Active service

Front matter

BY JOHN B, CASTLEMAN

MAJOR C. a A, BRIGADIER GENERAL U, 3, A.

CORNELL

Preface

Although the writer's endeavors have been varied and experiences unusual, they have in no way justified belief in his fitness to write a book.

Many friends have, from time to time in more than thirty years, admonished me that my inditing, in permanent record, incidents which had come within my personal experience and knowledge, was a duty I owed to them, to the public, and to the correct presentation of certain historic data of importance.

Henry Watterson, my comrade and life-long and loyal friend, has demanded of me that I "go along and write."

My dear old comrades, Thomas W. Bullitt and David W. Sanders, some years ago had an interview with Mrs. Castleman and me, and insisted that, if I failed to "write the book," I should make them my literary legatees, and they would for me fulfil this obligation. Now these able lawyers and gallant men have both gone where good soldiers go , and I am animated by a wish to do what they thought I ought to do.

So, with all these combined influences which induced action for which I realized my lack of fitness, I did, in 1908, essay to "write a book."

Having produced the result of an earnest effort, I called into service a competent committee of critics, and asked of this committee to consider if, in its judgment, my production was as inadequate as it seemed to me. The committee consisted of my wife and daughters and my son Breckinridge.

To these critics I read more than one hundred pages of manuscript, relative to my boyhood and to my observations of that period, and the candor of the committee was so severe and so thoroughly in harmony with my own opinion that I destroyed what I had written, and allowed two years to pass before again undertaking a task which seemed altogether hopeless.

The critics were largely directed by the thought that my boyhood life and that of the neighborhood wherein I was brought up would enlist little interest beyond that of my own family and that of jmy friends.

I afterwards set about recasting my work along lines which would avoid the admitted errors of my first result. This was no easy task, for the modest inspiration which stimulated my primary work was not again at my command.

It did not seem possible to "come back," yet I did try; but I found that the unfolded memories of more than sixty years of the past seemed to be closed to my vivid recollection, and Life's picture gallerywas not easily lighted again, along the walls where boyhood scenes had given pleasure.

My friend, Young E. Allison, called one morning at my office, and carried away with him some of the manuscript of the rewritten narrative which then lay on my desk. He returned the following day, and left the subjoined note:

"Louisville, July 29th, 1910.

Dear General:

All the matter in the manuscript is deeply interesting; but I think you ought to enlarge to the extent of fifty pages on: Your boyhood life; the home life you had, in detail; your occupations and sports. How the slave life was ordered, with anecdotes; how folks dressed, visited, entertained, married and died.

These are details which will give outsiders a keen preparatory interest in the recollections of your active military and public life.

The aristocratic life of the Bluegrass between 1840 and 1861 is a mine of color like that of the old regime in France.

I have enjoyed every page and make these suggestions con amore.

Most sincerely yours,

Young E. Allison."

I explained to my very able and good friend that the amplifications which he suggested were just what my critics and I had concluded were not worth while, and that 'twas this which had been destroyed.

In my second demonstrated ignorance of bookmaking I undertook to quote verbatim from official records of the Confederate Commissioners in Canada and from relative papers which related to the Northwestern Conspiracy, following the policy of using as much as possible what others had written as far more interesting than what I might myself be able to write.

And now by the counsel of patient, experienced and exceptionally able friends, I have eliminated most of these historical documents, which they determine must find record in a separate small volume, or else must be transferred to custody of the United States authorities for permanent preservation and reference.

In writing this narrative therefore I shall be content with quoting occasionally from these records, or relative official papers, and will sometimes make use of fac-similes.

Finally, details strongly personal, but relating to public service, will be added without sufficient consideration of the reader, but with the hope that the writer may be forgiven for taking advantage of the opportunity to preserve, in the way of brief addenda what may be of insufficient importance to publish under separate cover.

Now, inasmuch as the scope of the narrative following will include a range of experience and observation from near the cradle to near the grave, I have considered it well to make the title elastic, and so am introducing the unfortunate reader to,

"ACTIVE SERVICE."

Jno. B. Castleman.

