The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-03-20
FROM THE CAPITAL.
WHAT aEoRelA's GIANT SAID
About Ills First Hsstins with tho Military Giant
0fths xorth-Ths Istsrnal RsIsnus Rebates.
The Instructions OF the Department.
A New Telephone Enterprise.

WASHINGTON, March l9.-Mr. Crawford
Of the Sunday Herald, relates the following
as the late Alexander Stephens estimate o.
Grant:
shall never forget my first interview
with Grant It was when l came up in
1864 with the Peace Commission from
Richmond. l had been reading great
deal about Grant in all our papers during
the war. | had read OF him as Butcher
Grant" 80 long, that involuntarily that
idea had become pretty firmly established
in my mind. l could not get out Of my
head, picture Of coarse, boorish, brutal
man. We had with US leading officer Of
Lees staff. He was in full uniform, well
gotten up for visit Of extreme ceremony.
When We reached Grants headquarters 1t
was nearly night. We had been passed by
the sentinels with great deal Of ceremony.
We thought, when we reached Grants
headquarters, 10 find great military scene.
l expected to find Grant, the comman-
der OF an army OF million Of men, in a
splendid position, surrounded by all the
display that great military power makes
possible.
But what was my surprise when l reach
ed the headquarters, TO find only log.
house, with not even a sentry in front OF
It. doubted il this could be Grants
headquarters. 1t WAS now nearly night
i advanced with my party and knocked.
There were no servants, even, in attendance,
10 announce callers. The door was OPEN
ed by a plain, medium sized man in civil.
ian clothes. He had lighted lamp in his
hand.
Isaid, ~ wish 10 see General Grant"
81 am General Grant," he said, In the
simplest possible way. "Will you walk in,
gentlemen?"
We walked in and were seated by him.
He was alone in the room. From the first
be evinced the greatest possible interest in
the object OF our mission. observed him
closely during the hour We were with him.
Grants simplicity and modesty were OBJ.
jects OF my most profound admiration. l
noticed, also, when orderlies came in TO re-
ceive orders, that these were given in an
ordinary voice. There was nothing Of the
commander in his directions. He usually
concluded an order with the words, "go
quickly" delivered In conversational
tone. I'LL
When our first consultation ended Grant
insisted upon our sleeping upon his head
quarters boat. We asked where the boat
was. Instead Of summoning an orderly or
a servant, Grant said:
II will go with you myself"
The night had now become very dark.
We came out OF the 10y house, and went
stumbling along after Grant, who skipped
ahead with the lightness and agility OF a
boy. Every now and then we would meet
a sentinel. To his call OF "Who goes
there?" Grant replied "rhe General Of the
Army" He conducted US personally to
the boat, and then assigned US to state.
rooms, think one OF the best traits OF
his character was the great anxiety shown
by him on this occasion, to further the in
terests Of peace. Instead of finding him
hard and incorporating, he was ready
to make every concession In the interests
Of this peace.
The next morning when awoke and had
dressed; went out upon the deck OF the
vessel, and there saw Grantrunning along
on the bank, jumping like boy, as he
waved dispatch in his hand. soon
found out that this was dispatch from
Lincoln, agreeing to receive the commits
sion. Stanton had opposed It, but Grants
influence had been strong enough TO over.
run Stanton. "That the commission finally
failed in accomplishing It's mission said
Mr.. Stephens, II credit entirely to MIR.
Stantous opposition,"