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

vehicles, brought in by the foragers that were in
my front, loaded with poultry and all manner OF
things, that had just been passing in review. He
said he had, and that no procession of circus or
menagerie had amused him more l suggested
that as night was rapidly approaching, if he
desired me to do so | would GO into camp at that
point with my brigade. He had told me he expect
ed to stay there during the night, and l thought
he might feel more secure to be with us He told
me not to go into camp at that point on his
account, but moment after he said that might
send company of infantry to stay with him
during the night. When l asked him from what
regiment the company should come, he suggested
my regiment, the Nineteenth Kentucky My
State pride was considerably f1attered by this;
and Company /, from Harrodsburg, KY, were
detailed to stay with him-an honor of which
they were justly proud He seemed to have the
faculty of doing and saying the right thing at
the right time and in the right place more than
any other man l ever knew He was thoughtful,
and was always doing or saying something
pleasant to make you feel good"
Said /: "Were you with General Grant
during the siege of Vicksburgl"
"Oh. yes" said General Landram. II next
saw him after the time just mentioned at Black
river bridge. And here / witnessed an oc-
currence which has not to my knowledge been
published. The confederates had crossed over
and burned the bridge. For the purpose of
gaining time, they had posted sharp shooters on
the edge of the cliff on the opposite bank of the
stream to prevent our forces from laying a pom
toon bridge necessary to enable US to cross |
was directed to send section of the Chicago
Mercantile Battery down to the river, shell the
bluffs and drive the enemy away, so that the
work could proceed. The guns were taken down
and put to work as directed. Prompted some
what by curiosity, as we'll duty, | walked
down the road leading to the river until / came
in sight of the bluffs where the sharpshooters
concealed l soon discovered they were still
there, and not slow to return the fire of the
battery, nor to shoot at any one who came
in sight. Taking shelter behind an old gate
post that stood in the edge of the road, | was
witnessing the effect of the shells from our guns
when | heard some one coming down the same
road in my rear. Looking back / saw it was
General Grant, accompanied by two or three
officers whom did not know. / motioned to
him Immediately, and told him to dismount,
speaking Of the danger from the confederate
sharpshooters on the hills The whole party dis
mounted and approached on foot. leading their
horses l extended my hand to General Grant
and just as he grasped it, shot, fired from the
opposite bank, struck a horse by his side-the
blood squirting out, but the wound not seriously
injuring the animal. l again urged the danger
they were in, but General Grant did not seem to
be at ali disconnected, and, after few moments,
they all returned through the bushes, and / saw
him no more that day. That this shot which
struck the horse was fired directly at General
Grant there is no reason to doubt, as he was the
foremost and most conspicuous figure in the
group While the confederate who fired it was,
OF course. ignorant of the fact that he shoot
ing at the commander of the army, he neverthe-
less came near killing the man who was destined
to be the chief figure in the suppression of the
rebellion.
. Again during the seige of vcksbure," con-
tinued General Landram, Il met General Grant
at mis- headquarters, also at those of Generals
Sherman and Smith. Once, while visiting
Smiths headquarters, oneral Grant came un-
attended one afternoon, and l had considerable
conversation with him. Commenting his
corps commanders-Sherman Mcpherson and
Ord-he complimentet them all; but when he
mentioned Sherman, his eye flashed, and his
whole countenance beamed with unusual anima-
tion, as he said: I would be proud to take a
command under Sherman! He spoke this with
emphasis. After the seige of Vicksburg, | met
General Grant, my return from short
leave of absence. at his headquarters in that
city. He asked me the news in the North, and
l told him it was believed he would be put in
command of the Army of the Potomac. He
replied that it did not meet his appreciation. but,
after further conversation, he modified his re-
marks by saying he would not be willing to 60
to the East unless he could take his Western
army with him. He then made some comments
on the contemplated Red-river expedition, from
which understood him to disapprove of that
movement Shortly after this left to join my
command at New Orleans, and l saw General
Grant more during the war"