ILLUSTRATIONS

Opposite Page

The Author at Twenty-two 8

Castleton 16

Mrs. Virginia Harrison Castleman 18

David Castleman 20

Judge Robert J. Breckinridge 26

General Joseph Cabell Breckinridge 26

Office in which John Breckinridge wrote Resolutions of '98 32

Photographs disinterment of the Breckinridge Dead 40

John Cabell Breckinridge 44

Indian Fort with General Breckinridge Reclining on Blue Grass 48

Mount Horeb Church 48

Uncle Isaac Byrd 52

Henry Watterson 64

Abraham Lincoln ' 64

Jefferson Davis 64

General Simon Bolivar Buckner '72

Captain John H. Morgan 72

Humphreys Castleman 78

George Alfred Castleman 78

Colonel William C. P. Breckinridge 80

General John H. Morgan 96

General Basil W. Duke .'..,. 104

Lieutenant George' B. Eastin at twenty-one 112

John B. Thompson 128

Commissioner Jacob Thompson 136

Reverend Stuart Robinson 162

Judge Samuel M. Breckinridge 178

Captain Thomas H. Hines at twenty-three 192

Ambassador James M. Mason 200

Ambassador John Slidell 200

Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin 200

The Louisville Legion 216

Carolina 216

J. C. W. Beckham 240

Major David Castleman : 252

Castleman Statue. 264

FACSIMILES.

Opposite Page

President Jefferson Davis' Appointment of Commissioner Thompson 136

Letter of Captain Thomas H. Hines 136

Commissioner Jacob Thompson's letter to Captain John B. Castleman 152

Mutiny notice of the crew Steamer "Philo Parsons" 162

Master John Y. Beau's last letter 162

Letter of James C. Robinson 170

Receipt of W. C. Gowdy 170

Bible brought to Prison 176

Letter from President Lincoln 178

Lieutenant Walter F. Halleck's order 184

General A. P. Hobey's letter 184

Letter from Mason to Slidell 200

Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin's letters 200

Letter from Colonel Andrew K. Long 202

Letter from President Andrew Johnson 206

Letter from General Henry C. Corbin 224

Governor Goebel's Proclamation to Kentucky 238

Governor Beckham's Autograph Appointment of Adjutant-general 238

Governor W. S. Taylor's Proclamation to the General Assembly of Kentucky 238

Captain John B. Castlbman at Twenty-two

Introduction

By General Basil W. Duke.

Few books will be found more interesting than the forthcoming memoirs of General John B. Castleman. They contain much pleasant reminiscence of a nature agreeable to the general reader, and a great deal of information that is novel as well as entertaining.

The earlier pages deal with the scenes and recollections of the author's boyhood; the ante-bellum life of the Bluegrass region of Kentucky. In them we are shown the social habits of a people with whom hospitality and kindly intercourse were estimated among the foremost of virtues and we discern customs inherited with slight modification from a period just succeeding the days of the pioneer.

It is all treated in an especially attractive manner. Many incidents are narrated in such wise as to depict this life with vivid and impressive fidelity and impart to the illustration the force and charm of the reality. In its sketches of rural ease and prosperity; its portraiture of the denizens of this favored land, the personnel on the one hand of the sturdy, somewhat autocratic and assertive, yet withal essentially genial proprietor of the soil, and per contra his humble dependent, the submissive, contented and often jovial black; all indeed of the distinctive features of those idyllic social conditions are admirably presented.

General Castleman was an officer — and justly reputed one of the bravest and most efficient officers — in General John H. Morgan's division of Confederate cavalry. As captain in Morgan's original regiment, the Second Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry, C. S. A. for more than three years of the Civil War and during the most active adventurous period of the career of that exceptionally active command, he had ample opportunity to participate in daring and arduous service, and certainly fully availed himself of it. In the course of his narrative he relates, in graphic style, much of this experience, which will be found illustrative of that service and of the mettle of the young soldiers who performed it.

The Kentucky reader will also find of interest the account of his experience in the Spanish-American War, during which he acquired the grade of brigadier-general in the Volunteer Army of the United States; and also of his subsequent service as adjutant-general of Kentucky during one of the most trying and excited epochs of Kentucky's history and when the state even seemed menaced with civil war.

The pages which will attract most attention, however, are those in which General Castleman tells the story, never heretofore so fully given the public, of the "Northwestern Conspiracy," as has been designated the efforts of the peace party of the North to compel a discontinuance of the war and policy of coercion. These attempts were more particularly predicated upon political influence and action, but in some instances, upon the part of the more vehement and resolute opponents of the war, by measure little short of armed resistance to the authority of the Federal Government.

