Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-05-06

~ The PhiladeIphis PreSt.
WASHINGTON, April 80, 1865.

NAchiNelONB Apit SVs
The public man most talked about, and whose
face and form the people of our country are most
anxious to see, is unauestionably General Grant
He has been SO retiring aud so reticeut that he
never vet made a speech a sentence In length.
aud has onlS shown himself in society when duty
or stern custom required il. Tie does not seem
10 have any Of the tastes for psrades, or reviews
or uniforms, Of many of our commanders, and
among them some of the braTest and best. Thus
when his terms had been accepted, a private aud
straightforward talk with Lee, and after q hur
ried ratification of il before the assembled ar
mics. he left the rect of the formula TO his off
GERS: and instead OF going to Richmond, thu
great prize so long aud 50 bravely fOusht for, he
turned his horse towards City Point, took the
boat for Washington. reported quietly 10 the
PRECEDENT. and then passed TO the cars on his way
TO see his family at Burlington, New jersey, hay-
ing heard the news of Mr.. Lincoln's murder on
the boat from Philadelphia to Camden. IL is
more than probable that il was his natural aver
sion TO the demonstrations OF great crowds. and
his strong 0mestic habits, which saved him from
the fate Of our beloved president. | was among
those who Witnessed the solemn ceremony in the
East Room Of the Presidential mansion on led
nesday. the 18Th of April. in the presence of the
senator's and representative s of the United States,
the supreme court. the foreign legations, the cab
met. and other heads of departments, and the
chief. of the army and the navy then in W ash
ington.
| noted the entrance Of Gen. Grant. Even in
the sombre chamber, while every heart was filled
with unutterable woe. and the sobs of the mourn.
es could be distinctly heard. there was an eager
ness TO see and study the features OF the great
soldier who bad conquered the most extended
and tragic conspiracy in human annals. He took
his place with almost painful modesty. seeming.
"a it we're. TO shrink from observation, aud, al
though many advanced to gaze upon the Inca:
ment. lately So bright with benesolence and hope,
then cold and stiff IN death. Gen Grant was not
of the number. He had doubtless previously
taken his last farewell.
When Gen. Sherman entered into his unfortu-
nate negotiation with Zoe Johnston, the lieutenant
general himself carried the order countermsniing
Il Instead OF making elaborate preparations. /
quote the words of one who saw him take his
leave "He had with him ONLY his small carpet
bag and a full cigar case" Yesterday morning
Gen Grant returned from Raleigh. and laid the
result OF his conference before the president As
| had never had the honor of = formal intrOduc
ton to. or conversation with. Gen Grant, | en-
braced the opportunity of being presented to him
last evening. in company with two gentlemen
one of them his intimate friend be wss not in
his room when we arrived. so We waited TIL be
came in from the war department. | confess,
when the door softly opened. and a gentleman
about the size of Gov Andrew of Massachusetts
first quietly looked in, and then as quietly en-
tered. smoking the stump of a cigar. | was a good
deal surprised
We were accordingly introduced Putting his
hand into his side pocket, he drew thence a pa
per Of r~egsliss, lighted . fresh one himself, st
the same tine offering them TO his guests. And
this was the Lieutenant general OF the irresistible
army of the United States This was the man
whose achievements. a we'll in capturing Rich
mond as in the closing scene with Lee, are now
discussed az everv American Preside. and by al
the military Circles IN the civilized world But
for the three stars on bis shoulders he never
would be taken for What he i bv a stranger
Indeed, in citizens dress. he would look more
like a respectable Pennsylvania farmer than =
thorough bred military man. There Is such an
utter absence OF the characteristic OF the msrti-
net that IL was difficult TO realize that We stood
in The pre-ence of the first soldier in the world
Gen. Grant reached his forty third ve,r on Fri
day. from which you may have an idea that he
i very Young looking. as indeed he Is There
vas 70 care on his brows. no hesitation IN his
speech. spd not the slightest disposition 10 con
ceal his thoughts or his Own opinions In tbis |
va as much surprised as in the simplicity of his
bearing That be Was n gentleman you per
eeived Al once. He does not tAlk ike . Ses
Enelauder or a Southerner, but reminded me Of
a Scotch Irish Nestern Pennsylvania. could
easily understand. however, in hrs looks. aud in
every sord he spoke. that | was gazing upon and
listening TO the happiest man in America.
When he referred 10 The condition Of the southern
people IL MAS a. one ~ho talked OF an unfertun-
ate. a cesolstet race Two armies had fough,
advanced. and retrested. again aud again. over
the best portion Of their soil. and bad left despair
and misery, aud almost starvation, before. be
hind aud around them. Although he carefully
avoided he slightest reference 20 politics. or 10
tie numerous suggestions in connection with