Under a flag of truce, Alexander Stephens, vice-president of the Confederate States had arrived off Newport News in the steamer Torpedo on a mission to negotiate with President Lincoln or his representatives on prisoners of war and prisoner exchange. Reluctant to take up the mission in the first place, Stephens relayed his offer of discussions through Fortress Monroes and waited aboard the Torpedo for an answer. Lincoln debated meeting him but after two days rebuffed the approach and Stephens returned to Richmond. (By John Osborne)
Source Citation
Thomas E. Schot, Alexander H. Stephens of Georgia: A Biography (Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press, 1988), 379-380.
Record Data
Date Certainty
Exact
Type
Lawmaking/Litigating
