The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-25
GENERAL ULYSSES S. GRANT
Testimony of Northumberland Sheri-
dan and General Longstreet.
Sheridans Relations with the Old Commander
-LOngstreet'S Admiration for Grant
The Generals Religious Training.
A Talk with General Sheridan.
New York Times.

tested by the earnestness Of his questions about
the brave patient in New York. In his quiet,
unobtrusive, undemonstrative way Lieutenant
general Sheridan, General Grants's companion
in arms, has shown that he was panied at the
thought of the struggle that was going on be-
| tween the great soldier and a disease with which
his sturdy courage could not hope to successful
| ~ contend. While the dispatches have been
coming into the Office of the General of the
Army and in such moments as he could spare,
General Sheridan has talked about his relations
with General Grant, their joint efforts to
overcome the Rebellion and has told over
again the story of some Of the most
memorable scenes in which both of them
participated. General Sheridan does not readily
take to story telling, particularly when the tell
ing of story involves references to his own
volorous deeds. His difidence, great now as it
was when he was boy, is something remark
able in a man who showed an absolute lack of
diffidence in the face of any enemy To get
anything out of him in the way of incident one
must lead him carefully to the point upon which
information is desired. Then, in a low, simple,
straightforward way he will tell his story 1t
will be unimaginative, without attempt at dra-
matte effect and without a shade of boastfulness
Like General Grant. General Sheridan has
sometimes been called reticent and taciturn
This is true of him only when he speaks with
strangers or with curious people whom he sus-
poets Of desire to hear him blow his own trum-
pet.
The writer dropped in to see him day or two
ago. and, after chatting about General Grants
condition, expressed some curiosity to know
when he had first come in contact with General
Grant well" said the General, ''you see, we
were both attached to the same regiment in the
army He had gone out of it after the Mexican
war, and my service had been continuous from
| the time left West Point until | drifted dowrs
| the Tennessee river as an acting quartermaster
| for General Halleck. The battle of Shiloh had
| just been fought. Our army was resting. a sort
| of suspension following the battle. Hearing
| that Grant and Mcpherson were both at the
| front, took the first opportunity presented Of
| reporting to them. found General Grant with
| General Mcpherson. He was sitting in his tent
| smoking a cigar, and in his shirt sleeves.
| Our greeting was pleasant, and he expressed his
qualification that had been sent to the front. |
| had just gone through with the Pea Ridge cam
| paign, and he seemed to have the notion that
could be useful to him in the advance through
| Kentucky and Tennessee.
Il was pretty near Grant from that time on
| until l was sent East to take command of all the
| cavalry in Virginia. When | met the General
| at Shiloh he the same in manner that he
has always been to me- did not find him
| reticent. On the contrary, he was very free
| and frank talker. He did not need much ex-
| PLANTATION from me of anything proposed to DO,
! but appeared to have entire confidence that
| would do the best could at all times" The
General referred most pleasantly to the influence
| exerted by General Grant in securing his trans
fer to the East after the brilliant services he had
| rendered at Perryville, Stone River and Chca-
| manga. General Grant agreed with me that
| whenever it was possible we should fight cavalry
with cavalry and infantry with infantry. He
i agreed with me in any my plan of the val
taken off guard duty about the army and put
to better use. | saw General Grant occasionally.
| lie was always tho same in manner. Never
elated by victory, he was also never cast down by
| defeat He met all sorts Of fortune stolidly His
| confidence in himself never failed. Under all
| circumstances he treated his associates with the
| same simple courtesy. Palmer in dress than
| most OF his associates be so because he had
no thought of dress, his mind being upon the
| great task he had set himself. He came to see
| me in September, talked over the plans l had
made for fighting Early, and having faith in
| my confidence that | could whip his army, So
| that no other instructions were necessary, gave
! the junction to go in. He never visited me
! again for the purpose of giving me orders, and
in that way testified his full faith in my desire
and ability to comprehend and carry out his
| plans. Ills regard for me Was shown again after
l.
! brigadier- general in the regular army, by the
| order for a salute Of 100 guns"
| With great interest General Sheridan referred
to the campaign events following his bold push
| of March, 1860, to the south of Richmond pre-
| ceding the brilliant events in which he was to
| take so conspicuous place and win such last
ing renown. Sat Dinwidde Court House" said
he, came Grants order about ending the battle
| before going back. We were in bvouac The
weather was rainy and the roads muddy. Wag-
ons were everywhere up to their hubs The
| general movement forward appeared to be
ended AT daybreak the 30th, l think, when
everything was swamped [ rode back to see
| General Grant. The infantry We're hudded
together, wet and cold General Grants tent
was in a sand field and was as cherries place
as could be found He met me cordially, and
| suggested that If the cavalry could move up a
little 1t would be better than an absolute stand
| still. | assented TO the suggestion-it was all
| that could be- done-said good bye' to General
| Grant, rode back to my command and gave the
| order to move on Five Forks. l did lot SEQ
| General Grant again, except to get glimpse of
| him at Jetersvile. until ten days later, when |
| Joined him as he went to receive the surrender
| of Lee at AppomattoX.
THE story Of the surrender of Lee has been so
often told said General Sheridan, "that nothing
could be added to it by me. General Grant,
| arriving at AppomattoX Court House with Colonel
| Newhal, the 9th of April, after a long and hard
| ride, was spattered with mud from his soft hat
| to his boots, in which he wore his trousers I
| sleep for several days Neither of US looked very
nice. We greeted each other briefly. The
| General knew what was about to be done, and
| little was said about it. General Grant showed
no eXultation. | took him to the Mclean House.
| where General Lee awaited him. General Grant
and one Or two of his staff went in; the rest of
US staid outside on the piazza until Colonel
Babcock came out and invited us in. Pres
emily General Lee went out to take his horse
and drive away. He was dressed in a new gray
uniform. We had no chance to get at our uni
forms. All of US were rather silent and serious.
| General Grant wore smile of victory on his
| face. He knew what the victory meant, but his
| face did not show it,"
General Sheridan says he has met General
! Grant many times since then, and that their
pleasant relations during the war have always
| been maintained He went with him on a Jour
| ney to Cuba and Mexico and on that trip found