Huntsville gazette., 1885-08-01
The Loss Of It's Great Military and
Civic Chieftain.
Closing Scene Around the Bed of
the Dying General-The Flick
erlng Light Goes Out and
the Surrender Peaceful.
Condolences From All Quarters-P Procla-
nations BY the President and Gov
ernOr of New York-The
News in England.

MT. MCGREGoR, July 90. - Genera
Grant died at eight minutes past eight
o'clock this morning. With his death
there passes away one of the greatest
of modern times. Military crit
les. may differ as to his character and
rank as a military commander, but in
the face of his achievements, any at
tempt to beIittle his military capacity
would be idle. He held place in the
affections of the people of this country
which was equaled by no one except
Lincoln. His record as the leader of the
Union Army which crushed the rebellion
will leave him an undying name in the
proudest chapter of our history.
MT. GREGoR, N. Y.-Shortly before
eight o'clock this morning, while the
family were preparing for breakfast, and
the doctors were discussing the patients
chances on the piazza of the cottage,
Henry, the nurse, who was with the
General, stepped hurriedly out OF the
sick-room, and going to where the doc
tors were, informed them that he thought
the end was near. The doctors hastily
went to the room, and at glance took
In the situation. They quietly ordered
the nurse to summon the family at once.
Mrs. Grant, Jesse Grant and wife, U. S.
Grant, Jr. and wife and Mrs. Colonel
Grant instantly answered the summons;
Mrs. Sartoris, noticing the doctors hur-
riedly gong to the room, followed them,
and was the first member of the family
present. Colonel Fred was now the only
member of the family absent, having
strolled around the grounds. The serv-
ants went in search of him, but he en-
tered the sick-room before any one sue
ceeded in bringing him the news of his
fathers approaching dissolution. Col
0nel Grant took seat at the right side
of the bed, placing his left arm on the
pillow above his iather's head.
Close by the bedside sat Mrs. Grant,
intensely agitated but bravely suppress
ing her emotions and striving to be calm.
She leaned upon the bed with one elbow
and gazed with eyes blinded with tears
into the Generals face. There was,
however, no sign of recognition in his
pallid face. He was breathing fast, with
slightly gasping respirations.
Mrs. Sartoris leaned on the shoulder OF
her mother and witnessed with pent-up
emotion the ebb of the life in which she
had constituted an element of pride.
The scene was quiet one, and the
General passed quietly and painlessly
into another world.
At little distance behind Mrs. Grant
and Mrs. Sartoris stood the three physi-
clans, Douglas, Shrady and Sands, silent
spectators of the scene which, but for
their efforts, would doubtless have oc-
Cured months ago.
Jesse Grant and U. S. Grant, Jr, stood
their mother at the other side of
the bed. Near the foot of the cot, close
by Jesse, was N. E. Dawson, the Gener-
ais confidential secretary and stenogra-
pher.
At the foot of the bed stood Mrs. u. S.
Grant, Jr., and by her side Mrs. Colonel
Fred Grant and Mrs. Jesse Grant. These
three gazed down into the face of the
General while tears, and the sad expression
of their faces plainly reflected the anguish
Of their feelings, and they now and then
stole glance at Mrs. Grant who with
bowed head was intently watching the
face of her dying husband.
No word was spoken and the stiffness
Of the room added to the impressiveness
Of the sad scene.
Mrs. Grant several times affectionately
stroked the face, forehead and arms of
her dying husband, and seemed utterly
beside herself with despair at the thought
OF her approaching separation from the
man with whom she has passed so many
years of welded happiness.
DIR. Douglas several times felt the
pulse OF the patient, who was now quiet
" passing away; but this had dwindled
to . point beyond detection. Respiration
grew momentarily more quickened, but
his lace reflected no pain. Although at
f1rst his breathing seemed labored, it grad
ually became weaker, but with little
effort toward the end. As If by a sudden
impulse, Mrs. Grant arose from her seat
and seizlng both of the Generals hands
within her own pressed them, and turn
ing kissed him fervently in the forehead.
At this few convulsive sobs were heard
coming from the direction where u S.
Grant, Jr., stood, but these were speedily
and solemn stiffness again
came over the room.
Mrs Sartoris' grief was plainly WIS.,
ible. Her lips quivered with the deep
sorrow plainly depicted in her face. She
eagerly sought to be recognized by her
dying father. Just few seconds before
demise the General opened his eyes, and
they met those of his daughter. The ef-
fect was instant. He closed them again,
and soon after expired. Mrs. Sartoris
was weeping, as were also other men,
Dera Of the family.s