Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-05-10
aENERAL GIANT IN CAmP.
A Sketch of his Personal Habits--Ineidents
In the Field.

military friend who has just passed
,ome DAYS ct the headquarters in Culpep-
er has given me an account Of his visit
and Of the habits Of the Lieutenant Gene-
raj that am glad to trsnscribe. General |
Grant messes with his staff in house IN
the VILLAGE: and at his table sits fsmihsrly
every member of his military family. The
expenses Of the mess are divided among
the len, not in equal proportions exactly
Int in a manner that is satisfactory to
all. There is not the slightest attempt at
show or parade in the furniture and
eouipsge; everything is for use and econ
omy of trouble and space. The croekery
ia scsnty and Of the plsinest, and the fare
though sufficient in quantity, is just ss
homely as that Of any thrifty and careful
mechanic in your city. A chop with 6 cup
of coffee for breakfast bit Of roast-beef,
with potatoes and Hhsrd tack, confronting
a dish ofpork end "greens," served for the
s o'clock dinner, which was concluded
without pastry or desert. a cup OF tea
and bit of bread and butter at g o'clock
finished up the day. The beds were sim
nIv camp cots, some with and others with
ont mattresses; and all the toilet sppara-
tins anywhere visible were few tin wash
basins a moderate supply Of towels, bit
of looking-glass and horn comb. at the
table neither distilled liquor nor wine IS
narmitted. The General will not have
either about him, for his own or others
use.
The inventory of the Generals baggage
when he made his brilliant campaign IN
the rear Of Vicksburg is, l take 1t, well re-
membered-s brisr-wood telescope and
toothbrush. In what relates to persona
sdornment and, outside Of the necessity o.
eating and drinking, personal comfort, hi
has not greatly enlarged his possessions
His three stars indicate his exalted rank
but to say nothing Of the charm Whicp, II
soldiers eyes, these glittering marks o
rank possess, 1 doubt it there is commls
ssriat officer in his army who is as plain
ly clad as he. His clothes are worn thread
bare, and despite the steady brushing 0
his servant, they will have an untidy look
due no doubt, to the Generals habit 0
going everywhere and seeing everything
for himself The General understands tn
relation between cleanliness and godli
ness: but in his opinion, prsotlcall
| evinced, there is ss much Of either in
: flannel shirt as in one Of linen Of drawing
room immaculateness.
Your readers are not to suppose that
am describing careless or indolent mai
, or one who does not know the diHerenC
} between the gsrb Of gentleman and tbs
of a sloven. The facts are pointed out onl
as proof that this mans mind is so intel
upon the great problem before him, th'
: he has neither the time nor the inclinatlo
to consider miserable frivolities. He holC
4 a great nations fate in the palm Of b
q hands: and ii as an encouragement
! know that every faculty Of his mind
calmly but profoundly exercised for II
t national welfare. All bis thought OF ca
z ! risees centres in the carriages which bes
I the field pieces; his discussion of the que
ton Of eating extends no further than
the rstions Of his men; and he would hs
q himself if he could spend minute oV
t the fit or fashion Of his coat.
General Grant never sWesrs. No ms
in his camp has ever heard him give ute
e snce to profanity in sny Of its many form
I He rather laughs, either; but he has q so
? Of grim humor which is not without
? effect. 1t is related as part Of the go
It sip Of tthe front" that an officer attseh
e to the Qusrtermsster's department Of B
: army. wanted one wet day to consu
? with the General in Chief. he is g b
lever in the old regime, and praotis
? what under Mcclellan he was taught.
e had half-a-dozen miles to 90, more or LEI
e so he ordered out his close carriage, and
e it was likely that night would come beto
8 be could return, the lamps were trimm
j sgS sssth huPG PEvGGq GGqt on each side Of the drive
n goons, he started, happy, no doubt, in t
y belief that he was proof against the
o soending rain. Approaching Culpeppt
It he met an ordinary looking man on hori
9 back, attended only by an orderly. As
e passed, he recognized the Lieutensnt.Ge
eral, who, in spite Of the rain, was makil
:, his usual round in his usual modest wa
, To descend from his carriage and sslu
o his chief was but the work Of q momen
, but Grant, irritsted by the style and pI
tention Of his officer, was in no hurry
T see him gain the shelter Of his oarrise
roof again. Walk along with me q
tle," said the General, '1 want to talk wi
a you" With polished boots and unexce
tionable kids, Mr.. Qusrtermsster did as
8 wss bidden; and with a touch Of tn
q erimness to which 1 have referred, I
q General led him through the muddie
parts Of the roads, and did not release hi
until he was wet to the skin-st wet
, the General himself. He was then d
e missed with an sdmonition that will
e remembered, though it was interlsrd
Q with no osths.
!; Ido N know that these trivial detail
L which touch only the personal habits
e General Grant, will interest the readers
J. the Evening Post, but they we're intere
ing to me. They mark and individual
J, the man upen whom rests much Of
e power to affect for veal or woe the futu
of this campaign.