On reading this dispatch of Major Eckert I was about to recall him and
the Secretary of State, when the following telegram of General Grant to
the Secretary of War was shown me:
OFFICE UNITED STATES MILITARY TELEGRAPH,
_War Department_.
The following telegram received at Washington 4.35 a.m. February 2,
1865, from City Point, Va., 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 ended, I will state
confidentially, but not officially to become a matter of record, that
I am convinced upon conversation with Messrs. Stephens and Hunter that
their intentions are good and their desire sincere to restore peace and
union. I have not felt myself at liberty to express even views of my
own or to account for my reticency. This has placed me in an awkward
position, which I could have avoided by not seeing them in the first
instance. I fear now their going back without any expression from anyone
in authority will have a bad influence. At the same time, I recognize
the difficulties in the way of receiving these informal commissioners
at this time, and do not know what to recommend. I am sorry, however,
that Mr. Lincoln can not have an interview with the two named in this
dispatch, if not all three now within our lines. Their letter to me was
all that the President's instructions contemplated to secure their safe
conduct if they had used the same language to Major Eckert.
"U.S. GRANT, _Lieutenant-General"_
This dispatch of General Grant changed my purpose, and accordingly I
telegraphed him and the Secretary of State, respectively, as follows:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
_Washington, D.C., February 2, 1865_.
(Sent at 9 a.m.)
Lieutenant-General GRANT,
_City Point, Va._:
Say to the gentlemen I will meet them personally at Fortress Monroe
as soon as I can get there.