The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-08-05
GEN. GRANT ON THE FIELD,
Personal Recollections of the Dead Cen
eral by an cid War Correspondent.
INCIDENTS OF THE WILDERNESS.
HIS BEARING IN BATTLE AND BIS CHAR
ACfERISfIc MANNER AFTER TIE
SURRENDER.
INCIDENTS OF THE WILDERNESS.

In the early part of 1864, when il
became known that General Grant,
who had just been made general OF
all the Union armies, vas about TO
take command of the Army of the
Potomac, and the most exciting and
important military movements were
anticipated, | was ordered by my
paper to rejoin the army as a war
correspondent and write up events
as they occurred. | went first to
Washington, and reached there
abou. the time General Grant did.
| first saw the general in the corri-
dor of Wizards Hotel. the evening
of the day he arrived from the West.
Did any one man in this world ever
have weightier responsibility rest
ing on his shoulders than be did at
that time? He had Just been made
general-in-chief and on his plan OF
action and by the orders he was to
promulgate depended the move
ments of armies east and west. ag-
gregating nearly 100000 of fighting
men, and the immediate future, un-
der bis control. was to decide the
question whether this nation was to
live as a whole or be broken up into
fragments warring with each other.
A PICTURE OF GRANT.
When l saw him at this time he
was lazily leaning against the wall
near the clerks office, with one
hand thrust inside his vest and the
other in his pants pocket. He had
q lighted cigar in his mouth, which
he frequently took out and blew
forth wreaths of smoke. He wore
an undress uniform, and had trav-
el-tired appearance generally. He
was engaged in quiet conversation
with an officer as he leaned against
the wall and appeared to be entirely
oblivious to the curious, steady gaze
of a number of persons who were
standing around.
I knew that the only wav to reach
the headquarters of the Army of the
Potomac at that time from Wash
ington was by taking the Orange
and Alexandra Railroad to Brady
Station, and | also knew that the
railroad was under military control
and it would require an official pass
to take passage l had resolved. in
order to save time. to approach Gen.
Grant. show him my credentials, and
obtain an autograph permit from
him to take the train IN the morn
ing for Brady Station. just as l
had made up my mind to address
him he strolled off with his officer
friend, and / lost sight of him that
night.
A PERMIT FROM THE GENERAL.
The next morning 1 heard that
General Grant was going down to
the army in the first train, and, ac-
companied by a fellow-correspond-
ent named Edward Crapsey, we hur-
ried to the railroad station, hoping
to intercept him and obtain the COW
eted pass. We found him seated in
a car all alone, smoking a cigar and
looking over a newspaper. ad-
vanced and, showing him my papers
and stating my object. asked for q
permit to visit army headquarters.
l found the General approachable,
affable and conciliatory and, hand
ing him my note book and lead pee
eli. be leaned back in his seat and
wrote the permit Mr. Crapsey who
came originally from Galena. H.
then advanced and asked similar
favor, and as soon a General Grant
read his name on the card presented
be recognized him and remarked
with smile on his face:
Edward Crapsey, eh7 WHY, I
knew your mother before you were
born.n
The General then spoke pleasant
ly to Us fer a few minutes, when We
retired, delighted With the success
of the interview.
We went On the train with Gen.
Grant to Meades headquarters af
Bradv Station. but the 9enernl kent