Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1868-07-01
RecollectiOns of Grant.

Rev. J. J.. Crane, the chaplain Of the regi
ment of which Gen. Grant was colonel gives
the following interesting "reminiscences of his
private and military character:
lie is always cheerful. No toll, cold heat,
hunger, fatigue. or want Of money depresses
him. lie does his work at the time, and he
requires all under his command to be equally
prompt ! was walking over the camp with
him one morning after breakfast 1t was us.
ual for each company to call the roll at a CIV
en- hour 1t was now probably half hour
after the time for that duty The colonel
was quietly smoking his old meerchaum and
talking and walking along, when he noticed a
company drawn up in line and the roll being
called. He instantly drew his pipe from his
mouth and exclaimed " Captain, this is no
time for calling the roll Order your men to
their quarters, Immediately" The command
was instantly obeyed, and the colonel resumed
his smoking and walked on, conversing as
quietly as if nothing had happened For this
violation of discipline those men went without
rations that day, except what they gathered
up privately from among their friends of 9TH
er companies Such breach of order was
never witnessed in the regiment afterward
while he was its colonel This promptness is
one of Grants characteristics, and it is one Of
the secrets Of his success
On one of our marches, when passing thro'
one of those small towns where the grocery is
the principal establishment. some Of the low
ers Of intoxication had broken away from our
lines and filled their canteens with whiskey,
and were soon reeling and ungoyernable I'M
der It's influence. While apparently stopping
the regiment for rest Grant passed quietly
along and took each cantcen, and wherever
he detected the fatal odor, emptied the liquor
ON the ground with as much nonchaance as
he would empty his pipe, and had the ofieu
ders tied behind the baggage wagons till they
had soberod into sodiery proprety. On
! this point his orders were imperative; no
whiskey nor intoxicating beverages were al
lowed in his camp.
/ In the afternoon ola very hot day in July,
I 1861, while the regiment was stationed in the
town of Mexico, Missouri, | had gone to the
cars as they were passing, and procured tn,
daily paper, and seated myself in the shadow
Of my tent to read the news. In the tele.
graphic column soon came to the announce.
ment that Grant, with several Others was
made brigadier general In a few minutes
he came walking that way, and | called tC
him:
Colonel have some news here that will
interest you"
What have you chaplain ?"
Il see that you are made brigadier gener
Ial."
He seated himself by my side and remark
ed
"Well, sir, had no suspicion of it. L
never came from any request of mine. That
some of Washburnes work. | knew Wash
burne in Galena He was strong Republi
can and was a Democrat, aud though
from that he never liked me very well henc
we never had more than business or stree
acquaintance. But when the war broke on
found he had induced Gov. Yates to APP
point me mastering officer of the Illinois vol
unteers, and after that had something to d,
in having me commissioned colonel Of the 2ls
regiment; and | suppose this is some of hi
work"
And he very lesurely rose up and pulle,
his black felt hat little nearer his eyes, an,
made few extra passes at his whiskers, AM
NdihNh away WIN AZ Hlutl dpldINnl uuCbn
cern as if some one had merely told him tina
his new suit of clothes was finished.
Grant belongs to no church, yet he enter
tains and expresses the highest esteem for al
the enterprises that tend to promote religion
When at home he generally attended tn,
Methodist Episcopal church While he wa,
colonel of the Dist regiment, he gave every
encouragement and facility for securing
prompt and uniform observance of religiou
services, and was found in the audience listen
ing TO preaching.
Shortly after came into the regiment on
mess were one day taking their usual seat
around the dinner table, when he remarked
Chaplain, when was at home, and min
listers were stopping at my house, | Away
invited them to ask a blessing at the table
| suppose blessing is as much needed her,
as at home; and if it is agreeable with your
views, should be glad to have you ask
blessing every time we sit down to eat"