The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-25

Sponuent. ne was dressed In long ana many
cOlored dressing gown, his white whiskers were
trimmed after the pattern of BurnSdes and he
looked little like the stalwart figure which was
ever in the thickest of the fight during the
bloody battles of the late war
Ever since 1889, said he, II have been on
terms of the closest intimacy with Grant. I
we'll remember the fragile form which answered
to his name in that year. His distn-
gushing trait as a cadet was a girsh mod
esty; a hesitaucy in presenting his own claim;
a taciturnity born of his modesty; but thor
oughness in the accomplishment of whatever
task assigned him. AS was OF large and
robust physique, was at the head OF most larks
and games But in these young Grant never
joined because of his delicate frame. In horse
manship, however, he was noted as the most pro-
ficent in the academy In fact, rider and horse
held together like the tabled centaur.
In 1912 | was attached to the Fourth Infantry
as second lieutenant. A year later Grant joined
the same regiment, stationed in that year at
Fort jefferson. twelve miles from St Louis
The ties thus formed have never been broken;
but there was a charm which held US together of
which the world has never heard. My kinsman,
Mr.. Frederick Dent was a substantial farmer
living near Fort Jefferson. He had a
liking for army officers, due to the fact
that his son Fred. was a pupil at West
Point One day | received an invitation to visit
his house in order to meet young Fred, who had
just returned, and asked Grant to go with me-
This he did, and of course was introduced to the
Dent the charming daughter of our host. 1t IS
needless to say that saw but little of Grant
during the rest of the visit He paid court, IN
fact, with such assiduity as to give rise to the
hope that he had forever forgotten his dffidence.
Five years later, in 1S49 after the usual uncer-
taintes of soldiers courtship Grant returned
and claimed Miss Dent as his bride. had been
married just six months at that time, and my
wife and | were among tie guests at the wed
ding Only {. few months ago Mrs Grant re-
IN my mo )npXa an nj
son life that connected with General Grants
codrtship. Miss Dent had been escorted to the
military balls so often by Lieutenant Grant that
on one occasion, when she did not happen to go
with him, Lieutenant HOskins went up to her
and asked, with pitiful expression on his face
Where is that small man with the large
epauIets!'
I'm 1914 the Fourth Regiment was ordered to
Louisiana TO form part of the army of observa-
ton. Still later we formed part of the army
of occupation in Corpus Christi, Tex Here, re-
moved from all society, without books or papers,
we had an excellent opportunity of studying each
other. |, and every one else, found Grant reso-
Lutte and doing his duty in simple manner His
honor was never suspected, his friendships were
true, his hatred of guile was pronounced, and his
deteStatlon of tale bearers was, | may say, abso-
lutte The soul OF honor himself, he never even
suspected others either then or years afterward.
He could pot bring himself to look upon the ras-
cally side of human nature.
while we remained in Corpus Christi an in
cident illustrating Grants skill and fearlessness
as horseman occurred. The Mexicans were in
the habit of bringing in wild horses, which they
would sell for So or So These horses came near
costing more than one officer his life One day
particularly furious animal was brought In.
Every officer In the camp had declined to pur
chase the animal but Grant. who declared that
he would either break the horses neck or his
He had the horse blindfoded, bridled, and
saddled and when firmly in the saddle he threw
of the blind, sunk his spurs into the horses
TANKS: and was soon out of sight. For three
hours he rode the animal over all kinds of
ground, through field and stream, and when
horse and rider returned to camp the horse was
thoroughly tanned. For years afterward the
story of Grants ride was related at every camp
fire in the country. During the Mexican war we
were separated, Grant having been made quar-
termaster of the Fourth regiment, while was
assigned to duty as adjutant of the Eighth. AT
tho battle of Molino del Rey, however, [ had
occasion to notice his superb courage and cool
ness under fire. So noticeable his bearing
that his gallantry was alluded to in the official
reports.
I'm the long days of our stay in Louisiana
and Texas" continued General Longstreet, 1--WE
frequently engaged in the game of brag and five
cent ante, and similar diversions. We induced
Grant into the mysteries of these games, but he
made a poor player. The man who lost seventy
five cents in one day esteemed in those
times peculiarly unfortunate person. Years
later in 1858, | happened to be in St Louis, and
there met Captain Holloway and other army
chums. We went into the Planters Hotel to
talk over old times, and it was soon proposed to
have an oldtime game of brag, but it was found
that we were one short of making up a full hand
Wait a few minutes said Holloway, and l will
find some one In a few minutes he returned
with man poorly dressed in citizens clothes
and in whom we recognized our old friend Grant
Going into civil life Grant had been unfortu-
nate The next day walking in front of
the Planters, when found myself face to face
again with Grant who, placing in the palm of
my hand So gold piece, insisted that | should
take it in payment of debt of honor over fifteen
years old. / peremptorily declined to take it,
alleging that he out of the service and more
in need Of it than l. You must take it, said he
I cannot live with anything in my possession
which is not mine Seeing the determination in
the mans face, and in order to save him NORTH
cation, took the money and, shaking hands
we parted
THE next time met" said General Long
street, was at AppomattoX, and the first thing
that General Grant said to me wher we stepped
aside, placing his arm in mine, was: Pete Ia
sobriquet of mine), let US have another game of
brag. to recall the old days which were SO pleas
ant to US all Great God! thought to myself,
how my heart swells out to such magnanimous
touch of humanity Why do men fight who
were born to be brothers!
During the war my immediate command had
engaged the troops of General Grant but once
at the battle of the Wilderness. We came into
spring of 1865, one day, while awaiting letter
from General Grant, General Lee said to me-:
There is nothing ahead of us but to surrender
1t was as one of the commissioners appointed to
arrange the terms of peace that met General
Grant at Appomattox. HIS whole greeting and
conduct toward US was as though nothing had
happened to mar our pleasant relations.
''In 1866 had occasion to visit Washington on
business, and while there made call of courtesy
on General Grant at his office. As arose to
leave he followed me out into the hallway and
asked ne to spend an evening with his family
l thanked him, promising compliance, and
passed most enjoyable evening. When leav-
hallway. and said: General, would you like to
have amnesty! Wholly unprepared for this
replied that would like to have it, but had no
hope of getting it. He told me to write out my
application and to call at his Office at noon the
next day, and in the meantime he would see
President Johnson and Secretary of War Stanton
on my behalf When l called he had already