Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 July 1879 — A WAR REMINISCENCE. [ARTICLE]

A WAR REMINISCENCE.

Bow Ooreraor Morton Greeted the Captured General Joel A. Battle. The complimentary mention of Morton’s name by Senator Thurman, the other day, brought to our mind a reminiscence of the war while Morton was Governor of Indiana, and had acquired a name of very unenviable notoriety in the South. It was just after the disastrous second day’s fight at Shiloh, and all the glory of Johnston’s first day’s fight had been lost by the timely arrival of Buell. In that fight, it will be remembered that the late gallant General Joel A. Battle had lost the two noble sond that fought side by side with him, and he himself was taken prisoner. The peculiar situation of the old man excited the keenest sympathies of every one. Under the circumstances, he received from the Federals every consideration of respect in thtir power. The boat on which he was confined was anchored in the middle of the Tennessee nver, and though the other prisoners with whom he was crowded were closely guarded, he had the freedom of the boat, and was furnished with a comfortable stateroom. After remaining near the battle ground a few days the boat moved down the river and up the Ohio, landing the prisoners at Cincinnati, and thence they were taken to Camp Morton. A day or two after their arrival Governor Morton paid the prison an official visit. As soon as he came into the inciosure and saw the array of sorrowful prisoners, he spoke a few words tj the commandant, who, leading the waj’, brought him up and introduced him to General Battle. When the General saw them approaching, he naturally thought he would be insulted or upbraided for being found in a comEany of youngsters, and so stiffened imself up to meet the Governor in as haughty a manner as possible. But the thought was far from Morton’s mind, far, with the frankness and courteous bearing of a thorough gentleman, he came quickly up, lifted his hat in the most respectful manner, grasped the old General by the hand, and with the first words broke down all barriers of Southern pride; he assured him of his heartiest sympathy in his great misfortunes —told him he had the pleasure of knowing one of his sous who had attended the State institution at Oxford, Ohio, and assured him, foe as he was, he would be most happy, if it were in his power, to release him unconditionally. After a verv pleasant interchange of sentiments, the Governor, taking him one side, drew out his pocketbook and said: “Colonel, allow me to be your banker for the present,” and handed him a hundred dollar bill. Tills the General politely refused, assuring him that he was well supplied in that respect, a friend iu Louisville having come aboard and pressed a couple of hundred dollars upon him. The Governor then took his leave, begging him to never hesitate to call upon him for Arty favor, and, if need be, to draw a draft on him at any time, telling him that it should not be dishonored. He did not content himself with idle professions of service, for during his short imprisonment he sent many messages and tokens of friendship in the shape of baskets of provisions, etc., and it was through his influence that General Battle was included in the earliest batch of exchanges. During his life he ever spoke of Governor Morton in the friendliest of terms, and never failed to do justiee to his kindness of heart. The wrilerheard him on many occasions recount this adventure, and say that no better nor truer man lived than Oliver P. Morton, whatever he might say or do iu the heat of political debate.—[Nashville (Tenn.) Benner.