Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-08-01

Gainesville tGa) Special St Louis Globe Democrat
"He was the truest as well as the bravest man
/ ever knew" was the remark of Gen. James
Longstreet, as soon "a he recovered from his
emotion on being Informed Of the death>of Gen.
Grant. "a man Of unbounded confidence In
human nature, with the greatest sense of mod
esty, and utterly without guile, the one great
American of the present age who will live in
history as typifying the best elements of man.
hood. AS passion cools and prejudice clears
away, and politicians are relegated toobscurity,
then the figure of Grant will stand out in bold
relief, second only to that of Washington"
Gen. Longstreet lives in large two-story
grove about two miles from the CITY. Upon the
airy porch of his country mansion his cheeks
tanned by the breeze from the Blue Ridge
peaceful days which have little in them to
feE;ii tne memory of the trenches on the we'll
fought neids between Washington and Rich
mona. HIS form, once SO erect and soldierly,
anutne appearance Of which was went to be
as he rode down the line, is now bulky and
bowed; but his eyes still have the same look
OF logged determination as in the days when
from the very despair of desperation. When
your correspondent found him he was examin-
Ing ing ms grapeyines. and looked for the world
upon a field of carnage. Passing his hand over
ms forehead, as If in painful meditation, he
HIdue use Vi tne words with WnlCh This Cnapter
was opened.
THE EARLY DAYS AT WEST POINT.
II well remember the delicate and fragile
form of the boy who, in 1889, answered to the
roll-call when the name of Grant was repeated.
we were boisterOus set who filled the classes
that year and my physique and exuberance Of
spirit leo me 10 be among the leaders Of every
sport and diversion. The delicate stranger was
not OF our mold; his build and his want of
strength did not warrant his becoming one of
our unrulV INSTEAD If fOrntnp him
the dislike SO apt to be entertained tor one not
given to manly sports, we grew to admire his
which was at the bottom OF his character. In
one trait however, he excelled. He was the
most daring horseman in the whole command,
ana the wonder has often been expressed that
ne did not gravitate into the cavalry branch of
the service. In 1912 graduated and was as
signed to duty as second lieutenant in the 4th
infantry, then stationed at Jefferson barracks,
twelve miles from st. Louis. The year follow.
ing, 1S43, Grant followed, and was attached to
the same regiment.
BARRACK LIFE TINGED BY ROMANCE.
'These early days." said Longstreet, as he
settled in the great easy chair which stood on
his front porch, while the reporter threw him.
self on the banister ratings, "recall delightful
period. AS think over the names, how many
have risen to fame, how many have failed, how
other forms. until now, the one who became the
greatest of all has passed to his rest Thus it is
with humanity. Well" said he, "to return to
our subject. Lieut.. Grants Distinguishing trait
at that time was his simple performance of
duty, without show of authority or offensive
manner, and his scrupulous regard for the feel
ings of others. So perfect was his sense of honor
that in the numerous cabals which were often
formed his name was never mentioned, for he
never did anything which could be made SUBJ
ject of criticism or reproach. Grant cOndded in
me, perhaps. more than any other officer in the
coming out of the barracks, said to him:
"'Grant, wish you would come With me on
visit to kinsman.'
HE readily assented. When we reached the
mansion of my kinsman we were heartily re-
ceived. and the family were introduced one by
one. a. they returned from their daily duties
AT last the musical voice of young woman
was heard in the nall, and an instant later the
lady was In the room.
"'MiSs Julia Dent said l, as took my pretty
kinswomans hand, and she bluslied deeply as
she bowed to
"'Lieut. Grant!
"a little later Cadet Fred. Dent entered and
while engaged him in conversation, in which
the old people joined, Lieut. Grant and Miss
Julia were forming the ties the last chapter of
which may be seen in the weeping widow now
bending over the dead body Of her husband in
New York city. After that day Miss Julia
Dent was one of the most frequent dancers at
our military balls. 1t is only few months
ago that Mrs Grant recalled to me story of
that period, showing how they use to tease her
about the young lieutenant. On one occasion
she went to one OF the balls under the escort of
Lieut.. Grant was ab emit Lieut.. Hoskins, with
a most doieful expression on his face, went up
to her and asked:
miss Julia, where is that little man with
the large epauettes?'
This caused a smile at the expense Of the
young lady, but she chung to her young lieuten-
ant, and in 1S4S they were married. 1 had
been married just six months at the time my
SELF, and, as the one who had originally intro
duced the couple, was an honored guest upon
the occasion.