The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-09-12
GRANT AS A COLLECTOR.
How He Compelled q Spectator to Make
Good Some Drafts He Had Given the
Soldiers.
In the spring Of 1868, the army of the
Tannnssaa was CANNED from Lake Prc.vi-

How He Compelled q Spectator to Make
Good Some Drafts He Had Given the
Soldiers.
In the spring of 1868, the army of the
Tennessee was camped from Lake Provi-
1ence to Millkin's Bend. Louisiana.
waiting to make the attack on yicks-
burg. Our battery (Bolton's) was
camped at Barry's Landing. Late one
evening, at roll-call, the Captain stepped
to the front of the company and said
that a friend of his. Mr.. Alfred Sphinx.
Of Chicago, represented wealthy
firm. Price. Maher e. Sphinx, cotton
buyers-that he (Spink) would give
drafts to any of the men desiring to
send their money home, on F Granger
Adams, a Chicago banker; that the
parties were reliable, and that in casa
the drafts were captured by the enemy
they would be renewed. As many OF
the boats going up the river were
captured BY the Confederates at Eagle
Bend, or Island 33, and the boys were
paid off that day, we all concluded to
send 0nr money by drafts, as the Capt
ain told US. and we mailed them by
the first boat going north TO our fami-
lies. Soon afterward We moved to
Grand Gulf, crossed The river at Hard
Times Landing, participated in the
battles of Raymond and Champion Hill,
and engaged in the seige of Vieksburg
about the 10Th of May. 1868. A few
days afterward we got big mail, which
had accumulated for two months, and
when the boys came to open the letters
every blessed draft was returned with
word that there we're no funds in the
bank to pay the same. We all felt dis
heartened as we had net before been
paid for six months, and our families
were suffering.
The Captain told us that everything
would be all right after little. We
were busy with the siege from daylight
until dark for forty-seven or forty eight
days, and did not think much about it.
A Mr. c. G. Cadwallader, correspond
ent of the Chicago Times. made his
headquarters for months with Captain
Bolton, and about the third day Of the
siege he turned up. Captain Billy, as
We called our Captain, had great con-
fdence in old Cad, as the boys called
the correspondent. and he laid the
whole matter before him Old Cad set
sail on his one-eared mule for Grants
Headquarters, aid in about an hour re-
turned with message that the General
wanted to see the Captain.
never will forget that evening, when
Captain Bill returned with the cores
pondent and the one-eared mule. He
told the boys that the money would be
forthcoming. that everything was fixed
for the men to return their drafts to
Chicago, to Godfather Cyrus p Brad
ley. Chief of Police (the battery was re-
cruited at Captain Bradley's Office, and
the boys always called him Godfather
Bradley. Soon afterward word came
that every draft was paid.
AS it may be interesting to the reader
to know what kind of an order General
Grant made that had such statutory eff
feet upon the parties, | will give it as
near as | can. The General had list
of all the drafts and the amounts, and
then by preamble recited the facts, and
then ordered the commander of the
United States forces at Chicago to de-
mand payment from Messrs. Price.
Maher q Sphinx, and in case they de-
clined or refused to do so. to place them
III lrouS, anu 10 Senu tnefn unuer guard
to him in the field. Lieutenant s. p.
Tracy was detached to carry out the
order. and the Quartcrmaster's depart
ment was ordered to furnish the neces-
sary transportation.
After the capture of Vicksburg was
riding with the Captain to our battery
headquarters out the Cherry street road,
when General Grant came trotting
along. Coming abreast, he said: by
the way. Captain, what became of that
order about the drafts?' The Captain
replied that everything had been settled
satisfactorily. to which the old hero re-
Piled: although | gave free transpor-
tation | did not think they liked me well
enough to make me visit. Cor. Chi
cdgO Inter Ocean.