The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-07-29
GRANTS LAST HOURS.
The Hero Of Many Battles Facing the
Grim CenQuer0r.


Mt. McGREeoR, N. Y, July 22-9-A
M.-The actual condition Of the pa
tient is pronounced unchanged since
the last bulletin, except he is said by
DIR. Douglas to be growing weaker.
Some food has been taken and retained
this morning. The patient is sitting
with slightly inclined head; he is con-
scious, and his mind is clear. DR.. Doug
lass has sent for DR.. Sands. DR.. Doug
lass anticipates the end during the day
or evening.
1926 p. M.-Conditions are reported
unchanged since 8 O'Clock except gradu-
ally increasing weakness.
The early morning hours at the Grant
cottage were cool and refreshing. At 2
O'Clock the thermometer marked 72 de-
groes. About three O'Clock Mrs. Grant
came out on the veranda and sat down
in one Of the many deserted chairs
scattered about on the piazza. For ten
minutes she sat motionlcss, with her
face resting on her hand. Suddenly
there came sound of cough from
within the cottage. The General was
clearing his throat. Mrs. Grant left the
piazza quickly and seated herself by the
Generals side and slowly famed his
face. The coughing was not severe.
Colonel Fred Grant entered the room
while the nurse was aiding his father and
took seat behind the General. TWAS
time to administer his food. The nurse
touched the shoulder Of DR.. Douglass rs
he lay asleep on the couch in the same
room; he rose fully dressed, as he was
all night, and seated himself beside the
patient. Food was given from n cup and
his mouth and throat cleared by the
doctor. 1t was nearly 4 o'clock when
the physician laid away his appliances.
General Grant leaned forward in his
chair and significd his desire that lamp
should be brought. The nurse brought
lamp and held it at the sick mans
shoulder, and at the moment the General
turned his face toward the light and
upward to bid the nurse bring his
pad and pencil. His wish was not at the
moment understood, and, turning a trife
further, the General repeated his wish.
The scene at the moment was picture
in shadows. AS the fickcffng candle rays
fell across tho face Of General Grant it
became a grim Rcmbrandt. with the
strong, rugged lines broken down by
suffering and pain. On his head was the
skull cap that at all times lends a start
ling effect to the sick mans appearance,
and from beneath it struggled hair that
clung in sweat and moistened locks
about his emaciated neck. A crimson
scarf had been thrown on the back of
his chair, but as he leaned forward it
drew across his shoulders, one end be-
ing gathered under his arm. A dark
dressing gown covered the PATIENTS at
tenuated form and handkerchief encir-
cled his neck. The gray of the close cut
beard seemed white, and the lines on his
cheeks and forehead were deep indeed.
and when the face was turned upwards
to speak the eyes seemed grayer too and
abnormally large. they were clear and
steady, showing that the Generals rea-
son was clearly at his command, but
there was that wistful and yearning ex-
preston in them which makes women
weep and grow sympathetic. The Gen
erals face as he spoke appeared strained
and drawn, but its color and fullness
were not such as would be expected af-
ter such suffering and care. His lips
moved heavily and his whisper husky
and low, but the nurse understood, and
the pad and pencil were brought. Then,
while the red light of the candle fell on
his downcast face. he wrote, but only
briefly. The slip was handed to DR..
Douglass, who At once handed it over to
Colonel Grant, who had arisen and stood
beside his mother at the Generals side,
1t was private family communication
and when finished the sick man resum-
ed his half reclining position, with his
head slightly inclined forward and
his elbows on the sides Of the chair,
while the fingers Of either hand were in
terlocked with each other beneath his
chin. 1t was 4:3O O'Clock and the peak
Of the mountains Eastward were darkly
outlined against the reddening dawn.
A faint glow crept between tho pines
and birchcs through the cottage window
and tingcd the sick mans check with
the dawn of what is believed by the
doctor to be his last day. At S O'Clock
DR.. Douglass was aroused to send o
summons for DR.. Sands. The General
moved restlessly, and his eyes for a few
moments gazed intently away through
the trees, where the new day was be-