It may be remembered that in the latter days of its struggle for independent existence, the Confederacy sent to Canada three Commissioners, Messrs. Jacob Thompson, C. C. Clay and James P. Holcombe, who were charged with a mission requiring the exercise of peculiar and unusual powers. They were expected to look after the welfare of those who were serving the South in other than military and naval capacity, or procuring information for Confederate use, and they were expected to encourage by all means without directly compromising the Canadian neutrality, the recalcitrant and disaffected spirit, already prevailing and constantly increasing among the Northern people, and especially in the states of the Northwest. Finally, when it became apparent that the Federal Government would, under no circumstances, abandon its policy of refusing an exchange of prisoners, the Confederate authorities determined to make a systematic effort to release the Southern soldiers confined in a number of the larger Northern prisons, and to inaugurate this attempt in those prisons located in the states wherein the political discontent was most general and acute.

Captain Castleman and Captain Thomas H. Hines, the latter also one of Morgan's best officers, were chosen for this service and certainly no two men could have been selected more perfectly fitted for an enterprise requiring coolness, intelligence and audacity. They were authorized to enlist as assistants a number of others, most of whom had previously been their comrades and whom they knew to be capable and reliable. Visionary and desperate as this scheme may appear, it was in reality very nearly the last hope the South had of prolonging the war. She had exhausted every other means of recruiting her fearfully depleted armies. Much of her territory had been overrun and no longer furnished either men or supplies to the Confederate cause. Enlistment in the territory still under Confederate control had almost ceased; indeed, the material for it had scarcely any longer existence. The conscription, no matter how rigorously enforced, brought no acquisition to the ranks, simply because it could not find men capable of serving. Nowhere, except among the great army of her veterans cooped up in Northern prisons, could the South find the men who, with their remaining comrades yet in the field and standing desperately at bay, might still fight her battles and prolong the struggle. If, however, an organization could be perfected by which the escape could be effected, if any considerable number of them could be suddenly and promptly released, and means provided by which they might receive immediate assistance, it was thought that perhaps the attempt might become completely successful. Arms might have been procured to make a force so improvised formidable, and, if as largely aided by Northern sympathizers as there was reason to expect it would be, the movement might result not only in returning the prisoners to Confederate service, but in creating wide-spread insurrection and consternation upon Northern soil.

In pursuance of such a program, Captains Castleman and Hines reported to the Confederate Commissioners in Canada,, and were provided with means to execute it and instructed to proceed. General Castleman tells what was done, with whom they conferred, the various plans which were discussed and partially carried into effect, and the ultimate failure. It is a curious and exciting story and had the plot, instead of failing, succeeded, the narrative would have been a valuable contribution to the history of the Civil War, as it is an interesting one.

But like the greater part of Confederate effort it ended in disaster. It was attended with much of romantic adventure. Those actively engaged in its conduct fared better, however, than might have been expected. Hines, when discovered and baffled, although closely tracked escaped when escape seemed hopeless. Colonel Grenfell was arrested, sent to the Dry Tortugas, and while attempting to escape, was drowned. Beall was executed and Castleman was arrested and held in close confinement until after the close of the war and then banished for life, but was finally pardoned. The greater number of them, however, evaded capture.

While this attempt, because so fruitless, may perhaps not be properly included in the category of history; few such enterprises have been fraught with more possibilities of historical importance, or have furnished a wider range of speculation as to "what might have been."

Basil W. Duke.

Louisville, August 10th, 1914.

CHAPTERS AND /OR SUBJECTS.

