The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-18

How the Silent Soldier Rebuked Judge
Dickey and Other Staff Officers.

Council Bluffs ia Special.
The recent death of Judge T. Lyle Dickey. at
his home in Ottawa, ILL.,, brings to mind good
story of Grant which the honored Judge was
never tired of telling 1t was the evening before
the battle of Iuka- Grant had been IN his tent
all the afternoon apparent stupor, paying
but little attention to what was going on In his
command. The officers of his staff had become
alarmed over his seeming indifference to the
danger of the army, and were severely censuring
his conduct 1t was rumored through the camp
that Grant was drunk, and in condition to
prepare his troops for the struggle which seemed
imminent on the morrow. The staff finally held
a meeting, and appointed Judge Dickey a mem
Der Of the staff and one of Grants warm personal
friends, to go to the commanders tent, and, if
possible. ascertain from him what plans he had
made for the next days fight. Dickey entered
the chiefs tent with fear and trembling, and
found Grant seated upon camp stool, his head
resting upon one arm, quietly putting olack
cigar He looked up as the visitor entered, and
said: "He!lo, Dickey; have stool"
Encouraged by this cordial greeting, Dickey
took the proffered stool, and unhesitatingly
asked: General are you aware that we are on
the eve of great battleW
The old commander pulled his cigar in silence
for moment aud then suddenly looking up
startled Dickey with the query: 'lsay, Dickey,
did you ever notice that dun horse of mine2"
Dickey stammeIed that he had not and an
other season of silence followed. Dickey was
growing desperate, and was determined to let
the General know what his staff officers thought
of his, to them, strange conduct, he blurted
out: General, do you realize that we are on
the eve Of great battle? The staff officers fear
that you do not, and have sent me to ask you
what disposition you will take of our forces, and
what you know Of our enemys position and
numbers"
Dickey expected that he would be severely re-
buked for his impudence. However, the General
looked Up with a puzzlidg expression upon his
countenance and said: You say. Dckey, that
you never especially noticed that dun horse Of
mine. That horse seems to understand com
mands AS we'll any soldier. l wish every
member of my staff had a horse of that kind
Just watch him some time when you see him
under fire."
This ended the interview. Dickey returned
and made his discouraging report to the staff
who were more than ever convinced of their
Generals inability to manage the affairs of the
army, and they commenced planning upon line
of retreat in the Of the defeat which to
them seemed as certain as the dawning Of the
morrow. But the old General was not thinking
of defeat. Before the break of day he com
menced writing messages to his subordinates
and showed to his astonished staff that he knew
to an absolute certainty the exact number and
position of the rebel forces, and the topography
of the ground upon which battle to be
fought. All through that day of hard fought
battle Grant ii person directed the movements
of his army, and won decisive victory by fol-
lowing q plan mapped out in his tent the day
before, and which he had concealed from his
staff by entertaining Dickey with dissertation
upon the merits Of his favorite dun horse.