The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-04
PERSONAL HISTORY.
How General Grant Became Acquainted
with General RAWLINGS

answered only by perseverance, having, like
Grant, dislike of mere publicity after the time
of action. print this as pleasing, harmless
TeminisCence in ITSELF and to show how pleas
antly spent my time at headquarters. General
rawlings, as you know, has been Chief OF stan
to General Grant since the fall of 1861, his
Berthier in service, his friend in private life and
in fame.
General Rawlings, and moved in there when l
was in. my tweutes. Soon after entering the
bar, got by some luck or good word, the law
business for the leather and hardware store OF
Jesse Grant. 1t was, large, fine store, built
deep, with only a place below for sizing the
skins which we're tanned at Covington, Ken
tucky, l don't know how General Grants
father got into business at Galena but there
was Il Mrs, Lee living there, half sister to Gene
raj Grants mother, and her house was next door
to mine. mine. ,.-..;., ,o,,o - oouuo,-..,,. ,-o.
Captain Grant, or Ulysses as she generally
called him, who was represented to me as the
flower of the flock. He had been in the army,
at West Point, in Mexico, and Mrs. Lee repre-
sented that he made particularly handsome
figure on horseback. | had quite curiosity az
least to see this member of the family; for, up
our way we had great idea OF q MeXlCau-war
soldier, the extent OF our heroes being private
soldiers of that war. was sixteen when it
broke out, and was almost crazy to get permis-
sion to enlist.
"lHere enters an aidede-camp from some
department headquGrters:-'Ge General Rawlings,
General Blank is unable to answer some ques-
tions propouuded by his Post Commander Prude,
in the following papers, with accounts attached,
and he therefore refers them, with his endorse
ment, to the general commanding.D
We'll General, did Grant come at lastY
Yes; saw him under these favorable antiCipa-
tions a few days after he came. | had previously
seen all his brothers, and not one of them bat
was sagacious business man. / looked eau
tously at Grant, and under his simplicity saw
the marks OF power, given him by nature and
command. He was not tanner at Galena, but
a clerk. He sometimes, at solicitation, sat on
the store-counter, and related incidents of
MeXico-a country that seems to have stirred
him to enthusiasm by its beauty and resources,
and he holds the same regard for it still. | got
to know General Grant slowly, and it was not
till after the beginning OF the war that found
out that he had any specific liking tor me-
"(Enter officer OF the Auditor Of the Treasury.
General Rawlings, the Department wishes to
know if you have any record of the fact as to
whether General Mcpherson, of Ohio kept his
servants down to the date of his death. His
mother is in need of the residue of the settle
ment OF his accounts, but We can't pay for those
servants by rule till we get testimony that he
kept them. OF course, he must have done so,
but we want voucher to cover u.s.
General Rawlings: will write to Major
Alive, at Chicago, who was with Mcpherson up
10 the moment OF his DEATH
"Odicer-ItyOu will.D
"'Wcll, General, see you are coughing. l
will ask the rest another time
"I am talking too much but l'll finish. The
war matter grew before Grant had become half
acquainted in Galena He was not an arguer on
politics, but he had been an old line Whig and
cast vote in 1856 for Buchanan. | was Dou-
glas Democrat, and took the stump there. Grant
told me that he had great admiration for
Lincoln. He had read, as they were made, the
speeches between Lincoln aud Douglas, and
said it was nice question TO say who got the
best OF the argument, We counted on him as
Douglas Democrat, though all his brothers were
Republicans. Some time during the campaign
John E. Smith, soldier OF the Mexican war,
burst upon the town with magnificent display
of Wde.Awakes, whom he had drilled secretly.
This mortified our side good deal, and we re-
solved to get up. similar organization. We
thought We. would elect Captain Grant the
marshal Of it, or in his stead, should he decline,
John Maltby, a(terward Brigadier General.
81 was one of the Committee to call on
Grant. He said that he was beginning business
and should have to decline catering into poll
Tics. We therefore chose Maltby. Grant went
on with his store, selling harness, saddlery, and
hardware, and got into the firm at last. Lincoln
was elected. Grant said from that time that the
South would fight. l could not bring my mind
10 contemplate this, but the Captain seemed to
be positive, and from that day began to speak
oftener OF his military education, his debt
therefor to the country, and to talk with me
upon the capacities of the North 10 raise troops.
About that time he wrote letter, so expressing
himself, to man in Missouri, and this letter
Albert ID. Richardson, unknown TO Grant,
found out and inserted in his book. When
Sumter was attacked, we all looked to Grant,
Smith, and Matby. The former went to work
meetings, and We three, with RoWley, atterward
on the staff, went to Galena and to Hanover and
raised that company for three months service.
SiAty.two men out of its eighty odd afterWard
enlisted for the war.
IA this season saw new energies in Grant.
A larger career had opened before him. He
dropped a stOop shouldered way he had of
walking, and set his hat forward on his forehead
in less careless fashion. Yet he never seemed
to have an ambition above Tegimental rank and
all his talk with me was upon the best place in
regiment that should try for. He became
Carpet-bagger then, and | saw him as he left
Gaena, with his traps in hand.
Drawings" he cried, "If / see anything
that will suit you I'll send you word"
'"De, Captaln!"
"'I took my sick wife eastward soon after
ward, aud saw in the New York Tribune that
Grant had been made Brigadier- General, and
also found letter forwarded from him. saying:
Drawings, am entitled TO a Captain and A. A,
G., guess you had better GENE and take it,"
therefore withdrew from a regiment that was
raising, and doubtful OF my capacity to be indie
pendently useful, so Inexperienced, / joined
Grant at Cairo.
'''He had an Office In a great bank there and
] was amazed at the quiet, prompt way in which
he handled his multitude OF letters, requisitions
and papers, sitting behind the cashiers window
hole, with a waste basket under him and order.
lies to despatch business as he did it.
Beyond my friendship for Grant felt that
was going to be attached to man equal to the
enlargng situation. And so | have remained
with him ever since y"
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