Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1864-05-06
GEN GRANT IN CAMP.

GEN. GRANT IN CAMP.
A military friend who has just passed some
days at the headquarters in Culpepcppcr has
given me an account Of his visit and Of the
habits Of the Lieutenant General, that am
glad to transcribe. Gen. Grant messes with
his staff in a house in the village; and at his
table sits Familiarity every member Of his mill
itary family. The expenses Of the mess are
divided among the ten, not in equal proper
tons exactly, but in a manner that is salts
factory. There is not the slightest attempt
at show or parade in the furniture and equip
age; everything is for use and economy Of
trouble and space. The crookery is scanty
and Of the plainest, and the fare, though suffi-
cient in quantity, il just az homely as that Of
any thrifty and careful mechanic in your city.
A chop with cup Of coffee for breakfast a
bit of roast beef, with potatoes and "hard
tack, confronting dish ofpork and "greens"
served for the o'clock dinner, which was
concluded without pastry or desert. A cup
Of tea and bit Of bread and butter at 10
o'clock finished up the day. The beds were
simply camp cots, some with aud Others with
out mattresses and all the toilet apparatus
anywhere visible were few tin wash-basins,
a moderate supply Of towels, a bit Of looking
glass, and a horn comb At the table ncith-
or distilled liquor nor wine is permitted
The General will not have either about him,
for biz own or others use.
The inventory Of the Generals baggage
when he made his brilliant campaign in the
rer of Vicksburg 10, take IL, well remem-
bered-a briar-wood telescope and tooth
brush. In what relates to personal adorn-
ment and, outside Of the necessity Of eating
and drinking, personal comfort, he has not
greatly enlafged his possessions His three
stars indicate his exalted rank, but to say
nothing Of the charm which, in soldiers eyes,
these glittering marks OF rank possess, l
doubt If there is a commissariat Office in his
army who is as plainly clad as he. His clothes
are worn thread bare, and despite the steady
brushing Of his servant, they will have an
untidy look due, no doubt, to the GeneT al 3
habit of going everywhere and seeing every
thing for himself The General understands
the relation between cleanliness and godli-
ness; but bis opinion, practically evinced, there
is as much of either in a flannel shirt as in
one Of linen Of drawing-room immaculateness.
Your readers are not to suppose that am
describing a careless or INDECENT man, or one
who does not know the difference between
garb of gentleman and that of a sloven.-
The facts are pointed out only as proof that
this mans mind is so intent upon the great
problem before him that he has neither the
time nor the inclination to consider miserable
lrivoities.
Gen. Grant never swears. No man in his
camp has ever heard him utterance to profan-
ity in any of its many forms. He rarely
laughs, either but he has sort Of grim
humor which is not without its effect. Il is
related as part Of the gossip Of 1.-The front"
that an officer tached to the Quartermaster' 8
Department Of his Army wanted one wet
day to consult with his Genera. in-Chlef He
is believer in the old regime, and practiced
! what under Mcclellan he was taught. He
had half-a-dozen miles to go, more or less
So he ordered out his close carriage, and as
| it was likely that night would come become
/ be could return, the lamps were trimmed and
/ hung out on each side Of the driver seat
| Then, with an escort of twelve Dragons
he started, happy. no doubt, in the belief that
he was proof against the descending rain
! Approaching Culpepper, he met an ordinary
looking man on horseback, attended only by
an orderly. As he passed he recognized the
Lieutenant General, who, in spite OF the rain,
was making his usual round in his usual mod
est way. To descend from his carriage and
salute his chief was but the work of a moment;
but Grant, Initiated by the style and preten-
sion of his officer, was in no hurry to see him
gain the shelter of his carriage-roof again
Walk along with me little" said the
General; > want TO talk with you" With
polished boots. and unexceptionabe kids Mr.
Quartermaster did az he was hidden: and
with touch of that grimness to which have
referred, the General led him through the
muddiest parts of the road, and did not re.
lease him until he was wet to the skin-as
wet as the General himself. He was then
dismissed with IN admoniiion that will be re.
membered, though it was interlardtd with no
oaths. = Washington Correspondence Nel
York Post