Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1868-03-19
"Reminiscences Of fGraas--Mere Anssdotes
- by his Father.

~ M E8tnsEs
The New York Ledger, contains two
more letters from General Grants father
about his distinguished son. We mako
the following extracts;
GRANTS ATTAINMENTs QUESTIONED.
When the rebellion broke out, Grant
offered his services 10 Gov. Yates. The
latter asked him:
"Do you understand how many men 1t
takes TO make q company? And how
many to make q regiment? And what
officers each must have ~
"Oh, yes" replied Grant, ~ under
stand al about such matters; was edu-
Gated ut West Point, and served eleven
years in the regular army"
"Well, then" said the Governor, II
want you to take chair, here in my Of
fee, as Adjutsnt General Of the State. |"
Grant remained in this capacity sever
al weeks, when he made Q short visit to
from Springfield, Mr.. Burk, young
man employed In our house at Galsna,
called on Gov. Yates, and IA the course Of
the interview the Governor said to him:
"What kind of . man is this
Grant7 He has been educated at West
Point and says he wants to go into the
army; several regiments have offered to
elect him colonel, but he says NO. and
declines to bsa candidate. What does
he want?" -:
"You see, Governor" says Burk,
"Grant has only served in the regular
army, where they have no elections, but
officers are promoted according to semi
ority. Whatever place you want him
for, Just appoint him without consulting
him at all beforehand, and you will find
he will accept whatever he is appointed
for"
Acting on this suggestion, the Cover.
nor telegraphed to me that he had ap'
pointed Ulysses Colonel of the 21st Hi
nois Infantry.
| BARBARIsM ExEMPLIFIED.
His family were with US for about six
months. They came up from Cairo JUS
after the battle of Fort Donelson. There
ia an incident connected with their ar
rival at Covington which may be worth
mentioning; for in few years it viii
probably hardly seem possible that sucf
an event could have occurred in thu
United States.
They reached Cincinnati, just across
the Ohio river, opposite Covington, OF
Sunday morning. Mrs. Grant hired ,
hackman to take her and her family
over the river to our house. The hack
|
fellow, who owned good pair of horses
and carriage himself. He took his pas
sengers to our house, received their fsi
and started back, and had reached tn,
bank Of the river-in fact, he was &C
tually on the float leading to the boat
and was driving on to the ferryboat-t'
cross over. Just then, our snterprisinl
city Marshal happened to espy him, ant
under the act prohibiting colered per
sons from entering the State without
pass, he arrested him. His horses ant
carriage were left standing in the stree
, to taisU vars OF themselves, ana the mai
was hurried off to prison. A stable
keeper, seeing the horses and carriage
kindly took care of them,
The colored man sent for me, and
called on Mr.. Nixon, lawyer; but
was Sunday, and nothing could be don
about getting him out until Monday
On Monday we had to give bail in tn
sum of one hundred dollars for his ap
pearancs before the grand jury, to an
swer any indictment which they Nigh
find against him. Thegandjury indicte,
him for coming into the State without
permit. Under the advice of his counse
he forfeited his bail j; as that was mucl
less punishment than he would undoubt
edly have had to suffer if he had appeared
Gov. Brmlette, on being applied to
released a portion of the penalty, which
was in his discretion, and the remainde
had to be paid. 1t seems strange tina
when General was absent, fighting fo
his country, man should undergo thi
punishment, simply for taking tina
Generals familylin carriage to thei
place of destination.