The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1865-01-20
GENERAL GRANT.
Whata British Officer says Of him.
The North "lnexhaustible in Men
and Money!


The North slnexhaustible in Men
F.. and Money!
The following interesting extracts are
from letter addressed to member of
Parliament by British field officer in act
i've service, who has recently visited the
Army of the Potomac. They are printed
in the London Star of Dec. "a:
r. On presenting myself at headquarters
and delivering my letter of introduction
for the COMMANDMENTS Chief into the hands
of the Adjutant General, I was received,
without moments delay, by Gen. Grant,
who gave me most cordial welcome, as
signed 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 number, the whole party, with
the exception of myself, belonging to the
Generals staff The General is taciturn,
which gives the cue to his party. He
must certainly has 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 was
personally acquainted. Indeed, on COM
ing out of my tent next morning and see
ing the general standing, cigar in mouth,
in front Of his, so striking was this resem.
blance in countenance, figure, and appear
ance, that had / not known that the sec
end son of the Duke Of Wellington is no
longer living, could have almost sworn
he stood before me. Gen. Grant is about
forty two years Of age and was regularly
educated for the service at West Point,
but finding promotion slow, he Quilted the
army, and had been for five years engaged
in private pursuits when the civil war
broke out. After dinner be took me to
his tent, gave me cigar, and chatted free
ly. Here l had an opportunity of witness
ing the display Of bis very remarkable ia.
cility for the dispatch of business, which
alone could prevent person in bis posi-
ton from being overwhelmed. We were
necessarily interrupted by messengers
bringing messages, letters, &c. Without
being in the least disconnected, he at once
attended to the matter before him, wrote
the necessary instructions and then re-
sumed his conversation. l felt bound to
tell him that must be very much in bis
way, and that / hoped he would not con-
slider it necessary to do more than to hand
me over to staff officers, and afford me ia
cilities for seeing the armies, lines, &c.
Now, l think l came here q very
good neutral, though confess am more
disposed towards the North than before l
visited it. But the perusal of this public
announcement of the sale of human beings
by auction, in company with hogs, furni-
ture and fodder, at the present time, and
in the actual state of Richmond too, makes
neutrality impossible, unless we steel our
hearts against every feeling of justice, re-
ligion and humanity. Every one must
wish to see that foul blot wiped ont by
some means or other; and, as General
Grant army is battling for the destruc-
ton of slavery, he has my hearty wishes
for his success ...H
We rode from this point to a pontoon
bridge little below Aikens Landing, and
then proceeded about two miles and half
along not ovsr-well defined path, through
forest to hill, on which was erected a
crows nest, reached by about one hundred
and twenty-five feet of roughish ladder
This exploit, after riding so many miles in
military saddle, found stiffish work
was, however, amply repaid. The day
was wonderfully clear, and with my own
raceglass l saw the steeples of Richmond
and the fleet in the James. While at this
elevated lookout | may remark that bal
looming as military resource has been
abandoned, and is considered quite useless,
except for ascertaining the interior works
of beleaguered city. As we rode back
through the wood to the pontoon bridge
my companion observed, DWELL, you have
been fortunate in the weather, and in find
ing US disengaged, and | really think you
have seen everything of interest that we
could possibly show you" laughed, and
said l thought had seen everything but a
torpedo, which he was so good as to set
about explaining to me; but just as we
reached the bridge boat was land
ing seven torpedoes which had been
fshed up out ,ot the river. We re-em-
barked ourselves, horses and orderlies, and
reached City Point too late for dinner, and
were glad to sit down by ourselves tOa re-
GhgnTee. The following day / left for
baiumore. My visit had been pleasant
one was kindly received, everywhere,
ana' would have gladly prolonged my stay
II IL nae been possible. The inducement
VI nlsndiy Invitation was not wanting.
lns uenerai commanding is, as l have
SAID, retlcent-and most wisely'so. The
opinion formed of his plans was that hs
eHpecIs. cy the long lines he occupies, to
wear Lee army out, without much fight
ing he can OBTAIN as nsny man az he