Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1864-05-13

A military friend who has just passed
some days at the headquarters in Culpepper,
has given me an account OF his visit and Of
the habits Of the Lieutenant General, that
am clad 10 transcribe Gen. Grant messes
with his staff in a house in the village and
al his table sits iamlliarly every member Of
his military family. The expenses Of the
mess are divided among the ten. not IN
equal proportions exactly, but IN manner
that Is satisfactory. There Is not the slight
est attempt at show or parade IN the turnl-
ture and courage. everything Is for USE
and economy Of trouble and space. The
crockerv Is scunty and OF the plainest, and
the fare, though sufficient IL quantity, j.
iust as h0melv as that Of any thrifty and
careful mechanic in your city. 4 chop with
cur Of coffee for breakfast; bit Of roast
beet, with potatoes and 81 hard tack, con-
lra1tin- a dish Of pork AMI '' green's served
for the S O'Clock dinner. which was c0nclud-
ed without pastry or dessert A cup OF tea
and Bit cf bread and butter at u O'Clock
finished up the dav The beds were simply
camp cots. some with and other- without
mattresses, and an the toilet apparatus
anywhere visible were few tin wash-hasin>.
a moderate supply 1f towels, a bit Of look
ng glass, and a horn comb. At the table
neither distilled liquor nor wine l. permit
ted. The General viii not have either about
him. for bis own or others use.
The inventory Of the Generals baggage
when he made his brilliant campaign In the
rear OF Nicksburg Is. | take It, well remem-
berei-a briar-wood telescope and a tooth
brush In what relates 10 personal adoru-
ment and. outside OF the necessity of eating
and drinking, personal comfort, he has not
greatly enlarged his possessions. His three
stars indicate his exalted rank, but to say
nothing Of the charm which in soldier,
ewes these glitterInE marks Of rank possess,
doubt II there Is c0mmis>irl5t oiHcer IN his
army who i- as plainly clad as he. Hl-
clothes are worn thread-hare, and despite
the steady brushing of his servant, they will
have an unudy look, due, no doubt, To the
Generals habit Of going everywhere and see
ing every thing for himself. The General
understands the relation between cleanliness
and godliness but IN bis opinion, practically
eviuced, there Is as much Of either in fan
mel shirt as in one Of linen Of drawing-room
immaculateness.
Your readers are not to suppose that | am
describing a careless or indolent man, or one
who does not know the difference between the
garh Of a gentleman and that OF slOven.
The facts are pointed out only as proof that
this man 5 mind is so intent upon the great
problem before him that he has neither the
the time nor the inclination to consider mis-
cradle irivolities.
Gen. Grant never swears. No man IN his
camp has ever heard him give utterance to
profanity in any Of its many forms. lie
rarely laughs. either but he has sort Of
grim humOr which Is not without its effect.
Ii is related as a part Of the gossip Of " the
'front.'" that an officer attached 10 the Quar-
termaster's Department of his Army wanted,
one wet day, TO consult with his General-in-
chief. He Is a believer in the old regime,
and practised what under Mcclellan he was
taught. lie had half-a-dozen miles 10 90
more or less so he ordered out his clOse
carriage, and as il was likely that night
would come before he could return. the lamps
were trimmed and hung out on each side Ol
the driver-seat Then with an escort Of -
dragons. he started, happy, no doubt, m
| the belief that he was proof against the de-
scendiug rain Approaching Culpepper. be-
I met an ordinary man on horseback, attended
only by an orderly. As he passed he recog-
nized the Lieutenant General, who, in spite
of the rain, was making his usual round in
/ his usual modest way. To de-cend from bis
carriage and salute his chief was but the work
[ of moment but Grant, irritated by the
style and pretension OF his officer, was in no
I hurry TO see him gain the shelter of his
carriage-roof again. Walk along with me
a little" said the General ." want to talk
with YOU" With polished boots and unex-
ceptiousble kids, Mr.. Qusrtermaster did as
he was hidden and with a touch Of that
grimness to which have referred, the general
led him through the muddiest parts Of the
road, and did not release him until he was
wet 10 the skin-as wet as the General him
self. He was then dismissed with an admo-
| milton that will be remembered, though II
was interlarded with no osths.
Wash. cor. Of " T. Post.