The Indianapolis journal., 1885-07-24


major general in the regular army and located
on the Pacific Coast, with headquarters at SaI
Francisco"
Said Gen. Fred. Knefer: "Of course, I saw
Grant great many times. When l wish good
picture of him, call up the afternoon when Lew
Wallace's corps had passed Shiloh Church. and
the lines of battle were moving up the ridge. II
was raining at the timeNa gray drizzle. AS We
advanced, battery was firing shells over us
from the flank. l heard horse clattering be
hind me and there was Grant going by with a
single orderly with him. There never was any
ostentation about him. Hewent on up the ridge
or HILL and soon the orderly came back with an
order TO" battery to drive the rebel guns away
In the meantime Grant who, while not snowy
rider sat his horse like Centaur, was there
grimly outlined against the gray sky reconnoit
ering the rebel battery. The figures of horse
and rider were alone, with nothing to detrac,
from them, and | have often thought that would
have been the supreme moment for painter tC
take for the inspiration and material for grand
historical picture Of the General--on the eve OF
great victory"
Said General McGinnis II have met Grant
several times. Our relations were always very
pleasant. met him and stopped at his head
quarters, as other officers did, two or three times
during the siege of Vicksburg. He was always
glad to see US, and at the same time seemed best
pleased when the visits were short. He ap-
peared to think the proper place for us was with
our commands. The only place where | consid-
cred myself specially honored by Grant was
after the battle of Champion Hill. Our division,
in which l commanded the first brigade, under
the command of General A. p. Hovey, bore the
brunt of the battle If we had lost two more
4 syonr in l0H An1 1Nrc o,,l1 L
have been just half Grants total loss in
that battle. After the battle he sent me an
order direct, without going through division or
corps headquarters, leaving me in charge of the
battlefield to take charge of the prisoners cap
tured, the artillery, arms, and debris with orders
to report direct to him after had got through.
looked upon that somewhat of an honor; at
least 1t struck me in that way, and | have felt
pleasure in recalling it in the years that have
followed"
Said Alex C. Jameson: General McGinnis
should have told of that little affair in Louisiana,
near Carrollton. 1t was when, after the fall of
Vicksburg. went to the Department of the
Gulf Grant reviewed us there and it was a
large affair, regiment after regiment, brigade
after brigade, division after division, in long
lines We were seasoned veterans then. Pap
McGinnis always prided himself on doing things
according TO regulations. Well, when division
or corps is reviewed, it isn't regulation to present
by regiments, but by brigades. General Nc
GlnnlS had posted his cOlOnels in this matter.
Ours was the third division of the corps, first
brigade. Grant and Banks rode along the lines
attened by large staffs--that of Banks being par
tcularly large and glittering-came down the
long lines past the first division, then the second
division. and at last to division. AS Grant
along regiment after regiment presented arms
to him until he came to McGinnis's brigade. Old
Colonel Spicely commanded the first regiment in
our brigade. AS Grant approached he stitfened
himself to a poker-ike rlgidity and did not give
the faintest indication of a salute
Grant, checking his horse, looked sharply at
Spicely and said: Colonel, why don't you sa-
lutte, sir Spicely. assuming still greater rigid
ity, replied: / have different orders. sir Grant
SAID not another word, but when he got near
the center Of the brigade line General McCSinnis
ordered, Battalions, present arm y the regula-
ton salute. At this Grant left his staff and
rode up to McGinnis, and, shaking hands with
him, said: General, how are youF He had
seen the point. AS he shook hands with Nc
GinniS the only person so honored on that re.
view. our brigade cheered and cheered Nc.
Ginnis shook his head at the boys, but it was no
use. Grant heSitated moment if to say
something more, and then, apparently not con-
sidering it worth while. agG turned his horse S
head and rode on
"As marked an instance as [ ever saw of
Grants imperturbablity and utter lack of the
feeling of fear, was at the battle of Big Black
Bridge, just before Vicksburg FELL said COL
James B. Black. ut was on the day following
the battle of Champions Hill, and we were
flushed with victory. We had just dislodged the
rebels from their position, but after having
re treated short distance thev halted planted a
battery on little ridge, and began firing through
Grant and an orderly or two had Just ridden into
the gap, almost alone, when the Shellng was
commenced and every shot passed over the
Generals head so close that it seemed simply
miraculous that one of them did not take it
from his shoulders. He did not give the slgh test
manifestation of fear, but sat there as calmly
with head erect, as though there had
not been an enemy in miles. He turned to
his orderly and in tone Of voice that could not
have been heard twenty feet from him, gave an
order Instantly the orderly departed. and. in q
few moments, during which the General sat
motlonless as a statue, the shells flying thick
and fast the while, returned with a section of Il
battery of thirty pound Parrot guns. Moving
his horse to one side, simply enough to give
space for planting the guns. General Grant
pointed out the location of the battery from
which came the shells, and directed the captain
to dislodge it. While this was going on he still
sat on his horse beside the cannon, and did not
leave his position until the enemy's guns were
again driven from their position. Time and
again 1 have seen Grant on the field of battle.
when other generals about him. flushed with the
excitement of victory, were almost frantic with
joy, rode about on capering horses, or in other
ways showed evidences of great excitement, but
never saw him show the slightest evidence of
elaton or qualification. | used to think that he
was simply devoid of such feelings"
ANECDOTE AND INCIDENT.
Grants Entry Into Military Life-His Quick