Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1864-08-12
From he N. Z Eeeaiag Post, Friday, Aalg. 5.

from DE NJ K Ereafag Post Friday, Aag. 5.
An Interview with General Grant.
+. A gentleman Of this city returned homo this
morning from City Point, Virginia having visited
the Army of the Potomac to distribute supplies
for the soldiers which had been contributed BY the
congregation under his charge in ishirty-segenth
street. After perfernaiag this duty, be made
tour Of the camps, and paid hisrepects to Gener-
al Grant. OF thlsintergiew he gives the following
interesting account
Il learned that the headquartersof the General
were about quarter of mile from my own stop
ping place, and Immediately repaired thither. To
the person whom / met at the entrance / told my
business, stating that | was member of the COM
laittee appointed at the. Grant meeting held IN
New York in june.
g Il think the General win be glad to see you,
said he he is disengaged go to him there under
the ay
II went at once and introduced myself to him.
His address is remarkable He has the faculty OF
putting everybody in his company Immediately at
ease, and at the same time never lowers himself
There is not trace of the afectation that charac
terizes man who has stepped into a rank which
he feels to have added to his Importance and he
is utterly destitute of vulgar famlaTly of manner
He is good representative OF republican life IN
this country, where man may take the place
which his TALENT taste and ability indicate, and
yet be a man for a that
AS soon as saluGons had been exchanged
opened my business referring to the great meet
ing held in Union Square in .Iane, where had
the honor of speaking, as well as of signing the
address which had been prepared aud transmitted
to him by the National Committee.
g uThe sentiment of that meeting, General, |
remarked was to uphold the Union cause and
General Grant, even though we that same day had
heard Of repalse.'
There is no danger of a. permanent repulse
he answered. Though seemingly We are taking
great deal Of time, yet we are using up the rebel
army faster than it can be replenished 1t will
take more time, but am fully confident Of the re-
suit
/ q General, / remarked the people of New
York now feel that there is one at the head of cur
armies in whomthey can repose the fullest conf
denee
Yes, he interrupted, there is man in the
West in whom they can repose the utmost coHh-
dence General Sherman. Heis an able upright,
honorable, unambitious map We lost another.
Changing the subject, he asked me to make
his apologies to the National Committee for neg
lecting to acknowledge their resolutions. / am
glad Of an opportunity OF explaining why have
not returned reply, said he | sent the reso-
| lutians Immediately to airs. Grant and they have
not been returned.
''The position Of our army before Petersburg
IS one which gives US the advantage Heretofore
the enemy have had the inside, and been enabled
to manage troops so as TO secnre all the faeuiles
which that position affords. General Grant has
nov got that interior line, and can throw troops
from one point to another mass them and en-
pley them to the greatest advantage and the Teb-
el general cannot prevent him General Lee has
found his master.
The attack on Petersburg last week, though
falling to ensure q triumph, was by no means
serious disaster The plans OF the General com
manding were such as TO avert the possibility OF
any enfiladng fire but some OF the subordinate
generals failed to carry out their part Of the pro-
oranne But for this omission on their part,
Petersburg it is safe to declare would have been
ours 1t viii be, yet, but at a sacrifice OF more
time.
'aThe conduct of the wounded coIored soldiers
exempliies most admirably their fortitude and
generosity Men with severe wounds in the hips,
| thighs aud legs made their way into camp, while
| every white man with a serious wound rode In an
ambulence. On the day of the engag cement before
Petersburg went upon the field with punch to
| refresh the men. | offered a cup to wounded
man He declined It with thanks, saying Give
it to those men there who are crying for water
They need it more than do
| '1lhe c9lored men have won respect In the
camps. saw the evidence on every side. One
day I observed an Irish soldier sitting on the
| Another time / saw an Irishnan riding In great
haste, with naked black boy Of sixteen at his
saddle-bow, What are you doing there?' he was
asked.
Faith, said he, I found him drowned in the
river and it 5 setting him out have been after,
and getting che water out Of him and the life into
him and now I am hurrying to the surgeon to
get him resustiated, the darling, sure
"0nly one man, IN. my hearing spoke disre-
speetfully or unkindly of colored men, and he was
a hundFed-day man. Thesoldiers believe in them,
and they have good reason for their faith
There is every reason for confidence ia the OPP
erations Of our army in Virginia, They are ex-
hausting the enemy, maintaining their own ground
and encroaching on their adversaries Their COM
mander too, is an earnest man, and believes in the
work at which be is engaged.