The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1865-06-17
Grants HunlOr.

One of the happest qualities of our late
President was his humor-a gift which, no
doubt, went very far towards enabling him,
to bear up under the herculean abors--the
unparalleled discouragcmentso OF his admin
istration Grant is ii remarkably retlcent
man-even more SO than was Mr. Lincoln
l,ut there are not wanting Indications that
he resembled him in this pleasant trait OF
character:
@'In the rapid marches of his force in
Southern Missouri, their rations We're often
scanty, and not very palatabe but the re-
gion was poor and sparsely settled, and, tor
the most part, there was no chance OF pro
curing food frem the inhabitants of the
country through which they were passing
At length, however, they emerged into
better and more cultivated section, and 1t
Wick ham, of an Indiana cavalry regiment
who was in command of the advance guard
pf eight men, halted at farm house of
somewhat more comfortable appearance than
any which they had passed, and entered the
dwelling with two econd-lieutenants. Pre-.
tending to be Brigadicr, General Grant, he
demanded food for himself and staff. The
family, whose loyalty was somewhat doubt.
full, alarmed at the idea of the Union gen
cral being on their premises, hastily brought
forward the best their house afforded, at the
same time loudly protesting their attach
ment to the Union cause. The lieutenants
ate their fill, and, Offering to compensate
their hosts, were told that there was moth
ing to pay; whereupon, they went on
their way, chuckling at their adroitness in
getting so good a dinner for nothing. Soon
after. General Grant, who had halted his
army for short rest few miles further
back, came up, and, being rather favorably
impressed with the appearance OF the farm
house, rode up to the door and asked if they
would cook him meal. The woman, who
crudged the food already furnished to the
sci STYLED general and his staff, replied gruf,
hy: No! General Grant and his staff have
Just been here, and eaten everything in the
house. except one pumpkin pie
"'Ah = said Grant; what is your name ?
Selvidge, answered the woman.
Tossing her "a half dollar, the general
asked, will you keep that pie till send an
officer for it?'
~ will said the owner.
''The general and staff rode on, and soon
camping ground was selected, and the reg
iments were notified that there would be 81
grand parade at half past six, for orders.
This was unusual, and neither officers mol
men could imagine what was coming. The
parade was formed, however, ten columns
deep and quarter of mile in length. AT
ter the usual review, the assistant adjutant
general read the following:
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY IN THE FEELS.
"Special Order, No. -.
"Iieutenant Wickham, of the -
Indiana cavalry, having. on this day, eater
everything in Mrs. Selvidge's house, at The
crossing Of the Ironton and Pocahontas anc
Black river and Cape Girardeau roads, ex
ccpt one pumpkin pie, Lieutenant Wickham
is hereby ordered to return, with an escor
of one hundred cavalry, and eat that pie
also. "'U. S. GRANT,
'Brgadier General commanding
ssTo attempt to evade this order was use
less, and at seven o'clock the lieutenant hle'
out of camp with his hundred men, amit
the cheers Of the whole army The escor
witnessed the eating of the pie--the who'll
of which the lieutenant succeeded in devour
ing-and returned to camp"