Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-11-16
GRANTS STOICISM.
General Hayes Tells a Story About the
Impassability of the Silent Leader.
From the Cincinnati commercisl-eamt.e.

From the Cincinnati Commerciel-Gazette
Ex-President Hayes was in q reminiscent
mood last Wednesday night at the monthly
dinner OF the Loyal Legion. The charming
story which he told about 'Llttle PHIL Sheri-
dams first and last vote was received with ap-
plause, and there was a cheer when he repeated
Sheridan's simple words: ct is my first vote,
and it will perhaps be my last, but 1 want to
vote for 'Old Abe oncer'' General Hayes then
told, in his characteristic way, with gestures
that were almost Coquelinesque in their ex.
pressive grace, story of General Grants stoi.
cism In the midst of impending peril. General
Hayes said that il was a 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 Gen. Hayes, cat an army din
ner, some time ago, Col. Bowers, a favorite aide
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 in Gen. Grant, WE'LL replied
Bowers, If there was one instance above all
others where he seemed to be affected by the
down in the Wilderness. On one of the days.
/ think the fourth, the fighting commenced
early in the morning, and continued all through
the day. At the end Of the day there had been
carried a point; we had been repulsed on every
side. There was not an 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,
said General Hayes we were all gathered
about log fire that was built on the green
sward at Grants quarters. All Grants staff
were about the fire, and as the pickering flames
lighted up their faces it could be seen that
they were all oppressed with the greatness of
the losses of the day and the preceding days.
Nothing was said. The log cracked and sput-
tered in the fire. Grant stood by, looking at
the bright flames, his hands behind his back a
cigar in his mouth, saying nothing. Suddenly
there broke out on the night air, a mile or two
off, heavy firing. 1t was evidently a deter
mined attack on our lines. The firing grew as
it came nearer. We all jumped up from our
places about the glowing fire and listened
eagerly.
= Grant stood and listened intently to the
firing. He said to an officer. after moment or
two: Ride forward; see what it is, and come
back to me-" The officer leaped into his saddle
and galioped rapidly out into the darkness be-
yond the circle OF light made by the camp fire.
Gradually the firing died away; volleys ceased
and soon naught 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 hasn't slept for three or four nights He
has been in the saddle every night, examining
the lines and looking after the men, Grant
was IN his tent Through the fly which was
open, could be seen the yellow gli1nmer of @
hIckering candle. Grant always kept candle
burning in his tent at night when he slept
Bowers. with the rest of the officers who re-
NAMED up, after while heard the thud thud
OF horses hoofs gailoping rapidly toward
headquarters, and soon the officer who had
been sent out to see what the firing meant
dashed into camp and dismounted Bowers
got the news from the officer and went in to
awaken Grant, for he had gone to sleep. The
news wasn't important, for the firing was SIM
ply the enemy Strengthening its lines, or some
thing like that, not serious. Bowers went to
Grants tent and looked in. He supposed the
general was asleep, and he didn't think the
news of Importance enough to awaken him.
Grant was lying ON his face and hands and
when Bowers looked into the tent he said
Well. Bowers. what's up Grant had evidently
not gone to sleep at all, tired as he was.
That query of Grants said Mr. Bowers.
was the most striking exhibition of care, anx-
iety, sensation, call it what you will that ever
knew Grant to exhibit"
General Hayes had all through the story the
deepest attention of his hearers, and as he APP
preached the finale of the story they were all
ON the qul vive for something startling 1t
didn't come, and they all laughed. The point
OF General Hayes story was that under no cir
cumstances, be what they might, danger or
security, did Grant ever, by word or look, ex-
press the slightest fear or anxiety about any,
thing with which he had to do.