Page

Introduction by General Basil W. Duke 9

Castleton 15

My Mother 18

My Father 21

Fort Hill School 23

A Ghost in Mount Horeb Church Graveyard 28

Grandma Blackcap 31

My First Blue Ribbon 33

The Bluegrass Country 35

The People of the Bluegrass Country 37

Preaching in the Bluegrass Country 41

John C. Breckinridge and W. C. P. Breckinridge 44

The Organization of Mount Horeb Church 49

The Slaves of the Bluegrass Country 52

The State of Kentucky 60

Local Military Companies of Lexington 73

Getting Away to War 74

My Mother's Residence Surrounded by United States Troops 78

With Morgan and His Men 79

Baptism of Battle 81

Morgan Leaves Kentucky 93

The Confederate Armies Leave Kentucky 98

Fight at Woodbury 102

Fight at Snow Hill 106

Morgan's Winter Raid— 1863 109

General John H. Morgan — His Ohio Raid and Escape from Prison 113

Morgan's Last Kentucky Raid 123

John B. Thompson's Account of the Evacuation of Lexington 126

The Northwestern Conspiracy 129

Confederate Commissioners Appointed to Canada 132

•President Davis' Suggestions 140

Confederate Prisoners in the Northwest 143

Judge Jerry S. Black 149

On Secret Service in the Northwest 154

Report to the Secretary of War 157

John Y. Beall and the United States Steamboat "Michigan" 161

Dr. Stuart Robinson's correspondence with Reverend Henry J. VanDyke . . . 163

General William Preston's Report of Visit Abroad 166

James C. Robinson Democratic Candidate for Governor of Illinois 1864. . . . 168

In the Shadow of Death 176

Honorable Albert S. Berry 180

Charges and Specifications Igg

Captain Thomas H. Hines 189

CHAPTERS (Continued.)

Page

In Exile with Jacob Thompson — Experiences Abroad 196

Commissioner Thompson Makes Final Settlement With Honorable J. P.

Benjamin, Secretary of State 201

Looking Toward Home Again 203

A Petition from One's Neighbors 204

After Twenty Years 207

Public Services 213

The American Saddle Horse 217

The Spanish War 219

A Tribute from Porti Rico 233

Assassination of Governor Goebel 235

Report to Governor Beckham of Settlement of Goebel troubles 243

Gettysburg Re-union 1913 250

An Equestrian Statue 255

Chapter I. CASTLETON

I was born in the season of the wild rose and the elder blossom, on the thirtieth day of June, Eighteen Hundred and Forty-One, at Castleton, my father's homestead in Fayette county, Kentucky. Nature's setting about Castleton was of exquisite beauty; nature supplied the undulating lands, the great forest trees which were common to the fertile soil, and the varying climate.

The master of Castleton harmonized man's work with nature's provision, and planned and planted and cared for what nature had provided and man had added, so as to produce an effect unusually beautiful. The mansion was colonial and commodious. To the west, my mother gratified her taste in gardening, and every rose and plant that the climatic conditions and greenhouse protection justified was found in this beautifully cultivated garden. The blending of colors in that garden has rarely been surpassed; it was the work of a gentlewoman of unusual taste.

To the north, stretched an avenue containing about fifty acres adorned by continuous grouped plantations of the rarest shrubs and trees as the lines extended to the Iron Works Road. To the east was a well kept lawn of ten acres, flanked on the north by an apple orchard of the olden time varieties which prevailed before the persuasive nurseryman invaded communities with new selections unsuited to soil and climate.

On the south were the horse barns and the paddocks, reaching to the boundary of an attractive wooded Bluegrass pasture where grazed the cows which furnished ample milk and butter for a large family, always augmented by a host of guests, the invited friends of the heads of the house and of each of the many children.

Where this east lawn connected with the orchard and the cows' woodland pasture, there began the acreage of the well-stocked deer park which was one of my father's interests.

No fence, no gate, ever remained long out of condition. Weeds were nowhere tolerated. The farm was everywhere clean. Everything was in order.

The interior of the house was spacious, and convenient for those times. Ceilings were lofty. The hall was fourteen feet wide and three times as long. At its end, somewhat recessed, was the spiral stairway which ran from the floor on upward to the skylight. This stairway was, and is, exceedingly beautiful, built with artistic skill under my father's supervision and was joined without nails or screws by unsurpassed professional stairbuilders. The spiral railing and treads were mahogany, the ballisters and risers .cream and all painted woodwork was cream.

The hall furniture consisted of two mahogany tables in front, each with folding leaf against the wall and two massive narrow mahogany tables as one approached the stairway, a grandfather's clock, a small mahogany card table near the front door and half a dozen mahogany chairs. The hall was lighted by candelabra of gray and gilt metal, the paper was gray and brown and gold.

All lights in those days were candle lights and were held by single candle sticks or by candelabra with from two to six branches. The candelabra were of glass, gilt metal, silver or brass and those of glass and of gilt metal had prism pendants.

