The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-09-19
Reminiscence of Gen. Grant.

When in the beginning of the war in Mis-
souri,, Governor Jackson, of that State, was
organizing his military camps, he felt greatly
the need of educated military talent to instruct
his new recruits. The State was young, and
none of her sons who had been educated at
West Point had risen to any distinction in the
army. The Governor saw the best blood of
the State was rushing to his standard, but he
had sagacity enough to see that something
more than raw valor was needed to make an
efficient army. In his trouble he consulted
Professor D., an intimate friend Professor d.
recommended his friend and kinsman, Captain
Grant, as he was then called. He spoke Of
him as man of decided character, who had
graduated reputably at West Point; had after
wards abandoned the army, married into re-
spectacle ST. Louis family; was a consistent,
well-pronounced, pro-slavery Democrat; had
lived long time in the State; in fine, was in
all respects Just such man as the Governor
wanted Professor D., by the authority of
Governor Jackson, wrote to Captain Grant, then
resident in Illinois, offering him, ip Governor
Jackson's name, position in the Missouri in
surgent army. Captain Grant accepted the
offer, and while at the railway station awaiting
the train for St. Louis, a letter was handed him
containing a ColonePs commission from the
Governor of Illinois.
He accepted the latter and thus became an
officer in the army of the North. The Cover
nor of Illinois had outbid the Missouri Cover
nor and got his man. And this man, who thus
narrowly escaped position in the rebel
army" is held out to the black man as his Pc
culiar friend, his especial champion. Professor
D., whom 1 know well to be truthful man,
related to me in person the above facts in the
CITY of St. Louis since the close of the war
Shreveport Telegraph.
The matters detailed in the above were made
known to us by reputable citizen of Houston,
who was personally cognizant of the facts.
There was, however, according to our recollec-
ton, one slight though not material variation,
viz: that the proposal was first made to Gene
raj Price, and through him to Governor Jack
son, and that the place offered Grant in the
rebel army was less in rank than that offered
by the Governor of Illinois. Our informant
was upon General Prices staff at the time, and
an intimate friend of the Professor Grants
relative by marriage) when the proposal was
made, and through this informant it was COM
municated to General Price. The witnesses of
these matters are yet living, and the facts can
be proven. Our informant is now absent, but
will ere long return, and we shall submit the
matter to him for his evidence, and such is his
position that it will not be questioned by any
candid man. The facts show that Grant was
mere adventurer, ready to draw his sword in
favor of the side offering him the largest place
or position. 1t is also charged against Grant
that he declared that he would not fight to free
the slaves, but the evidence OF this We have
not so positively as the other. Still, if he
could accept of the larger place on the Union
side at the very time he was negotiating for a
place on the "rebel" side, he was capable of
anything for his own aggrandizement. With.
out Rawlins to plan for him, he never would
have attained name, and when the former
died his good genius died with him.-Houston
ISras) Telegraph