The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-02
GRANT AND THE PRIVATE SOLDIER.
An Incident in Connection with the Cam
paign Around Chattanooga.

palgn Around chattanooga.
Gaiena tIiI.) Special
The Rev. l. r. Smith, of Pleasant Valley, this
county, narrates the following incident respect
ing General Grant, which, though otherwise I'M
important goes to illustrate the kindly bearing
of the old commander toward his private SOL
diers, though occupying at the time the highest
place in the armies of the Union "An old friend
Of mine." relates Mr. Smith, residing in Chi
cago, who was at the time referred to pri-
vate in the Seventy-second Regiment of
Illinois Mounted Infantry, gave me the incident
in nearly these words: The battle of Chicka-
manga was fought on the 10Th and Goth of Sep
TENDER, 1863. After this battle, and before the
battle of Missionary Ridge, our main army was
encamped in and around Chattanooga was in
the Seventy second Illinois Mounted Infantry
stationed on the north side of the Tennessee
river about eight miles above Chattanooga. at "a
place called Harrson's Landing Being mount
ed regiment, armed with Spencer rifles. we had a
great amount of scouting and courier duty to
perform At the time I refer to 1 was
on courier duty, and was carry ing
dispatches to Chattanooga, where nearly
all the corps commanders had their
headquarters. General Grant, at this time
in command of all our forces. had his headquar-
ters there. too. / left camp one morning about
O'Clock with number of dispatches in large Off
cial envelopes. one of which was addressed ''Gen.
y. S. Grant" The Tennessee river at Chatta-
nooga is somewhat shallow, and from one third
to one half mile wide. Owing to the great
amount OF crossing to be done in supplying the
army, the engineer corps had put down pom
toon bridge with double track. One OF the rules
everybody had to observe was that no mounted
man. officer or private, could remain in saddle
while crossing the river, but must dis
mount and lead his horse by the bride.
had nearly reached the bridge opposite Chatta-
nooga when L observed short. thick-set man
ahead of me dismounting preparatory to cross
ing. l thought l knew the man, but was not
certain. By squirting my horse and walking
briskly after dismounting, overlook him near
the middle of the river. / saluted him, at the
same time saying, Is not this General Grant,?
He returned my salute with an Affirmative
said, General, have a dispatch for you, and at
the same time handed him one of the large
velopes. The rule was when a general or other
officer received a dispatch to take it from the
velope, and, putting the day and hour of receiv-
ing it, with his name and rank, upon the
empty envelope, returned it to the bearer,
as evidence of delivery. The General tore off
the end of the envelope and took out the con-
tents, but the envelope slipped from his hand and
the wind blew it into the river At this he
stopped suddenly flor we had been walking side
by side up to this time) ard said, Sergeant
owe you an apology Never mind, General,
said l. am acquainted at headquarters. and
think they will take my explanation But
could see it annoyed him, for he afterward re-
marked, i ought not to have been SO careless y
This incident Mr.. Smith related TO show that
though a general occupying the highest position,
Grant did not feel above apologizing to private
soldier, though the latter was doing at the same
time sergeants duty.