From the hall four massive doors opened into rooms on either side.

On the right side was the drawing room, being a double room twenty by forty with two mantels, two large, plain gilt-framed mantel mirrors; and, supported by a pier table, there was a pier mirror between the windows which looked out upon the lawn.

The paper was cream color and the top and lower borders were pink with shades of warm gray.

The furniture was rosewood and the chairs and large sofas were covered with crimson satin damask, while abundant light chairs of gilt and natural wood were distributed about the room. The tables had tops of white marble, black Egyptian marble, or plain rosewood. In the drawing room were glass candelabra on tables, mantels and pier table.

All rooms were decorated with appropriate hangings.

On the opposite side of the hall were three large rooms on the first floor, on whose walls shades of brown prevailed.

In front was a reception room furnished with mahogany upholstered with tan and gray silk brocade. In front was a pier mirror over a pier table and over mantel a massive mirror. The room was lighted from candelabra of gilt metal.

Back of this and connecting by folding doors was the library whose furniture was oak and lighted from plain silver candelabra. Beyond was the dining room with mahogany table, sideboard and serving table, rush bottom chairs and high chairs for the smaller children. The dining room was lighted from brass candelabra.

Over mantel in library and dining room were mirrors almost the length of mantels and half as wide.

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Mahogany and rosewood furnished the bedrooms, except in the "boys' " room which was a sort of dormitory furnished with small oak beds and was a scene of good natured and somewhat noisy, but never complained of, hilarity. Children's lives at Castleton were made bright and happy:

At the time of which I write, the black mammy stood next to the mother in care and responsibility for the children. My mammy was "Aunt Hanna" whose husband was Frank Cabell. Frank adopted the name of my Grandmother Harrison's father, from whom Frank was inherited.

Aunt Hanna's mother was Aunt Sarah Ross. Aunt Sarah had been the black mammy from 1825, being responsible for the six older children, but when I came along in 1841, the company was too large for one mammy and Aunt Hanna became responsible for dealing with me and afterwards for the four younger ones.

In the general organization under my mother's supervision, Uncle Isaac was the head butler; Uncle Ben, the head cook; Aunt BecMe had charge of the dairy; Aunt Susana, the head laundress; Aunt Jemima, the head maid; Uncle Anthony, the vegetable gardener who had "stall" number four in the Lexington Market, which exists now as it did then. An efficient Scotchman by the name of Mr. Lodge was the florist and general shrubbery caretaker; Uncle John, the head coachman.

Every child old enough to ride had his horse and his dog, every boy his gun.

Castleton was a hospitable, happy home. It was characteristic of the Bluegrass country.

Chapter II. MY MOTHER

My mother was Virginia Harrison, daughter of Robert Carter Harrison and Ann Cabell, daughter of Colonel Joseph Cabell, of Zion Hill, who commanded a regiment in the Revolutionary War. My great grandfather was Carter Henry Harrison, and my great grandmother, Susan Randolph, sister of the mother of Thomas Jefferson. "Grigsby's History of the Convention of 1776" says:

"Of all the ancient families in the colony, that of Harrison, if not the oldest, is one of the oldest, and from the year 1645 to this date the name has been distinguished for the patriotism, the intelligence and the moral worth of those who have borne it."

At the time this narrative is written, my loved commander, General Basil W. Duke, is delighting a great army of readers by the publication of his "Reminiscences" and referring to my mother said:

"During General Bragg 's occupation of Kentucky, in 1862, every house had its throng of self-invited guests, and none was sent away unsatisfied. There was a certain mansion, however, to which these visitors resorted in numbers that would have embarrassed, if not exhausted, ordinary hospitality. It was the mansion of a beautiful matron of the olden time, Mrs. David Castleman. She was an intense Southern sympathizer, had three sons with Morgan's Cavalry, the eldest one of his best officers. Any number of soldiers found sufficient introduction to Mrs. Castleman in saying that they knew any one of her sons." Now, as I write, my dear mother has for eighteen years been gone away, and the following brief statement, from the Lexington, Kentucky, Press Transcript, of June 4, 1895, is published:

"Mrs. Castleman was a very remarkable woman, of extraordinary physical powers as shown by her unusual activity almost up to the time of her death. She was a very beautiful woman, and retained her comely and youthful appearance until late in life. She possessed sterling qualities, was charitable and large hearted, and was gifted with great intellectual vigor. Her life was well lived and fulfilled the splendid promise of her early days."

