The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1865-01-24
VIEWS OF AN ENGLISH OFFICER.
What He Thinks Of our Cause
sketch Of Gen. Grant

what He Thinks Of our Cause
sketch Of Gen. Grant ~
We copy below some interesting ex-
tracts from letter ofan English officer
in the London Star, which has already
been alluded to in the telegraph. At
ter reading All advertisement in Rich
mond paper for the sale of cattle, hogs
and negroes at AUCTION, he says; GH
"Now, / think came here very
good neutral, though / confess l am
more disposed towards the North that
before I visited it. But the perusal of
this public ann )uncement OF the sale OF
human beings by auction, in company
with hogs, furniture and fodder, at the
present time, and in the actual state Of
Richmond, too makes neutrality impos,
sible, unless we steel our hearts against
every feelings of justice. religion and
humanity. Every one must wish to
see that foul blot wiped out by somo
means or other; and as General Grants
army is battling for destruction Of slaves
ry he has my hearty wishes for his sue
cess.
"My visit has been pleasant one.
I was kindly received everywhere, and
would have gladly prolonged my stay
if it had been possible. The induce.
ment of friendly invitation was not
wanting. The General commanding
is, as ! have said, reticent--and most
wisely SO. The opinion | forme Of his
plans was that he expects, by the long
lines he occupies, to wear Lees army
out, without much fighting. He can
obtainas many men as he requires. In
deed, l consider the facility OF getting
men has caused these armies to be too
large to move about or work expedi.
tiously and then the system ofintrench-
inc makes them reluctant TO break up
"a home In passing through Washing
ton, l presented myself at the White
House and it happened that just before
/ was received by the President, news
had reached him Of the Confederate
raid from Canada, and the robbery Of
the St. Adams Bank. This furnished
an occasion TO Mr.. Lincoln for indulg-
ing in a good humored characteristic
sally; we are not so well off for mon
ey,' said he, shat there is any necessity
for parties across the border to come
and rob the banks
The Americans are becoming very
French in their appearance and man.
ners, wearing uniforms in the streets,
steamers, hotels, cafes, etc. They take
good deal of license as regards dress,
especially in their fanny hats, some OF
them resembling the CID cavaliers, and
really very comfortable and picturesque
l cannot conceive ofthem i'll future other
than military people; but, whenever
| inquired what, after the war, was TO
become of the young generals l met in
all directions, some under 25 years OF
age; / was told they would return to
their former pursuits, for we are a
peculiar people, and can adapt ourselvs
to circumstances" l found, however,
that if this topic was pursued and they
were encouraged to talk on, they would
generally end by intimating that Napo-
Icons protoge would have to be driven
out of Mexico. That seemed to be
fixed resolve with great many to
whom l spoke regarding the future ca
reer of the American armies. Before
this struggle closes there will be SO
great a development and improve.
ments in all kinds Of arms, both for
military and naval warfare, that the
world will act wisely in leaving itself
open to profit by American ingenuity.
SKETCH CT GEN. GRANT.
On presenting myselfat headquarters
and delivering my letter Of introduction
for the COMMANDMENTS Chief into the
hands of tht Adjutant General, was
received without moments delay, by
Gen, Grant, who gave me most cor
dial welcome, assigned me tent next
to his own, and asked me to live with
him during my stay. AT six we dined
in plank hut, sitting down ten in num-
Der, the whole party, with exception of
myself, belonging to the Generals staff.
The General is taciturn, which gives
the Que to his party. He must certainly
have enough on his mind to occupy his
thoughts, though he does not show any
signs of wear. In person he bears
very strong likeness to the late Lord
Charles Wellesley, with whom l was
personally acquainted. Indeed, on
coming out of my tent next morning
and seeing the General standing, cigar
in mouth, in front of his, so striking
was this resemblance, that had | not
known that the second son of the Duke
OF Wellington is no longer living,
could have almost sworn he stood be-
fore me. Gen. Grant is about AZ years
Of age, and was regularly educated for
the service at West Point, but finding
promotion slow, he quilted the army,
and had been engaged in private pur-
suits when the civil war broke out. Af-
ter dinner he took me to his tent, gave
me cigar, and chatted freely. Hero
] had an opportunity of witnessing the
display Of his very remarkable facility
the dispatch of business, which alone
could prevent person in his position
from being overwhelmed. We were
incqss.ntly interruptcd by messengers