The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-08

giving orders for an engagement be was not
appalled, by the great loss OF life which
would ensue. He replied: No; 1t was war.
But realized what 1t meant. never gave
such orders until was satisfied il was the
best coarse to pursue, and then l was will
ing 20 shoulder the responsibility He
added that many men failed as commanders
simply because of an unvillingness to as.
sumo the responsibility. He spoke of two
men who wear fearless in this respect-Sher-
man and Sheridan. The latter, in pariicu
lar, he thought, WIS possessed with ample
courage 10 do Whist seemed best, aud be re.
spoDsible forthe outcome. 1t was not rash
ness and heedleksness, but fearlessness. and
assuming responsibility for results
How was General Grant as a letter
yriter?' was aked.
HE wrote with great fscility," replied
Mr.. CTessTell. His style, like his ohsrac-
Ter, was the embodiment OF directness. He
used few metaphors and little ornaments
ton, and ner TWO words where one Wo1id do,
preferring Saxon WORDS TO Latin or French.
He never hesitated for word, and 81 ways
went right TO the point he vrete all his
own papers, Notwithstanding the reports to
the contrary, and his messages were framed
and written By him"
How wss he IS = talker?'
"1hoEe who thought Grant couldn't talk
made q mistake" was the reply; when
be beam intimate with one he would talk
as much IS any companion should. / have
heard him do nearly all the talking for an
hour or more. He wss good talker, but
slow, sometimes hesitating for a word,
something be never did IN writing.
4"He either had implicit confidence in a
man or he had none. He was quick to form
an estimate OF man, snd If mis- suspicious
were once aroused his firm Jaw would shut
like trap and he would remain cold and ST.
lent, and by his appearances would chill
speaker, no matter how earnest he might be-
He was always modest and unassuming,
never presented himself as hero Of any oc.
casion, and never introduced military sub
jscts In conversation.
He had very quick eye, and 1t was sur
prisiDg to me how he could take in the whole
topography st glance. / remember once,
while he was visiting me at my farm, l took
him long drive around the country. took
by.rosd, intendingto strike the main road,
bat missed my vayf Finally / lsugLingiv
confessed it. Where did you want 10 go?'
he asked. i wanted TO strike a road which
would take me TO the village, which lies in
that direction He etood up III the buggy
and, locking over the surrounding country,
tsid: III you will let down the fence here,
drive ever this field and through that gate
Up yonder, 1 think You'll strike the road
you want on that ridge why do 20 think
50? l asked. Well, you say the village is
Ia that direction (polnting). Up there ] see
quite settlement. The people who live
mere viii have way 70 reach the village,
and they couldn't find q better way than
along hatlidge.' did as ne advised, and
found the road just where he said would.
! expressed surprise at his accuracy, aud he
replied: IL has been part Of my business to
FIRE roads. A good soldier should be able,
by seeing portion Of the country, TO form
a good judgment OF what the rest is
Now about Grants third-term project"
continued Dir. Creswell; "he didn't desire
10 be President q third term for any glory or
reputation, but his sole object was to recon
Gle the North and South snd think he
would have done it thoroughly. The solid
South would have bsen thing of the past"