The New York herald., 1878-11-22
WAS GRANT A TANNER?

L
AN INTERVIEW WITH A MAN WHO WORKED WITH
ULYSSES.
From the Indianapolis Newsl
The other day the NEW YORK HERALD published an
interview with A. Il. Corbn brotherinlaw of General
Grant, wherein he stated that the General not
tanner thus overthrowing another of the popular
illusions which have less surrounded all
great men, Knowing that John Fishback. Of the
Brookside tannery. boy with Grant. could in all
probability throw some light the question dt being
generally accepted belief that he and Ulysses worked
ut the bench together) Neps reporter sought him
and asked him TO state what he knew about it. He
said Observation-Disclosures Corbn is correct in his state
ment that General Grant was not tanner. but wrong
in saying that his brothers not. Both Simpson
and Orville good tanners and in early life worked
hard at the trade. moments reflection would sat
isfy any that if Ulysses entered West Point when
lad some time previous spent in preparing him
for his duty there and that he had time to acquire
the trade of tanner. After leaving West Point he
entered the army. and kept his position until he
signed, while in California. He was appointed
as a cadet at the request OF General Thomas
l.. Hamer. then Congressman from the dis
trict in which Cler1nont county situated.
II remember when he made his first visit home
after two years stay at West Point. He was then
quite young man. His cadet suit-white pants,
blue jacket, gilt buttons and cloth cap-made quite
an impression on the youth at that time. The i'm
mind has always been fresh. He came to my native
town. which at the end Of the stage route and the
nearest point to his home. drove him home. and
expected to after so long absence warm greet
ing but it was simply. How are you. my sonY and
How you. Brother Ulysscs? entirely cool and
without emotion the same trait which has character
lied the General in his after life.
At Bethel the little village where his family lived,
the boys concluded that Cadet Grant was putting on
style and not knowing that his dress was in accord
with the regulation OF the school determined to
dress up butioon in the same style and set him to
foIl tba ha.
trayed by his manner that he knew anything OF their
designs. and his department was so manly that they
became disgusted with themselves. and afterward
were his friends.
4 "The absence of gush was no evidence that there
want OF affection existing in the Grant family.
The General has shown that he has q warm place in
his heart for his relatives and in spite OF abuse and
ridicule he has always stuck to them and to his
friends. No father ever had greater admiration
affection for than Jesse r. Gaan had for Ulysses,
aud his tender regard for his father until his days
were ended showed that he not wanting in grsti-
tude No doubt tho old gentlemans vanity often
mortified the son, but never word OF reproof TO
illustrate the old gentemans attachment to his son.
whoever crossed the threshold of the Grant man
sion Immediately invited to listen to the last let
ter received from Ulysses or to the last report to
examine the many specimens of his drawings which
adorned the walls OF the house. On occasion the
old gentleman's vanity overcame his judgment and
came near getting Ulysses into trouble
Ulysses was in command of u company Of regular
soldiers in the army that invaded Mexico, and while
joined by of the Ohio volunteers. The
Captains native county was represented by COM
pany, and their dirty and ragged condition, peculiar
to the volunteers when first entering the service.
in comparison with his clean. well kept regulars. at
tracted his attention. and in letter home he made
severe criticisms upon their appearance. The
old gentleman hastened to the county seat and had
the letter published in the county paper. As . mat
ter Of course each family represented in the army
sent marked copy OF the paper to the boys in Mex
leo. When that mail reached the army there was .
storm Of indignation and loud threats were made
against Captain Grant ButGeneral Hamer. the early
friend Of Grant. and who was in command of the di
vision OF volunteers. had satisfactory expla-
nation made. and the wrath of the volunteers was
appeased-"
er Grants history previous to his entering the army
again in 1861 not heretofore made public with which
you familiarY'
after the failure Of Captain Grant . wood hauler
to the st. Louis market he moved to Galena, where
his younger brother. Orvile. was in charge of his
fathers leather and hide store and became assist
ant. A representative Of New York leather house
told me he happened to be in the store one
night when the Captain asked orville for S..
Orvile in command then and gave him
So, with the remark that he had for
IS. The Captain. like good soldier. quietly submit
ted to the dictston Of hs superior Soon after Cap
tain Grant asked to assist in the organization Of
the Illinois troops and Governor Yates offered him
command Of regiment. He stopped in indianapolis.
his way TO Columbus. Ohio. where he told Inc he
going to ask Governor Dennison to give him com
mand of Ohio regiment, that being his native
State But Dennison declined. He returned to n-
nois and took the regiment offered by Governor
Yates. From that time forward anduntil the close Of
the war his star never set.
''What do you think about third term for the
Now you getting into politics. But ~ never
hesitate to express opinion when have one, ]
would say that while have great respect for Gem
era Grant and admire his military career and am
grateful for his appointments Of my immediate rels
tives positions of honor and trust, should look
upon his election for third term the beginning Of
the end of republican government. just look 81
the last days Of his admnstration-the close OF his
second term. They characterized by hate
venge. perjury theft and fraud Look ut the class u
men who had control OF hiin-Robeson, Beiknan
Chandler. Boss Shepherd Babcock Joyce-bui
here let the list stop, for the grave. like charity,
covereth q multitude of sins. There not Q
patriot in this broad land who did rcmble the
last days of his administration approached. and
ceived with sigh Of relief his last public act. See
the of destiny with his hand ON his sword, by
his side his trusted friend the General OF the Army
and the tool of his brother. John Sherman. forcing
upon the people q fraudulent President whom q large
majority by their ballots had repudiated. Let IL be
hoped that General Grant will nut into execution his
expressed desire to return to his farm and retire to
private e trusting TO generous people to forget his
failures In civil life and remember only his brilliant
career ~ q soldier of the Republic Z