In recalling a lot of incidents in respect to my mother, I am reminded of one that was strikingly characteristic of her life. It was more than fifty years ago. I had, after many years ' absence, returned from Europe, where I was quite involuntarily a sojourner after the war was over, and where I had gone when released from solitary confinement. Going immediately to see my mother who lived near Lexington, I was attracted by repeated pistol firing. This became so continuous that,

Virginia Harrison Castleman after a time, I ventured to comment thereon; and my good mother said: "My son, I will explain. Charley Brand has challenged Clay Goodloe to fight a duel. They are to meet tomorrow. Charley called last evening, and explained matters to me, and asked if he might be my guest and today practice in the woodland. " " Then, my dear Mother," said I, "you seem to be practicing Charley Brand to shoot Clay Goodloe. " " No, my son, " replied my mother, "it is not that, but it was a principle of your father, and it is a principle of mine, to open the doors of my house to anyone needing assistance. I like both of the boys, and they were both your boyhood friends. Yet, my son, one cannot forget that the Goodloes have been politically most offensive. "

Finding myself thus greeted after long absence, my embarrassment was soon augmented by a visit from "my old commander," General Basil W. Duke, the purpose of whose visit is explained by his subjoined letter.

It has been well nigh half a century, so I wrote to General Duke, and asked what his recollection of the circumstances which attended my unusual welcome back to my own country and friends; and I am in receipt of the following letter which I copy:

"Louisville, February 23, 1914.

My dear John:

Your letter of the 9th instant came duly to hand, and my sojourn at the infirmary has caused delay in replying.

Your recollection of the Brand-Goodloe incident entirely accords with my own.

Charley Brand challenged Clay Goodloe, for some reason which I do not now remember, and the challenge was accepted. Brand then requested me to act as his adviser, and, as you state, fearing that 'twould interfere with my law practice, I asked you to be my substitute.

I am glad you mention the incident of the pistol practicing near your mother's residence and her remark thereon. It had 'escaped my memory, but I recall it now

very vividly.

Affectionately always,

B. W. Duke."

I think Charley Brand is long since dead. But Colonel G. Clay Goodloe lives in Washington City and is retired paymaster of the United States Navy, and has most creditably served his country.

The experience was very characteristic of my mother. I have many times known of this good woman's fearless aid to those in serious trouble.

Thus my revered comrade and old commander was to me transferring a responsibility which had his absolute condemnation, and I was assuming, with assured willingness, a burden which elicited my positive disapproval.

We were both generally familiar with such "wage of battle" from its origin and knew that adverse opinion had compelled one after another of the civilized countries of the world to prohibit dueling.

Discussing the most noted duels in our own country from the early days of the Republic, we admitted that not one was justified, while in many instances fatal results were to be enumerated among the recorded murders.

The fatal meeting of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr in 1808 was without any justification. Hamilton, the great statesman, was impelled by prevailing public sentiment to accept an invitation from the adventurer Burr to a murderous meeting, because Hamilton had criticised the public record of Burr.

The deadly duel in 1820 between Commodore Barron and Commodore Decatur was a naval murder, approved by the contemporary and most pernicious prevailing sentiment in the United States Navy.

The duel in 1808 between Henry Clay and Humphrey Marshall was because Marshall had spoken in terms of disapproval of Clay's public career; and that in 1826 between Henry Clay and John Randolph was not only without reason but was in a measure puerile.

The duelistic murder in 1838 of Jonathan Cilley of Maine by William J. Graves of Kentucky (both members of Congress) had not any excuse and was characterized on the floor of Congress as "without any circumstance of extenuation."

So in a wide discussion of the absence of any justification of the practice of dueling, we were nevertheless engaged in promoting a meeting that had our unqualified objection, but recognizing the sanction of. pernicious public opinion that still prevailed in Kentucky, we were weakly yielding to that prevailing opinion and preparing for a meeting under the code duello of two excellent young citizens and quondam friends.

We were both old soldiers and accustomed to the dangers of fields of battle, and now that our peaceful avocations had been resumed we were more perturbed than we had been on any field of conflict by finding ourselves promoting a meeting which would hazard the lives of two estimable men.