The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1884-04-17
A RoUsING GATHERING.
Grant and Logan at the Potomac Department
Campfire.

The Campfire held by the Department of
Potomac, at Masonic Temple, on Friday last,
was of the most imposing character. Among
the distinguished guests were President Arthur,
Secretary Lincoln, and Generals Grant, Logan,
Hawley, Raum, Doubleday, Dudley, Van vliet
Kelley and Hazen. A large audience was in
attendance, and the proceedings throughout
were characterized by great enthusiasm. De-
partment Commander Alexander called the
meeting to order and introduced General Haw-
ley as presiding officer, who announced the
ficksburg campaign as the subject of discus
sion, and introduced General Logan as the first
speaker
General Logan then gave an interesting ac-
count of the campaign, referring from time to
time to General Grant, who sat behind him
and who seemed to recollect the date and place
of every skirmish and name of every corps or
division commander. Among other things,
General Logan told story about an old darkey
who was blown up by the explosion of a mine.
Said the Generals
said to the old man once, "Abe, how high did
you go?" "Fo de Lord, massa l mus gone
bout free hundred feet. Seems to me when was
goln up, the res comm down, and when
was comm down, the res was goin' up. OATS all
know bout it,
AT the conclusion of his remarks there were
loud calls for Grant, and the General, balancing
himself on his crutches spoke as follows:
VETERANS OF THE GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUB-
|
without being called upon to say word / am
glad to have had an opportunity to be with you
this evening, it Is the first time since Christmas
eve nearly three and half months ago that /
have been able TO be out of my room in the evening
L hope before many weeks, however, to be so far
recovered as to be sometimes seen upon the streets
OF whatever city may happen to be in. will
say that | followed General Logan in his story of
the Nicksburg campaign with great interest, and
have not single correction to make, though some
OF the leading incidents might have been carried a
little further as to details: The incident, for in
stance, OF receiving orders from Washington TO re-
turn back from the Mississippi and to move down
the river and cooperate with Banks in the move
| ment against Port Hudson until that place was
reduced, and then. having New Orleans for q base
ofsupples to move up the river and take Vcksburg.
This order was written in quite argumentatIve
way and stated that the plan had the sanction of the
President and the Secretary of War. But when
| the officer who brought that order delivered it to
me- said to him General Halleek had spoken a
This whole thing reminded me of traveller who
| stopped at a restaurant and called for egg.
As he swallowed it down he heard chicken chirp,
but the wayfarer had only time TO say, My friend,
you spoke too late. In fact; Just as the order
/ handed to me heard a tremendous cheer, and saw
LAWYER IN his shirt sleeves going IN with his bri-
gade, While the rebels were pulling the cotton out
OF the bales in front of Them and sticking it the
ends of their bayonets flags of truce. Another
Foint that Logan did not make, and perhaps he did
not know of it at the time. was that had sent
Sherman off to the right to prepare for crossing
General Logan here interrupted the speaker
| and said. GU ought to have told me that,
| General, before you made the attack" This
sally between the great captain and his lieu
tenant was received with uproarious cheers and
| prolonged laughter. In conclusion, General
| Grant said:
IT was after got into Yicksburg that Mr. Lincoln
| wrote me an autograph letter that character
| Istlc OF the man. He said: . When you got across
| the Mississippi River below yicksburg | Thought
| you should have gone down. see now you were
right and was wrong, and want to offer you an
! apology" We have had men who have occupied
the position that he did who probably made more
| Mistakes but they never admitted them.
Speeches were also made by General Raum
and President Arthur.