The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-12
GRANTS srorcIsaI.
General Hayes Tells a Clever Story About the
Impassabfltty of the silent Leader.


Cincinnati Commercial Gazette.
Ex-President Hayes was in reminiscent
mood, last Wednesday night at the monthly
dinner of the Loyal Legion. The charming
story which he told about Little Phll" Sheri-
dams frat ana last vote was received with APP
plause and there was g cheer when be repeated
Sheridan's simple words, 1T is my first vote.
and It viii, perhaps, be my last; but want 10
vote tor old Abe oncem General Hayes then
told. in his characteristics way. with gestures
that were almost CoqueIinssque in their express
stve grace, story OK General Grants stoicisin
In the midst of impending peril. General HAYES
said that it was story OF the only time that
Grant ever showed what might have been called
fear had any one else but Grant been the hero
OF the story.
81 met" said General Hayes, sat an army
dinner, some time ago, Colonel Bowers, favor
lite aid OF Grants, and asked him during the
evening, What was the most striking exhibition
OF fear, anxiety, or a sense OF responsibility
that you ever noticed 10 General Grant, wen,
replied Bowers, 'if there was one instance above
all others where he seemed TO be affected by the
stress Of care ii was during the Ave days hight
down In the Wilderness. On one OF the days,
think the fourth, the fighting commenced carry
in the morning. and continued all through the
day. At the end Of the day there bad oeen
great slaughter on both sides, and we had not
carried point: we had been repulsed on every
side There was not absolute defeat but We
all felt that our army had been shaken, and
that possibly . severe. determined return at
tack by Lees army might be disastrous.
Just at dark that night Bowers continued.
about log fire that was built on the greensward
at Grants quarters All Grants staff were
about the fire, and as the Pickering flames light
ed up their faces It could be seen that they were
all oppressed with the greatness OF the losses or
the day and the preceding days. Nothing was
said. The log cracked and sputtsred in the
FIRE. Grant stood by, looking at tho bright
flames, his hands behind his back, cigar IN bis
mouth. saying nothing. Suddenly there broke
ont on the night air, mile or two of, heavy
firing. 1t was evidently determined attack on
our lines. The firing grew rs it came nearer.
We ell jumped MP from our places about the
glowing fire and listened eagerly.
"'Grant stood and listened iutently to the FIR
Ing He said to an officer after moment or
two; Ride forward; sec what it 10 and come
back to ms.' The officer leaped into bis saddle
and ealloped rapidly out into the darkness be-
yopd the circle of light made by the campfire
Gradually the firing died away. volleys ceased
and soon uaught was to be heard save here and
there the sharp report Of a musket Grant
Strengthened up, yawned and SAID: Il haven't
slept any for some time, and think I'll go TO
bed" He then tossed away the stump OF his
cigar and entered his tent
Bowers" said General Hayes remarked:
Grant hadn't slept for three or four nights. he
had been In the saddle every night, examining
the lines and looking after the men, Grant was
10 his tent. Through the fly, which was open,
could be seen the yellow glimmer Of Pickering
candle. Grant always kept a candle burning IN
his tent at night when he slept. Bowers, with
the rest of the officers who remained up. after
while heard the thud, thud of a horses hoofs
galloping rapidly toward headquarters, and soon
the officer who had becn cent out to sac
what the firing meant, dashed into camp and
dismounted. Bowers got the news from the
officer, and went In to awaken Grant, for be had
gone to sleep. The news wasn't important, for
the firing was simply the enemy Strengthening
its lines, something like that not serious.
Bowers went TO Grants tent, and looked in. He
supposed the General was asleer. and he didn't
think the news of importance enough to awaken
him. Grant was lying on his face and bands,
and when Bowers looked into the tent, he said,
We'll, Bowers. what's upf Grant had evidently
not gone to sleep at all, tired as he was.
That query Of Grants said Mr.. Bowers.
was the most startling exhibition of care, anx-
icty, sensation, call 1t what you will. thss I
ever knew Grant to exhibit"
General Hayes bad all through the story the
deepest interest of his bearers, and as he ap-
preached the finale Of the story they were ali on
the Qui vive for something startling. Il didn't
come. and they ali laughed. The poiut OF Gen.
Hayes's story was that under no circumstances,
be they what they might. danger security,
did Grant ever, by word or look, express the
slightest fear or anxiety about anything with
which he had to do.