Grand Rapids morning telegram., 1885-07-30
MEMENTOES OF GRANT.
WAR RELICS NOW IN THIS CITY
The Generals Flag. Chair, Desk and
Saddle "a Possession OF Mrs. 3. Is.
Leet. of Barclay Street

On the 18th Of August, irsi@. young man
named George h ioet enlisted al Chicago
a. a private IN the Chloago Mercantile Bat
tery, which wAs al once sent 10 tae front
With the Army Of the Iennes-ee lie vac q
model soldier. and had seea but few
months service before he was made Lieu
tenant, and wa Rfterwsrd sucoessiVely pro
NOTED 10 oe Captain, QnartermRster, MAJOR
and finally bfesotted Lieutenant G COlOnel OF
the Regular Army FOR faithful and morltor-
ious services during the war immediately
after the fall OF Nieksburg he was assigned
10 duty ON Gen. Grants staff. and
served Ia that capacity until The
Generals inauguration as President
March I, los9. In August 1870 he was die
charged from the army at his own request
aud with hls family settled in New York
City. lie was d brother 10 A. b. Leei we'll
known ia this city ~ the General Freight
and Passenger Agent OF the e. X. a !. rail
road. In the fall of 1870 Colonel Ieet wAs
IN poor health and ia hopes 10 be benefited
by the trip. came 10 virlt has brother IA the
city. HE health failed rapidly after coming
here and he died IN March 1851. lie left a
widow and five children. The Oldest child.
Grant Leet, born IA 1866. and named for the
great General came To this city IA June after
his fathers death and has since been en-
December last the rest Of the family came
To this city and now live AT al Barclay
street.
Thinking that something of interest 10 the
readers of IHE Iu.EGRAM might be learned
from family 80 closely connected with Gen.
Grants military career, reporter yesterday
called upon Mrs. Iseet at her residence and
found that the official books, papers. maps.
etc, left by her husband, were IN the care of
her son Grant al the Grand Rapids & iudl-
ana building, and upon calling AT the build
ing IN the evening the reporter was allowed
10 examine them. They consist of "a com
plete official record of the general orders
issued by Presidents Lincoln and Johnson,
the Secretaries of War, and Gen. Grant from
the beginning of the war 10 1863; letters that
passed between them IN relation 10 the
movements. change of commanders and
achievements of the armies; records of courts
martial, promotions, etc, and many other
letters, orders and communications issued
10y minor officers. There are also
seven maps showing the location
of the armies, defenses, etc, at different
times. All except the maps are neatly print
ed and bound, and "A more thorough eXamin-
alton will probably disclose many matter. Of
interest not noticed IN the short time devoted
to them yesterday. From Grant Leet the
reporter learned of other more interesting
mementoes of General Grant, which are now
III DOr1frrlOn Oh tfit lhnlllA, anu upon re-
turning TO the residence he was allowed To
look at the chair used by Gen. Grant and
the flag which tloated over his headquarters
from the time that he assumed command of
the Army of the Potomac, or was made
Commander in Chief. until he was elected
President. The flag II 6 by II feet ia size, of
very light bunting, and 40 faded and tat
tered that the colors are hardly distinguish
able, but the red stripes seem TO have been
very uhrk. There hole torn
in one corner which takes out
one or two of the stars and
the end Is badly worn as If whipped ont by
the winds. 1t II certainly n valuable memen-
TO and of course is highly priced 10y Mrs.
Leet. When II was suggested that II ought
TO be placed on exhibition where the public
could view II, or displayed by the q. A. r.
men at the memorial funeral services she
said that on account of its having been so
highly priced 10y her husband and of such
delicate texture, she would not like 10 al
low II to 20 out of her care. From her con
versation however the reporter concluded
| that If she could be assured that IL would be
we'll cared for, she would allow II 10 be dis
| played for the memorial services at least.
| The chair Is a common revolving Office chair.
| of walnut, with cane seat and back. Ii Is
very plain, with no carving or ornaments
| upon II. The back Is high 20 that when a
man sits IN II and leans back II comes well
| up on the shoulders. Mrs. Leet also has the
desk used by the General at his headquarters
IN the field and one of his saddles. The desk
was broken or knocked 10 pieces while being
| brought from New York here and has not
been put together" She does not know
where the saddle Is. When the Colonial died
there was large amount of original mau-
uscript in his possession relative 10 army
matters. but II was returned 10 General
Grant, at his request.