Potomac_:
'Alexander H. Stephens, R.M.T. Hunter, and J.A. Campbell desire to
cross my lines, in accordance with an understanding claimed to exist
with lieutenant-General Grant, on their way to Washington as peace
commissioners. Shall they be admitted? They desire an early answer, to
come through immediately. Would like to reach City Point tonight if they
can. If they can not do this, they would like to come through at 10 a.m.
tomorrow morning.
'O.B. WILCOX,
'_Major-General, Commanding Ninth Corps._'
"January 29--8.30 p.m.
"Respectfully referred to the President for such instructions as he
may be pleased to give.
"EDWIN M. STANTON,
"_Secretary of War_."
It appears that about the time of placing the foregoing telegram in my
hands the Secretary of War dispatched General Ord as follows, to wit:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
_Washington City, January 29, 1865--10 p.m._
(Sent at 2 a.m. 30th.)
Major-General ORD.
SIR: This Department has no knowledge of any understanding by General
Grant to allow any person to come within his lines as commissioner of
any sort. You will therefore allow no one to come into your lines under
such character or profession until you receive the President's
instructions, to whom your telegram will be submitted for his
directions.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
_Secretary of War_.
Afterwards, by my direction, the Secretary of War telegraphed General
Ord as follows, to wit:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
_Washington, D.C., January 30, 1865--10.30 a.m._
Major-General E.O.C. ORD,
_Headquarters Army of the James_.
SIR: By direction of the President, you are instructed to inform
the three gentlemen, Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, that a
messenger will be dispatched to them at or near where they now are
without unnecessary delay.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
_Secretary of War_.
Afterwards I prepared and put into the hands of Major Thomas T. Eckert
the following instructions and message:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
_Washington, January 30, 1865_.
Major T.T. ECKERT.
SIR: You will proceed with the documents placed in your hands, and on
reaching General Ord will deliver him the letter addressed to him by
the Secretary of War; then, by General Ord's assistance, procure an
interview with Messrs. Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell, or any of them.
Deliver to him or them the paper on which your own letter is written.
Note on the copy which you retain the time of delivery and to whom
delivered. Receive their answer in writing, waiting a reasonable time
for it, and which, if it contain their decision to come through without
further condition, will be your warrant to ask General Ord to pass them
through, as directed in the letter of the Secretary of War to him. If by
their answer they decline to come, or propose other terms, do not have
them pass through. And this being your whole duty, return and report
to me.