Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-01

4 Clever Reporter Who Got the Best of
the Generals Reserve.
Yam Val Mi .7-.7 T--r.ess


When Gen. Ulysses s. Grant touched
terra firma, having completed his famous
trip around the world, be made a solemn
pledge to his most intimate friends that
under no circumstances would he be in
terviewed by any newspaper representa-
tive. This arrangement was entered into
for the purpose Of ObYiating the POSSIBLE
ity OF interfering with the sale of the
book written by Minister TO China John
Russell Young, then well-nigh completed.
Gen. Grant reached the Fifth Avenue
hotel in due season, and as expected was
besieged by newspaper men. He declined
to say any thing whatever about his trip
beyond saving that be rad enjoyed it and
so on. For two days the siege was kept
up, but the General held the fort. Finally
one of the leading morning papers singled
out a man from the city staff and detailed
him to get story out OF the General at
any cost and under any circumstances.
Proceeding to the Fifth Avenue hotel
the reporter held a council of war with the
veteran Clerk Carr. "There is no earth
ly use,' said he, Gin sending up your
card. He has already positively declined
to see some of the best-knOwn newspaper
correspondents IN the country. III were
in your place do you know what l would
do? I'd send up my card and face the
music. Take the role Of Wall street
blood; he'll never discover you"
The card was sent I'D and word came
back that Gen. 5rant would see the gen.
tleman. AS the story goes, the scribe
weakened at the knees, but finally braced
up and mounted to the suite of rooms Oc-
cupied by the VOyager round the world.
The old soldier was in full dress: Mrs.
Grant and number of ladies were pres
ent. The receptiOn-rOom was redOlent
with the perfumes of the choice eXOtics
that had been sent to the hero Of Vicks-
burg. The reporter babe him welcome,
was introduced to the ladies, and held
long chat with Gen. Grant, who unsus-
pectingly gave q succinct and interesting
account of his voyage. The following
morning the daily came out with a clean
"beat' of a column and three-quarters.
1t was used all over the country, and the
storm that burst over Gen. Grants head
can be more easily imagined than de-
scribed. Letters and kilograms were
thrown at him by the hundred, and he
was charged by his friends with having
violated the sanctitv of his promise. He
tried hard to explain, but it was no use,
so finally he came out with a statement
to the effect that he was not aware of hay
ing been interviewed by any newspaper
man.
About six months afterWard the Ninth
regiment was reviewed by Gen. Grant in
the Madison Square garden. Before the
review began, Gen. Shalcr, knowing moth
ing, of course of the circumstances, in
trOduced the writer of this article to the
General. He repeated the name over and
over, and then fixing his piercing orbs on
the reporter, recognized him as the one
who had caused him so much trouble. He
told the whole story to Gen. Shaler.
1T has been a wonder to me ever
SINCE" said be, "how this young man
here could have made so much out of so
short a conversation, and without taking
any notes keep so close to the truth. You
may depend upon it, however, that have
kept my eyes and ears open since, and he
will be mighty smart reporter who will
cstch me mining again.O