Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1885-09-16

(By Mrs. Annie Wittennyer


comrlandsd al army. His pstIeuee
and kind meas were unfailiug. and ez
tended not only 70 the rank and file.
bot TO The SICK ADD wounded. Care
fol prepara atoms were always msds
before the battle foE the raen wbo
should fall wounded, aud Onion and
Confederate soldiers fsllIng within
reach Of his hospitals Jared add shared
alike
Every facility was extended By IN
70 the workers Of the Sanitary anG
Christian Commissions, and while
keen 70 detect frauds he generously
welcomed every man and woman
who came on a mission 81 mercy into
his hospitals. 1 knew i,im person-
ally and well, and gratefully recall
many pleasant incidents that came
within my own observation, Ills
treatment Of Common soldiers and The
friends who sought 70 reach and help
them, may be shown BY the follow
ing incident
After the surrender Of Corinth,
Miss. Columbus. KY. became the
base OF supplies. and General Grant
took up his headquarters at jackson,
Tenn, about midway between 90
lumbus and Corinth The line OF
railroad, which was soon pat In iun,
ming condition between these two
points. extended right through the
enemy's country travelling was peril
ous aud those who went down on
erranas of mercy well understood
they must take the chances OF stray
bullets from seme near ambuscade,
and the peril from broken or barn
caded tracks but these dangers
seemed only 10 increase the Gesire 10
push 10 the front. Our lines were
infested with spies and Adventures.
and the most stringent orders had
been issued against all civilians CON
ing down 10 the army, and thousands
were turned back at Cairo. The pur-
pose Was not TO keep back the real
friends OF the soldiers, but the crowd
OF unworthy adyenturers aud spies.
Few had the privilege Of appealing
10 General Grant personally, as he
was beyond their reach most OF the
time, bat when they did the rich and
poor fared alike. No amount OF dis
play, no claim of distinction or social
standing, caused him 10 deviste from
the true line.
One morning, coming down on the
packet boat FROM Cairo 10 Columbus,
I noticed O woman weeping ~ though
her heart would break. Her calico
sunbonnet and coarse blanket shawl
beiokened AFFECT poverty. She
swayed back and forth and sobbed
out her anguish, with her face buried
In a coarse bandans handkerchief
Laying my hand on her shoulder, |
said My dear woman, what Is the
matter :"
It's my boy I'm crying about ,
he's awful sick way down in Tennes-
see, and he has writ for me TO come,
but the man as keeps the passes at
Cairo says | can't go. He says there's
plenty 10 care for my boy, and may
be there II, bnt reckon bis mother,
who took care Of him when he was
baby could do 1t better nor any OF
them. My boy was q mighty smart
bOyt At NuEs bu htNth ~ "a 70 w
ter boy nor he wuz, and II they
von'tiet me go down on the railroad
! reckon can walk Pm bound Ia
go--I'n dodge them guards They
tried to skeer me by telling me that
them guards would arrest me If
tried 70 get through the lines, and
hang me ~ n spy But l reckon
them guards are human critters, and
" L tell 'em my boy h q solger and
awful sick, and wants his mother TO
come down and nuss him up, they'll
let me 60 through
"Have you his letter with your
I inquired.
Yes, have Il here And out of
cApscious pocket she drew forth a
package. and unrolling It, handed me
the letter.
II was short letter, badly written.
but full of pathos Mother, I'm
awful sick with the fever. The doe
tor don't know as I'll pull through.
but II you would come you could
nuss De up soon
Satisfied that IL was genuine case,
and thai she Vas a true woman,
though clothed in coarse, ill-ntting
garments. | said:
General Grant, the highest officer
Of them oil, and one who can give
passes when the others refuse, Is on
this boat He was sitting by that
table few moments ago. A. he has
lefs his papers lying there, be will
likely be back 10 few moments
and | Was going on 60 say. Il will
speak 10 him for YOU but remem-
bored that had often said that Geo
eral Grant decided on the merits Of u
case, aud was not Influenced by dress
or position. Here was chance TO
test the matter. SO ! said instead.
Go TO him when he comes In and
show your letter and ask him for a
pass--he will give 1t TO you, | am
sure"
She was almost dismayed at the
thought Of speaking to so grea, a
man.
When the General came In aud
took a seat at the table, l whispered .
That's General Grant Now 60
don't be afraid"
II vas q picture for an artist.
With her sunbonnst pushed back.
aud her coarse shawl drawn closely
about her, she timidly approached
the table with the letter In her hand.
The General looked up kindly.
Are you General Grant," she
questioned
Yea, what can do for you -
We'll, my boys awful sick, and
he's writ nae letter 60 cum and russ
him mp again But down at Cairo
they wus afraid | was spy. OF some.
thing OF that sort But I Amt no
spy, Gineral-rm good Uniou wo.
man as there is, aud lady here said
may be II | asked you, you'd just let
me 60"
General Grant, who had looked
over the letter. not forgetting to
scrutiniEe the postmark on the envel.
opc. handed II back to her with these
comforting words; YES, III give
you pass.
The woman was 50 delighted that
she talked all the while he Was
writing the pass.