The national Republican., 1867-07-04
visit 20 . Soldier Of the Rsvolu
ti0n.

thOns
A correspondent Of the Cincinnati Ga
zette, writing from Hiramsburg, Ohio
June %, describes his visit to venerable
hero:
Having just visited John Grey, the
last survivor Of Washington's army, de.
sire through your columns to give the
public some account OF this interesting
and solitary veteran. Arriving at Hirams.
burg, little town six miles east Of Cum.
berland, and about twenty-five from Cam
bridge, we were met by citizen Of this
place, who kindly offered to 60 with US to
the residence Of the old revolutionist.
From Hiramsburg we had about mile
to 20 to reach the house.
GAS we entered the cabin we were met
by sweet-faced little girl Of perhaps thir.
teen summers, who invited us to come in
and take seat We were just beginning
TO tell the little girl the object of our
visit, when door on the opposite side Of
the room opened, and there before us stood,
or rather leaned on crutches, an old man,
bent with years, his long gray hairs fow-
ing down like snow over his STOPPING
shoulders. We knew at glance that the
venerable man before US was John Grey.
He came limping up towards us, appa-
rently with great difficulty, and we arose,
and with uncovered heads, met the old
man, who stood still for moment, bal
ancing himself on his crutches, and then
with q kindly smile, raised his dim eyes
and extended his withered hand to each OF
us, saying to each: How do you dor
when the old man was seated he was
quite ont OF breath from the severe exer.
| ton he had Just had to make in walking
from the adjoining room. In few min
utes, however, he became quite restored
and composed, and in answer to our ques-
tions gave US the short and simple an
malls Of his life in plain and honest words.
He was born at Fairfax Court House,
Virginia, January 6, l764, ond is conse.
quently now in his l04th year. During
the Revolution he at one time worked on
and says that he worked with the slaves Of
General Washington. He always calls
Washington the Ginl.'
"Mr. Grey's father fell at White Plains
in 1850, and soon after the son enlisted
with Spartan heroism, at the early age oI
sixteen, taking up the musket tha. had
Just fallen from the lifeless hands Of his
gallant father. He served until the close
Of the war, and was mustered out at Rich
mond, Va, soon after the surrender oI
CORVALLIS. During his term Of service
he participated in an engagement at VIII
liamsburg, besides several skirmishes else
where, and was present at oil the prelimi
nary movements around Yorktown, and
was finally at the memorable surrender oi
Cornwallis.
AZ took down few Of the old mans
words when he was speaking Of his service
in the army. Il was said he, a mighty
tough kind Of boy in them days. ! otter
saw big, heavy men give out on the march
but never Jagged foot behind He say,
he was married three times, twice in VII
ginia and once in Ohio. His last wife Il
now sleeping in the family cemetery.
"Mr. Grey has lived sober, pious, ant
industrious life-a hard.working man ant
q Christian all his life.
"For seventy-eight years he has been {
consistent member ofthe Methodist Church
There are old men living near him nov
who have known him for forty years, ant
who say that they never knew Of his doing
or saying wrong thing, nor ever hearC
any one say he did. Few men have 50
pure and noble record. Mr.. Greys edu
cation is very limited, for he was Away
poor, and the poor in Virginia had but
little chance to learn much. Congress
last winter, gave the old man q pension o
i've hundred dollars per annum, obtaineC
for him through the influence Of John A
Bingham, personal acquaintance Of Mr.
Grey. Little as II Is, the old man seem
well satisfied, although he is very poor
He Ia very Jealous Republican, and hope
to live To vote once more"