The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-08-26
GEN. GRANTS PRIVATE LIFE.
An Interview with His Friend, John
Russell Young, Minister to China.
Some Interesting "reminiscences of Grants
Famous Trip Around the WOrld-His Likes
and Dislikes and His Estimates of Men.

Famous Trip Around the WOrld-HiS Likes
and Dislikes and His Estimates of Men.
Denver Tribune Republican.
Probably no American citizen living was bet
ter acquainted with or lived closer to General
Grant than did Hon. John Russell Young, ex-
minister to China, who left Denver last evening,
after a sojourn of twenty-four hours. From the
close Of Grants official career until four years
ago, when Mr.. Russell accepted the mission to
China, they were as members of one family.
When General Grant made his trip around the
world Nr. Young accompanied him as his guest.
and acted in the capacity OF manager and fnan-
cial agent of the party. Upon the return Of the
party to the United States Mr.. Young published
a work of two volumes, ageregating about 200
pages, entitled "Around the World with General
Grant" In view of these facts, which are
known to almost every intelligent person, a
reporter of the Tribune Republican called upon
Mr.. Young, yesterday afternoon. for the express
purpose of having a talk with him about the
dead General. Since Mr.. Young returned from
China this is the first time he has talked about
his old friend for publication, and everything
lIdI Hc SGlQ dDOuG 0Gucldt NIdHC IL IL tAC IOo
interesting character. He confined his remarks
entirely to the Generals private life, his knowl-
edge of men and things. his likes and dislikes,
his manner of conversation, and, in short, an
outline of his daily life.
In answer to the reporters first question, Mr..
Young said:
IL have known General Grant for twenty
years. Circumstances threw US into very close
relations. / was first introduced to him by MIR.
Washburne, of Illinois. / was a neighbor Of
his at Long Branch, and saw him socially a
great deal. During his administration | was in
Europe most Of the time, in the service of the
New York Herald. When Grant came to Eu-
rope l met him at Queenstown. and for two
After his return to New York there was scarcely
ID day in which l did not meet General Grant,
and looked upon his home almost as my own.
He was the last person | saw in New York, and
during my mission in China we were correspond
ents. The last letter 1 received from him was
just before his fatal. illness, and it showed no
signs of either mental or physical decay"
How did Grant impress you personality
Journalists, as a general thing are cynical in
regard to distinguished men. You are so much
behind the scenes of public life. and see so much
of what is false and meretricioUS. that you pay
little respect to what the world calls fame or
celebrity. But, in the case of Grant, my feeling
was one of increasing reverence and affection,
ttio HO Seb NANNR bAhS a. tt'AN - AVA NlSh NV
SO sadly. AS to Grants military and political
career, ! can say nothing: that belongs to his.
tory and criticism. 1t was in his private, per
sonal life that Grant showed those qualities
which will make him immortal. He was singu-
larly shy; blushed like a woman; pure minded,
straightforward, and ingenious; and l never
heard him say a word that he could not say to q
little girl in her mothers presence.
Grant has been called a silent man, but al
though | have met many Of the brilliant con-
VprcHtlOnal1StS IN EnrOnQ and America SJnPa
the time of MIR. Lincoln, have never met one
who could equal Grant in many respects. He
was very fond of talking. He craved compau-
ionship, friendship. sympathy. and would come
into a room when we were travelling at sea, or at
a hotel. and talk until 2 or 3 o'clock in the morn
ing. After everybody had retired. | have often
heard Grants gentle, timid knock at the door.
He would come in with a cigar, sit down and
begin conversation. |, AS a journalist, had &C
CURED the habit of late hours, and was the one
of the party whom Grant selected for midnight
conversations. Some of these l have printed:
others | have retained in notes. The value of
Grants talk vas that it was genuine and sin
cere, streaming with humor and anecdotes. He
never talked gossip. and never spoke unkindly
of persons. | remember his saying to me on
one occasion that there were but two persons
living-ope a confederate general and the other
a federal generator whom he had "a feeling Of
anger THESE officers are now dead, and |
won't mention their names. The reason for
Grants feelings went back to the Mexican war
times, and it is plain to me they were eminently
honorable to Grant, to a sense of refinement as a
gentleman"
. "Whereln did you think Grants greatness
consistedW
1.-THE impression that Grant was not a cult
waited man does him great injustice. Remember
that Grant came from one of the oldest families
in New England. His great-grandfather fought
under Washington, in the British army, against
the French in the colonial wars. and Grants Hill
in Pittsburg, is named after him. His grand
father fought in the Revolution as an officer.
His father was one Of the most conspicuous men
in his county as a writer, speaker and journalist,
and through mis- influence Grant was given the
West Point education, which is perhaps the best
in the world. remember asking Mcdowell the
same question which you asked me. and inquir-
ing whether, when they were in Mexico. young
officers togethers, Grant gave any indication Of
his illustrious career. Mcdowell said No; that
Lee, Rosecrans. Mcclellan, Franklin and others
were the men whom they looked upon as the
future chiefs Of the army. But added Mellow
ell, what l remember about Grant was that he
was a very thorough man. What he did he did
well. l shall never forget coming from a fight,
our command all tired, weary and worn, and
Grant, who was regimental quartermaster, had
prepared for the boys the most sumptuouSenter-
tainment of coffee, bread and meat. / never
enjoyed a meal in my life SO much. 1t showed
Grants foresight. He knew we had been fighting
and would be hungry. Grant in those days. said
Mcdowell, was remembered in the army for
two qualities, his personal courage and horse
manship.'
'"The impression that Grant produced upon me
was that Of a mind of slow and steady growth.
He had a marvellous memory for facts, names.
figures. circumstances-a memory extraordinary
in its fullness and minuteness. l remember
Sherman telling me that when Grant was in
Command Of the army at Vicksburg he thought
he knew where every tin can was. To this
memory Grant added ~quickness and energy-a
power of unceasing toll, and when he had any
thing to do, was restless with Impotence until it
was done. He was p~unctual in all engagements,
and the only expressions of impatience / recall
on his part during the two years was a member