The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-05-14
COL. DAYS "REMINISCENCES.
A Story that was Told ut Fort Hamilton and
Rept ated at " hitcbnII.

In July. 1863, the Sixth United States In-
fantry, despatched from the Gettysburg cam
palen to aid IN quelling the New York riot, was
stationed at Fort Hamilton. Its commanding
officer was Col. Hannibal Dav, a white-bearded
ofIicer. full Of years and overlooking with mill
tary "reminiscences and ancciote. lie WIS SEN
tentious correspondent. aud his Official letters
were models OF neatness and economy, being
generally yer, handsomely penned on scraps
torn from the backs OF old envelopes On one
occasion In 1858, Geu Dix, commanding the De-
partment of the East gave permission to man
who had invented new gun to experiment
with It at Fort Hamilton. II was breech-
loader, aud after few trials went OF one day at
the wrong end, carrying away arm OF one OF
the guuners, and driving about a teacupful OF
powder through the skin of the inventors face.
Gen. DIX ordered Col. Day to investigate and
report upon the causes OF the accident, and Col.
Van Buren,, the Acknowledgment Of the De
pafttncnt. was soon alterwAfd amused at the
receipt of tue following:
sIsi Having Investigated the circumstances OF the
recent artillery accident at tins post have the honor
naudiag tne Deuartm'nt, that a. ncarV as could as
of ihr ggn in.eriing chang" IN It. Sfeecn before he
preceding snalge had que emerged from tie muz1le
ii. Day, Colonel sixth u E. Infantry.
About the time OF the Sixth Iniantry's arrival
ut Fort Hamilton the newspar ers were begin
Grant in the West. Much curiosity WAS excited
To his Identity, and Col. Day was applied to
by some Of the officers Of the garrison as likely
to he able to give information on the subject.
The old gentleman twisted hi. long beard, and
sal that he lid not know precisely. but he had
his suspicious. " | knew" he went on to saw,
"a Capt. Grant In Que Of the infantry regiments,
who left the service sew raj years ago Some
time afterward l came ON east from san Fran
cisco with two other officers, and We put up AT
the Aston House. After washing and brushing
up, star ed on tour OF o. setvaiiCu uD
Br adwav. Just IA we stepped into the street
We noticed drunken man living on the side
walk In great danger OF rolling into the gutter
under the horse hoofs. Using him up To- res
cue him from his peril We recognized him at
once as the former capt. Grant whom we had
known on the Pacific coast. e took him into
the hotel, and had him scrubbed and cleaned
ana put to bed. and when he got over his drunk
we dubbed together and bought him new suit
Of Ct, thes and "A icket To Galena. | nave never
heard from him since, but | have a fancy that
he Is the Gen. Grant Of whom the newspapers
are t.lking."
One Of the group, Lieutenant was under or
ders TO visit Govern IRIS Island on the following
day a. member Of a general court martial he
Pre- id mt OF the court was Ma1or Frederick 4.
Deut. then Of the Fourth Infantry. Tue Lieu
tenant found himself the next mO~nn. sitting
ing for some uiatOry members Of the court.
Tue time was beguiled oy story telling. ana the
Lieutenant entertained Mai Dent with Col.
Days story about picking Grant IN out OF the
gutter. At this conclusion OF the tale the Major
burst out nerCelY: It's false, sir every wOrd
that your informant has told YOU It's a doublc
dashed lie, the whole OF It, siri 1 know whit
an asserting, for Gen. Grant, sir, Is my brother
~ ldiU!'
1hs was probably the nrst public uttcrance OF
days gwen such distinct emphasis TO The policy
OF Cir. utisul.