President Lincoln was going to talk with the rebel peace commissioners. The first leg of his journey was by train.
From The New-York Times February 3, 1865:
THE PEACE CONFERENCE; MOVEMENTS OF THE PRESIDENT. He is Summoned to Fortress M[o]nroe by Secretary Seward. Arrival of the Commissioners at City Point. An Important Conference Probably Going On. Further Comments of the Rebel Journals. They Are Not to be Seduced Into Peace. Dispatches to the Associated Press.
Special Dispatch to the New-York Times.
WASHINGTON, Thursday, Feb. 2.
Secretary SEWARD, early this morning, telegraphed the President from Fortress Monroe, that his presence was needed immediately. Upon receipt of this dispatch, the President proceeded in a special car to Annapolis, where a Government vessel was awaiting to convey him to Fortress Monroe. Speculation is rife as to the meaning of this departure of the President to confer with the rebel Commissioners. Many infer that it is preliminary to peace; others, again, who are well informed, believe that the entire affair will end, for the present in no adjustment of our national difficulties.
Presidential destination; Fortress Monroe – top center (Library of Congress, 1862 map)
WASHINGTON, Thursday, Feb. 2.
At 11 o’clock this morning, President LINCOLN left Washington by a special train for Annapolis, at which place he arrived at 2 P.M., and embarked on the steamer Thomas Colyer for Fortress Monroe, which place he will reach at 1 to-morrow morning.
Information received from Fortress Monroe to-night states that the Southern Commissioners on Tuesday morning were on board Gen. GRANT’s dispatch-boat, the Mary Martin, awaiting the President’s order as to whether they should proceed to Washington.
WASHINGTON, Thursday, Feb. 2.
The Star has issued an extra in regard to the movements of President LINCOLN. It says:
“To-day, at 11 o’clock, President LINCOLN left Washington by a special train, for Annapolis, for the purpose, it is understood, of joining Secretary SEWARD at Fortress Monroe or City Point, to hold an interview with the rebel deputation, Messrs. A.H. STEPHENS, R.M.T. HUNTER, and JOHN A. CAMPBELL.
President LINCOLN took his departure in a special car drawn by engine No. 18, which was placed upon the road at a few moments’ notice, by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company.
The President was accompanied by only one of the attaches of the White House.
From the fact of the President going to Fortress Monroe or City Point, color is given to the report that the rebel deputation have been allowed to enter our lines, and it is understood that they are now at Fortress Monroe.”
BALTIMORE, Thursday, Feb. 2.
A special to the American, from Annapolis, says that President LINCOLN, accompanied only by a servant, arrived here and left at one o’clock on the steamer Colyer, for Fortress Monroe.
Apparently, 150 years ago yesterday General George Meade had an interesting conversation with the three peace commissioners. General Meade didn’t seem to think there would be much compromise on the Northern side. From The Life and Letters of George Gordon Meade … (page 258-259:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC, February 1, 1865.
…
I found on my arrival, last night [from Philadelphia], that three distinguished gentlemen, Mr. Alexander Stephens (Vice President of the Confederacy), Mr. R.M.T. Hunter (formerly United States Senator from Virginia), and Mr. Campbell, of Alabama, (formerly Judge United States Supreme Court), were in our lines, having been passed in by General Grant, on their expressing a wish to go to Washington. … I called this morning, with General Grant, on them, and remained after General Grant left, and talked very freely with them. I told them very plainly what I thought was the basis on which the people of the North would be glad to have peace, namely, the complete restoration of the Union and such a settlement of the slavery question as should be final, removing it forever as a subject of strife. Mr. Stephens suggested that, if we could stop fighting, the matter might be discussed. I told him promptly that was entirely out of the question; that we could not stop fighting unless it was for good, and that he might be assured any proposals based on a suspension of hostilities would not be received. Mr. Stephens then said they did not consider the slavery question as so formidable a difficulty, but they feared the difficulty would be to obtain such modification of the old Constitution as would protect the States, in case of other questions arising to produce strife. I said if you mean to propose a reorganization and change in our Government, I don’t think you will meet with any success. We are satisfied with our Constitution, and you seem to be, since yours is identically ours, excepting the protection you give to slavery. Mr. Hunter then asked me what we proposed to do with the slaves after freeing them, as it was well known they would not work unless compelled. I replied that this was undoubtedly a grave question, but not insurmountable; that they must have labor, and the negroes must have support; between the two necessities I thought some system could be devised accommodating both interests, which would not be so obnoxious as slavery. They then said they thought it a pity this matter could not be left to the generals on each side, and taken out of the hands of politicians. I answered I had no doubt a settlement would be more speedily in this way, but I feared there was no chance for this.
President Lincoln was going to let peace maneuvers derail the North’s military operations. From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Seven:
TELEGRAM TO GENERAL U. S. GRANT. WASHINGTON, February 1, 1865
LIEUTENANT-GENERAL GRANT, City Point:
Let nothing which is transpiring change, hinder, or delay your military movements or plans.
A. LINCOLN.
Shelby Foote wrote that General Grant assured the President he was ready with the armies. Mr. Foote also wrote that President Lincoln met the commissioners at General Grant’s urging.[1]
- [1]Foote, Shelby. The Civil War, A Narrative. Vol. 3. Red River to Appomattox. New York: Random House, 1986. Print. page 774.↩
