Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1867-07-24
Visit 10 a Soldier of the ReVO-
luton.

A correspondent OF the CINCINNATI
Gazette, writing from Hiramsburgh,
Chic, June %, describes his visit to a
venerable hero:
Having just visited John Grey; the
last survivor of Washington's army, |
desire through your columns to give
the public some account of this inter
esting and solitary veteran. Arriving
at Hiramsburgh, little town six miles
east of Cumberland, and about twenty
five from Cambridge, we were met by
citizen Of the place, who kindly Of
fered to 60 with US to the residence Of
the old revolutionist. From Hirams.
burg We had about q mile to go to reach
the house.
Gas we entered the cabin we were
met by a sweet faced little girl of per-
haps thirteen 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 q door open
ed, and there before us stood, or rather
leaned on crutches, an old man, bent
with years, his long gray hairs flowing
like snow over his stopped shoulders.
We knew at glance that this Yenera-
BILE man before US was John Grey. He
came imping towards US, apparently
with the greatest difficulty, and we
arose, and with uncovered heads, met
the old man. who stood still for q mo-
ment, balancing himself on crutches,
and then with kindly smile, raised
his dim eyes and extended his Wither-
ed hand to each of us, saying to each
"How do you do"
when the old man was seated, he
was quite out of breath from the severe
exertion he had just had to make in
walking from the adjoining room. In
a few minutes, however, he became
quite restored and composed, and in
answer 10 our questions gave US the
short and simple annals of his life in
plain and honest words.
"He was born at Fairfax Court House
Virginia. January 9th, 1854, andis con-
now in his 104th year. Du-
ring the Revolution he at one time
worked on the Mount Vernon estate
for Washington. and says that be work
ed with the slaves of General Wash
ington. He always calls Washington
The Gin'l.'
"Mr. Grey's father fell at White
Plains in 17S0, and soon after the son
with Spartan heroism, at the
early age of sixteen, taking up the
musket that had just fallen from the
hands of his gallant father. He served
until the close of the war, and was
out at Richmond, Va, soon |
lfter the surrender Of CORVALLIS. Du-
ting his term of service he participat- |
I'd IN an engagement at Williamsburg, |
besides several skirmishes elsewhere, |
md was present at all the preliminary /
around Yorktown, and |
inally at the memorable surrender of
CORVALLIS.
'I took down few of the old mans
words when he was speaking of his
ierVice in the army. 81 was, said he,
"a mighty tough kind of boy in them
lays. 1 often saw big, heavy men give
,ut on the march, but 1 never Jagged
/ foot behind"
He says he was married three times,
iwice in Virginia and once in Ohio
His last wife is now sleeping in the
amily cemetery.
"Mr. Gray has lived o sober, pious
md industrious ife-a hard-working
nan and Christian all his life.
"For seVenty-eight years he has been
consistent member of the Methodist
jhurch. There are old men living
lear him now who have known him
or forty years, and who say that they
lever knew of his doing or saying :
wrong thing, nor ever heard any one
sy that he did. Few men have so
,ure and noble q record. Mr.. Grsy's
ducation is very limited, for he was
lways poor, and the poor of Virginia
lad but little chance to learn much.-
congress last winter gave the old man
pension of FIVE hundred dollars per
mum, obtained for him through the
influence of John A. Bingham, a per-
Onal acquaintance Of his. Little as it
J, the old man is well satisfied, although
e is very poor. He is 3 Jealous Re-
and hopes toliVe toVote once
lore."