The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-01
AFTER VICKSBURG'S FALL.
Little Incident, Showing Grants Kind
heartedn ess, Plainly Told.

Little Incident, Showing Grants Kind
heartedness, Plainly Told.
vicksburg miss Commercial.
At this timo every scrap Of narrative of the
illustrious dead will be read with interest 1t IS
our good fortune to be able to relate an incident
of General Grant that puts in the best light the
kindness and gentleness of character for which
he was noted.
On the 9Th of July. 1863 a Southern planter
and Mrs. Dockery. of Arkansas. slowly made
their way to General Grants headquarters, in
the rear of Vicksburg. The day before the long
tedious siege ended in the surrender of the con
federate forces to General Grant. All was, there
fore, in confusion and hustle, but the Union
soldiers were in excellent humor and offered no
opposition to the progress of the two visitors to
see the 'old man. as they loved to call their
commander
Mrs Dockerty was the wife Of confederate
brigader general who took part in the defense
of the city. During the siege she had remained
eleven miles in the rear of Vicksburg with the
planter and his family. She could hear the can
nonadng all during the long combat and at
times the reports of the cannon were rapid
the notes OF quick tune on the violin. AS soon
as the city surrendered she determined to hear
the fate of her husband 80 she persuaded the
planter to get old, dilapidated buggy left on
the place by some of the struggling soldiers, and
with harness improvsed with old straps, ropes
and strings, and a mule caught on the highway,
to attemrt the trip to Gen. Grants headnuarterS.
The mule pulled the buggy and its two occu
pants along the hot dusty road at a lively pace,
and by / o'clock Grants shady retreat, about
three miles to the rear of Wick burg, was reached.
His headquarter tents were pitched just little
to the north of the old jackson road, on a ridge
thickly covered with dense shade trees. AS soon
as the guards were reached sergeant informed
the two they could proceed no further as he
knew General Grant would not see them. Mrs.
Dockery, with tears in her eyes begged the
soldiers to go to Grant and tell him that lady
in great distress wished only to see him just
zone little minute" The officer went into the
Generals tent, remained only one instant, re-
turned and invited Mrs. Dockery and the plant
er to walk in. They left the buggy with the
guards, and tremblingly approached Grants tent.
What was their agreeable surprise TO be cordially
invited by Grant himself to be seated. Before
hardly a word was spoken Grant instructed an
orderly to serve his guests with cool water and
insisted on Mrs. Dockery taking an easy chair
which he vacated for her. AS soon as Mrs.
Dockery could command language she poured
into the Generals ears her fears that her hus-
band was wounded or dead, and asked for pass
to go to Vicksburg and learn what was bis fate
Grant replied almost word for. word follows
Madam, General Grant has issued an order
that there shall be no passing to and from Vicks-
burg, and he cannot set the example of violating
his orders"
Mra Dockery was in tears when she said:
''Oh, my Cool what shall do?"
A smile almost passed over Grants face as he
replied:
"Oh, don't distress yourself; i will take it
upon myself to get news from your husband
He must be gallant fellow to have won such d
devoted wife
''But when will you find out for me' Can you
not see this suspense is almost killing me"
replied the lady.
rig hit now, said Grant, land you shall be
my guest until my orderly can fly to General
Pemberton's headquarters and get the news"
Grant instantly instructed one of his aides to
write note 20 General Pemberton and inquire
of him whether or not General Dockery, of
Bowen's division had escaped unframed and all
the news about him. Mrs. Dockery at his
headquarters exceedingly anxious to know.
While the orderly was gone General Grants
dinner was served, and Mrs. Dockery and the
planter dined with him and his friends. There
were perhaps twenty generals, colonies, majors
aides and others at the table, but not of
them spoke word that could wound the feel
ings of the Generals guests. The General him
self was exceedingly agreeable, and instead of
talking about war, or anything PERTAINING to it,
devoted himself to getting all the information
he could about the South and its productions
No cotton planter ever evinced more interest in
cotton than did the great soldier TO whom a
strong city had surrendered the day before.
Soon after dinner the orderly returned with n
note from General Pemberton stating that Gen
Dockery was in excellent health, and would
visit his wife as soon as General Grant would
permit It, General Grant smiled and SAID: ~ on
shall see him in day or two; just as as
can fix things a little. I'll not forget your
name. and of course will have to remember
mine"
When the Generals visitors arose to depart he
assured them he appreciated their call. and
taking scrap of paper, wrote on it for the
guards to pass Mr.. and Mrs. Dockery to their
home and signed his name Only one picket had
to be passed, but the pass looked so much more
common than those regularly issued that the
guard scanned it closely. When he read Grants
own signature he said: 'Humph. the old man
got to writing passes9 Let them by"